Thank you for your interest in Conchita Espinosa Academy. The information below will help guide you through the application and admissions process for each grade level.
Admissions for the 2026-2027 school year will open on October 1, 2025.
Tours for the 2026-2027 school year will resume on September 15, 2025.
Get to know CEA
While not a requirement, we encourage families to schedule a tour to visit the CEA campus and learn more about our educational philosophy and programs. CEA offers personalized tours for individual families and small groups. Please click below to schedule your tour for Early Childhood, Lower School, or Upper School.
*If you have children applying to different grades, we recommend you tour for the youngest child applying.
Admissions Process
STEP 1 – Submit Application and Fee
- Create a New Student Application (available October 1st)
There is a non-refundable $175 application fee to be paid at the time the application is submitted. Payment can be made via credit card during the application process.
Before you begin the application process, please make sure you have the following documents handy and ready to upload. It is recommended that you set aside approximately 20 minutes to complete the application process.
For applicants entering K3, K4 and Pre-primary (K5)
- Latest progress report or evaluations from the child’s current pre-school (if applicable)
- Birth Certificate – REQUIRED
- Photo of applicant/family (not required, but encouraged)
- Letters of recommendation from current/former CEA families and/or alumni, parish, current school/teachers. (not required, but encouraged)
For applicants entering 1st through 8th Grades
- Child’s last two years of report cards, including the most recent school year – REQUIRED
- Child’s latest Standardized Test results – REQUIRED
- Birth Certificate – REQUIRED
- Photo of applicant/family (not required, but encouraged)
- Letters of recommendation from current/former CEA families and/or alumni, parish, current school/teachers. (not required, but encouraged)
Please note, applications will only be considered complete once it has been submitted with all required documentation and the application fee has been paid.
STEP 2 – Application Review
Once your application is submitted, all required documents have been uploaded, and application fee payment has been received, the admissions team will review it to ensure it is complete.
STEP 3 – Admissions Observation/Evaluation
Once the application is complete, our Admissions Coordinator will contact you to schedule an admissions observation/evaluation.
STEP 4 – Committee Review
Following the evaluation, the admissions committee will review the application, supporting documents, and evaluation notes.
STEP 5 – Admissions Decision
Once a decision is made, you will be notified by email of the admission decision. If the application is received by November 15, 2025 (early decision), you will be notified on January 16, 2026. If application is received on or after November 16, 2025, you will be notified within 4-6 weeks of application completion date.
- If accepted, families have seven days to complete enrollment.
- If accepted, but space is not available, the applicant will be placed in a waiting list.
- If denied admission, the family is welcome to apply in future years.
Due to the fluid nature of the admissions process, CEA does not disclose available spots nor waitlist positions. As grades and waiting lists reach capacity and we stop accepting applications, we will post updates.
Considerations
- Date of Application
- Program Readiness
- Academic Qualifications
- Evaluation Results
- Alignment between the Applicant’s Family and the School’s Philosophy
- Recommendation Letters
- Grade Level Space Availability
Early Decision vs. Regular Decision
Early Decision
Early decision is for families who know CEA is their first school of choice. Applications for early decision must be completed by November 15, 2025 and families will be notified via email by January 16, 2026.
Regular decision
Regular decision is for families who are exploring several schools, or applying later in the year. Applications for regular decision are received from November 16, 2025 onward on a rolling-admissions basis and subject to grade availability. Families will be notified via email within 4-6 weeks of application completion date.
Summer Program Requirement
The six-week summer program is a required and integral component of the admissions process. It takes place during the first half of the summer, immediately after the school year ends, allowing families greater flexibility to plan vacations for the latter part of the summer. The program is offered exclusively for registered students. Details regarding summer program costs can be found under our Summer Page.
Scholarships
We participate in select Step Up Scholarship Programs. For all Step-Up related inquiries, please contact Ms. Lizzy Mesa at lmesa@conchitaespinosa.com.
Conchita Espinosa Academy is a private, independent, coeducational elementary and middle school that admits qualified students of any race, color, religion, nationality or ethnic origin. Admission to “Conchita Espinosa Academy” is based on test results, recommendations, grades from the school previously attended, and the number of openings available.
Conchita Espinosa Academy is accredited internationally, nationally and regionally by Accreditation International (Ai), National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA), National Independent Private Schools Association (NIPSA), the Middle States Association (MSA), the COGNIA (formerly AdvancEd/SACS), and the Association of Independent Schools of Florida (AISF). We are also members of the Independent Schools of South Florida (ISSF).
Conchita Espinosa Academy Reserves the right to cancel this application at any time. The Academy reserves the right to dismiss at any time any student who does not meet the required disciplinary and academic standards set by the school administration.
