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Lakewood Catholic Academy

United States, Lakewood

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees $9,900
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 705
Type Co-educational
Opened 2005
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (MYP), American Curriculum
Taught languages Spanish, French
Strengths STEM, Languages, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Leadership and Professional, Community and Service
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Preschool, Elementary, Middle School
Introduction

Lakewood Catholic Academy is a private Catholic, co-educational school serving students from early childhood through eighth grade on a 9-acre lakefront campus in Lakewood, Ohio. The school offers an integrated curriculum that blends the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program for grades 6–8 with the Ohio Department of Education and Cleveland Diocese frameworks, and includes STEAM Education, a Communications Curriculum, and Entrepreneurship opportunities. Language immersion is provided in Spanish and French as part of the IB program, with core K–4 language instruction weekly. The campus comprises four buildings with large classrooms, a science laboratory, a technology center, an innovation lab, a 15,000-volume Saint Augustine Library, a chapel, dedicated spaces for music and art, and a lakefront natural playground and grotto. The school features a gymnasium with a theatrical stage, hot lunches, and a range of extracurriculars, including clubs in academics, arts, language and leadership, as well as athletics for grades 3–8.

14808 Lake Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio 44107

The Essentials

Lakewood Catholic Academy has 705 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
Lakewood Catholic Academy is located on Lake Avenue between Cook and Belle Avenues in Lakewood, Ohio. The campus sits on a 9‑acre lakefront site on Lake Erie's shore. The campus includes four buildings, a science laboratory, a technology center and an innovation lab, a large gymnasium with a theatrical stage, a dining hall and kitchen, a 15,000‑volume Saint Augustine Library, a school chapel, and dedicated spaces for music and art instruction.

Stages
Lakewood Catholic Academy serves children from six weeks old through eighth grade. It operates preschool through eighth grade programs.

Type
The school is a private, Catholic, co-educational elementary school.

Additional learning support
LCA makes every effort to meet the needs of each student. However, the school is not equipped to respond to the needs of students with significant learning or behavioral disabilities. Special academic and/or psychological evaluation may be required at the discretion of the principal.

Religious affiliation
Catholic

School day structure
School hours are 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Main Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
All students from kindergarten through grade eight wear uniforms. Daily attire includes navy or khaki pants or walking shorts and white, burgundy, or navy polo shirts with the LCA logo; girls may wear uniform-plaid jumpers or skirts in line with grade guidelines. On gym days, students wear the LCA PE uniform, and tennis shoes are permitted; skirts have length guidelines and certain exceptions may apply for dress-down days.

Food Options
Dining hall and kitchen where hot lunch is prepared and served each day.

House System
The LCA House System comprises six houses: Atenrosera, Ceartas, Sabedoria, Shanti, Speranza, and Ujasiri. Each house has a patron saint, color, symbol, and motto; fifth-grade students are sorted into a house on the first day of school and remain in that house for four years. Houses are led by House Guardians (teachers) and two eighth-grade Heads of House, and students meet with their House about twice a month to participate in service, arts, athletics, and academic activities, earning points toward the House Cup.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by a Board of Directors, including LCA Officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Pastor Designate) and other members. Sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine are represented on the board, and the Pastor Designate is affiliated with St. Luke the Evangelist Parish. The school originated from the consolidation of multiple Lakewood parishes and affiliated schools.
Fees

Annual tuition at Lakewood Catholic Academy ranges from USD 9,900 for 2026/27.

Application fees
- There is no fee to submit an Application for Admission.

Tuition — Kindergarten through Grade 8 (2026–27 academic year)
- Lakewood Catholic Academy uses a three-tier tuition model for K–8. Annual tuition (before state scholarships or other tuition assistance) for 2026–27 is: Tier 1 — USD 7,400; Tier 2 — USD 9,000; Tier 3 — USD 9,900.
- Per-payment examples (annually divided by common plans):
- Tier 1 (USD 7,400 per year): monthly (10 payments, July–April) = USD 740 per month; quarterly (4 payments) = USD 1,850 per quarter; semi‑annual (2 payments) = USD 3,700 per payment.
- Tier 2 (USD 9,000 per year): monthly (10) = USD 900 per month; quarterly = USD 2,250 per quarter; semi‑annual = USD 4,500 per payment.
- Tier 3 (USD 9,900 per year): monthly (10) = USD 990 per month; quarterly = USD 2,475 per quarter; semi‑annual = USD 4,950 per payment.

Early Childhood Program tuition (2026–27)
- The Early Childhood Program publishes specific monthly tuition rates by program and by 9‑month (10 monthly payments) or 12‑month (12 monthly payments) options for 2026–27. Key examples from the 2026–27 ECP schedule:
- Infant / Toddler / 2‑Year‑Old (M–F, 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.): 9‑month (10 monthly) = USD 1,530; 12‑month (12 monthly) = USD 1,625.
- Preschool (3‑year‑old, M–F, 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.): 9‑month (10 monthly) = USD 1,368; 12‑month = USD 1,490.
- Several shorter-day preschool and pre‑K options are priced lower (examples include USD 600, USD 350, USD 900 monthly options depending on schedule).
- The ECP schedule lists the program hours and the corresponding monthly tuition for each option.

Registration and other required fees
- A non‑refundable registration fee applies per child: USD 250 per child for most K–8 registrations and for many Early Childhood registrations. For new Early Childhood Infant/Toddler placements a higher non‑refundable registration fee applies (USD 1,000 per child). Specific registration categories are published for Early Childhood.
- Early Childhood specific additional items shown on the ECP materials: FACTS Tuition Management administrative fee (USD 55 per family) and an Annual Fund Obligation (in lieu of fundraisers) of USD 250 per family.
- Field trips, special activities, certain repairs/replacement (e.g., damaged school property or computer equipment), after‑care and some enrichment items are billed separately when applicable. Field trips are ordinarily charged and submitted via the school online portal.
- Uniforms are required for K–8; the handbook specifies uniform standards but does not list a uniform purchase price. Parents are responsible for procuring required uniform items.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Payment plans available include: in‑full payment, two semi‑annual payments, four quarterly payments, or monthly payments (payments due July through April for the standard monthly plan). Families who choose installments must enroll in FACTS Tuition Management. Returned checks or failed debits are subject to insufficient funds charges. Families two or more months past due are considered delinquent and consequences (including withholding report cards or denying school attendance) apply until arrangements are made. Student attendance for any portion of a quarter requires payment for that full quarter.
- A 2% discount on the tuition balance is applied if the family's tuition balance is paid in full by the published deadline: for K–8 the stated in‑full discount date is July 31, 2026; the Early Childhood materials list a similar 2% discount for ECP families who pay in full by July 10, 2026.

Administrative / payment processing fees
- There is no administrative fee for paying tuition in full by check or cash. Enrollment in FACTS and payment of an administrative fee is required for certain payment methods. Published administrative/processing fees (as shown for K–8 tuition management options) include: in‑full via credit/debit card = USD 25 administrative fee plus the credit/debit card convenience fee; two semi‑annual payments = USD 25 administrative fee; four quarterly payments = USD 55 administrative fee; ten monthly payments = USD 55 administrative fee. Early Childhood materials list a FACTS administrative fee of USD 55 per family.

Boarding / residential options
- Boarding is not applicable. Lakewood Catholic Academy operates an Early Childhood Program plus a K–8 day school (no boarding program).

Other routine charges
- Hot lunch program participation is optional; the school offers a hot lunch program through its dining services provider and lunches may be charged separately. The Early Childhood Program indicates meals and snacks are included for young children once they begin eating table food. After‑care program operation and summer camp or special program fees are billed separately when applicable. Technology, activity, materials, or PTO/annual‑fund obligations may apply in certain years or for specific programs as published.

Refunds and withdrawal
- If a student withdraws during the school year, tuition, financial aid, tuition discounts and scholarships will be prorated according to the school's published policy. All fees are payable in full regardless of when withdrawal occurs; student records, transcripts and report cards are withheld until all financial obligations are fulfilled. Registration fees are non‑refundable except in the specific circumstance where a family has paid a registration fee but the school is unable to provide a space.

Fee payment options
- Accepted payment methods and management options include: FACTS Tuition Management (payments via bank account or charged to a credit/debit card with applicable convenience fees), check, and cash. Credit/debit card payments incur a convenience fee in addition to any administrative fee noted above when processed through FACTS. Specific payment plan enrollment and processing is handled through FACTS and the school's Business Office.

Summary notes (concise)
- K–8 tuition (2026–27): Tier 1 = USD 7,400; Tier 2 = USD 9,000; Tier 3 = USD 9,900. Installment examples are provided above for monthly (10), quarterly (4) and semi‑annual (2) plans. FACTS enrollment and administrative fees apply to installment plans; a 2% in‑full payment discount is available if paid by the published deadline. Early Childhood publishes program‑specific monthly rates for 2026–27 with 9‑month and 12‑month options; registration and other program fees for Early Childhood are shown in the ECP materials. Tuition, discounts and aid are subject to proration upon withdrawal and outstanding financial obligations must be cleared before records are released.
Academics

Lakewood Catholic Academy teaches IB (MYP), American Curriculum.

Curriculum
Lakewood Catholic Academy offers a broad curriculum from early childhood through eighth grade, educating 475 students in K–8 and 230 in the Early Childhood Program. Grades 6–8 participate in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IB MYP). Lakewood Catholic Academy is an IB World School and follows the curriculum framework of the Ohio Department of Education and the Cleveland Catholic Diocese. The Academics program includes STEAM Education, a Communications Curriculum, and Entrepreneurship opportunities. Language immersion is offered in Spanish and French as part of the IB program, and core K–4 language instruction is provided weekly.
Parent Experience

History
Lakewood Catholic Academy opened in August 2005 as a consolidated Catholic school, joining Saint Clement, Saint James, and Saint Luke. In 2010, Transfiguration parish joined when Saint Cyril and Methodius, the church's affiliated elementary school, was closed. The campus, a 9-acre site dating back to 1891, was originally home to the Sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine, who began their ministry in Lakewood in 1891. The school continues the Sisters' legacy of service, strength, and perseverance. Today, Lakewood Catholic Academy educates 490 students in grades K-8 and 240 in the Early Childhood Program.

Community
The LCA community centers on faith, service, and family partnership with the surrounding parishes. The entire school gathers monthly for Mass and prayer services in the LCA gym or Grotto with all families invited. Priests from Saint Clement, Saint James, Saint Luke and Transfiguration Parishes regularly visit classrooms and celebrate the Eucharist, and the school offers a broad range of service opportunities for students. In 2019-20, the school celebrated its 15th anniversary with the publication of Once Upon a Tree: The Story of LCA, a children's book about the Sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine and the school's mission.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The campus sits on a 9-acre lakefront site in Lakewood, Ohio. It comprises four buildings that house large classrooms, a science laboratory, a technology center, and an innovation lab. A large gymnasium with a full theatrical stage anchors the interior facilities. A dining hall and kitchen serve hot lunches daily, and the 15,000-volume Saint Augustine Library supports learning. There is a school chapel for Mass and prayer services, plus dedicated spaces for music and art instruction, and spacious greenspace with a lakefront natural playground and a tranquil Grotto dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Sports Facilities
Large gymnasium with full theatrical stage.

Academic Facilities
Four buildings house large classrooms; one science laboratory; one technology center and one innovation lab; the Saint Augustine Library with 15,000 volumes; dedicated spaces for music and art instruction.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Impressive lakefront backyard provides a natural outdoor playground. Grotto dedicated to the Virgin Mary offers a tranquil outdoor space. Dedicated spaces for music and art instruction support extracurricular arts activities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers a broad range of clubs and programs that extend learning beyond the classroom. Clubs include Academic Challenge, Ambassador Club, Chess Club, Eager Engineers, Stock Market Club, Battle of the Books, Speech and Debate Team, Junior Model United Nations, Art Club, Band, Blaze, Be the Change Club, Living Stations of the Cross, Saints Showcase, Saints Say Pitch Club, and Singing Saints. The Enrichment Team coordinates math competition preparation, coaching teams for events such as the Greater Cleveland Council of Teachers of Mathematics Problem Solving Tournament, The Ohio Math League Contest, and The Saint Ignatius Math Competition Series. The program also includes theater and arts-related clubs such as Saints Theater Society and Art Club as part of its enrichment offerings.

Arts & Creative
The arts and creative opportunities at LCA include Art Club, Band, Singing Saints, Saints Theater Society, and Saints Showcase. Students engage in visual and performing arts through these groups, enhancing creativity alongside academics. The clubs provide venues for collaboration, performance, and artistic expression outside class. Saints Showcase highlights student talents through showcases and performances.

Cultural & Language
Junior Model United Nations Program is listed as a club. Ambassador Club is another leadership-oriented club available to students. These offerings provide opportunities to engage with international topics, diplomacy, and leadership development as part of the school's enrichment ecosystem.

Social & Hobbies
Chess Club, Lego Club, Be the Change Club, Blaze, Living Stations of the Cross, and Saints Say Pitch Club are among the social and hobby-oriented activities available. The list also includes H2O and Saints Showcase, which foster collaboration and creative interests outside the traditional classroom. Be the Change Club emphasizes service, while Blaze is a ministry-focused group for 6–8th grade girls. Living Stations of the Cross provides faith-centered student engagement.

Community & Service
Saints Service Organization coordinates volunteer and fundraising activities to benefit LCA and to strengthen community ties. Its mission focuses on serving the LCA community, coordinating activities that benefit the school, and enhancing the Catholic education experience. Fundraising opportunities include Box Tops for Education, Mabel's Labels, and ShopRaise to support LCA throughout the year.

Leadership & Professional
Ambassador Club provides leadership opportunities for students. Speech and Debate Team develops public speaking and argumentation skills. Academic Challenge offers academic competition experiences that foster teamwork and problem solving. Together, these clubs cultivate leadership, communication, and collaborative skills across disciplines.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The Athletics program offers a broad range of sports for grades 3–8. Sports include Cross-Country, Volleyball, Football, Basketball, Lacrosse, Track and Field, and a Ski Club. There are additional intramural opportunities for younger children, expanding access to physical activity and team participation.
Languages

Language Provision
Spanish and French are the languages taught through Language Acquisition from preschool through eighth grade. In early years (ages 3 to Grade 4), Spanish is taught once per week; Grade 5 increases to two periods per week; in Grade 6, students participate in a language carousel totaling more than 50 hours with Spanish for one semester and French for the next; Grades 7 and 8 study Spanish or French for four periods per week. Language Acquisition classrooms are conducted primarily in the language of instruction; English Learner support is available; more than 12% of students speak another language at home, and more than 97% speak fluent English; the program aims to foster international mindedness and study of at least two languages.

Bilingual Teaching
Spanish and French are the languages taught through Language Acquisition from preschool through eighth grade.

Immersion Programs
Language immersion in Spanish and French is provided as part of Language Acquisition, with instruction conducted primarily in the target language.
Admissions

Admissions
New K-8 admissions: Applications for the following school year are accepted starting October 1 of the year before enrollment. Kindergarten applicants must be five by September 1; a readiness screening is conducted in the spring prior to entrance. Transfer admissions: Transfer applications may be submitted anytime during the current school year, subject to space and administrator approval. Transfers require the principal's approval and review of academic, psychological, attendance, and conduct records; eighth-grade transfers are allowed only in extraordinary circumstances and may require assessments. All transfer students are admitted on a probationary basis for the first year and final offers await review of the previous transcript. To begin the transfer process, contact the Office of Admissions. Non-Catholic Student Policy: The school accepts students of any religious faith. Religious instruction is part of the mission; all students attend religious functions and participate in religious instruction. Students with Special Needs: The school strives to meet student needs but is not equipped to address significant learning or behavioral disabilities. Parents must provide relevant information; special academic or psychological evaluations may be required at the principal's discretion. Non-Discrimination Policy: The school admits students regardless of sex, race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin. Visit LCA: Scheduling a campus visit is encouraged.

Scholarships
Tuition assistance: The school grants near $100,000 annually in tuition aid, with Diocesan Tuition Assistance, the Angel Scholarship Fund, and Ohio state scholarships available for grades K–8. Applications use FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment. Current families log in to FACTS; prospective families create an account. The March 15 deadline is advised; late applications may be funded if funds remain. Angel Scholarship Fund provides tax credits; the 2026–27 window runs January 1 to April 30, 2026. State Scholarships include Cleveland Scholarship, EdChoice Expansion, and Jon Peterson Special Needs; JPSN requires an Evaluation Team Report and IEP. Funds from 529 plans may be used toward tuition. Tuition is three-tiered for K–8: Tier 1 7,400; Tier 2 9,000; Tier 3 9,900. Parishioners in good standing at certain parishes qualify for Tier 1; others fall into Tier 2 or Tier 3. A $250 registration fee applies; a 2% discount is offered for paying the balance in full by July 31, 2026; registration is not complete until prior year tuition and fees are paid in full.
School Events
The school has not added events
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