Our Admission Process
Welcome to Advent!
Every parent wants the best education for their child. At Advent, we provide a rigorous and supportive learning environment to build a strong academic foundation so that every child is successful in high school, college, and beyond. Our admission application process is designed to ensure you have a clear sense of what Advent has to offer as well as an opportunity for our faculty and staff to get to know your family!
Advent has always been a special place for me - from my first day of PreK as a student at Advent to my current role as Head of School. It has been a community that has supported, nurtured, and inspired me every step of my journey, and I know you will find it a place of joy for your child.
In many ways, JPK–8 education lays the groundwork for life. It's a foundation a child will continuously build on—into high school, college, and adulthood. Advent Episcopal School takes JPK–8 education seriously, guiding your child through their formative years in a nurturing, caring, and safe environment that leads to lifelong learning. It is a delight to see new students come through our door each year, not knowing exactly where their journey will take them but knowing they will have the skills to make a positive impact on the world.
Making a decision about your child's education is not easy, but we hope to make the process as stress-free as possible. Our school community is already here to support you. If you have any questions about the application process, want to set up a campus tour, or need additional information, we would be thrilled to help.
We have a fantastic admissions team, and I'm always happy to answer questions as well!
Claire Cassady Vaughn ‘03, Head of School
Our Application Process
Step 1
Tour Our School
We'd love to meet with you and your child to show you everything Advent has to offer. The best way to get started with us is to schedule a tour with us.
Step 2
Submit Application
Next, you’ll submit the online application and request your recommendations and school records from your current school or preschool.
Step 3
Admission Assessment
Once your application is on file, we will reach out to schedule an admission assessment.
Priority Application Deadline: December 15
All applications received by December 15, 2024 will receive priority admission status for the 2025-2026 school year. Applications received after December 15 will be considered in the order they are received. We do accept applications for future school years, however, all admission assessments will take place the winter/spring prior to enrollment.
Students must turn 3 no later than September of the entering year to qualify for our Junior Pre-Kindergarten program.
JPK, Pre-K, and Kindergarten placements are determined through our required admission assessment.
Visiting our campus is one of the best ways to get to know us and for us to get to know you!
You can schedule a tour by calling our Admission Office at 205-252-2535. We are happy to schedule a family tour on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. We also offer tours on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. If those times don't work for you, we will do our best to find an alternate time.
For candidates who are interested in admission for grades 1-8, we recommend setting up a shadow day which will allow your student to experience all that Advent has to offer. We can schedule a full day or a half day depending on your preference.
To learn more about our other admission information and events, please fill out an inquiry form. We would love to be in touch!
Visit Our School
Visitor Information
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The Advent School is located in downtown Birmingham at 2019 6th Avenue North.
The school is situated on the southwest corner of 6th Avenue North and Richard Arrington Jr Blvd North. Richard Arrington Jr Blvd is between 20th Street and 22nd Street. Richard Arrington Jr Blvd is a one-way street heading north, and 6th Avenue North is a one-way street heading west.
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The entrance to the school is located under the portico of the circular drive off 6th Avenue.
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There are several options for parking when you visit the school. There is no visitor parking at the school.
Street Parking: You may parallel park on the street. There is a 2-hour limit on street parking. The cost for 2 hours is $4.00. The meters only accept quarters.
Parking Deck: There is a covered public parking deck on 5th Avenue North between 20th Street and Richard Arrington Jr Blvd. The cost for 2 hours is $2.00. 5th Avenue North is a one-way street heading east.
Parking Lot: This open-air lot is on the northeast corner of 5th Avenue North and Richard Arrington Jr Blvd. The entrance is from 5th Avenue North, which is a one-way street heading east. There is a flat rate of $5.00 to park with no time limit.
Hear what Advent parents have to say
Tuition, Fees, & Aid
We recognize that an Advent education is a significant investment in your child's education. Advent works hard to ensure this foundational and transformative educational experience is a reality for all qualified applicants. To that end, we offer several options to financially assist families.
Tuition payments can be made in single, bi-annual, and monthly installments. Additionally, we offer tuition assistance to families that demonstrate financial need. The details regarding the tuition assistance process can be found on the "Apply for Aid" page or by clicking the button below.
Tuition Rates 2024-2025
$15,800
Junior Pre-Kindergarten & Pre-Kindergarten
$16,600
3rd - 8th Grade
Payment Plans
$16,500
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
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All tuition and fees are paid over twelve, ten, or four months beginning on June 1 for the twelve month plan and August 1 for the ten and four month plan.
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All tuition and fees are paid in two payments at the beginning of each semester.
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All tuition and fees are paid in a single payment.
The 12-Month Enrollment Option provides families with a combination of traditional academic day as well as AfterCare, Holiday Camp and ADVENTure Summer Day Camp (includes the summer immediately following the school year) at a discounted rate. Holiday Camp offers activities over most school holidays; however, it is only offered to students who enroll in the 12-Month Enrollment Option. Please note that if the 12-Month Enrollment Option is selected, the full discounted amount for AfterCare, Holiday Camp and ADVENTure Summer Day Camp will be due to the school and there is no ability to opt out. Students are eligible to participate in the ADVENTure Summer Day Camp without being enrolled in the 12-Month Enrollment Option.
12-Month Enrollment Option
The following dates are covered Holiday Camp dates for students on the 12-month enrollment plan for the 2024-2025 school year:
Oct 11 and 14 - Fall Break
Nov 25 and 26 - Thanksgiving Break
Feb 14 and 17 - Winter Break
Mar 24 - 28 - Spring Break
Apr 21 - Easter Monday
Optional Programs & Fees
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Grade Annual Monthly Daily
JPK—3rd Grade $1,080 $130 $8
4th—8th Grade $1,180 $140 $8
The Annual plan is billed on the same schedule as the selected tuition payment plan. The Monthly lunch plan is billed monthly. Daily lunch funds should be deposited using www.myschoolaccount.com (please refer to instructions on PantherNet). Daily lunch will not be provided unless there are sufficient funds in the account. Please note that if the Annual option is selected, the full amount will be due to the school and there is no ability to opt out. If enrolled in the Monthly option, any change to enrollment status in the lunch plan must be received by the 10th of the month preceding the month in which the change should be effective.
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Annual: $2,950
12-Month Enrollment Option*: $2,450
Hourly: $15
The 12-Month Enrollment Option and Annual plan are billed on the same schedule as the selected tuition payment plan. The hourly after-care charges are billed on a bi-weekly basis in arrears. Please note that if the 12 Month or Annual option is selected, the full amount will be due to the school and there is no ability to opt out. There will be a charge of $10 per 5 minutes for any child who is picked up after AfterCare hours end. Morning Care is included in Tuition.
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All tuition and fees are paid in a single payment.
Activity Fees
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There is a $250 activity fee for JPK, PreK and Kindergarten Students.
Activity Fees cover the cost of field trips, classroom and school supplies, the yearbook, school pictures, and a school t-shirt each year. All other curricular fees (French, music, art, STEM, Chromebooks, etc.) are included in the cost of tuition.
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There is a $550 activity fee for first through third grade students.
Activity Fees cover the cost of field trips, classroom and school supplies, the yearbook, school pictures, and a school t-shirt each year. All other curricular fees (French, music, art, STEM, Chromebooks, etc.) are included in the cost of tuition.
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There is a $700 activity fee for fourth and fifth grade students.
Activity Fees cover the cost of field trips, classroom and school supplies, the yearbook, school pictures, and a school t-shirt each year. All other curricular fees (French, music, art, STEM, Chromebooks, etc.) are included in the cost of tuition.
The 4th & 5th Grade Activity Fee also includes a 2-day, 1-night overnight field trip.
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There is an $800 activity fee for sixth through 8th grade students.
Activity Fees cover the cost of field trips, classroom and school supplies, the yearbook, school pictures, and a school t-shirt each year. All other curricular fees (French, music, art, STEM, Chromebooks, etc.) are included in the cost of tuition.
The 6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Activity Fee also includes a 3 day, 2-night overnight field trip.
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The school serves a talented and diverse student body and offers its programs and admission to qualified individuals regardless of race, gender, religion, national origin, or ethnicity.