Apply to BCHS

Admissions Process for the Class of 2028

As the Archdiocese of Indianapolis North Deanery high school, Bishop Chatard High School was established to serve the families of our North Deanery parish grade schools. While established to serve the North Deanery, our mission remains to welcome and encourage all students who seek an authentic Catholic education to apply.

Our incoming freshman classes have been filling up faster each year. In order to accommodate our North Deanery families and other families interested in a BCHS education, we have updated our admissions timeline and process.


We can’t stress enough the importance of applying early to secure your chance of acceptance. Don’t wait until the deadline!


Admission Criteria

Applicants with a completed admissions application and required documents will be assigned their ‘Admission Preference Priority’ and reviewed on a rolling basis based on:

  1. The date the application and all required documents are received
  2. The applicant’s ‘Admission Preference Priority’
Admission Preference Priority is our long-standing policy that establishes a priority listing of admission for students applying to BCHS.

Each year, the Board of Regents and the school administration set the maximum enrollment for each of the four classes for the next school year. In admitting students to any of the four classes, the Admission Preference Priorities, in conjunction with a time stamp, will be used in the rolling admission process.

Admission Preference Priorities:

  • 1st: Student who is a sibling of a current Bishop Chatard student or returning student.
  • 2nd: Catholic students who are participating members of a North Deanery parish and attended North Deanery school for no less than the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades unless they moved into the Indianapolis area during those three years. Participation is defined by each parish.
  • 3rd: Catholic students who are participating members of a North Deanery parish and have attended North Deanery school for less than the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. Participation is defined by each parish.
  • 4th: Non-Catholic students who have attended North Deanery Catholic elementary school for no less than the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades unless they moved into the Indianapolis area during those three years. Or Catholic students who are participating members of a North Deanery parish but do not attend a North Deanery grade school. Participation is defined by each parish.
  • 5th: Catholics who are participating members of a parish of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis outside of the North Deanery or in the Diocese of Lafayette.
  • 6th: All other applicants not defined in priorities 1-5.

Application Deadline

December 1, 2023 is our Admission Preference Priority deadline. For families to take full advantage of our rolling admissions, a completed application and required documents must be received by December 1, 2023.
We cannot stress enough that you should apply early and not wait for this deadline.

Unless otherwise notified, families who have submitted a completed application and required documentation between July 15 and December 1, 2023 will receive an admission decision no later than December 15, 2023.
Yes, you can. Students applying after the published deadline are deemed ‘Post Deadline Applicants’ and will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis as space and Bishop Chatard’s ability to serve a student’s needs allows. ‘Post Deadline Applicant’s’ Admission Preference Priority may be a consideration.

Applications received after the December 1 deadline may not receive an admission decision until after February 1, 2024. February 1 is the deadline for accepted applicants to inform us of their intent to attend.

No problem. Since our application is free of charge, it’s still in your best interest to apply early. While you await your admissions decision, come see us at our Trojan Open House on October 26, spend a day shadowing an underclassman or join us for a Wednesday Walk Thru and find out if BCHS is the right fit for your family.

How to Apply

  1. Complete the Online Admission Application
    The Class of 2028 application is currently closed. If you have questions about applying for the Class of 2028, please contact Karen Aruta, Enrollment Manager, at karuta@bishopchatard.org.
    How to Apply as a Transfer Student
  2. Apply for Financial Aid (optional but recommended)
    Complete our Financial Aid application by December 1, 2023 for best consideration to receive BCHS-awarded aid. With new rules for the Indiana School Choice Scholarship program (vouchers), it’s estimated that 90% of Hoosier families will now be eligible for the School Choice program, with awards around $6000/student. Don’t miss this!
    >>View Indiana State Choice Scholarships with income eligibility levels
    >>How To Apply for Financial Aid
    Bishop Chatard operates on the philosophy that ability to pay should not be a deterrent for any family seeking a Catholic education for their child.

    • All financial assistance granted at Bishop Chatard is need-based.
    • To be considered for financial aid, a financial aid application made through FACTS is REQUIRED.
    • Financial aid information has no bearing on the acceptance of any student into Bishop Chatard High School.
    • Deadline for Financial Aid Applications to best be considered for BCHS-awarded aid for the Class of 2028 is December 1, 2023.
    Go to BCHS Financial Aid Information

    Bishop Chatard encourages all families to review the qualifications for Indiana State Choice Scholarships (vouchers) and tax credit scholarships (TCS through a SGO). Income eligibility for these expanded substantially in recent years and more families are now eligible.
    If you have questions about financial aid at Bishop Chatard, contact Emily Brown, Tuition Manager, at ebrown@bishopchatard.org.

The Acceptance Process

  1. Acceptance Packets for the Class of 2028: Acceptance packets will be mailed on a rolling basis to accepted students.
  2. Our ‘Financial Aid Packet’: Financial Aid award information will be sent in January.
  3. Submit the Trojan Intent Form and Tuition Deposit by February 1: This will officially indicate your intention to enroll your student at BCHS.
    The deposit for 2024/25 is $350 per student or $500 for two or more in a family. The deposit is non-refundable but will be credited towards your tuition.
    Once your deposit deadline has passed, if there is still room, we will take your deposit. But if others have been accepted and their deadline has not yet past, the newer acceptances will take priority until their deadline has past.
  4. Enroll in Classes for the Freshman Year: Watch for an email in January regarding your appointment. Be sure BCHS has received the High School Placement Test score by February 9.

Questions?

  • Admissions
    This encompasses the entire process of applying for acceptance to Bishop Chatard High School, obtaining admissions decision, and upon acceptance, paying the non-refundable tuition deposit, submitting your Trojan Intent form, and enrolling in freshman classes
  • Admission Preference Priority
    The Priority grouping for applicants between July 15–December 1.

  • Post Deadline Applicants
    Refers to applicants applying after December 1 that will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Post Deadline Applicants’ Admission Preference Priority may be a consideration.
  • Trojan Intent Form and Non-Refundable Deposit
    Upon acceptance, the Trojan Intent form is what is submitted indicating intent to attend BCHS along with a non-refundable tuition deposit to secure a seat in the upcoming class and prompt enrollment in courses.
  • Enrollment
    The process of selecting and enrolling in courses with Guidance Department
  • Conditional Acceptance
    Applicants whose acceptance is conditioned upon criteria set by the admissions committee
  • Deferred
    Applicants whose consideration will be reconsidered later in the admissions process
  • Waitlist
    Applicants who will receive an admissions decision upon space becoming available in the class
    Never hesitate to contact Karen Aruta, Enrollment Manager, at karuta@bishopchatard.org or 317-251-1451, ext. 2234 with your questions.

    Nondiscriminatory Policy
    All schools and parishes under the guidance of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis admit students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletics and other school-administered programs.