How to Apply

Important Deadlines

Application Window Opens: December 13, 2025
Priority Application Deadline (PreK–5): February 20, 2026
Early Admission to Kindergarten Application Deadline: February 20, 2026 (Firm deadline — no late applications accepted)
Ongoing Enrollment: Available year-round, as space permits

Priority Placement Notifications Sent: Early April 2026
LNFI Welcome Information Sent: Late April – Early May 2026

If you miss the Priority Application Deadline, you may still apply to L’Étoile du Nord. However, placement priority is given to families who apply within the priority window, and availability may be limited. We strongly encourage families to apply early.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Directions

Click each section to expand the instructions for your situation.

What Happens After You Apply?

Once you submit your application through SPPS, here’s what you can expect:

1. Application Review
All applications are processed through SPPS according to district enrollment guidelines.

2. Placement Notification (Late March – Early April)
Families receive placement decisions directly from SPPS, typically by email.

3. If Your Child Is Placed at L'Etoile du Nord (Late April – Early May)
You will receive a welcome message from L’Étoile du Nord with next steps, important dates, and information to help your family prepare for the school year.

4. If Your Child Is Waitlisted
Students are placed on a waitlist through SPPS based on district guidelines. As space becomes available, families will be contacted directly by the district.

Waitlist FAQ

What is a waitlist?

Waiting lists are created for schools and programs that receive more applications than available seats. At L’Étoile du Nord, applicants are typically waitlisted only for Pre-K, though it may occasionally happen in other grades.

Because we are an elementary language immersion program, our waitlist does not expire — applicants remain on the waitlist until they are called or until the end of the school year.

When will my child’s place on the waitlist change?

The Student Placement Center will call names from the waitlist as space becomes available. Applicants are placed on the waitlist based on district priority levels, and placements may shift as openings occur.

Specifically for Pre-K: Three spots (out of 20) are initially reserved for students with special needs. If these spots have not been filled by January, they are released to the general waitlist. The Student Placement Center will then begin calling names down the waitlist until all remaining spots are accepted.

Is it helpful to know how many students are on the waitlist?
The total number of students on a waitlist does not determine how many will be accepted. Acceptances are based solely on available openings.

Important Note: Waitlists are managed by the Student Placement Center, not L’Étoile du Nord. Our school does not control the waitlist order or placement decisions.

Helpful Tips for Parents

▶ Apply by the priority deadline
Applying by the priority deadline gives your student the best opportunity to get into L’Étoile du Nord. Applications received after the deadline are processed on an ongoing basis and have lower placement priority.

▶ List your school choices carefully
You may list up to two school choices on your SPPS application. Your child’s first-choice school is prioritized first; if space is unavailable, SPPS considers the second choice next.

If you select L’Étoile du Nord as your first choice and your child is waitlisted, consider accepting another placement to secure a school while remaining on LNFI’s waitlist.

▶ Priority is given to residents and siblings
Admission priority for L’Étoile du Nord is given to siblings of current students and Saint Paul residents over out-of-district applicants. Additional priority considerations may apply through equity initiatives designed to support diverse enrollment.

▶ Check for confirmation email after applying
After submitting your application, be sure to check spam/junk folders. If you don’t see a confirmation email, contact the Student Placement Center to verify receipt.

▶ Complete Pre-K and EAtoK applications simultaneously if eligible
If your child is born between September 2–December 31, we encourage you to apply for both Pre-K and Early Admission to Kindergarten at the same time. Doing so increases your chances of securing a spot at L’Étoile du Nord for the following year.

Questions? We're here to help!