Frequently Asked Questions
Got Questions? We Have Answers.
At Daystar Academy, we know that choosing a school is one of the most important decisions a family can make. You want a place where your child will be challenged academically, nurtured spiritually, and known personally. You also want clarity about how things work, whether that’s tuition, programs, admissions, or daily student life.
This FAQ page is designed to give you quick, straightforward answers to the questions families ask most often. More than that, it offers a window into who we are: a Christ-centered, deliberately diverse IB World School in the heart of Chicago’s South Loop. Our goal is to shape curious, compassionate learners who are rooted in faith and prepared to make a difference in the world.
So whether you’re exploring enrollment, wondering how the IB program fits with a Christian worldview, or simply trying to understand what day-to-day life looks like at Daystar, you’ll find helpful information here. And if you don’t see your question answered, please reach out! We’d love to connect directly.
What does it mean to be an ecumenical Christian school?
To be an ecumenical Christian school means we are rooted in the historic Christian faith while embracing the rich diversity of the broader Christian community. Our students come from more than 70 different places of worship, including a wide range of denominations, cultural traditions, and theological backgrounds. Rather than viewing that diversity as a challenge, we see it as a gift.
An ecumenical Christian school seeks to unite around the core of the gospel: the love of Christ, the authority of Scripture, and the call to love God and neighbor. We focus on what binds us together, not what divides us. In doing so, we create a space where students are invited to deepen their own faith while learning to appreciate the faith journeys of others.
This ecumenical approach aligns beautifully with the values of the International Baccalaureate. As part of helping our students become global citizens, we teach world religions, not to relativize or dilute their Christian identity, but to foster empathy, insight, and respectful dialogue. We believe that understanding others’ beliefs actually strengthens one’s own.
Ultimately, being an ecumenical Christian school means we are Christ-centered and globally engaged. We are committed to nurturing a community where students can grow in faith, practice love across differences, and develop the theological literacy, cultural humility, and spiritual maturity they will need to lead and serve in a complex, pluralistic world.
Why is an IB education enriched by a Christ-centered foundation?
A Christian IB World School is uniquely positioned at the intersection of faith and global engagement. It combines the deep spiritual grounding of a Christian worldview with the academic rigor and international-mindedness of the International Baccalaureate. This integration cultivates students who are both rooted and open, anchored in the love of Christ while prepared to think critically and compassionately about the world around them. Faith is not a retreat from complexity, but a lens through which students are encouraged to explore and respond to it with integrity, humility, and hope.
What makes this combination truly distinct is the posture of engagement rather than avoidance. In a Christian IB school, students are not shielded from differing perspectives, they are invited to encounter them. The IB encourages inquiry, intercultural understanding, and respect; a Christian foundation complements this by offering a moral and spiritual framework that supports open dialogue, deep listening, and grace-filled responses. This dynamic fosters courageous learners who can discern truth, appreciate diversity, and act justly in a complex world.
Ultimately, a Christian IB school forms students who are both globally minded and Christ-centered. They are taught not only to pursue academic excellence but also to serve others with compassion and conviction. The result is a learning community that nurtures thoughtful, principled individuals who seek to love God and neighbor locally and globally. This is education that prepares hearts as well as minds, shaping students who are ready to lead with wisdom and love in an interconnected world.
How is religious diversity explored within a Christian educational environment?
We teach world religions as part of helping our students become global citizens who are informed, compassionate, and respectful of diverse beliefs. The IB programme emphasizes intercultural understanding and respect, and we fully embrace that. Our students learn about various religious traditions—not to challenge their own faith, but to build empathy, insight, and the ability to engage thoughtfully in a diverse world. We believe this strengthens their own understanding and appreciation of their Christian faith.
How do you approach scientific topics like evolution from a faith-informed perspective?
We view science as a way of understanding the world God created. We teach evolution as part of the scientific curriculum because it is a foundational theory in biology. We also encourage students to explore how faith and science can coexist and complement one another. Rather than being in conflict, we believe scientific discovery can deepen our awe of God’s creation. Our goal is to foster critical thinking, open dialogue, and a well-rounded perspective that respects both the integrity of scientific inquiry and the depth of Christian belief.
What grade levels does Daystar serve?
Daystar Academy is one of 40 International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum Schools in the United States, offering a globally-minded education from Preschool through High School. This means students experience continuity in their learning journey. Younger students benefit from seeing older students model leadership, while older students have opportunities to mentor and serve.
How do Daystar students perform academically?
- K–8 students rank in the top 21% nationwide in math and top 18% nationwide in reading, according to i-Ready assessment data.
- At the high school level, 90% of our 2025 graduates earned college credit while still in high school, averaging 12 credit hours each, with two students earning the equivalent of a full year of college credit.
- Daystar high school students also perform above the national average on both the PSAT and SAT.
Is Daystar a diverse community?
Yes, intentionally so. Our student body reflects the incredible diversity of Chicago and the world. Families come from more than 70 churches and places of worship, dozens of cultural traditions, and neighborhoods across the city. This ecumenical Christian community provides students with daily opportunities to learn from peers with different backgrounds, preparing them to thrive in a global, interconnected world.
What is your downtown campus like?
Located in Chicago’s South Loop, our compact but dynamic campus includes classrooms, collaborative learning spaces, and two outdoor turf areas that serve as playgrounds, athletic fields, and gathering spaces.
What sets Daystar apart is how we use the City of Chicago as our classroom. While most schools average 3–4 field trips a year, our students take 10–15 learning excursions annually. These experiences connect directly to what they’re learning in the classroom, whether that’s exploring history at the DuSable Museum, studying patterns in nature at the Museum of Science and Industry, or engaging with the arts through partnerships with organizations like the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic and South Chicago Dance Theatre.
These outings are not just “field trips.” They’re intentional, inquiry-based learning experiences that bring academics to life and help students see their city as part of their classroom.
Do students receive financial aid?
Daystar is committed to remaining accessible to families across Chicago. Through our financial aid program and the newly established Daystar Foundation, we provide tuition assistance to 60 percent of our families each year. This ensures that students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds can learn and grow together in one community.
Do students have the opportunity to take electives?
Yes! Starting in Kindergarten, students experience a wide range of enrichment opportunities, including Spanish, music, and art. By middle school, electives expand into Falcon Flex Days, a unique program held every Wednesday that allows students to explore interests beyond their core academics. Options have included personal finance, film studies, dance, band and orchestra (with professional partnerships like the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic), running club (with runs to landmarks like the Christkindlmarket for cocoa!), baking, urban farming, drama, art therapy, and more. These experiences allow students to grow new skills, try new things, and discover passions that round out their academic journey.
Do you have after care available?
Rise & Soar After Care is available for all students from dismissal until 5:30 PM. Managed fully in-house, this program is designed to extend the Daystar rhythm into after-school hours, combining meaningful care with enrichment. Students benefit from a balance of free play, homework support, and engaging activities tied to Daystar’s IB approach, such as STEAM units, project-based learning, and even special modules in dance and art. Because it’s led by our own staff, the program reinvests directly into our community while ensuring students feel both cared for and connected. Flexible options are available (3-day, 4-day, or 5-day plans, plus drop-ins), making it accessible to families with different needs.
