Scholarships For Incoming 9th Graders

Lexington Catholic High School is proud to announce four exceptional scholarship opportunities for incoming 9th-grade students for the 2026-2027 school year, generously funded by the Smiley Family Foundation and the Dwyer Family. These academic scholarships—the Smiley-Spalding Scholarship, the new Smiley Family Foundation Scholarship for Catholic Excellence and Service, the Sister Marie Gangwish Math & Science Scholarships, and the Catholic Educator Family Scholarship—are designed to make Catholic education more accessible and affordable for families seeking excellence in faith-based education.

Students may apply for all scholarships but are eligible to receive only one. The Smiley-Spalding Scholarship offers awards to all qualified recipients while the highly competitive Smiley Family Foundation Scholarship for Catholic Excellence and Service, the Sister Marie Gangwish Math & Science Scholarship, and the Catholic Educator Family Scholarship are limited in the number of awards granted annually. All scholarships are renewable each year, provided recipients maintain the necessary criteria.

In addition to these opportunities, Lexington Catholic is blessed to offer significant tuition assistance, made possible through the generosity of donors to the uKnight Fund, the Father Norman Fischer Tuition Assistance Fund, the Heyward “Sonny” and Emmabel Tibbs Fund, and the Daniel Rudd Foundation Grant. Tuition assistance is awarded based on verified financial need as determined by FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment.

With these new financial resources and opportunities, we hope to strengthen diversity at Lexington Catholic and provide greater access to underserved students. Our commitment is to foster an inclusive environment where students from all backgrounds can thrive academically, spiritually, and socially.

We strongly encourage all families who wish to be part of the Lexington Catholic community to explore these scholarship opportunities and submit their applications to FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment. Our goal is to ensure that every deserving student has the chance to experience the outstanding education and formation offered at Lexington Catholic High School.

Note: All scholarship and tuition assistance awards apply to tuition only and do not cover fees or other school-related expenses (i.e., extracurriculars, uniforms, etc.). Families are responsible for any remaining tuition or additional fees not covered by the scholarship.

Open to incoming 9th graders of all faith backgrounds

Incoming freshmen for the 2026-2027 school year who scored a composite score on their 8th-grade winter MAP test of 88%, or higher, in both the Math and Reading portions. Those students who meet eligibility requirements (MAP Scores AND exhibit financial need as demonstrated through FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment) are invited to apply for the Smiley-Spalding Scholarship. This scholarship is renewable for all four years.

Open to incoming 9^th graders who are actively practicing Catholics

Catholic Excellence and Service Scholarship Criteria:

To be eligible for the Smiley Family Foundation Scholarship for Catholic Excellence and Service, the student must meet the following requirements:

1. Financial Need: Verified through the FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment application.
2. Faith and Parish Involvement: The applicant must be a practicing, active Catholic and engaged in their parish community.
3. Academic Achievement:
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 in middle school.
• Positive school behavior record (no suspensions, expulsions, or below-average conduct scores).

• A recommendation from the applicant's pastor verifying active parish involvement.
• A recommendation from a current teacher highlighting the student’s academic and behavioral performance.

1. Admissions Process: Applicants must complete the Lexington Catholic High School admissions process for incoming ninth graders.
2. Essay: Please see the application for the writing prompt.

Renewability:
The scholarship is renewable annually as long as the student:

• Maintains a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Sustains a positive behavior record.
• Remains actively involved in their Catholic parish.

Note: All scholarship and tuition assistance awards apply to tuition only and do not cover fees or other school-related expenses (i.e., extracurriculars, uniforms, etc.). Families are responsible for any remaining tuition or additional fees not covered by the scholarship.