ADMISSIONS
Thank you for considering Harmel Academy of the Trades. Before you apply, please be sure to read carefully through our website to make sure you understand the goals and unique community of our school.
Important Dates for 2026-27 |
|
| Application Deadline: | May 31, 2026 |
| Enrollment Deadline: | June 30, 2026 |
| Move in & Orientation Begins: | August 11, 2026 |
| Classes Begin: | August 17, 2026 |
Important Dates for 2027-28 |
|
| Application opens: | July 1, 2026 |
New Students
Preparing for your future begins today. Our application process is the first step in discerning your future with Harmel Academy. Consider making time to pray, asking what Our Lord is asking of you and your next steps as a man.
Although Harmel has rolling admissions, we recommend that each prospective student prepare and submits all his application materials as efficiently as possible. Timeliness and attention to detail are considered in our application process.
Harmel Academy does not discriminate in its admissions on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origins.
We encourage questions sooner rather than later, please reach out to the admissions manager: admissions@harmelacademy.org or call 616-217-3932.
Important Dates for 2027-28 |
|
| Application opens: | July 1, 2026 |
Minimum Requirements
A Harmel student must:
- Have a high school diploma (or GED).
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Possess a valid driver’s license.
- Be a United States citizen.
- Be able to pass a drug test and criminal background check.
- Complete faculty interview.
- Be able to meet the physical requirements typical of trades employment.
- Note: ACT and SAT scores are not required.
Tuition, Room, & Board
Costs for Foundations of Skilled Stewardship (FSS) Program 2026-27
| SEMESTER | ANNUAL | |
| Tuition (16 weeks/semester) | $6,575 | $13,150 |
| Room and Board (shared room & community dinners) | $4,500 | $9,000 |
| Fees (Campus, Lab, Retreats, Technology) | $1,300 | $2,600 |
| Total | $12,375 | $24,750 |
Pathways to payment
One important goal for Harmel Academy of the Trades is that it provides an opportunity for a young man to enter adulthood — spiritually, intellectually, and vocationally — without taking on crippling debt.
Because we are forming men in the Gospel of Work, and part of learning to work is working, we require that all men who attend Harmel work while they are at Harmel. To this end, we schedule our programming such that men have the opportunity to work 20-30 hours a week.
This also has the effect that men earn money that, should the man act with intention and frugality, can go a long way toward paying his way while at Harmel.
While Harmel makes no guarantees as to the availability of work, the certainty of employment, the consistency of work, or the level of wages, we do work to help our men connect with employment opportunities, and to make the most of them.
CURRENT STUDENTS
2026-2027 Academic Calendar
Fall Semester
- Aug. 11 – New Student Move-In
- Aug. 11-16 – New Student Orientation & Retreat
- Aug. 17 – Fall Semester Begins, Payment Due
- Sept. 7 – Labor Day* – No Classes
- Sept. 17 – IMTS Field Trip*
- Oct. 3 – Shoptoberftest – Openhouse & Alumni Homecoming
- Nov. 23-27 – thanksgiving Break* – No Classes
- Dec. 5 – Retreat (Tentative)
- Dec. 10 – Yultide Inquisition
- Dec. 11 – End of Fall Semester*
Spring Semester
- Jan. 4 – Spring Semester Begins, Payment Due
- Feb. 17 – Leon Harmel’s Birthday
- Mar. 5-6 – Mid-Term Retreat* (Tentative)
- Mar. 22-26 – Holy Week/Spring Bread* – No Classes
- Mar. 29 – Easter Monday* – No Classes
- Apr. 29 – Springtime Inquisition
- Apr. 20 – End of Spring Semester*
- May 1 – Commencement St. Joseph the Worker
- May 2 – 24 Minutes of Harmel Go Kart Race (Tentative)
- May 7 – Last Day to Move Out
*Students are required to determine their works schedule / breaks with their employer.
Payment refers to Semester Tuition, Room & Board, and Fees.
