ADMISSION AND WAITLIST FOR PRESCHOOL THROUGH GRADE 8
COVID-19 Admissions Addendum:
Saint Joan of Arc Catholic School strives to meet the needs of all students and families. While Saint Joan of Arc will provide an in-person education for the 2020-2021 school year, a remote (virtual) option will be considered but only to accommodate those families with pre-existing health conditions or extenuating circumstances. In order to provide resources for all new students, we are requiring families to commit to one semester of tuition even if families withdraw before December 18, 2020.
In order to ensure an orderly and equitable admission for children to St. Joan of Arc Catholic School (hereinafter referenced as the “School”), this policy and procedures is adopted and shall be periodically revised to allow for improvement based on the changing needs of parish membership, demographic trends and/or other pertinent factors. Once recommended by the School Commission and ratified by the Pastor, revisions of this policy shall supersede any prior admission policy of the School.
A. Primary Goal- Catholic Education
The primary goal of the School is to provide a Catholic education to the children in the Parish in accordance with the mission statement of the School, archdiocesan policies, curriculum and guidelines. Therefore, all students once admitted are required to participate in religion classes and liturgies and otherwise conform to the religious expectations of the School.
B. Accommodation of Students with Special Needs
The School strives to accommodate students with physical, emotional, social, or learning challenges. However, families must fully disclose the nature and known extent of such challenges at the time of registration. The School has limited resources to meet certain challenges and may recommend educational alternatives that may better serve the needs of some students.
C. Parishioner Status
Regular attendance at Mass and faithful and consistent stewardship of Time, Talent, and Treasure (financial support) to the Parish will be expected by Catholic families of students attending or wishing to attend the School. All Parish School families will participate in a registration process that will help establish each family’s gifts of Time, Talent, and Treasure. It is expected that annual giving to the church be at least equal to the difference between the parishioner-non-parishioner rates (this amount will vary for multiple child families, but families should give the difference in amounts for at least one child). Families meeting these criteria will be deemed “participating parishioners” for purposes of determining the rate of tuition. All other families will be considered “non-participating” for purposes of tuition.
D. Financial Aid and Responsibility
It is a goal of the School and Parish to provide financial support to economically disadvantaged parish families to the fullest extent possible. However, all School families must assume responsibility for paying the agreed-upon tuition charges in full and on time as prescribed by the School. Families of students who are not of the Catholic Faith will be expected to assume their portion of the financial responsibility for the education provided through an increased tuition rate, since they do not participate in the investment (subsidy) received by School from the contributions of parishioners.
Any family who is considered to be economically disadvantaged may qualify for financial assistance.
E. Agree to Abide by the School Rules
Upon admission all parents and students agree to abide by the policies and rules of the School as specified in the School Handbook.
F. Non-Discrimination
The School Commission, Administration and Pastor establish policies for admission of Catholic and non-Catholic students in alignment with archdiocesan policies. Catholic Schools administered under the authority of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis comply with those constitutional and statutory provisions as may be specifically applicable to the schools which prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, age, disability, or national origin in the administration of their educational, personnel, admissions, financial aid, athletic and other school administered programs. This policy does not conflict with the priority given to Catholics for admission as students. This policy also does not preclude the ability of the school to undertake and/or enforce appropriate actions with respect to students who publicly advocate any practices or doctrines which are inconsistent with the religious tenets of the Catholic faith. Catholic schools have not been, nor shall they become, havens for those wishing to avoid social problems confronting them in the public sector.
Beginning with the Early Bird registration date each year, students registering for preschool who are age 3 or 4; or for kindergarten, who are age 5 by August 1 of the school year for which they are registering will be eligible for consideration for admission. For grades l through 8, students will be eligible for consideration on completion of the previous grade. Eligible students will be selected and placed in the school based on a good record with the school in behavior, parent involvement, and in paying tuition and fees, as well as the maximum capacity of classrooms as set by the School Commission according to the following categories in order of preference:
1 Current students of the School
2. Catholic children of participating parishioners (as defined above) who are siblings of students attending the school in the current school year.
3. Catholic children of participating parishioners who are siblings of a graduate of the School.
4. Catholic children of participating parishioners.
5. Catholic children of non-participating parishioners who are siblings of students attending the School in the current school year.
6. Catholic children of non-participating parishioners who are siblings of students attending the School in the current school year.
7. Catholic children of non-participating parishioners.
8. Non-parishioner Catholic children.
9. Non-Catholic children.
Within categories numbered 1 through 4 above, priority will be given according to the parish registration date of any family deemed to be a “participating parishioner” (See Section C above).
Within categories numbered 5 through 9 above, priority will be given according to the date of the School admission application. Each year’s incoming student class will be selected soon after the re-registration/registration process is closed. For any student selected for the incoming class, his or her Catholic siblings will be placed in category #2 or #5 above for the school year for which they are registering depending on parishioner status (See Section C above).
Students not selected for admission to the School will automatically be placed on a wait list. If an opening becomes available, students on the Wait list will be given priority for those openings in the same order of preference as detailed in the Admissions Selection Procedures above. The Wait list will exist from year-to-year only and the wait list for each school year shall be established after the selection process for the upcoming school year has ended and shall terminate when that year ends.
Students in good standing from another school will be considered for transfer admission after the following has been accomplished:
1. A conference with the principal, parents and student has been held to discuss the goals, Religious mission and expectations of the School.
2. Enrollment/Admission forms are complete.
3. If requested, the parents have provided a written statement indicating their reasons for
seeking enrollment for their child in the School.
4. Previous educational records have been supplied to the School including, if available and applicable: current grade transcript or report card, most recent standardized testing results, Individualized Education Plan (IEP), Service Plan, Section 5 04 Plan or Individual Catholic Education Plan (ICEP).
5. If appropriate records are not available or if there are other educational concerns, the principal may require entrance testing of the child and direct consultation with the previous school to determine appropriate educational placement before admission is granted.
6. Updated immunization records have been received.
7. Applicants for admission to grades 6, 7 and 8 are generally scrutinized more closely than applicants for lower grades as educational preparation and disciplinary records at this level are of more concern to the School.
8. NOTE: Catholic schools support the disciplinary decisions of other schools. Therefore, a student expelled from another private or public school may not be considered for enrollment until one year after the expulsion date and then only at the discretion of the Principal in consultation with the Pastor.
If the Principal determines through the above procedures that the family and student have philosophies, educational goals and levels of preparation that are compatible with the religious mission and educational programs offered by the School, and that the student is likely to be successful in the Catholic educational setting, and an opening exits; the student may be admitted either on a probationary basis or without restriction. Contracts with parent/student/school will be in place for transfer students in grades 4-8.
Prioritization of placement of applicants for transfer will occur in the same order and by the same criteria as defined in the Admission Selection Procedures above.