ADMISSION POLICY

St. Patrick’s School recognizes the unique blessings and capabilities of each child. In an effort to “teach as Jesus did,” we encourage students to give selflessly to others and to offer their time and talent for the betterment of their school, parish, and community.  We ultimately recognize, however, that the best teaching approach is modeling.  Many school families already contribute much-appreciated time, talent, and resources to the St. Patrick’s Community.  For their giving, we are grateful.  For other families, stewardship (time, talent, and treasure) has yet to become a priority. In recognition that we need to practice what we teach, the St. Patrick’s School Board holds the expectation that all families participate in stewardship opportunities (parish or school) in whatever capacity they are able.

Therefore, in order to register a child at St. Patrick’s School (with parishioner status), parents/guardians must complete a Parishioner Registration Form and a Stewardship Form.  In order to receive parishioner tuition, families are expected to follow through with their stewardship plan.  A stewardship committee has been created to assist in the review of each family’s stewardship commitment.

ADMISSION GUIDELINES

The Principal along with the Admissions Committee will make the decision concerning your child’s acceptance and placement into our school.  We will use the following criteria in descending order when we have a waiting list.

1. The family is following the expectations of a parishioner, including:

• being registered in St. Patrick’s Parish (length of registration may be a factor);
• having a stewardship form on file;
• attending Mass regularly;
• actively participating in a parish ministry or organization;
• contributing regular financial support (or some agreed upon terms with the pastor and/or principal).

    3.  The family has siblings of current students attending St. Patrick’s School.

    4.  The family has siblings of accepted, new students.

    5.  The family is Catholic, non-parishioner; date of school application and availability of parish 

         school will be considered;

    6.  The family has students planning to attend our K-8th grade program (this applies only to

          preschool and pre-kindergarten programs).

    7.  The family is non-Catholic; date of school application will be taken into account.

Revised 1/8/2007

As a way to better acquaint them with St. Patrick’s School, all parents/guardians and students will be required to meet with the Principal at school as part of the enrollment process.

St. Patrick’s School requires all parents/guardians to give the school a copy of their child (ren)’s birth certificate and baptismal certificate. 

ADMISSION AGE REQUIREMENTS

St. Patrick’s School complies with the Nebraska State age requirements for kindergarten and grade one students.  Children entering kindergarten must be five years old on or before July 31st.  The school principal will make all final placement decisions.  This policy will become effective for all students entering the 2012-2013 school year.

Revised 1/17/2011

PRE-SCHOOL ADMISSIONS AND WAITING LIST GUIDLINES

All children (Catholics from outside our parish and non-Catholics) are welcomed to enroll in St. Patrick’s Pre-school(PreS) and Pre-Kindergarten(PreK).  Students enrolling in PreS must be three years of age by June 1^st and PreK students must be four years of age by July 31^st.  This age requirement has been in place since 2007. If St. Patrick’s School has a waiting list, the following factors will be used to accept students:

• Students currently enrolled at St. Patrick’s PreS program

• Siblings of St. Patrick’s students

• Students that are planning to attend St. Patrick’s Five-day School. (Approved 8/13/01).

• Student’s whose parent(s) are current Parishioners of St. Patrick’s Parish (Date of registration into the parish. Other registration situations may also be considered.

• Student’s whose family is Catholic in neighboring parishes with no Catholic School.

• Catholic families on waiting lists of other Catholic Schools

• Non-Catholics

Revised:  1/17/2011

PRESCHOOL(PRES) & PREKINDERGARTEN(PREK) SESSIONS – The School Board has recently approved a policy to that will provide more options and time for our PreS and PreK programs. Over the last several years, parents have inquired about the options that they have for their child as they look for a preschool program that will meet their needs.

• PreS AM – Students attend all five days in the morning from 8:05 to 11:00.
• PreS 3 PM– Students attend Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:30 to 3:10.
• PreS 2 PM – Students attend Tuesday & Thursday from 12:30 to 3:10.

The maximum number of students in the morning is 24 and afternoon is 24 with a total of 48 students in PreS program. 

Students enrolling in the PreK Program must be four years of age by July 31^st.  This program will run every Monday through Friday morning from 8:05 to 11:00 or in the afternoon from 12:30 to 3:10.  The maximum number of students enrolled in the morning will be 30 and the same maximum in the afternoon is 30 with a total of 60 students in PreK program. Therefore, Mrs. Andersen will be teaching all the PreS students and we will be hiring a full-time elementary teacher for the PreK program. We will also be in need of more teacher assistants as well. We will be advertising for all teacher assistant positions in the spring.

NEW STUDENT ADMISSIONS

For the admission of a kindergarten student or a transfer student, the parent/guardian must follow these guidelines:

• BIRTH CERTIFICATE - St. Patrick’s School complies with Nebraska State Law requiring that a birth certificate with a raised seal must be on file for every student who is enrolled.  The original should be brought to the office to be copied.
• HEALTH RECORD - An up-to-date health record.  Record of a physical examination by a doctor is required of any student entering kindergarten, seventh grade, and of all students who transfer in at any grade level from outside Nebraska.  A dental examination is also recommended at this time.
• IMMUNIZATION RECORD - An up-to-date immunization record.
• SACRAMENTAL RECORDS - Parent/guardian is required to submit a Baptismal Certificate regardless of religion.
• CUMMULATIVE RECORDS - For students transferring into St. Patrick’s School, a copy of records from the previous school attended is required.

NEW STUDENT APPLICATION