Imagine
picking a spouse based on one fact. Would
it be annual income? IQ?
Physical appearance? Sound
decisions are based on a combination of factors.
Nearly every day, parents call the Diocese of Kansas City ~ St. Joseph
to ask for test scores. Overwhelmed
by choices and the importance of making the right decision, many parents
hope that a number can demonstrate which school is best.
Although
test scores reveal one aspect of a school, they cannot show the complete
picture. Parents have a duty
to fill in important gaps: the
overall moral and spiritual environment, the
quality of the curriculum, the training of teachers, special programs, and
atmosphere for parental involvement.
Every child is a unique gift from God.
Our Catholic schools share a common mission as partners with
parents in the education and moral development of children.
Practical
Considerations
Location, location, and location
-
Choose a school that is convenient to home or work.
-
Our schools are urban, suburban and rural.
Click here to view a map of our locations.
There are a variety of choices in metropolitan
Kansas City
and St. Joseph.
Admission
Policies
-
Are there any special requirements that you need to
know about?
-
Are there open enrollment dates?
-
Does your child have any special needs?
Cost
-
Tuition costs vary from school to school.
Make inquiries about tuition assistance programs.
-
Remember to factor in other costs for uniforms, school
supplies and fund-raising requirements.
What
We Offer
Catholic
schools in the Diocese of Kansas City ~ St. Joseph
are accredited, safe and staffed with certified teachers.
Students are grouped in three levels:
-
Early Childhood – infants to preschool-aged children
-
Elementary – Kindergarten through 8th
grade
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High School – 9th through 12th
grades
How
To Get the Information You Need
First,
connect with the right people.
-
To
get a general introduction to the school, schedule a meeting with the
school principal.
-
To
learn how to the school community works on a daily basis, you'll want
to visit classrooms and talk to teachers.
-
To
get a parent's perspective, talk to other parents who have children in
the school.
Steps
in Choosing a School
Gather Information
Develop a list of potential schools by talking with neighbors,
friends, REALTORS, or co-workers. Use
the Internet or call schools to request information.
Here are some topics to explore: school
mission and philosophy, academic programs, class size, and before and
after school care arrangements.
Visit Schools
Once your list is reduced to a manageable number, make a visit.
Most schools hold open houses for prospective families or welcome
visitors in classrooms on school days.
·
Ask
Questions
How do teachers communicate with parents?
Who is on staff? How long have teachers been with the school?
How do you measure academic growth?
What sports and extra-curricular activities do you offer?
What does college preparatory mean? Are
there supports for students with learning disabilities?
·
Complete
Registration
In the diocese, schools register students for the coming school
year in late February. Make
sure that you receive a registration packet and enroll early.
Some schools have wait lists.
·
Get
Involved
One hallmark of Catholic schools is strong parental
involvement. Make a commitment
to serve on a committee, work in a classroom, or chaperone an activity.
Some Questions
To Ask
What is the registration and enrollment procedure?
How many students are enrolled in the school?
How many children are in each classroom?
What is the ratio of classroom teachers to students?
Does the school offer before-and-after school programs?
·
Does the school have a parent handbook?
How does it address discipline?
·
What role does the principal feel that parents should play?
How are parents involved?
·
What are the main concepts, skills, and values taught at
each grade level?
·
Beyond religion class, how is faith integrated into school
life?
·
What extra-curricular programs are available?
·
Do students’ standardized test scores generally reflect
achievement levels? How do
students generally score?
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