Admissions Information

DIOCESE OF VENICE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS ADMISSIONS POLICY

The goal of our Catholic Schools is to present the Catholic faith and Catholic teaching to our students in a rigorous academic, spiritual, and moral education program. Catholic school students strive for high academic achievement, are taught to love and worship God, and live the Gospel teachings. 

Our Catholic schools welcome and do not discriminate against or exclude any categories of students. All Catholic preschools, elementary schools, and diocesan high schools are open to students who sincerely seek a Catholic education and meet the requirements listed below. Every Catholic child has a right to religious instruction and formation in the Catholic faith. Therefore, preference is given to Catholic students.

All parents and guardians must also be aware of their obligation to model Christ and the Church's teachings. All parents and guardians of students in Catholic schools must accept and understand that the teachings of the Catholic Church are an essential and required part of the curriculum. All parents and guardians must be aware that their own conduct can impact whether a student is admitted or remains enrolled, at the discretion of the school.

The school strongly supports the parish concept and the importance of a family's commitment to its parish. The school also keeps an active, open, and ongoing relationship with the area parishes to foster and nurture the identity of the Catholic parish. We very much encourage parents to continue to support their respective parish in all regards and as deemed appropriate by their parish.

The school reserves the right to dismiss any student, or to deny reenrollment to any student who, in the judgement of the principal, in consultation with the pastor and superintendent, is not making satisfactory progress, has engaged in conduct which is detrimental to the school, or whose parent has engaged in conduct which is detrimental to the school.

​Students are selected for enrollment based on the following priorities:

1)     Current students who completed registration and whose tuition and fee payments are current.

2)     Siblings of students currently enrolled at the school whose families meet the first criteria.

3)     Families who are registered, supporting, and active parishioners of the school's supporting parishes. When the applicants are equal, the following will be taken into consideration:

a)     Longevity at the parish.

b)     Children/Siblings of alumni at the school.

c)     Grandchildren of long-time parishioners.

d)     Results of any interviews deemed necessary by the principal.

4)     Children of Diocese of Venice employees.

5)     Families who are registered and are active parishioners of other neighboring Catholic parishes.

6)     Students transferring in from another Catholic School.

7)     Non-Catholic students

A. No person shall be admitted as a student in any Catholic school unless that person and his/her parent(s) subscribe to the school's philosophy and agree to abide by the educational policies and regulations of the school and the diocese.

B. Whether Catholic or Non-Catholic, the student must agree to attend religious classes and the religious activities conducted by the school.

C. No student shall be admitted to any Catholic school unless s/he is deemed to have reasonable hope of successfully completing the school's program.  In doubtful cases, students may be admitted on a probationary basis with dates and criteria of evaluation clearly established in writing.

D. Students shall not be denied admission to a diocesan school because of a disability unless this disability seriously impairs the student's ability to successfully complete the school's academic program, or unless the school cannot provide sufficient care or provide reasonable accommodation for the disabled child.

E.  A birth certificate as proof of age must be presented to the school prior to admission. A baptismal certificate shall be required of all baptized Catholic students. The information on the birth and baptism shall be entered on the permanent office record in the proper place, but only when verified by the official document.

F. A child entering kindergarten must be five years old on or before September 1. No exception is to be made to this regulation. A student entering the first grade must be six years old on or before September 1. Exceptions to the first grade age limit may be made at the discretion of the principal when students are transferring from another school and have successfully completed a kindergarten program.

G. Each Catholic School retains the right to set local admissions standards, policies, and procedures in addition to those specified by the diocese. The admissions policy for each diocesan preschool, elementary and high school should be made public and clearly stated in the local parent/student handbook.

H. A copy of the parent/student handbook is to be given to new applicants. Parents are to acknowledge in writing that they have read and agree to adhere to the policies and regulations therein.

I. Parents who wish to enroll their children in special programs, academic or otherwise, outside the school during the day, may do so only with the written consent of the Principal and Pastor, and the approval of the Superintendent. Such requests shall be judged on a case-by-case basis, and if granted, shall be for a period of no more than one academic year. Granting this type of enrollment is solely at the discretion of the Principal and Pastor and is subject to the approval of the Superintendent.