Admissions Information
The goal of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Venice is the sanctification of souls through the rigorous academic, spiritual, and moral formation of students in the Catholic faith and its teachings. Catholic school students are taught to strive for high academic achievement, to love and worship God, and to live the Gospel message.
Our Catholic schools welcome and do not discriminate against or exclude any categories of students who sincerely seek an integral1 Catholic education and who meet the admission 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, as primary educators of their children, to model Christ and Church teachings. All parents and guardians of students in Catholic schools must accept and understand that all teachings of the Catholic Church are an essential and required part of the curriculum. They must be aware that their own conduct can affect whether a student is admitted or remains enrolled at the school.
Our Catholic schools strongly support the parish concept and the importance of a family's commitment to its parish. Our schools also keep an active, open, and ongoing relationship with area parishes to foster and nurture the identity of the Catholic parish. The Diocese very much encourages parents to continue to support their respective parish.
The school reserves the right to dismiss any student, or to deny reenrollment to any student, who, in the judgment of the principal, and in consultation with the pastor and superintendent, is not making satisfactory progress, has engaged in conduct detrimental to the school, or whose parent/s has (have) engaged in conduct detrimental to the school.
Students are selected for enrollment based on the following priorities:
1) Current students in good standing.
2) Siblings of currently enrolled students in good standing.
3) Families who are registered, supporting, and active parishioners of the school’s parishes.
4) When the applicants are equal, the following will be taken into consideration:
- Longevity at the parish.
- Children/siblings of alumni at the school.
- Grandchildren of long-time parishioners.
- Results of any interviews deemed necessary by the principal.
5) Families who are registered and are active parishioners of neighboring Catholic parishes.
6) Children of Diocese of Venice employees.
7) Students transferring from another Catholic School.
8) Non-Catholic students.
1 “Integral” includes a student’s intellectual, spiritual, moral, emotional, and physical faculties
A. Parents (Guardians) and students must subscribe to the school’s educational philosophy and agree to abide by its educational policies and regulations.
B. All Catholic and non-Catholic students must attend religious classes and activities (to the extent allowable for non-Catholics) conducted by the school.
C. Admitted students should have a reasonable hope of successfully completing the school's program of integral Christian formation. In doubtful cases, students may be admitted on a probationary basis with dates and criteria of evaluation clearly established in writing before admission.
D. Students shall not be denied admission to a diocesan school because of a disability (intellectual, emotional, or physical) unless this disability seriously impairs the student's ability to complete the school's academic program successfully, or unless the school cannot provide sufficient care or make reasonable accommodation for the disabled child.
E. A birth certificate as proof of age must be presented to the school before admission. A baptismal certificate is required for all baptized Catholic students. The information on 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 admission 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 of school during the school day may do so only with the Principal and Pastor's written consent and the Superintendent's approval. Such requests shall be judged on a case-by-case basis and, if granted, shall be for no more than one academic year. Full tuition applies in these cases. Granting this type of enrollment is solely at the discretion of the Principal and Pastor and is subject to the approval of the Superintendent.