Admission Policies

Admission Policies for St. Philomena School

It is understood that St. Philomena School exists to support the parents in their role as the primary educator of their children in the Catholic faith and to educate those parish children whose families are committed to the Catholic faith and a Catholic education. It is also understood that much of a child’s faith formation and moral foundation comes from their experiences at home. All parents and legal guardians are expected to respect and support the Church’s teachings and moral authority as administered through the pastoral leader of their Catholic parish.

All parents and guardians must also be aware of their obligation to model Christ and the Church’s teachings, and that their own conduct can impact whether a student is admitted or remains enrolled, at the discretion of St. Philomena School. St. Philomena School reserves the right to dismiss any student, or to deny reenrollment to any student, who, in the sole judgment of the principal, 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.

Prior to entry, attendance or transfer to a Level 1 or 1b Catholic pre-school through high school in the Archdiocese of Seattle, students must present proof of having had the immunizations as required by Washington State law.

Every student enrolled in a Level 1or 1b Catholic School in the Archdiocese of Seattle shall be immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases caused by infectious agents in accordance with the immunization schedule adopted by the Washington State Department of Health Services. The only exception to the foregoing requirements for students in our Catholic schools is a medical exemption signed by a licensed professional (M.D., N.D., D.O., ARNP, or PA)) authorized to practice in the State of Washington, including the physician’s license number. Failure to obtain required immunizations prior to admission or to maintain required immunizations during enrollment may result in a denial of attendance.

Applications and registrations will be considered on the following priority basis:

1. Current student presently enrolled at St. Philomena School.

2. Students of families who have children presently enrolled in the school, Catholic or not.

3. Students of families who are registered, supporting and active in St. Philomena Parish. The family must be in good standing with regard to the participation, finances, and support of the parish. When the applicants are equal, the following will be taken into consideration:

a. Longevity in the St. Philomena Parish

b. Children/siblings of alumni of St. Philomena School

c. Grandchildren of long-time parishioners

d. Results of any interviews deemed necessary by the Principal

(As in all school policies, the final decision is made by the Principal and Pastor of St. Philomena.)

4. Students of families who are registered in and supporting other Catholic parishes with first priority given to parish-subsidized families.

5. Students baptized Catholic who are not covered by the above qualifications. .

6. Non-Catholic students.

Non-Catholic students will be eligible for admission if space is available after April 1st. Non-Catholic students are placed on a waiting list in the order their completed applications are received in the school office.

A. As openings occur for each grade level, students will be admitted and/or placed on a waiting list according to the following criteria: (A waiting list will be established when a class reaches 22 in pre-kindergarten, 28 in kindergarten and 1st grade, and 30 in 2nd --8th grades.)

B. St. Philomena School admits qualified students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies and scholarships. Students possessing physical or emotional disabilities will not be denied admission solely by reason of the disability.

C. Admission of students is dependent upon the results of an interview with the principal and review of current school records and entrance exam results. All students seeking admission will be tested prior to placement. This testing will occur in mid-March. After testing, all applicants will be notified in writing as to their admission status. If, after testing, it is determined that the student qualifies for admission, but there is not a space in the class, he/she will be placed on a waiting list. Registration and testing fees are non-refundable.

D. The completion of application forms, approval of tuition contract, determination of space, and the ability to meet the needs of the individual student are also required.

E. Final acceptance will be submitted in writing to all new families admitted for the following school year.

F. A child must be 5 years of age for kindergarten and 4 years old for pre-kindergarten by August 31st of current school year for entrance into that respective grade. There are no exceptions made to this entrance date.

G. A copy of a Baptismal certificate if Roman Catholic, birth certificate, and immunization form MUST be submitted by all new students before school begins.

H. All new students are accepted on a probationary basis. (Please refer to policy on Academic Trial Period). Students must meet and maintain academic standards and expectations.

I. Registration will begin during Catholic Schools' Week at the end of January.

Class Size

As openings occur for each grade level, students will be admitted and/or placed on the waiting list according to the following criteria: waiting list will be established when a class reaches 22 in PreKindergarten, 28 in Kindergarten and 1st grade, 30 in 2nd - 8th grades. The principal has complete discretion on exceeding class size.

ADMISSION OF NON-CATHOLIC STUDENTS

Non-Catholic students shall be considered integral members of the student body, expected and required to participate in all aspects of the school program.

· Non-Catholic students are required to attend and participate in religion classes. Teachers will be sensitive to the student’s ability to understand and be respectful of his/her personal religious convictions.

· Non-Catholic students shall be required to be present for Mass and other religious services. They are not required to actively participate in such services, but are invited and encouraged to do so to the extent they are able. In accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church, non-Catholic students are not permitted to receive Communion.

The Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of Communion by Christians of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church. Members of these churches are urged to respect the discipline of their own churches.

Non-Catholic students, like other students, are required to participate in service learning projects and student service hours sponsored by the school.

ADMISSION OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students who are not permanent residents of the United States will be admitted in accordance with the requirements of the United States Department of State and/or the United States Department of Homeland Security. Any foreign student who is not a permanent resident of the United States who desires to enroll in St. Philomena School must have complete legal documentation required by the United States government in order to do so.