Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the most important criterion for acceptance into kindergarten?
A: The development and social readiness of the child is the key criterion for acceptance into kindergarten.
Q: How is the developmental and social readiness of my child evaluated?
A: Children are administered a readiness “assessment” in the February prior to the start of the year in which they will be entering kindergarten. The kindergarten teacher and principal evaluate each child through observation, preschool recommendation and the assessment to determine their preparedness to begin school.
Q: What is the age requirement for entrance into kindergarten?
A: The child must attain the age of 5 by September 1st of the year in which they enter kindergarten. Some children are better served by waiting a year to enter even if they will have reached 5 by the deadline. The principal and kindergarten teacher may recommend waiting another year as a result of their evaluation of the preparedness of the child. Parents will be consulted as to the best year for their child to start Kindergarten, although the final decision is the principal’s regarding admission to the school.
Q: What are the other considerations in determining who is admitted to the school?
A: Children are admitted in accordance with the following priorities:
- First, children of active parishioners with a sibling currently enrolled;
- Second, children of active parishioners;
- Third, Catholic children who have a sibling enrolled in school but are not active parishioners;
- Fourth, Catholic children who are not active parishioners;
- Fifth, non-Catholic children who have a sibling enrolled; and,
- Sixth, non-Catholic children.
Q: Do you attempt to gain diversity?
A: Yes, we strive to reflect the diversity of the parish as well as to maintain gender balance within each class. These considerations are weighed within each of the admissions priorities described above.
Q: Who is considered to be an active parishioner?
A: An active parishioner is someone who meets all three of the following criteria:
- Is registered at the parish office at least two full calendar years before school entrance and one registered parent must be Catholic; and,
- Attends Mass regularly and makes financial contributions to the parish through parish envelopes for two full calendar years prior to school entrance; and,
- Is involved in the parish two calendar years prior to school entrance.
Q: What constitutes “regular” attendance at mass?
A: Regular attendance usually refers to weekly attendance at Mass.
Q: What constitutes being “involved” in the parish?
A: Involvement in the parish means involved in one of the parish ministries or services, including service as a Lector, Usher, or Faith Formation Teacher, or participation in the Eucharistic Ministry, Pastoral Council, Music Ministry, Care Connection, Men’s Club, Women’s Club or other parish ministry.
Q: When does the two years begin to run to be considered an active parishioner?
A: It begins to run on January 1 of the calendar year that is two years prior to the child’s entrance into the school. For example, if you expect your child to enter kindergarten in August of 2009, you would need to have registered and been active since January 1, 2007, so that you are active for the full calendar years 2007 and 2008.
Q: How are families who have recently moved to the area treated when they have not had sufficient time to meet the requirements of being an active parishioner?
A: Catholic families from other parishes who have recently moved into the area will be considered active parishioners based on the above standards. A letter from their pastor is required verifying attendance at Mass and involvement in their parish ministries.
Q.: Do you have to be Catholic to attend Corpus Christi?
A: No, non-catholic students are also welcome but the admissions priorities are based on the criteria described above.
Q: When does the school begin to accept applications for enrollment?
A: Applications are made available during the summer before the fall your child is to be tested. Testing occurs each January and February, with decisions made by March 1st. This year's specific admission dates are listed here.
Q: What is the application process for children who are applying for grades above kindergarten?
A: The process and timing described above are the same for applications to all grades.
Q: What other documents other than the application form are required to apply?
A: A preschool assessment or current report card are required as part of the application process.
Q: What happens when families with similar involvement levels are applying to the school but there is not room for all of them?
A: The pastor ultimately determines who qualifies as an active parishioner.
Q: How many children are admitted to the school each year?
A: We admit 34 kindergarten students. For grades beyond kindergarten, we will not accept new students unless that grade has dropped to below 32 students.
Q: Public schools are attempting to limit class sizes. Isn’t 32-34 students per class too many?
A: No, we don’t feel that our class size is an impediment to effective learning by our students. Each primary grade has a full-time aide in addition to the teacher. Also, class time is structured so that the classes are split in half during core curriculum subjects, so that the class size is usually no greater than 16-17 students during reading and math in the primary grades.
Q: Are any exceptions ever made to these admission policies?
A: The pastor and/or the principal retain the discretion to make exceptions to the admissions priorities if, in their judgment, the school and parish would be better served.
Q: What happens if my child is ready but not admitted based on the priorities? Is there a waiting list?
A: Yes, if that happens your child will be placed on a waiting list and will be offered admission if a space opens up prior to the start of the school year and others on the list with higher priority decline to attend. The list is updated every December with a letter to the parents asking of their continued interest. If they do not respond they are taken off the list.
Q: Will you ever take children from the waiting list after the school year starts if a space opens up?
A: Generally we do not take children after the school year has begun.
Q: Is Corpus Christi an accredited school?
A: Yes, Corpus Christi is accredited by the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA), a private educational agency established under the auspices of the Bishops of the California dioceses, as well as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), which is a regional association that provides the accreditation of public and private elementary, secondary and post-secondary schools. WASC is one of six regional non-governmental groups that the United States Office of Education recognizes as an accrediting agency for schools.
Q: What is the standard curriculum?
A: The curriculum follows and meets all requirements for accredited schools in the State of California as well as Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese of Oakland. Learn more about it here.