FAQ

 

A: The development and social readiness of the child is the key criterion for acceptance into kindergarten.

A: Children are administered a readiness “assessment” in January 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.

A: The child must reach 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.

 

A: Children are admitted in accordance with the following priorities:

1. First, children of active parishioners with a sibling currently enrolled;
2. Second, children of active parishioners;
3. Third, Catholic children who have a sibling enrolled in school but are not active parishioners;
4. Fourth, Catholic children who are not active parishioners;
5. Fifth, non-Catholic children who have a sibling enrolled; and,
6. Sixth, non-Catholic children.

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.

A: An active parishioner is someone who meets all three of the following criteria:

1. Is registered at the parish office at least two full calendar years before school entrance and one registered parent must be Catholic; and,
2. Attends Mass regularly and makes financial contributions to the parish through parish envelopes for two full calendar years prior to school entrance; and,
3. Is involved in the parish two calendar years prior to school entrance.

A: Regular attendance usually refers to weekly attendance at Mass.

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.

 

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.

A: No, non-catholic students are also welcome but the admissions priorities are based on the criteria described above.

 

A: Applications are made available before the fall your child is to be tested. Testing occurs each January and February, with decisions made in March. This year's specific admission dates are listed here.

 

A: The process and timing described above are the same for applications to all grades.

 

A: A birth certificate and preschool assessment or current report card are required as part of the application process.

 

A: The pastor ultimately determines who qualifies as an active parishioner.

 

A: We admit 24 kindergarten students. For grades beyond kindergarten, we will not accept new students unless that grade has dropped to below 32 students.

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

A: Generally we do not take children after the school year has begun.

 

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.

 

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 our curriculum here.