Admissions

Diocesan Initial Admission Requirements

Students who desire and educational experience founded on the Catholic philosophy of education and who fulfill the age, health, academic and behavioral requirements are eligible for admission to the school.

The school sets registration procedures and admission policies. The availability of space and the order of preference for admission are determined by the school according to the following general criteria:

a. Children from the parish
b. Children from the parishes without schools
c. Children from parishes with schools (for sufficient reason)
d. Children from non-Catholic families

If approved by the pastor, and where practicable, the siblings may receive special consideration.

Age for Admission to Kindergarten

Children who reach the age of five years by September 30 may be admitted to a kindergarten program. There is no testing for kindergarten admission. However, readiness testing is encouraged to determine the developmentally appropriate placement in the kindergarten program. Readiness testing, at the discretion of school officials, may be used to determine, among other things, the developmentally appropriate placement in the kindergarten program.

General Requirements for Admission

  1. Presentation of an original birth certificate (schools are expected to keep a copy on file)
  2. Baptismal certificate for Catholic students
  3. Proof of adequate immunization as required by the Code of Virginia
  4. Proof of physical examination within 12 months prior to entering the school
  5. Proof of custody for students not living with either or both natural parents
  6. Social security number (if U.S. citizen)

Additional Requirements for Admission to Grades 1-8

  1. Educational and health records from previous school
  2. If previously enrolled at a Catholic school in the Diocese of Arlington, proof of having satisfied tuition obligations at the student’s former Diocesan school prior to being enrolled at the new school.

General Conditions of Admission

A student is admitted to the school on the premise the student intends to learn the Catholic religion and be educated in a Catholic environment. In certain cases, students may be admitted on a probationary basis subject to the student successfully completing one or more subsequent interim evaluations. Students with academic or other needs (i.e., behavioral), which cannot be reasonably addressed by the school may be denied admission.

School application forms may request disability-related information. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not prohibit a school from asking questions about a student’s disabilities provided that information does not discriminate (automatically prohibit a student from applying).

Foreign Students

The Diocese of Arlington endeavors to remain certified by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service to admit F-1 Non-Immigrant students. The school, therefore, adheres to the following policies for enrolling non-U.S. personas:

  1. Once a foreign student is determined to meet the school’s requirements for admission, the family must contact the Office of Catholic Schools or another “designated official” within the school to process the Immigration and Naturalization Service I-20 form for admission and stay in the United States as an F-1 student.
  2. Any student applicant whose passport, United Nations travel document, or other Immigration and Naturalization documents indicate that he or she is a refugee, asylee, parolee, lawful non-immigrant, or permanent resident, may
    be admitted to the school under normal requirements for admission.
  3. Foreign students who enroll in the school for the first time must provide documentation they are free from communicable tuberculosis.
  4. Foreign students enrolling in a school in the Diocese must show their Visa.
  5. In addition to a Visa, any foreign student seeking temporary enrollment must provide the following documentation:

a. I-20 Form (if applicable)
b. Diocesan Emergency Care Form
c. State Immunization Form
d. Local Admissions Forms
e. Signed statement indicating no grades will be given (i.e. the student is Maintaining audit status)
f. Tuition Agreement

Class Placement

The principal/administration and faculty reserve the right to place students in a class which is consistent with the results of the student’s prior academic records and any admission testing.