The Diocese of Arlington continues to offer students many opportunities for learning and spiritual growth. This year we were able to open one new high school in
At our Catholic schools, students will receive the proper foundation to become faithful and devoted leaders. I believe the Diocese of Arlington offers the resources for our young people to evolve adapt and prepare for new and exciting challenges.
As our students, faculty and staff continue this year of growth and education please pray for them to develop into enthusiastic, courageous leaders of the Church.
And, as always, I thank you for your support of the mission of Catholic education.
Sincerely,
Sister Bernadette McManigal, BVM
Superintendent of Schools
Students who desire an 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 is determined by the school according to the following general criteria:
- Children from the parish
- Children from parishes without schools
- Children from parishes with schools (for sufficient reason)
- Children from non-Catholic families
If approved by the pastor, and where practicable, the siblings may receive special consideration.
Children who will have reached the age of five years by September 30th may be admitted to a 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. In those cases where the school has sufficient reservations regarding the potential for success, those students may be admitted on a conditional basis with dates and criteria of evaluation established in writing; however, the decision of whether to extend or remove conditional admission status should be made by school officials at their discretion.
1) Presentation of an original Birth certificate (schools are expected to keep a copy of the certificate on file).
2) Baptismal certificate for Catholic students
3) Proof of exact dates of required immunization as required by the Code of Virginia
4) Physical examination within 12 months prior to entering school and health history on VA School Entrance Health Form (MCH 213). (Note: A Pre-school physical does not take the place of the required kindergarten physical.)
5) Proof of custody where applicable
1) Presentation of an original Birth certificate (schools are expected to keep a copy of the certificate on file).
2) Baptismal certificate for Catholic students
3) Proof of exact dates of required immunization as required by the Code of Virginia
4) Records from previous school
5) Proof of custody where applicable
6) If previously enrolled in a Diocesan school, proof of satisfying tuition requirements at that former Diocesan school.
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).
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. persons:
A. Foreign students who apply for admission to a Diocese of Arlington School will be considered for admission, if all the following requirements are satisfactorily demonstrated:
1. Students with F-1 Visas:
a. if a foreign student is a baptized Catholic, valid proof of baptism is required;
b. student guardian has guardianship of no more than two students at same local address;
c. documentation of legal guardianship
d. tuition payment is made in full upon admission;
e. if the student is represented by an educational consulting firm, an I-20 Sponsorship Survey is completed and returned to the Office of Catholic Schools.
2. The F-1 (non-immigrant student) status applies to those aliens who are in the United States for the purpose of attending school. Once a student is determined to meet the school's requirements for admission, the family must contact the Office of Catholic Schools or other "designated official" to process the Immigration and Naturalization Service I-20 form for eventual admission and stay in the United States as an F-1 student. Foreign students who enroll in a school in the Diocese for the first time must provide documentation they are free from communicable tuberculosis.
3 In order to maintain a better accounting of F-1 (non-immigrant) status students, the Immigration and Naturalization Service requires ongoing accounting. In that regard, schools are responsible for reporting the status of these students via the Report on Status of F-1 (non-immigrant) Students form. Specifically, the school shall:
a. Report each semester to the Office of Catholic Schools regarding the status of any F-1 (non-immigrant) student as long as that child is enrolled in the school;
b. Notify the Office of Catholic Schools if an F-1 (non-immigrant) student who has been issued an I-20 and has been accepted by that school, fails to report to the school within 30 days of the designated start date;
c. Notify the Office of Catholic Schools within 15 days when an F-1 (non-immigrant) student transfers to another school or departs the United States;
d. Report any legal change in the name or address of an F-1 (non¬immigrant) student within 10 days.
4. Foreign students enrolling in a school in the Diocese must show a B-1 or a B-2 Visa. In addition to a B-1 or B-2 Visa, any foreign student seeking temporary enrollment, must provide the following documentation:
a. Diocesan Emergency Care Form
b. State Immunization Form
c. Local Admissions Forms
d. Signed statement indicating no grades will be given (i.e. the student is maintaining audit status)
e. Tuition Agreement
B. Foreign students who enroll in a school in the Diocese for the first time must provide documentation they are free from communicable tuberculosis.
C. 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 schools of the Diocese of Arlington under normal requirements for admission. This policy would also include undocumented children.
The Principal 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.
Requests for specific teachers are discouraged. The teachers and Principal spend considerable time and thought compiling class lists that will be the most productive for all of the students. If there is a specific need to be addressed, parents are asked to submit a written request to the principal. There is no guarantee that they will be honored.
Registrations are accepted in January for the September session. (Please call the school office for more information).
The following documents are necessary to register:
- Presentation of an original birth certificate
- Baptismal certificate for Catholic students
- Proof of adequate immunization as required by the Code of Virginia
- Proof of custody for students not living with either or both natural parents
- Social security number (if U.S. citizen)
1. Written notification of those sacraments already received is required:
- Holy Eucharist
- Confirmation
Oral notification of receiving the sacrament of First Penance.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (R.C.I.C.) and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) are available for those families that need to receive these sacraments.
2. Previous year's final report card, and latest report of current year
3. Standardized test results
4. Registration fee (Non-refundable)
Students are accepted dependent upon the number of spaces available according to the following criteria:
1. Registered parishioners of St. Bernadette are given first preference for any available spaces. Children of alumni who are parishioners of St. Bernadette have special consideration. Registered parishioners of St. Bernadette Parish, waiting list applicants from the previous year, and returning students are given first preference.
2. Catholics from neighboring parishes without a school are considered next in order.
3. Children from parishes with schools (for sufficient reason) are considered next in order.
4. Non-Catholics are considered next in order. Parents of non-Catholic students must be willing to accept the standards, values and regulations of the school. They should understand the religious education program of the school at the time of enrollment. Non-Catholic students must attend liturgies, religious functions and participate in religion classes for credit.
5. No preference is given if parent withdraws a student for personal reasons - GT or home school, etc. If family has younger child to register, the family will be considered a new family.
Each year a Re-Registration form will be sent home for each family. The parents are asked to indicate promptly their decision to send their child for the following school year. If a student is not accepted for the upcoming school year, the Principal will notify the parents in writing.