Admission FAQ's

Grade Levels, Class Sizes and School Hours

What grade levels are offered at Nativity?

We offer PreSchool through 8th grade. Our middle school program is from 6th to 8th grade.

What is your Student-to-teacher ratio?

The size of the Nativity community gives our school a close integration of grades and interpersonal relationships. Each child is well recognized and the fellowship of the student body is especially strong.

Student to Teacher ratio in Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten classes are 5:1; Kindergarten and 1st are 14/15:1; 2nd through 8th is 25/30:1.

What is the length of the school day and how are the classes structured?

Classes are held five days a week for four nine-week quarters. Classes begin at 8:00 am and end at 3:00 pm. Secondary grades school days are composed of eight 45-minute periods; primary grades allow for scheduling flexibility that meets the Diocesan standards. Our Kindergarten is a full-day program.

PreSchool is held 4 days a week, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm.
Pre-Kindergarten is held 5 days, a week Monday through Friday from 8:30 am - 2:30 pm.
Both programs are conducted on a 9-month calendar year.

How old does a student need to be to enter Kindergarten or 1st grade?

Kindergarten - 5 years old by September 30th.
1st grade - 6 years old by September 30th.

Rising Kindergarteners take the Early Prevention of School Failure screening. This is a developmental assessment which helps determined the child's readiness for Kindergarten.

Who will be my child's teacher?

Families of enrolled students get a chance to meet their teachers at the annual "Sneak-a-Peak" held prior to the first day of school. Families of Kindergarteners attend an additional Kindergarten Information Night.

Admission Requirements

What is the acceptance policy of the school?

Students are accepted dependent upon the number of spaces available according to the following criteria:

• 1. Sibling of current Nativity School family.
• 2. Registered parishioner of Nativity Parish according to years registered in parish.
• 3. Catholics from neighboring parishes without a school.
• 4. Catholics from other parishes with a school.
• 5. People of other faiths.
• 6. Holdovers still have preference over any new registrations.
• 7. Preference is given to returning students if parent was transferred out of area due to job and then returns.
• 8. No preference is given if parent withdraws a child for personal reasons, e.g., Public School Gifted and Talented Education or Home School. If this family has a younger child to register, the family will be considered a new family.

What are the requirements for admission to Nativity?

• Completed application form and payment of non-refundable registration fee.
• Original birth certificate with State embossed seal or Birth Registration Card
• Copy of child's baptismal certificate.
• Copy of child's Immunization Record.
• Physical Examination by a qualified State of Virginia Physician.
• Copies of most recent report card, past year's report cards, and test scores.
• Kindergarten Early Prevention of School Failure (EPSF) screening results for Kindergartners.
• Qualitative Reading Inventory (QRI) and the Brigance Comprehensive Inventory of Basic Skills assessment (to be given at Nativity Catholic School) for 1st through 8th grade.
• Family Interview.

Do you have admissions testing?

Testing scores are just one of the items we utilize as part of our application process to assist us in determining final acceptance. We administer the Qualitative Reading Inventory (QRI) and the Brigance Comprehensive Inventory of Basic Skills assessment for 1st through 8th grade. Kindergarteners are given the Early Prevention of School Failure (EPSF) screening.

Do you have an Open House and when is the Open Registration period?

The school typically has the open house in the months of January through May. Open registration is held in the middle to late February.

Do you accept late enrollments or semester transfer?

The majority of our enrollment is conducted between January through May for the start of the fall semester as this allows us to plan adequately for the upcoming school year. Whenever we do receive an admissions application after the open enrollment period has ended, it will be placed on the waitlist and be reviewed once space becomes available. Mid-semester transfers are considered on a case by case basis and an applicant must meet the admissions requirements before final acceptance into the school.

Are students whose families are members of a different church other than Nativity Catholic Church admitted to Nativity Catholic School?

Everyone is welcome to the school. However, preference is given to registered parishioners of Nativity Catholic Church because our church community subsidizes the school and leadership is the same for both the church and school.

We were members of Nativity Catholic Church at one time, but now attend another church. Does this impact our enrollment?

When a family has transferred into another church, their membership to the Nativity Catholic Church is discontinued. They can re-register to become members. Although, date of membership is considered the current date of re-registration and acceptance into the school is determined according to the acceptance policy.

Tuition

How much does it cost to attend Nativity Catholic School?

For the 2011-2012 School Year Tuition, please refer to the Admissions web page.

Why are there different tuition rates?

Nativity Catholic School was built through the generosity of the Nativity Catholic Church community. Nativity parishioners helped to create the school's existence and continually subsidize the school.

Are scholarships or financial aid available?

The church community offers some scholarships and grant is determined by need. The Diocese of Arlington offers the Diocesan Tuition Grant Program for parents of students attending a Diocesan Catholic School.

Uniforms

We have 2 official school uniforms and a P.E. uniform. From August through November and April through June, students wear the fall/spring uniforms. Starting from December through April, students wear the winter uniforms. The school colors are burgundy and gray. Uniforms can be purchase at the Flynn and O'Hara store.

Academics

What is the curriculum followed at Nativity Catholic School?

Nativity Catholic School uses the curriculum established by the Diocese of Arlington Office of Catholic Schools. Please go to http://www.arlingtondiocese.org/schools/school_curriculum.php for a complete description. Our school is committed to meeting the educational needs of our students. Teachers utilize Differentiated Instruction methods to meet the individual needs.

Do you have advance placement classes?

Nativity offers an Advanced Math Program (Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1) for those who meet the requirements.

What specials classes are available at you school?

Starting at the PreSchool level we offer Spanish, Computer, Library, Art, Music and Physical Education.

Do you offer special education classes or handicapped services?

Our school offers a traditional classroom setting with a Learning Resource Program as an additional help available for students who may be struggling in some subject areas. Nativity Catholic School does not have separate special education classes. All of our facilities and classrooms are handicap-accessible.

Attendance

What is the procedure for reporting my child's absence?

Absences must be reported by calling the school office any time before 8:15 am.

When will my child be marked tardy?

Prompt arrival at school is expected of all students. School commences at 8:00 am followed by the morning prayers and announcements. A student is marked tardy by 8:05 am and must obtain a tardy slip from the office before entering the classroom.

Lunch

Does the school have a hot lunch program?

Yes, Nativity Catholic School offers a hot lunch program that follows the Federal Guidelines on healthy eating habits. Lunch cards and menus are sent home the previous month and should be returned by the due date. Lunches can be ordered for any day Monday through Friday however, you must provide lunch for your child if a hot lunch was not ordered for a certain day.

Extracurricular Activities

What is the school's after school and sports programs?

Nativity Catholic School offers Book clubs, Dance Club, International Cultures Club, Band, Artful Ones, Yearbook Club, Student Council and Girls and Boys Scouts. Through the church's Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), boys and girls basketball and track and field is also offered.

Parental Involvement

How can parents get involved at Nativity Catholic School?

The school has a Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) that is truly committed and dedicated to the students and staff. The PTO organizes numerous school activities and fundraisings throughout the year. Our families are required to give 20 hours per year of volunteer service time to the school of which 8 hours are in the lunch room.

Extended Day

Does your school offer an Extended Day program?

Before and after school care is provided for an additional fee. Morning drop-off starts at 6:45 am and afternoon Extended Care is from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Snacks are provided.

Visiting Nativity Catholic School

Can I take a tour of your school?

Tours can be scheduled by calling Amor Paulson, Director of Admissions at (703) 455-2300 ext. 119. Please call to schedule an appointment at least a week before desired date.

Is anyone in the office during the summer?

Office hours in the summer are from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Mondays through Thursdays and closed on Fridays.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Information contained in the Admission FAQs is current for the 2011-2012 school year and is subject to change.