REGISTRATION PROCESS /
ADMISSION POLICY

St. Alphonsus Elementary and Preschool offers programs of education and formation to all children who are willing and able to live within the religious, academic, behavioral and attitudinal requirements of the school and whose parents/guardians demonstrate a desire to have the school assist them in their parental role as primary educators of their children. St. Alphonsus shall not be a refuge for parents/students who seek to avoid integration in the public schools. Parental cooperation is essential for the welfare of the students. If, in the opinion of the administration, parent behavior seriously interferes with the teaching and learning process, St. Al’s may require a parent to withdraw the child and sever the relationship with the school.

1. After applying for admission by completing a registration form accompanied by the registration fee, families are interviewed by the principal or designated authority and judged that their interest and motivation are in accord with the highest order of Catholic education. IMPORTANT: REGISTRATION FEES ARE NOT REFUNDABLE.

2. All students are on PROBATION during the first semester of their attendance at St. Alphonsus. During this probationary period, St. Alphonsus shall determine whether or not it can meet the needs of the students. In accord with Section 37-15-9 Mississippi School Code (1982 supplement), schools will comply with the Mississippi Compulsory Attendance Law as amended in 1982: “No pupil shall be permanently enrolled in a school in the State of Mississippi who formerly was enrolled in another school within the state until the cumulative record of said pupil shall have been received from the school from which the student transferred. Should such record become lost or destroyed, then it shall be the duty of the superintendent or principal of the school where pupil last attended school to initiate a new record.”

3. Priority consideration for admission of students shall be given in the following order to:

  • A. All children currently enrolled
  • B. Children of Catholic families with siblings currently enrolled in the school
  • C. Children of parishioners
  • D. Children from other Catholic parishes
  • E. Children of other Faith Traditions with siblings currently enrolled in the school
  • F. Children from other Faith Traditions

4. To be admitted to any class, a child must be the appropriate age on or before September 1 of the school year for which the child is enrolled.

5. Any child coming from a non-accredited school must be given an entrance exam. Any and all transfer students may be administered a placement test (math and reading) to insure their admission to the proper grade level.

6. Under State Law, it is mandatory that all Kindergarten students, first grade students and transfer students from outside of the state of Mississippi furnish an immunization record and a certificate or immunization compliance from a physician or from the County Health Department (Form 121).

7. Pre-registration for all students who are to enter school in August is usually held in February. This enables the administration to make the necessary adjustments in organization and planning before the school year begins. A certified copy of your child’s birth certificate, immunization compliance form issued by the health department, social security card, and proof of accident insurance should be provided at the time of registration.

8. In the event a class is filled, an applicant pool is established.

9. When a student exits the school, he/she is given his/her report card. If a child leaves in the middle of the quarter, the grades for that amount of time are sent to the next school when permanent records are requested. Parents are reminded that it is necessary for the administration of the child’s NEXT school to send a written request for the child’s permanent records or cumulative folder. These permanent records cannot be given to parents but can only be sent through the request of another educational institution.

10. Diocesan schools may not accept students from schools or programs (including correspondence, tutorial, or home study) that are not accredited by a state or regional accrediting agency without administering standardized achievement tests and/or teacher-made special subject tests. These tests will determine grade level to which the elementary transfer student should be assigned.

11. In the development of preferential options for the poor, St. Alphonsus will strive to have financial assistance programs available for students from low-income families. Tuition assistance applications are available in the office; the deadline for mailing these in is April 30.

ADMISSION - CHILDREN WITH EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS
St. Alphonsus DOES NOT offer special education programs for children with exceptional needs. If a student presently enrolled at St. Alphonsus is determined by the administration that the program facilities appear to be unable to effectively meet the needs of the child, then reconsideration of his/her continued enrollment will be reviewed by the administration. Whenever a student seeks enrollment into St. Alphonsus, the school shall inquire as to whether the student has a history of or is presently eligible for an EEN Program relative to P.L. 94-142. Whenever there are indications that a child has an exceptional need, the child will be referred to the local public school to determine whether the child is eligible for P.L 94-142 placement.

ADMISSION - STUDENT ELIGIBILITY

Students’ educational needs and school history are considered in determining eligibility for enrollment.

  • 1. Students who have been home schooled may be accepted with conditions.
  • 2. Students who have been expelled from any school are not ordinarily eligible for enrollment.
  • 3. Any information provided to the school will be verified. False or misleading information will result in an invalid registration and the student will be asked to leave.