Catholic Elementary Schools

The Archdiocese of St. Louis has 107 Catholic elementary schools and educates almost 23,000 students in kindergarten through grade eighth grade. Our elementary schools offer vibrant and life-giving religious education programs and strong academic programs that incorporate instruction in all the subject areas including fine arts and physical education/health. Our schools are child-centered and are committed to providing strong academic and developmental programs which enable children to grow to their full potential.

Catholic elementary schools offer vibrant religious education programs grounded in Catholic teachings and rich in Catholic tradition. The religion program includes religion education classes, sacramental preparation, liturgical and prayer experiences, and opportunities for Christian witness and service. The Catholic elementary schools in St. Louis are also proud of their strong academic programs that incorporate instruction in all the subject areas including the fine arts and physical education/health. Technology is woven into the instructional program. In addition, most schools offer a variety of rich extra-curricular experiences.

 

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Scholarships

The people of the Archdiocese of St. Louis established this endowed fund through their contributions to the Returning God's Gifts campaign. This ten million dollar endowment was established in May 1999. Grants are made on the basis of financial need as determined by the application process. Grants may be used for Catholic children to attend an archdiocesan or parochial elementary school, an archdiocesan special education school, or an archdiocesan or parochial high school. The TTEF application can be found online on their website.

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Admissions

Requirements for Admission
Catholic schools are unique expressions of the Church's effort to achieve the purposes of Catholic education among the young. Academic excellence and a disciplined formation will always be the desired goals of the Catholic school.
Central to the school, however, is the understanding of the Catholic tradition and growth in faith. Parents wishing to enroll their children in a Catholic school must understand and agree to the purposes of Catholic schools. General requirements for admission to a Catholic elementary school include, but are not limited to, the following: (Please refer to specific requirements at the local school.)

  • The family's desire for this special kind of school where Catholic teaching and moral formation are an integral part of the school. (Non-Catholic families must give the same assurance that they understand the religious requirements and expectations of attending a Catholic school.) Evidence of any family's desire to be a part of this type of school includes:     
    • participation in the spiritual and social life of the parish or religious congregation;
    • support of the concepts upheld in the Witness Statement provided by the school;
    • agreement to follow the policies and procedures of the school; and
    • willingness to cooperate with the teachers and administration in the moral, psychological, emotional, spiritual, and academic development of their children.     
  • The child's fulfillment of the age requirements listed below:      
    • For admission to kindergarten, the child should be five years of age before August 1.
    • For admission to first grade, the child should be six years of age before August 1
    • Children who fulfill the age requirement for kindergarten or grade one but whom after sufficient examination are found lacking in maturity or readiness for kindergarten and primary one need not be admitted. In these cases the principal should recommend readiness activities or some program for the further development of the child.   

For those children who do not fulfill the age requirement for kindergarten or grade one, parents should contact the local school principal to determine if a child may be given special consideration for admission

  • The school's ability to meet the student's educational needs. Determination of this ability is based upon: 
    • the student's performance in another educational setting
    • successful completion of the previous grade level;
    • successful completion of the entrance evaluation process.

The decision to admit a child is made only after a thorough review of the child's previous school records and all records relating to the child's special needs, if any. Parents are required to sign the "exchange of  information" form to enable the school to obtain all necessary information from professionals or agencies that have made diagnoses and prescribed adjustments for students who have a known special need. If parents will not provide complete information and/or will not cooperate in ensuring that professionals who provide
diagnostic, prescriptive, or therapeutic services to their child provide complete information, the school shall postpone any further consideration of admission.

  •  The parent's willingness to accept the financial responsibilities of attending the school.            

 

For additional information contact:

Maureen DePriest, Superintendent for Elementary Schools
Office of Catholic Education and Formation
20 Archbishop May Drive
St. Louis MO 63119
314.792.7330
[email protected]