Admissions Policies

Holy Trinity Catholic School Board of Education Policy 5111.1 states the following:

“The Catholic elementary and secondary schools of the Diocese of Belleville, listed in the official Catholic School Directory published annually, admits students of  any race, color, sex, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.  They do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national and ethnic origin in administration of their educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and local programs and other school-administered programs.” 

The principal, upon consultation with the pastor and/or Board of Education, will admit students to the school according to the norms set by the Diocesan Board of Education, Holy Trinity’s Board of Education and accepted educational procedures.  An important criteria used in determining admission is the parent’s indication, and follow through, of their willingness to support both their Church and School.

Admission Priority

Priority for admission to Holy Trinity Catholic School is given in the following order: returning students in good standing, siblings of current students, registered members of Holy Trinity and St. Stephen parishes, registered members of other parishes, and non-Catholics.  Admission is also dependent upon space availability.  The desired maximum number of students in any given classroom is thirty.

Because Holy Trinity Catholic School is reliant on its volunteer community, all school parents and guardians are expected to volunteer their time and talents to school activities as a condition for admission.

Readmission at any grade level will be considered if it is beneficial to the student seeking readmission, students already in the class, and the school as a whole.

Age Requirements

A child may be admitted into Kindergarten if he/she has reached the age of five on or before September 1st.  A child may be admitted into grade one if he/she has reached the age of six on or before September 1st.   The date of birth must be verified by a birth certificate or by a baptismal certificate at the time of registration. (Diocesan Policy 5111)

Registration Deadlines

Returning students are required to re-register in the spring.  Returning families must meet the registration deadline in mid-March and pay the $100 family registration fee.  Each student cumulative record should contain a copy of the birth certificate and documentation of sacraments already received by the student.  These are to be supplied at registration.

New families can contact us at any time to enroll their students.  We have an annual Open House on the last Sunday in January each year.  Registration for the next school year typically begins after that Open House.  New families pay a $100 registration fee, complete the New Student Registration Form, and submit birth certificates and documentation of sacraments already received.

Continued Enrollment

Conditions for continued enrollment at Holy Trinity Catholic School include students’ academic progress and compliance with all school rules and regulations outlined in this handbook and in Diocesan and School Board policies.  Student failure to comply with rules, regulations, and policies may result in dismissal or denial of admission.  Parental support and cooperation in all school matters, as well as ongoing volunteerism, are also required for continued enrollment in Holy Trinity Catholic School.

Students demonstrating an inability to progress satisfactorily due to physical, emotional, or mental disability will be evaluated by special education services provided by the public school system, and in consultation with the parents/guardians.  Following professional assessment, the Administration will make appropriate recommendations and determinations concerning the student’s enrollment at Holy Trinity Catholic School.

Students who are pregnant will be handled on an individual basis through conferences with the pastor(s), principal, parents, and student.

Transfer Students

Any new transfer student (other than those entering Kindergarten) who registers to attend Holy Trinity Catholic School shall be considered probationary.  This probationary status will remain effective until such time as the student’s school records are received from the transferring school, and a sufficient period of time has passed to guarantee that special needs of the child can be met by existing school curriculum and resources.

Holy Trinity Catholic School reserves the right, any time, to require that any student with needs that cannot be met by existing curriculum or staff (as decided by the pastor, principal, and teacher(s) involved) not be enrolled in our school.  The Board of Education will be kept informed by the principal, on a consistent basis of all problem situations existing and the resulting actions taken.  All student transfers at the 7th and 8th grade level are to be accepted conditionally and students shall remain on probation for the entire academic year.

If transfers are made to another school, the student’s records will be sent upon request of the receiving school as long as the financial agreement has been met at Holy Trinity Catholic School.  Official records will not be sent until the financial obligation has been paid in full.

The school office will request records for any new students entering Holy Trinity Catholic School.  At the time of registration, the parent will sign a release form in order for the records to be transferred.

Student Record Confidentiality

The Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act gives parents or legal guardians the right to student records.  Holy Trinity Catholic School will comply with all requests made in writing within a 48 hour period of regular work hours. They must be viewed in the office as they cannot leave the school.  If parents wish to receive a copy, there is a charge of $0.25 per page copied, and the records must be picked up during regular work hours.

This school complies with the provisions of the Buckley Amendment in regards to the rights of non-custodial parents or guardians.  In the absence of a court order stating the contrary, a school will provide the non-custodial parent with access to the academic records and other school-related information with regards to the child.  If there is a court order specifying that no information is to be given, it is the responsibility of the custodial parent to provide the school with an official copy of the court order. (Diocesan Policy 5125)