Admission and Student Transfer Policy

Sacred Heart School does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, national or ethnic origin, or economic status in its admission of students.

In order to be admitted to any grade, the pupil must present official certification as to his grade level. Prior to admission, each prospective student will provide the school with the following:

-Official birth certificate
-Baptismal record
-Social Security card
-Report card
-Transfer record (if transferring from another diocesan school
a statement that all financial obligations have been cleared must be included)
-Verification of current Immunizations as required by the State
of Texas
-Parent’s Valid Drivers’ License
-Parent’s Social Security Card

It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to make the above information available to Sacred Heart School. Withholding any of the above documentation is cause for the principal to request the parents/guardians to withdraw their child(ren).

New students age 6 and older may be required to be tested by the principal for grade placement.

Any student transferring to Sacred Heart School from another school is accepted with a six-week probationary period. If during this period the student shows that he/she is unwilling to follow the rules of the school, parents/guardians will be asked to withdraw their child. The school has the right to dismiss any student who repeatedly fails to follow class and school rules.

When a student is transferring from Sacred Heart School, the principal and teacher must be notified in ample time so the necessary paper work can be completed. All tuition, fees, library fines, and other charges must be cleared before report cards and transcripts can be released.

Sacred Heart School is required to follow the State law mandating that students must be 3 years of age to enroll in our Primary Montessori classes. Because the young child may not be able to adjust to the structured and disciplined learning environment, all three-year-old and first time four-year-old students are admitted on a four-week probation period. The teacher will request an immediate parent/teacher conference if difficulties in this area are perceived. If after four weeks the student continues to demonstrate persistent behavior that prevents him/her from learning, the parent/guardian will be asked by the principal to allow more time for the maturation process to develop and to withdraw the child. This does not prohibit the child from returning at another time. Parents may be asked to sign an agreement stating the child has been potty-trained.

Sacred Heart School is required to follow the state law mandating that students who enter the first grade must be six years old before September 1.

Registration
Closed registration will begin on or about the 15th of February. This registration is for currently registered families only. Open registration begins two weeks later and is on a first come, first served basis using the following criteria:
1. Siblings of enrolled students (for those who were not registered during
closed registration).
2. Catholic Parishioner
3. Catholic Non-Parishioner
4. Non-Catholic

A $100 fee must be paid at the time of registration to secure a place in the class. This amount is deducted from the total registration fee.

Compliance With School Policies
Parents must understand that their children’s enrollment in Catholic schools is a privilege, not a right. Parents and students must adhere to the standards and expectations of the Catholic school as stated in this handbook. Failure to comply with these policies and regulations is grounds for removal from the school.

Families must sign and return to the school office the Acknowledgement enclosed with the Parent/Student Handbook indicating receipt of information.

As the primary educators of their children, parents/guardians are expected to model Christian witness by attitude and example when engaged in any and all school transactions. If a parent/guardian demonstrates inappropriate conduct and/or behavior that becomes a threat or disruption to the faculty, staff, administration, students and/or another parent, their child(ren)’s enrollment in school is subject to immediate termination.

Special Needs
When dealing with students with special needs, Catholic schools may provide minor modifications for the students, which include, but are not limited to, shortened assignments, oral testing versus written, extra time provided for completion of assignments, and any other types of minor modifications as can be provided by the school. Due to the lack of appropriate funds, resources and materials, Catholic schools are not legally required to provide substantial modifications for students with special needs.

Guardianship of Children
If there is a ruling on custodial rights of a parent the school office must be informed. Copies of divorce papers may be required in certain circumstances.

Consent for Publications
SHS reserves the right to publish our students’ achievements and notes of interest using names and/or likenesses in local newspapers, the principal’s weekly newsletter, and other forms of media. On the school’s website, students’ likenesses and work may be given, but only first names and first initials of the last names will be used.