General Information

As you consider application to St. Andrew Catholic School for 2009-20010, you may have some basic questions. The following may be helpful in understanding and making a decision to attend St. Andrew.

Governance: St. Andrew School is a parochial school under the auspices of St. Andrew Catholic Parish. It is part of the Diocesan Catholic School System which determines policies for each school.

Finances: The main source of income for the Catholic schools is tuition. The tuition is the same in each school because it is set after determining the average cost per pupil to run the schools. An average cost-based-tuition will be set in January for the 2009-10 school year. This is determined by what it costs to educate one child based on core expenses for each school. The 2008-9 tuition is $5,160 for each child (K-8) for non-practicing Catholics. Active Catholics may receive the qualified Catholic rate with approval from their pastor which is $4,125. The Pre-K4 will be $2,600 for five mornings. This does not include the extended day program. Parishes from which the child comes contribute a small amount to the running of the school. Beside the tuition, schools may charge a fee to cover things unique to the school; these fees vary in each Catholic school. They are usually not more than $500. St. Andrew fees have not yet been set for 2009-10. Tuition and fees can be paid over an eleven month cycle. Persons from low income families may apply for tuition assistance. The amount of reduction will depend on the family’s income and ability to pay (determined by an impartial evaluation). The school will have to be careful in determining how much assistance can be given to keep solvent. Therefore, persons will be asked to pay if they are able. It is often a sacrifice for families and a new setting of priorities. Besides tuition, fees, and parish financial support we will have to do some fundraising to meet expenses.

Curriculum: The Catholic School System provides curriculum guides to each school based on the requirements of the State of Utah as well as the standards of our school system. Each school determines their curriculum, selecting textbooks and materials to accomplish diocesan and school goals. The curriculum is holistic, meaning that all aspects of the child’s development are considered: spiritual, physical, social, intellectual, psychological, and aesthetic. We aim for high academic excellence while providing avenues to develop other aspects of the child. Religion is taught daily and all students, including those not of the Catholic faith, are required to attend religion classes and periodic religious services. Other subjects are taught according to the time requirements of the state and diocese. The Catholic school curriculum stresses values and develops good moral decision making skills. PK4 is five mornings, K is full day. PK3 will open in Sept. 2009 to be held on Mon., Wed. and Fri.

Discipline: Saint Andrew Catholic School will have a positive discipline policy in which all students are expected to exhibit their best behavior. When rules are broken parents will be called to discuss how best to help the child go forward in a positive manner. Building of character is one of the aims of discipline. Suspension and expulsion are very rare and will be a last resort after all else fails. The main goal is to provide a learning environment in which each child can learn. If one child continually disrupts it is not fair to the other children in the class.

Uniform: Saint Andrew students wear a uniform. The girls wear a (formal uniform) jumper and blouse in grades Kindergarten through third grade and a skirt of the same plaid in grades four through eight. They are also able to wear pants, polo shirts, skorts, or shorts according to weather and personal choice when formal uniform is not required. PK is not required to wear the Private Clothing brand. Other grades must be purchased from Private Clothing available at the Saint Paul's Place store at Skaggs Catholic Center. Boys wear pants and oxford or polo shirts. They too may wear shorts. Both boys and girls have a sweater or sweat shirt to wear on cold days. There is a sweater vest for grade four through eight boys and girls.

Enrollment: Students will be accepted according to the listing on the application. The total amount of any class will be 20 in PK, 26 in K, 30 in 1st and 32 in all other grades. If the classes reach that amount there will be a teacher aide hired to assist the teacher. The school will be PK3 through grade 6 in 2009-10 going up to grade 8 by 2011-12. Hours are 8:15-3:15.

Other Services: There is before and after school day care from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. for working parents. The fees for 2008-9 are $10 a day and $175 a month (K-6) and $20 a day or $325 a month (PK). With volunteer parents, we provide seasonal sports teams to compete with other schools in the area. We have hot lunch for the students, Mon., Tues., and Thurs. provided by Chef Tom Catering.

Parent Involvement: Catholic schools require parents to be involved because we feel it benefits the students as well as keeps cost down. There is a service requirement of 25 hours per year for each family (20 hours for single parents). You may login to the Volunteer Hours system here on on the main parents page.