A. Catholic education forms the whole person – intellectually, socially and morally – which in Catholic life means an encounter with the Spirit, message and teachings of Jesus Christ. Catholic education provides academic excellence in a safe, nurturing environment for all our students, enabling them to become productive citizens for today’s society. Catholic education has a long history of transforming society by lifting up new immigrants and providing them with an educational advantage that helps greatly close the achievement gap with their peers.
A. Yes! There will always be space available for every child in the Archdiocese seeking a Catholic education. We are committed not only to preserving, but improving Catholic education. We want to provide more schools that combine excellent academics with strong, sustainable business models.
A. No, we welcome children of all faiths. Everything we do is rooted in dignity for the human person and our Catholic faith tradition, and we offer this to everyone.
A. Yes, we have early childhood and pre-kindergarten programs associated with some of our elementary schools. See information on Early Childhood Ed/PreK tab, or Search for a School.
A. In the Archdiocese, elementary schools typically accommodate students in Pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. High Schools educate children in grades 9 through 12.
A. Regional elementary schools are grouped together in one of nine geographic Catholic school regions and collectively governed by a regional Board of Trustees consisting of local clergy and laity. Parish-based schools remain under the supervision of the pastor of an individual parish. A small number of Catholic elementary schools are run by private Boards of Trustees, and The Partnership for Inner-City Education manages the educational, administrative and operational services for a network of six inner-city Catholic elementary schools in Manhattan and the Bronx.
A. Parish high schools were established by individual parishes, similar to the way the network of parish elementary schools arose across the Archdiocese of New York. Today parish high schools, like the other Catholic high schools, are regional and attract many students from surrounding communities who are not members of the sponsoring parish.Ten high schools formerly operated by the Catholic High School Association have become independent high schools operated by Boards of Trustees. These boards were formed from alumni and other community leaders who support the schools’ missions.Private high schools are locally governed by Boards of Trustees and are typically sponsored by religious orders or congregations.
A. TACHS is the Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools. It is required for admission to most high schools in the Archdiocese. Eighth graders take the test in November. Click here for detailed information www.tachsinfo.com.
A. Tuition at Catholic schools is significantly lower than the actual cost to educate each child owing to the commitment of the Archdiocese and His Eminence Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan to making Catholic education as affordable as possible. The Archdiocese of New York and its Parishes, Inner-City Scholarship Fund and Children’s Scholarship Fund make scholarship awards and financial assistance available to qualifying families. Upon completion of the admissions application, families are invited to submit an application for financial aid. Funding for awards is granted on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier families complete their applications, the better their chances of receiving financial assistance. Tuition varies by school; please contact the school of interest directly to obtain current tuition and fees for that school. Click here to locate a Catholic school convenient to you.
A. Yes, there are need-based scholarships available to eligible students and they vary from school to school. PLEASE NOTE: To apply for a scholarship, you must go through the principal of the school your child now attends or hopes to attend.
A. Yes. The John Cardinal O’Connor School (JCOS) in Irvington offers a Catholic education to children in grades 2-8 with specific learning disabilities. Besides JCOS, there are eight schools that participate in an Enhanced Special Education program that offers an integrated co-teaching model with resources and materials to help differentiate instruction for students with learning disabilities and/or students struggling with math and ELA skills. Children in other Catholic schools in the Archdiocese have their special education needs met with resources that parallel those available to their peers in public school. These may include resource rooms, teacher’s aides, speech services, occupational and physical therapy. The Seton Foundation, a not-for-profit, non-sectarian corporation that is affiliated with the Archdiocese of New York, also offers special education programs for children with Autism, Down syndrome and other disabilities at facilities in Staten Island.
A. We do not offer transportation. Students are bused based on the rules of the public school district in which they live.