The following information may help answer many questions about Catholic Education at Our Lady of Lourdes School:     2009-2010 Parent Student Handbook    Diocesan Policies Parent Student Handbook 2009-2010

Do you have to be Catholic?

No. Students do not have to be Catholic. We accept students of all faiths, Christian and non-Christian. Currently, our enrollment is over 30% non-Catholic. All students, regardless of their faith, do receive religious instruction as part of the regular curriculum and do receive a religion grade. All students are expected to be respectful during worship and attend and participate in all Masses held during the school day.

What are the tuition and fees and how are they determined?

Tuition for the 2009-2010 school year is $5,263. The qualified Catholic rate is $4,208. Only the priest in the student’s registered parish can qualify a student for the Catholic rate. All tuition is set by the Diocese of Salt Lake City and is the same for all regular Catholic Elementary Schools throughout Utah. The fees are set by each individual school and cover mostly administrative and programmatic costs, including tuition collection and management, administrative supplies, professional memberships and subscriptions and special program fees.

Do you offer any scholarships?

The school has a limited amount of financial aid available each year. Aid is determined on a needs basis only by applying through FACTS Grant and Aid. Families who cannot afford tuition can also apply to Children First Utah for scholarships. Visit their website for more information.

Do students have to wear a uniform?

Yes. All students, K-8, must wear a uniform. Uniforms consist of navy blue pants and navy blue, dark green, or white polo style shirts with the school crest on them. Girls can also wear Christopher Plaid jumpers (K-4) or skirts (5-8) for girls. White oxford style shirts (for both boys and girls) must be worn with either a school sweater, vest, sweatshirt or jumper. Navy blue shorts may be worn 1st and 4th quarter only as part of the everyday uniform. Students in grades 6-8 also have a PE uniform. All uniform items must be purchased at Dennis Uniform Company , our school code is R2S. See their website for a complete listing of uniform items.

Do you accept students in any grade or do they have to start in Kindergarten?

Students do not have to start in Kindergarten. We do admit students in later grades when space is available. However, we do strongly recommend enrollment by the 3rd or 4th grade for two reasons. One, our classes are more accelerated than many other schools’ and after fourth grade students often have a difficult time catching up with their peers and may need to be placed back a year. And, two, our classes fill up quickly and every year we find ourselves turning away many qualified students seeking admission, particularly in the middle school grades (6-8), simply because we are already full.

Do you require admissions testing or interviews?

It depends. Incoming kindergartners require no testing or interviews provided their birthday is before the September 1 cutoff. Incoming first graders, so long as they have completed a year of kindergarten, do not need to be tested. Students applying in all other grades may require testing and an interview depending on their previous school experience and their report cards.

Do incoming kindergartners need to read or have any particular skill level before they start school?

No. We do not expect incoming kindergartners to possess any specific skills or knowledge in order to be admitted. It is helpful if they know the basics, such as the alphabet and how to count to ten and how to write their name, but it is not necessary. We have found that students with no prior experience being away from home have more difficulty adjusting to an all day kindergarten program. But again, daycare or preschool experience is not a requirement.

Do you admit students whose birthdays fall after the September 1st cutoff date?

Yes, on a case by case basis. Admission of students whose birthdays fall after the deadline is solely at the discretion of the principal. Incoming kindergartners born after September 1, may be admitted based on a readiness assessment and reports from their preschool and parents. Incoming first graders with birthdays after the September 1 deadline must have completed a year of kindergarten and demonstrate readiness. In all other grades (2-8), the September 1 cut off does not matter. As long as the student has completed the prior grade in good academic standing he or she will be considered for the next grade regardless of birthdate.

Do you accept students with special needs?

Yes, on a case by case basis. We are an approved school for Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarships and we do have a number of students already enrolled with special needs. Before we can accept students with special needs, we require a thorough examination of their IEP and a consultation with the parents and our special education coordinator in order to determine if we have the resources necessary to help them reach their fullest potential. If we do, then we will accept them. We will not accept any student whose needs we cannot adequately meet.

Do you have an Extended Day Program (EDP)?

Yes, we have an excellent Extended Day Program (EDP) that runs every school day from 7am to 7:30am before school and after school until 6 p.m. The EDP program includes homework help, cooking, knitting, art and crafts, organized games and sports, as well as free play time. The charge is an affordable $3/hour or any portion thereof.

Additionally, these classes; Karate, Chess, Yoga, and Piano, are offered through the EDP program throughout the year for a nominal fee (students need not be in EDP to participate): .