FAQs about Catholic academies and schools
TIMESLEDGER | Q 20 NS.COM | JAN. 28 - FEB. 3, 2022
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
What is the difference between
a school and an academy in
Brooklyn and Queens?
A Catholic school is governed by
the parish, so the pastor is directly
in charge.
An academy is governed by a twotiered
board that consists of a board
of directors and a board of members.
The board of directors is composed
of laypeople who work with the principal,
and the board of members is
composed of clergy and safeguards
the Catholic identity of the academy.
In some cases the “board of members”
oversees multiple academies.
Every school within the Diocese
of Brooklyn and Queens will become
an academy by the year 2017. A more
detailed description of the school and
academy structure is also available
on the diocese website; additionally,
you will find parent information
should your school be transitioning
to an academy.
What is Preserving the Vision?
Preserving the Vision is the name
of the strategic planning process that
will insure the future of Catholic education
in the Diocese of Brooklyn.
The process involves essential goals
such as fostering Catholic identity
and expanding development. To learn
more about these goals, please visit
the Preserving the Vision page on the
diocese website.
What is the Office of the
Superintendent ~ Catholic School
Support Services?
The Office of the Superintendent is
the diocesan office dedicated to providing
support services and guidance
to Catholic elementary schools/academies
within the diocese. The Office of
the Superintendent also provides limited
services to Catholic high schools
in Brooklyn and Queens.
Where do I obtain my transcript
record if the school I once attended
has closed?
Contact the diocesan archives
office for more information.
How can I find out what the
schools/academies near me have
to offer?
The diocese website provides general
information regarding schools/
academies within the diocese. The
best way to find out specific offerings
of the schools/academies near you is
to ask them. Although many provide
descriptions on their websites that
can give you a great starting point,
a phone call or a visit is the best way
to get the most updated and accurate
information.
What should I ask when I visit a
school/academy?
Visiting a school/academy is the
best way to get a sense of it. It gives
you the opportunity to speak with the
staff and to move through the environment
to see if it feels right for your
children and your family. In addition
to experiencing the school/academy,
you can learn about it. Some things
you might ask about are as follows:
• Class size and school size
• Composition of the faculty and staff
• Religious formation programs
• Academic programs
• Enrichment programs
• Remediation programs
• Special services
• School nutrition program
• Transportation services
• Tuition
• Registration requirements
• Uniforms
• Early drop-off program
• After-school program
• Extra-curricular activities and
school hours
• Sports
• Clubs
• Facilities (gym, outdoor playground,
computer lab, etc.)
• Technology
• High school and college partnerships
• Scholarships and Tuition Assistance
Can my child attend a Catholic
school/academy even though we
are not Catholic?
Yes, our Catholic schools/academies
welcome children of all faiths,
and you will find that some are very
diverse. All can benefit from the education
provided in our schools/academies.
What types of scholarship opportunities
are available for Catholic
school?
For families experiencing economic
hardship, Futures in Education
and the Diocese of Brooklyn
offer tuition assistance for elementary
students (pre-K to eighth grade)
through two partial-scholarship
programs, and the Be an Angel Program.
Visit the scholarships and tuition
assistance page on the diocese
website for more information.
Can you provide the New York
state test results of a particular
school/academy?
Although the Office of the Superintendent
~ Catholic School Support
Services does publish the aggregated
test results for Catholic schools/
academies within Brooklyn and
Queens, the decision to publish test
scores of individual schools is a local
decision. If you would like to know
the overall test scores for a particular
school/academy, you must call to
ask if they can provide you with the
information.
My child attends Catholic
school, but I do not have his/her
New York state test results. How
do I obtain this information?
Because only the individual
school/academy is provided with its
student test results, only the principal
at that school/academy has access
to state test results. The schools/
academies send student results home
once they are released by the state. If
you have not received this information,
please call the school/academy
to obtain the results.
My child attends Catholic
school, but I do not have his/her
Terra Nova test results. How do I
obtain this information?
Parents of each student in grades
3-8 will receive a Home Report from
their school/academy. If you have not
received the information, please call
the school/academy to obtain the results.
My child attends Catholic
school, but I do not have his/
her TACHS test results. How do I
obtain this information?
If your child took the TACHS
test in November, you will receive a
Home Report either from your Catholic
school/academy or in the mail
from Riverside at the end of January.
If you do not receive your TACHS results,
you should contact Riverside
Publishing before March at 866-618-
2247.
What test scores do my children
need to be admitted into a
Catholic high school?
Each high school has its own admissions
requirements. To find out
more, you should contact the high
schools and attend open houses for
schools that your child may want to
apply to. Please view the High School
Guide (PDF) on the diocese website
for information on admissions and
open houses.
— Courtesy of the
Diocese of Brooklyn
/NS.COM
