WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES JANUARY 13, 2022 15
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 fi nd 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 Offi ce 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 offi ce
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 fi nd out specifi c off erings 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
• Aft er-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 fi nd that some are very diverse.
All can benefi t 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 off er 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 Offi ce 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 fi nd 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
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
FAQs about Catholic academies and schools
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