20 JANUARY 28, 2021 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
FAQs about Catholic academies and 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 two-tiered board
that consists of a board of directors and a board
of members. The board of directors is composed
of lay people 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” oversee
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
Photo via Facebook/Archbishop Molloy High School
• 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 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
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