FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM JANUARY 28, 2021 • CATHOLIC SCHOOLS • THE QUEENS COURIER 29
Catholic Schools
Photo via Facebook/Archbishop Molloy High School
FAQs about Catholic academies and schools
What is the diff erence 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. Th e
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 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. Th e 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?
Th e Offi ce of the Superintendent is the
diocesan offi ce dedicated to providing
support services and guidance to Catholic
elementary schools/academies within the
diocese. Th e Offi ce 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 fi nd out what the schools/
academies near me have to off er?
Th e diocese website provides general
information regarding schools/academies
within the diocese. Th e 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 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. Th e 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 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
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