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1. When are tours available during the school day? Please click on the "Admissions" page for the current tours schedule. |
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2. What test do you give to prospective students? How long does it take? Who administers the test? All students are given a Nationally normed entrance exam for admission into the school. PreK and Kindergarten students take a test, which is a developmentally appropriate screening device that assesses a child’s gross motor, fine motor, language, and conceptual skills. Both Kindergarten and 1st grade applicants are screened for language development and math concepts. Students in grades 2-8 are given an abbreviated standardized test and are asked to complete a writing sample. Testing for PreK and Kindergarten takes about 45 minutes. First grade takes 45 minutes to an hour and 2nd through 8th grades should allow 2 1/2 to 3 hours. On our testing date in March, certified teachers and assistants administer the test to students. Due to the large volume of students being tested, extended testing time may be necessary. After the testing date, our assistant principals, and at times a classroom assistant, will administer the test. |
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3. What happens after I complete the entire application? After you complete the application process, you will be given a testing date and time. When the test is completed and all paperwork has been reviewed, families will receive a decision letter notifying you of your child's acceptance or non-acceptance. Due to the volume of applicants in March, the school is not able to make personal phone calls regarding acceptance results. |
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4. What are your school hours?
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5. Do the students wear uniforms and, if so where do you purchase them? Students at John Paul II Catholic School are required to wear a uniform. Students are expected to be neat, clean, well-groomed and wearing school uniforms at all times. The official uniform must be purchased at MillsWear (our school code is 720). Other optional uniform items can be purchased through the school office in August for September delivery, November for January delivery and in May for August delivery. |
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6. What does it mean to be a Blue Ribbon School? The purpose of the Blue Ribbon Schools Program is to identify and give national recognition to outstanding public and private schools across the United States. As a Blue Ribbon School, John Paul II Catholic School was recognized for offering instructional programs that meet the highest academic standards, having a supportive and learning-centered school environment, and scoring in the top 10 percent in the nation on standardized tests. |
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7. Why are the dates for Blue Ribbon only for 1996-1997 and 2008? Schools may not apply for this award every year. John Paul II has been recognized twice. |
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Pre-Kindergarten 18 students per class, with full-time aide in each class Kindergarten 22 students per class, with full-time aide in each class 1st - 5th 24 students per class, with a full time aide in 1st grade Middle School 25 students We strive to keep student counts at these levels |
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9. What textbooks are used at John Paul II? Textbooks are chosen from the Texas state adopted list. Religion texts are chosen from a list of approved religion books from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Parents may view textbooks during Catholic Schools Week. A list is also on our website under the "Our Programs" tab in the teacher syllabi. |
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10. Tell me about your auxiliary classes or electives for students. PreK and Kindergarten: Students participate in weekly classes for Library/Storytime, Music and Movement as well as Spanish. During the second semester, Kindergarten students add weekly Computer classes to their schedule. 1st – 5th grades: Students participate in the following classes each week: Physical Education – three times per week Music and Spanish – twice per week Art, Computer, and Library – once a week 6th grade: Choice of one elective, either Beginning Band or Elective Wheel. The wheel allows the student to ‘sample’ four of the following introductory courses, each of which is taken for a nine-week period: Art, Chorale, Computer, Journalism and Spanish. 7th grade: Choice of one elective Advanced Band, Art, Chorale, Advanced Computer, Journalism, Spanish, or Theater Arts 8th grade: Choice of two electives Advanced Band, Art, Chorale, Advanced Computer, Journalism, Spanish, or Theater Arts |
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11. Do students take the TAKS test? How do John Paul II Catholic School students score on their standardized test scores? Our students take the IOWA and CoGAT tests, nationally normed tests every year. The national average is 50%. JPII averages between 80% - 90% each year. For the last several years, over 60% of our 7th graders have been selected by the Duke University talent search (based on IOWA scores in 95th percentile or above). |
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12. What after-school activities do you offer? Each year the activities that are offered after school vary, depending upon the interest of students and those that provide the activity. Currently, we offer Elementary Choir, Scouting, Happy Feet Gymnastics, Art Club, Chess Club, Robotics, Middle School Theatre and Choir. |
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13. What athletic programs do you offer Our Elementary students play in the West Houston Christian Sports Association (WHCSA). Sports include soccer, basketball, softball and baseball, as well as volleyball for 5th grade girls. Our Middle School students participate in the Greater Houston Christian Athletic Association (GHCAA). Competitive athletic programs include soccer, football, volleyball, cross country, basketball, track, softball and baseball. 6th grade students may participate in some WHCSA sports. |
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14. Do you have a Before and After School Program (BASP)? Yes, our program is available only to JPII students. The BASP hours are:
Registration papers for BASP will be available after a child is accepted at JPII. Please see BASP Handbook online under the "Parent Corner" tab for fee schedule, sibling discounts and more information.
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15. Does JPII offer a tuition sibling discount? Yes, we have discounts for multiple children. |
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16. Are parents required to volunteer a certain number of hours per year? No, parents are not required to do a certain number of volunteer hours. However, in order to volunteer at the school, VIRTUS training is required and a background check must be completed. "Volunteer Guidelines" are under the "Parent Corner" tab online. |
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17. What are the fundraising requirements for parents? What fundraisers can be used to meet those dollars? There are several fundraisers offered during the school year. All fundraisers are voluntary and four are specifically geared towards meeting Family Commitment. Family Commitment fundraisers for 2011-12 are: student directory ads in the fall, the annual auction gala in November, and the tuition raffle and Steps for Students in the spring. Family commitment dollars can only be earned during the current school year. |
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18. Do you offer financial assistance? The school provides tuition assistance to families who are committed to Catholic education and who have demonstrated financial need. Financial aid applications are available in January upon request to the admissions office. Award determinations are made by the Financial Aid Committee using the Private School Aid Service to provide an independent assessment of eligibility provided by the Private School Aid Service. |
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19. Where is the parish? What parishes do your students attend? We are not a parish school. We have students that come to us from the surrounding parishes. The majority of our students attend the Catholic parishes of St. John Vianney, St. Cyril of Alexandria, Epiphany of the Lord, St. Justin the Martyr, St. Bartholomew and St. Edith Stein. |
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20. Do you receive any subsidies from outside sources? No |
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Yes, our cafeteria is located in the student activity center. We have a catering company that prepares a hot lunch on site for students. In addition, many students bring their lunch to eat in the cafeteria. You can view the lunch menu on our website under the "Parent Corner". |
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No, all students are transported to school by car, or they walk to school. |