FAQ

1. When are tours available during the school day? Please check the "Visit" page under the "Admissions" tab on our website to sign up for a tour or contact our Director of Admissions at admissions@jp2.org

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 applicants 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 an hour. First grade takes 45 minutes to an hour and 2nd through 8th grades should allow 2 1/2 to 3 hours. On our admissions testing date in February, certified teachers and assistants administer the test to students. Due to the large volume of students being tested, extended testing time may be necessary. 

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 our first round of testing, the school is not able to make personal phone calls regarding acceptance results. Decision letters are emailed.

4. What are your school hours?
 

5. Do the students wear uniforms and, if so where do you purchase them?
Visit our uniform page by clicking the link below. There you will find further information on our uniform provider, uniform charts, used uniforms, and more.

Uniform Information - St. John Paul II Catholic School (jp2.org)

6. What does it mean to be a National Blue Ribbon and Catholic Honor Roll School?
The National Blue Ribbon is an award given by the US Department of Education to public and private schools. In order to apply, schools must not only have high test scores but also show that they offer exceptional programs, electives, and community involvement. StJPII is the only elementary school in Houston (only the 7th in Texas) to have won the National Blue Ribbon Award three times.

The Catholic Education Honor Roll (CEHR) helps schools strengthen their Catholic identity by evaluating internal policies and practices and recognizing schools committed to the Principles of Catholic Identity in Education.  

7. Why are the dates for Blue Ribbon only for 1997, 2008 and 2018?
Schools may apply for this award every 7-10 years based on the terms of the program.  St. John Paul II has been recognized three times.

8. What are your class sizes?
We strive to keep student counts at these levels

Pre-Kindergarten          18 students per class, with full-time assistant in each class
Kindergarten                 22 students per class, with full-time assistant in each class
1st - 2nd Grade             24 students per class, with a full-time floating assistant in 1st grade
3rd - 8th Grade             25 students

9. What textbooks are used at St. 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.  

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. Kindergarten also attends P.E. all year and computer in the second semester.

1st – 5th grade 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, Choir,  Computer, and Spanish.

7th grade: Choice of one elective

• Advanced Band, Art I, Chorale, Intermediate Computer, Journalism, Communication Application (Speech) or Spanish

8th grade: Choice of two electives

• Advanced Band, Art I, Chorale, Intermediate Computer, Advanced Computers and Robotics, Journalism and Broadcast Journalism (Halo News), Communication Application (Speech), Spanish, Robotics, Artisans or Theater Arts

11. Do students take the STAAR test? How do St. John Paul II Catholic School students score on their standardized test scores?
Our students do not take the Texas state STAAR test. Our students take the IOWA and CoGAT nationally normed tests every year. The national average is 50%. StJPII averages between 80% - 90% each year in the various academic subjects as a grade level. Our students perform approximately 8 points above their predicted level of ability. We continue to see improvements each year. For the last several years, over 60% of our 7^th graders have been selected by the Duke University talent search (based on IOWA scores in 95^th percentile or above).

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 Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Art Club, Energy Dance Ballet classes, Conquest and Challenge Clubs, Chess Club, Robotics, Sewing Circle Club, and Debate. Prices and dates vary. Parents are provided with registration information for these after-school activities in our first newsletter of the school year.

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 Spring volleyball for 6^th graders. 4th and 5th graders are offered an opportunity to participate in the middle school cross-country and track program. 

Our Middle School students participate in the Greater Houston Christian Athletic Association (GHCAA). Competitive athletic programs include soccer, football, volleyball, cross country, basketball, track and field, lacrosse,  softball, and baseball. 6th grade students may participate in some WHCSA sports.

14. Do you have a Before and After School Program (BASP)?
Yes, our program is available only to StJPII students. The BASP hours are:

• Mornings from 7:00 – 7:40 AM

• Afternoons from 3:00 – 6:00 PM

Registration papers for BASP will be available after a child is accepted at StJPII. Please see the BASP Handbook online under "Community" and then "Handbook" tab for fee schedule, sibling discounts and more information. 

15. Does StJPII offer a tuition sibling discount?
Yes, we have discounts for multiple children. Please see the chart under Admissions, Tuition. 

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, we encourage all parents to get involved and share their talents. In order to volunteer at the school, CMG Safe Haven training is required, background check must be completed, and a "Code of Conduct" signed. "StJPII Volunteer Guidelines" are under "Community" and then the "Volunteer" tab online. 

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.

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. Additional information is available on "Admissions" and then "Tuition Assistance".
 

19. Where is the parish? What parishes do your students attend?
We are not a parish school. St. John Paul II is a private Catholic independent school under the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. 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, St. Faustina, and St. Edith Stein.

20. Do you receive any subsidies from outside sources? No

21. Do you have a cafeteria?
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".

22. Do you have buses?
No, all students are transported to school by car, or they walk to school.

23. What is the Immunization Policy as mandated by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston?
The record must include a date for the immunizations and a doctor’s signature or stamp. 
A “My Chart” record must be signed by the doctor.
An “Immutrack” record must be signed by the doctor.

The TCCBED policy regulating Immunization Requirements is applicable to all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and states the following:
“Every student enrolled in a Catholic School in the state of Texas shall be immunized against vaccine preventable diseases caused by infectious agents in accordance with the immunization schedule adopted the Texas Department of State Health Services.
A student who fails to present the required evidence shall not be accepted for enrollment. The only exception to the foregoing requirement is a medical exemption signed by a licensed physician (M.D. or D.O.) authorized to practice in the state of Texas, including the physician’s license number.”
The statement from Rome regarding the use of Immunization Vaccines:
“Immunizations are not in conflict with the Catholic faith. When nothing else is available, as is the case currently in the U.S., Catholics may use these vaccines. The moral principle that applies in these cases is that of remote materials passive (not active) cooperation with evil.” These vaccines deter rampant outburst of viral disease in the population. Immunization is not in conflict with the Catholic faith.
Statement from Texas Attorney General:
“Conscientious objections of waivers, which may be permissible for attendance in public schools, do not qualify as an exemption in Catholic Schools in Texas. A private school that does not accept state tax funds is not required to accept for enrollment a child who has received an exemption for the immunizations required by the Texas Health and Safety Code” (Atty. Gen. OP GA-0420)

24. What methods does StJPII use to communicate with parents?
StJPII communicates through a variety of formats. Every Tuesday you will receive a link for the Saints Weekly, our school newsletter. IRIS – Immediate Response Information System is used to dispense important information within minutes to a group or the entire StJPII community using home phones, cell phones and / or e-mails. Our website, JP2.org contains a wealth of information and is updated continually. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.