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
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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 90 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 the Spring, 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 St. John Paul II Catholic School are required to wear a uniform. The official uniform must be purchased at MillsWear (our school code is 720). Other optional uniform items can be purchased through the StJPII website link 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 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.
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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.
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8. What are your class sizes?
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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.
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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. Kindergarten also attends P.E. all year and computer in the second semester. 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, Choir, Computer, and Spanish.
7th grade: Choice of one elective Advanced Band, Art I, Chorale, Intermediate Computer, Journalism, or Spanish
8th grade: Choice of two electives Advanced Band, Art I, Chorale, Intermediate Computer, Advanced Computers and Robotics, Journalism, Spanish, Robotics, Artisans or Theater Arts
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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 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 Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Art Club, dance classes, Conquest and Challenge Clubs, Chess Club, Robotics.
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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 Spring volleyball for 6th 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, baseball and cheer. 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 StJPII students. The BASP hours are:
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.
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15. Does StJPII offer a tuition sibling discount? Yes, we have discounts for multiple children. Please see the chart under Admissions, Tuition.
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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, 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.
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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.
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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. Additional information is available on "Admissions" and then "Tuition Assistance". |
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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.
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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.
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23. What is the Immunization Policy as mandated by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston? The TCCBED policy regulating Immunization Requirements is applicable to all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and states the following: |
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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, Instagram and Twitter. |