Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
 

General Information

Q: Is Holy Spirit School accredited?
A: Yes, by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and re-accredited every 6 years.

Q: Are Holy Spirit School's teachers credentialed?
A: Per Diocesan policy, all our teachers are credentialed or are pursuing credentials.

Q: Do students have to wear a uniform?
A: Holy Spirit School students are required to wear uniforms. The uniform for boys is: navy blue pants or shorts, red or white polo, school logo sweatshirt or fleece jacket. Girls wear a red and blue plaid skirt (jumper for grades PK-4), navy pants, shorts or capris, red or white polo, school logo sweatshirt or fleece, or sweater jacket.

Academic Excellence

Q: How do Holy Spirit School's test scores compare with other schools?
A: There are no scores published by schools in the Diocese of San Jose. Catholic schools do not use the same type of test, nor are the results used in the same way as public schools.

School Programs: In the Classroom and Beyond

Q: Do you have teacher aides and if so, in what grades?
A: We have teacher's aides in Pre-K through 4th grade. Pre-K has 2 aides per session, K-4 has dedicated classroom aides.

Q: What is the student/teacher ratio?
A: Pre-K is 3:26, K is 1:15, Grades 1-2 is 1:16, Grades 3-4 is 1:16 (1/2 time).

Q: What does the curriculum include?
A: Holy Spirit School follows the California state standards with additional enhancements.

Q: Does Holy Spirit School offer foreign language, music, drama, computers?
A: We offer a variety of programs. Music, Spanish and computers are a core part of our academic program and we offer a variety of clubs and after school programs to suit a variety of interests.

Q: What high school do most of your students attend?
A: Our students have over a 95% acceptance to the Bay Area Catholic High Schools. In the past a majority of our students have been accepted to and attended: Bellarmine, Presentation, Notre Dame, St. Francis, Archbishop Mitty and St. Lawrence Academy.

Q: Do you offer after school care for students?
A: We do offer extended care before and after school. Extended care is for students grades K-8 only.

Q: Do students of Holy Spirit School receive their sacrament preparation at school?
A: Sacrament preparation is part of our curriculum at Holy Spirit School. Families are responsible for signing up their child with the required classes your home parish offers as students receive the sacraments at their home parish.

Q: Do you offer after school sports programs or activities?
A: We do offer after school sports for students grades 5-8. Football, Girls Volleyball in Fall, Basketball in Winter, Boys Volleyball and Girls Softball in the spring. We also offer a variety of after school activities please go to http://www.holyspirit-school.org/extracurricular to see those offerings.

Q: Are volunteer hours required of parents or students?
A: We do require 40 volunteers hours per school year per family. There are many opportunities to volunteer to suit any schedule. Students in grades 6-8 do have a nominal number of community service hours they need to complete.

Q: What type of involvement do you have with the Catholic High Schools?
A: We offer High School Information nights at our campus each fall. In addition, our teachers are in constant communication regarding placement exams, requirements and prepping our students on how to get through the application process.

Applying to our School: Process & General Community Info

Q: What does the entrance test cover? Does my student need to be tested to apply to Holy Spirit School?
A: Kindergarten applicants are screened for readiness. Kindergarten screening includes letter and number recognition, fine and gross motor skills and social and emotional readiness. An entrance exam is administered to entering 1st-8th graders. Entrance exams include some Math, reading comprehension and languages arts.

Q: Are there any spaces open at Holy Spirit School and what are my chances of getting in?
A: Space availability depends on current class size, the number of returning students and number of applicants. Enrollment is offered per the acceptance policy (link to the letter listing order of priorities).

Q: Does Holy Spirit School accept students mid year?
A: Applications are taken year round and enrollment may be offered if space is available.

Q: When do you accept applications for the following school year?
A: Applications are available and are accepted at the beginning of November. Please see www.holyspirit-school.org/admissionsfor specific deadlines.

Q: I have a student I would like to transfer to Holy Spirit School, what process should I follow?
A: Students wishing to transfer to Holy Spirit School should follow the general application process. Please see www.holyspirit-school.org/admissions

Q: When am I notified if my child has been accepted to Holy Spirit School?
A: For applications submitted November-January, acceptances are mailed in January for Pre-K and March for K-8th. Mid Year applicants are notified as soon as possible.

Q: What is the minimum age to enroll in Pre-K or Kindergarten?
A: Pre-K, 4 years of age by September 1st of year of entrance. Kindergarten, 5 years of age by October 1st of entrance year.

Q: When can I tour the campus?
A: A listing of scheduled tours is posted on the home page of the school website, and you can also call the school office at 268-0794 to schedule an appointment.

Q: Are there any geographic boundaries to attend Holy Spirit School?
A: No.

Q: Do you have a new student orientation program?
A: The New Family Buddy Program is targeted to new students and their families. Each new student is partnered up with a buddy to help them get settled into Holy Spirit School.

Financial Aid

Q: Does Holy Spirit School offer tuition assistance? How much can we get?
A: We are proud to be able to offer tuition assistance to current families in need. Each need is evaluated and aid is given based on each individual situation.

Joining our Community

Q: If we belong to another parish do we have to register at Holy Spirit?
A: You do not have to be a Holy Spirit Parish member to attend Holy Spirit School.

Q: Do we have to be Catholic to apply to Holy Spirit School?
A: You do not have to be Catholic to be accepted at Holy Spirit School.

Q: Are volunteer hours required of parents?
A: We do require 40 volunteers hours per school year per family. There are many opportunities to volunteer to suit any schedule.

Q: Do you have a Scrip program? Is participation mandatory?
A: Participation in our Scrip program is required as it is a major fundraiser for the school. Each family is required to spend $3,000 (gross) per school year as a minimum participation in the program.