Admissions » ADMISSIONS PROCESS

ADMISSIONS PROCESS

 
STEPS FOR APPLYING TO SAINT RICHARD CATHOLIC SCHOOL
 
Step 1: Parent/guardian may fill out an Online Inquiry to begin the admissions process. You will then be prompted to schedule a Tour. If your student needs special accommodations, you will be able to schedule a meeting with our Student Support Services Coordinator before your Tour. We recommend that you take time to explore our website to learn more about Saint Richard Catholic School before your Tour. You may also call the office at 601-366-1157 and speak with someone in Admissions about any questions.
 
Step 2: Parent/guardian will then complete an Online Application for a $100 fee. At this time, a teacher or principal referral is required for kindergarten - 6th grade applicants. In addition, you will be asked to provide the following documentation: copy of the child's Birth Certificate, Social Security Card, Immunization Form 121, last report card if applicable, a school discipline report if your child is a transfer student, and special education documentation if applicable.
 
Step 3: Our Admissions Committee will work with families to schedule an Entrance Interview and Skills Assessment for prospective pre-kindergarten students and a Skills Assessment for prospective kindergarten through sixth grade students. 
 
Step 4: The Admissions Committee will review information gathered from the application, interview, referral, assessments, and other supporting documentation. You will be contacted regarding the enrollment decision via email or by phone. See here for details regarding tuition and fees
 
The parish/school respects the dignity of the child. Neither race, color, gender nor national origin shall prevent a child from being accepted in the school or religious educational programs. Children of other religions may be accepted on a seat available basis unless attendance would cause conflict for the child because of the unique religious philosophy of Catholic schools. All children are required to participate in religion class and religious activities.

Under State Law, it is mandatory that all kindergarten students, first grade students, and transfer students from outside the state of Mississippi furnish CERTIFICATE OF IMMUNIZATION COMPLIANCE from a physician or from the County Health Department (FORM 121). 

All students in grades K5-6th are required to be screened/tested for admission.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

The Catholic Diocese of Jackson, which includes Saint Richard Catholic School, admits students of any race, color, gender, or national origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students. Catholic schools seek primarily to serve Catholic parents who want a Catholic education for their children. Children of other faith traditions may be accepted if enrollment openings are available.

Saint Richard Catholic School, in accordance with the requirements of Title IX of the Civil Rights, announces they are in compliance with the Civil Rights Act regarding discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender nor national origin in their admission policies, employment practices and their treatment of students.

Saint Richard Catholic School, in accordance with the Education of All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142) continues the availability of their educational programs to handicapped and non-handicapped children. Handicapped and non-handicapped children will be educated together to the maximum extent appropriate.

ENROLLMENT POLICY 
 
Enrollment priority follows this order: all children currently enrolled, children of Catholic families with siblings enrolled, children of St. Richard parish members, children from other Catholic parishes, children of other faith traditions (those not members of the Roman Catholic Church) with siblings currently enrolled and then children of other faith traditions. In the event a class is filled, a waiting list is established with Catholic students having priority. 

TRANSFER STUDENTS
 
Students transferring to any grade from an in-state school should have reached the age of five on or before September 1st of the Kindergarten year or be of the appropriate age for their current grade placement per Diocesan 5104. Students transferring to any grade from out-of-state can be accepted if they have followed the age requirements of the state from which they have transferred provided the parents were legal residents of the state from which the child is transferring, the out-of-state school was duly accredited by the transferring state’s accrediting authority, the student was legally enrolled in the transferring school for at least four weeks, and satisfactory progress was being made by the student at the transferring school according to the school’s principal. Students transferring from non-accredited schools or home school, must be tested by St. Richard, and placed in the grade in accordance with a national grade placement test. This is a Diocesan and Mississippi Department of Education policy.