Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Current Families 


Below are the answers to our most frequently asked questions by those who are current families in our school.  The column to the left includes answers to questions most frequently asked by prospective families interested in the school.  Please visit the Contact Page to reach out to us with additional questions.


Questions:


  1. ​I have questions about the uniform. Please help!
  2. When is Mass day? How do the procedures change on this day?
  3. I am wanting to fulfill service hours, but I'm not sure how to start.  
  4. I'm interested in having my child baptized or receive First Communion. How can I pursue this?
  5. My child and/or teacher is telling me about All Saints' Day - What is this about?
  6. I am interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith or in becoming Catholic. How can I do this?



Q.  I have questions about the uniform.  Please help! 


A.  Thank you for asking about our uniform policy! Please remember that students in primary and elementary grades (K4 - 5th) have a slightly different uniform than those in middle school grades (6-8). You can read our complete uniform policy here (or on our Uniform Page) or in our parent-student handbook. You can also ask our principal or staff if any specific uniform or grooming policy questions arise.


​Q.  When is Mass day?  How do the procedures change on this day?


A.  Mass days are on Fridays, although on a few special occasions (e.g. Feast of the Immaculate Conception or Ash Wednesday) we might attend Mass on a different day of the week. Mass begins at 8:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church (off of Niagara Rd.).  Drop off is between 7:40 - 7:50 a.m. Students or parents need to check in with our school secretary as they enter to state whether they need a ride in our carpool or whether they will be driven back to school by their parents. Mass ends around 8:40 a.m. Students will be assigned to their designated ride after Mass. Usually we all arrive back to school by 9:00 a.m. Please remember that younger students need to bring a car seat or booster with them if they are in the carpool. We are very grateful for any parents (or grandparents) who assist us with the carpool back to school!


Q.  I am wanting to fulfill service hours, but I'm not sure how to start.  


A. We depend on our families' contribution of service to help keep tuition costs as low as possible. We almost always need help with lunch duty (12:00 - 1:00 p.m. daily), assisting teachers, cleaning, landscaping, and fundraising. We have many needs, and we would love for you to contribute in the manner you are most comfortable. We keep a regular calendar for lunch duty assistance in our school office. Our school secretary can assist you in getting signed up. Other service opportunities can be pursued by talking to our principal or one of our staff.  


Q.  I'm interested in having my child baptized or receive First Communion.  How can I pursue this?


A.  We are eager to assist you with this process, and we are happy you are wanting to raise and guide your child in the Faith. All children receiving sacraments should register with the local parish. Our local parish does generally allow students to receive their First Reconciliation and Communion formation through our religious education program. This is normally completed in second grade. Students who are older may need to go through what is called "RCIA" or  the "catechumenate" process which will prepare them to receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and First Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil liturgy. Please speak with our principal if you have further questions on the Sacrament formation process.


Q.  My child and/or teacher is telling me about All Saints' Day - What is this about?


A.   All Saints' Day is a feast day celebrated by the Catholic Church on November 1, and it is a day that honors all holy men and women who are in Heaven (therefore called "saints" properly). To celebrate with the Church, our school hosts an All Saints' Day parade which takes place in our school gym. All parents are invited to this event. Some classes will host individual presentations or activities on this day. Please note that students usually pick a saint to dress up as at least a few weeks before November 1. Please ask your child's teacher for more details on how they will prepare for this celebration. 


Q.  I am interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith and/or in becoming Catholic. How can I do this?

A. Our entryway is regularly stocked with books, CDs, and DVDs by Lighthouse Catholic Media which are great resources for those who are interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith. We can also assist you more personally in learning about the Catholic Faith or on how to become Catholic.


Perhaps you are a fallen-away or non-practicing Catholic and feel uncertain of how to begin practicing the Faith actively again. Be not afraid! We are not here to judge you - only to assist you!  Coming back to the Church is easier than you think, and we will be happy to guide you. You can also contact the local Catholic parish directly to begin the process of entering the Church.  



Pope John Paul II Academy         67051 Sunnyside Rd.         Montrose, Colorado 81401         (970) 249-2996         copyright popejohnpaul2academy.com

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Prospective Families 


Below are the answers to our most frequently asked questions by those who are interested in our school. The column to the right includes answers to questions most frequently asked by current families. Please visit the Contact Page to reach out to us with additional questions.


Questions:


  1. How do I apply?
  2. What grades do you accept?
  3. What age must my child be to enter K4 or Kindergarten?
  4. I'm not Catholic. Can I still apply to the school?
  5. ​What are the hours for your school day? 
  6. Do you accept students with behavioral or academic issues? What about children with special needs?
  7. I'm interested in the school, but I'm afraid I cannot afford tuition. Are there scholarships available?
  8. Does your school serve breakfast or lunch?  
  9. Does your school follow the Common Core Standards? Do you administer state standardized testing?
  10. Is your school accredited?
  11. ​What sports do you offer?



Q. How do I apply?


A.  

  1. Your first step is to call the school (970-249-2996) and set up an appointment with the principal for a personal tour and interview.  
  2. For students in grades K-8, the school requires that children take an academic placement exam to gain a basic grasp of the child's fundamental skills in reading, writing, and math.  
  3. All transcripts from prior academic institutions need to be submitted to the Academy, and the school's student application must be completed. 
  4. Generally families must put down a $200 deposit to reserve their spot. This deposit is non-refundable, but it is applied as a credit towards the family's tuition.  


Q.  What grades do you accept?


A.  We currently accept grades K4 (pre-K) through 8th. 


Q.  What age must my child be to enter K4 or Kindergarten?


A.  ​We generally follow the Montrose County School District guidelines for kindergarten and preschool ages. Children must be 5 years old by August 1 to enter Kindergarten. Children must be 4 years old by August 1 to enter our M/W/F or M-F K4 program. Children must be 3 years old by August 1 to enter our T/Th K4 program.  


Q.  I'm not Catholic.  Can I still apply to the school?


A.  Yes!  About 1/3 of the students at Pope John Paul II Academy are not Catholic. However, the school does follow, teach, and practice the Catholic Faith. As such, all students are expected to participate and learn about the Catholic Faith to the degree that they are able (i.e. non-Catholics will not be able to receive Sacraments).  


Q.  What are the hours for your school day? 


A.  Our K-8 program goes from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Drop off is between 7:45 a.m. - 7:55 a.m.  Our K4 program (pre-K) goes from 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. with the same drop off time.  


Q.  Do you accept students with behavioral or academic issues?  What about children with special needs?


A.  Because we are a small private school with limited funding and resources, we are unable to assist students who have more severe special needs. Public schools offer greater resources and personnel to address more specialized academic or behavioral needs. Some students who have less severe or specialized needs may  benefit from the smaller class sizes found at Pope John Paul II Academy. However, because we are trying to build a culture which is rooted strongly in faith, morals, and high academic standards, students who are struggling more severely in school may need resources and assistance that our school cannot provide.   


​Q. I'm interested in the school, but I'm afraid I cannot afford tuition.  Are there scholarships available?


A.  Our school offers tuition assistance to families who qualify.  Our school utilizes a third-party system, FACTS Management, to equitably determine who qualifies for tuition assistance.  Please go to our Payment and Financial Aid page to learn more and begin the application process.   


Q.  Does your school serve breakfast or lunch?  


A.  The school does not provision meals. Students should bring a healthy lunch and may pack snacks (individual grades have various snack policies/procedures).


Q.  Does your school follow the Common Core Standards?  Do you administer state standardized testing?


A.  ​No, we do not adopt the Common Core Standards as we believe in following a classical approach to education which is time-tested and proven to be effective. Once per year, our school administers the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS). As a private school, we are not bound to administer state testing.  


​Q.  Is your school accredited?


A.  ​Yes, we are fully accredited through NAPCIS (National Association of Private Catholic and Independent Schools). 

Totus Tuus

A Private Academy

in the Catholic Tradition