Admission Guidelines

St. Patrick’s School recognizes the unique blessings and capabilities of each child. In an effort to “teach as Jesus did,” we encourage students to give selflessly to others and to offer their time and talent for the betterment of their school, parish, and community.  We ultimately recognize, however, that the best teaching approach is modeling. No one will be admitted, readmitted or be allowed to remain as a student to St. Patrick’s School unless that person and his/her parents/guardians subscribe to and follow the school’s philosophy and agree to abide by the educational policies and regulations of the school, the entire staff, administration and the archdiocese.

Many school families already contribute much-appreciated time, talent, and resources to the St. Patrick’s Community.  For their giving, we are grateful.  For other families, stewardship (time, talent, and treasure) has yet to become a priority. In recognition that we need to practice what we teach, the St. Patrick’s School  Advisory Board holds the expectation that all families participate in stewardship opportunities (parish or school) in whatever capacity they are able.
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​Therefore, in order to register a child at St. Patrick’s School (with parishioner status), parents/guardians must attend one of the monthly parishioner orientation meetings and complete a Parishioner Registration Form and a Stewardship Form.  In order to receive parishioner tuition, families are expected to follow through with their stewardship plan.  A development committee has been created to assist in the review of each family’s stewardship commitment.

School Application

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Admission Criteria K-8

The Principal, along with the Admissions Committee will make the decision concerning your child’s acceptance and placement into our school.  We will use the following criteria in descending order when we have a waiting list.

1. The family is following the expectations of a parishioner, including:
   • being registered in St. Patrick’s Parish (length of registration may be a factor);
   • having a stewardship form on file;
   • attending Mass regularly;
   • actively participating in a parish ministry or organization;
   • contributing regular financial support is some traceable manner such as envelopes (or some agreed upon terms with the pastor and/or principal).
2. The family has current students attending St. Patrick’s School.
3. The family has siblings of current students attending St. Patrick’s School.
4. The family has siblings of accepted, new students.
5. The family is Catholic, non-parishioner; date of school application and availability of parish school will be considered;
6. The family has students planning to attend our K-8th grade program (this applies only to preschool and pre-kindergarten programs).
7. The family is non-Catholic; date of school application will be taken into account.

As a way to better acquaint them with St. Patrick’s School, all parents/guardians and students will be required to meet with the Principal at school as part of the enrollment process. St. Patrick’s School requires all parents/guardians to give the school a copy of their child (ren)’s birth certificate and baptismal certificate. 

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Early Childhood Admissions and Waiting Guidelines

All children (Catholics from outside our parish and non-Catholics) are welcomed to enroll at St. Patrick’s Preschool (PreS) and PreKindergarten (PreK).  Students enrolling in PreS must be three years of age by July 31st, PreK students must be four years of age by July 31st and Transitional Kindergarten students must be 5 by October 15th.   The cost for children going to the three year old program is approximately two-thirds the cost of the prekindergarten program.  If St. Patrick’s School has a waiting list, the following factors will be used to accept students:

1. Students currently enrolled at St. Patrick’s preschool.
2. Siblings of St. Patrick’s students.
3. Students that are planning to attend St. Patrick’s Five-Day School. 
4. Student’s whose parent(s) are current Parishioners of St. Patrick’s Parish (Date of registration into the parish. Other registration situations may also be considered.

• Student’s whose family is Catholic in neighboring parishes with no Catholic School.
• Catholic families on waiting lists of other Catholic Schools
• Non-Catholics

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Admission Age Requirements

St. Patrick’s School complies with the Nebraska State age requirements for kindergarten and grade one students. Children entering kindergarten must be five years old on or before July 31st.  The school principal will make all final placement decisions.  This policy will become effective for all students entering the 2012-2013 school year.  State of Nebraska Revised 1-17-2011

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Health Requirements

School health at St. Patrick’s is provided by, and under the supervision of, a Registered Nurse and designated and trained school office staff.  St. Patrick’s follows laws and guidelines set forth by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The State of Nebraska has set forth requirements for physical examinations, visual evaluations, and immunizations for all students.

St. Patrick’s adheres to the Archdiocese of Omaha’s rules regarding immunizations.  Immunization refusal for medical reasons will be accepted if signed by an MD, NP, or PA.  Refusal of immunizations for religious reasons will not be accepted if the family is registered as Roman Catholic.  Students from other faith backgrounds will be reviewed on a case by case basis if a religious exemption is filed.
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A student must have a current immunization record on file before they may attend school. Students entering Kindergarten, 7th grade, or out-of-state transfer students must also submit a physical exam prior to the beginning of the school year.​

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For more information contact us at 402-289-5407 or email: admissions@stpatselkhorn.org