K-8 ADMISSIONS
All Catholic and non-Catholic students will be considered for admission, as long as class size does not exceed a reasonable number for the age level of the students. This number may vary between grade levels. Every attempt is made to split classes into two sections when enrollment in a grade level is deemed large enough. The Pastor or Principal will determine this number, based on the best interest of the school. If class size is limited, Catholic students who are active members of a parish will be accepted first, followed by Catholic students who are not active members of a parish, and then non-Catholic students.
PRE-K ADMISSIONS
All Catholic and non-Catholic students of the appropriate age and social/emotional ability level will be considered for admission, as long as class size does not exceed a reasonable number for the age level of the students. This number may vary depending on the number of part-time and full-time students. The Pastor or Principal will determine this number, based on the best interest of the school.
When interest in enrollment exceeds class limitations, the following factors will determine admission to the Pre-K program:
* Enrollment in good standing in our Pre-K the previous school year new 4-year-olds will be
given consideration over new 3-year-olds.
* Students who have siblings enrolled in K-8 classes.
* Catholic applicants who are active members of a parish will be considered over Catholic
applicants who are not active members of a parish or non-Catholic applicants.
* Amount of time a child has been on our waiting list.
The following definitions will be used:
Catholic Applicant: Applicant must be baptized or have made official notification of baptism. The applicant’s parent(s) or guardian(s) must be participating, registered Catholic(s) in a supporting parish.
Non-active Catholic Applicant: Applicant has not been baptized or the applicant’s family has not shown participation in church life through regular attendance in Mass (as determined by the Pastor). Please note that this situation will be considered non-Catholic for the purpose of tuition until official notification of Baptism and participation in church life has been recognized.
Tuition and Fees: Information regarding tuition and fees is given to each family at the time of registration.
Assessments: Our Catholic tuition is considerably lower than our non-Catholic tuition. It is also one of the lowest tuitions in the entire Diocese of Belleville. There are two reasons this is possible: First and foremost, is the donation provided by parishes and supporting parishes to the education of each Catholic child. Support of the church equals support of the school. This is why we ask our parents to be active supporters of our churches as well as the school.
Secondly, is the donation of approximately $850 per family from the OLMC School Committee’s fundraisers. Our Catholic families are asked to participate in one of these fundraisers in order to ensure the success of the committee. The commitment is approximately 24 hours of work.
A family may opt out of working an OLMC Assessment and instead pay an Assessment Fee of $850.00 per family. This should be paid directly to the OLMC School Committee. It may be paid in full or in monthly installments of $85 a month for 10 months.
An $850 fee currently appears on FACTS accounts for all Catholic families at the beginning of each year. However, with the implementation of FACTS Management, the notification module may change. It will be waived in full or in part when you have finished your volunteer hours (24 hours). Hours worked are kept by the School Committee and turned into the office. Please make sure you sign in for all activities you work.
Non-Catholic school families do not receive a parish subsidy and pay a higher tuition, making them exempt from Assessment obligations.
Methods of tuition payment:
● Payment in full at registration.
● Two payments, one in July and the other in January.
● Ten equal monthly installments through automatic withdrawal from a checking account or
automatic credit from a credit card account beginning July and ending in April.
Parental concerns regarding delinquent tuition or family hardships must be directed to the Principal. Should a family become delinquent, and there is no communication or effort made to correct the situation, the children affected will be discontinued at the end of the quarter in which the delinquency occurs. A family can reinstate their enrollment by the payment of all tuition and fees that are due to date. Tuition refunds will be issued on case-by-case bases. Refunds will not include the period the student was present.
Non-Discrimination Policy: In keeping with the Diocesan Policy #511.1, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities made available to students at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School.
The School does not discriminate of the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin an administration of its educational policies, admission policies, local programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.
Entrance Requirements: Children will be permitted to enter Kindergarten following policies upheld by the state of Illinois and the Diocese of Belleville. The child must be five years old by September 1st. All Kindergarteners will be screened for readiness. All students entering Kindergarten must have physicals with proof of immunizations, dental exam and vision exam. Students entering 6th grade must have physicals with proof of immunizations and dental exam. Students entering 2nd grade must have a dental exam.
Probationary Statement: Any new students that register to attend Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School are considered probationary until such time as records are received and a “sufficient period of time” has passed to guarantee that any special needs of the child can be met by existing Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School curriculum and resources.
“Sufficient time” is to be judged by the principal and teachers involved, on a case-by-case basis, preferably not to exceed nine weeks. Each student and parent will confer with the Principal and teachers after this time to ensure that the student is able to meet success in his/her new environment.
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School reserves the right at any time to require that any student with needs that cannot be met by existing curriculum or staff (as decided by the Pastor, Principal and teachers involved) not be enrolled at this school. The Board will be kept informed of all problem situations existing and the resulting actions taken.