Is Holy Spirit School accredited?
Holy Spirit School is fully accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) since 1988.
Are Holy Spirit School’s teachers credentialed?
Per Diocesan policy, all our teachers are credentialed or are pursuing credentials.
Do students wear a uniform?
Holy Spirit School and Preschool students are required to wear uniforms which are purchased from Dennis Uniform in San Francisco. Uniform shoes must be solid black, brown, or navy blue in color with no designs, logos, or words of any kind. Athletic shoes are preferred. Girls may wear saddle shoes. Grades K-3 may wear athletic shoes with Velcro fasteners instead of laces. The uniform for boys consists of navy blue or khaki pants or shorts; navy blue, gray, or white polo; school logo sweatshirt or jacket. Girls wear a blue plaid skirt (jumper for grades K-3), navy pants, or shorts; navy blue, gray, or white polo; school logo sweatshirt or jacket. On the occasional non-uniform days, students are expected to follow “free dress” guidelines and policy for appropriate clothing at school.
Is your school a nut-free campus?
YES. Holy Spirit School is a Nut-Free School Zone. Students may not bring to school food items containing any kinds of nuts or traces of nuts. Please check the food labels. For more information about food allergies, go to Food Allergies and Anaphylactic Network (FAAN), a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing about a clearer understanding of the issues surrounding food allergies and providing helpful resources
Does Holy Spirit School offer other enrichment or instructional programs?
We offer a variety of programs. Physical Education, Art, Music, Spanish, and Technology are an integral part of our academic program and we offer a variety of after-school activities such as a band program. Participation in parish activities such as the Children’s Choir and CYO sports program is encouraged.
What kind of technology does Holy Spirit School provide?
Holy Spirit School incorporates a variety of technology and devices into the academic curriculum. Students and faculty have access to wireless internet, interactive monitors, computers, and tablets. Productive and creative software is also freely available for students and faculty to utilize on a daily basis.
Do you offer after school care for students?
We do offer extended care before school from 6:30am-7:45am and after school from 3:15pm-6pm.
Do students of Holy Spirit School receive their sacramental preparation at school?
Sacramental preparation is part of our curriculum at Holy Spirit School. Second graders receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion after preparation during religion classes at school, parent meetings, and retreats.
Do you offer after school sports programs or activities?
Our parish has the CYO sports programs. Cross Country and Track and Field are offered for grades K-8. Basketball has teams in grades 3-8 and Volleyball has teams for grades 5-8. There are girls teams and boys teams for each of these sports. Softball for girls begins in 5th grade. The parish gym is utilized for P.E. classes during the day and for after school CYO practices. Check http://holyspiritcyo.com for more information.
Does Holy Spirit School have an emergency plan?
YES. Holy Spirit School has an Emergency Preparedness Plan which is the model for the whole Diocese.
Are volunteer hours required of parents or students?
Parent participation in Holy Spirit School is a fundamental foundation to our students’ growth and success. Parents are required to log in at least 30 volunteers hours per school year per family (parish and/or school hours). There are many opportunities to volunteer to suit any schedule. Students in grades 3 through 8 are also required to have a nominal number of community service hours to complete.
Do you have a hot lunch program?
YES. Holy Spirit School participates with Choice Lunch, in which students may pre-order lunch online. Choice Lunch offers locally sourced organic fruits and vegetables our kids deserve.
Does Holy Spirit School offer tuition assistance?
Yes. Tuition assistance is available on a yearly basis to Holy Spirit School families (Pre-K to 8th grade) who qualify. Applications may be found on the FACTS website under the Grant & Aid tab. Applications must be completed and on file to receive Holy Spirit School financial aid. Decisions will be made to help as many families as possible.
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis to help those in need; however, first round awards for each school year are typically determined by April 15. In order to meet this date, we strongly recommend that applications be completed by the end of February.
Tuition Assistance may also be available through the Basic Fund, a private organization offering aid to families entering private school, grades K-8th, for the first time in Alameda and other counties. For information on BASIC Fund Scholarships, click here: www.basicfund.org.
How do I apply for the Tuition Assistance Program?
A completed FACTS Grant Aid and Assessment application must be completed in order to be considered for financial assistance.
Family Aid for Catholic Education (F.A.C.E.)
FACTS Grant Aid and Assessment forward each tuition assistance application to the Family Aid for Catholic Education (F.A.C.E.). There is not need to apply separately. F.A.C.E. is funded and administered by the Diocese of Oakland. These awards are determined by F.A.C.E. and then communicated to Holy Spirit School.
The BASIC Fund
The BASIC Fund (Bay Area Scholarships for Inner-City Children) is a privately funded program whose mission is to broaden the educational opportunities for inner-city children by helping low-income families afford the cost of tuition at private schools in the Bay Area.
The program is available to students entering Kindergarten through 8th grade at a private school for the first time. The program provides scholarships to help families send their children to the private school of their choice. The BASIC Fund scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to families in financial need. Please note: the BASIC Fund is only for students entering a private school for the first time.
The awards are generally based on household size and income.
If I applied for and received assistance last year, do I have to apply again this year?
YES. Each Holy Spirit School family must apply every year to receive tuition assistance to determine if they qualify. Returning families who have significantly different economic circumstances this year may receive more or less assistance than they received last year.
I am interested in enrolling my child(ren) in your school. Is there an application process? Does my student need to be tested to apply to Holy Spirit School?
Preschool Admission Requirements
Preschool application forms are available HERE. Generally, children 3-5 years old (whose application(s) are accepted by the Preschool) may attend HSS Preschool upon the following guidelines:
Kindergarten Applications
Kindergarten applicants are screened for readiness. Kindergarten screening includes:
HSS Online Applications are available HERE.
1st Grade through 8th Grade Applications
An entrance exam is administered to new students entering into the 1st through 8th Grades. Entrance exams include math, reading comprehension/language arts, and writing. HSS Online Applications are available HERE.
Are there any spaces open at Holy Spirit School and what are my chances for admission?
Space availability depends on current class size, the number of returning students, and the number of applicants. Enrollment is offered per the acceptance policy. Priority is given to siblings and then to children of active parishioners of Holy Spirit Church.
When do you accept applications for the following school year?
Applications are available and are accepted in January and are due by mid February. Applications will be accepted after that date, if space is available. Online Applications are available HERE.
Does Holy Spirit School accept students mid year?
Applications are taken year round and enrollment may be offered, if space is available.
I have a student I would like to transfer to Holy Spirit School. What process should I follow?
Students wishing to transfer to Holy Spirit School should follow the general application process. Online Applications are available HERE.
When am I notified if my child has been accepted to Holy Spirit School?
Kindergarten screening is done in February and acceptance letters are generally mailed within 10 business days. Students entering grades 1 through 7 are tested, if there is space available. Applicants are notified as soon as possible. Online Applications are available HERE.
What is the minimum age to enroll in Kindergarten or First Grade?
Kindergarten students must be 5 years old by September 1st of entrance year. First graders must be 6 years old by September 1st of entrance year. Online Applications are available HERE.
Why does Holy Spirit School use a September 1st cutoff entry birth date for kindergarten and first grade?
Other Catholic schools are beginning to use this same cutoff date, and all California public schools will do the same by 2014. Schools are making this change primarily for developmental and student readiness purposes, to have a positive impact in the classroom experience in the short and longer term. Many other states already use a July or August cutoff date. Holy Spirit School is one of the first schools in our area to implement this policy and we feel that our students are benefiting positively.
Are there any geographic boundaries to attend Holy Spirit School?
There are no geographic boundaries for attendance.
Do you have a new student orientation program?
The New Family Buddy Program is targeted to new students and their families. Each new family is partnered up with a buddy family to help them get settled into Holy Spirit School.
If we belong to another parish can we still to register our child(ren) at Holy Spirit School?
Yes, you do not have to be a Holy Spirit Church parishioner to attend Holy Spirit School.
Do we have to be Catholic to apply to Holy Spirit School?
No. You do not have to be Catholic to be accepted at Holy Spirit School.
Do you have instructional assistants and if so, in what grades?
We have instructional assistants in for grades Kindergarten through 4th grade.
What is the student/teacher ratio?
Class sizes can go up to 36 students. However, many core classes are split to lower the ratio to 18:1.
What does the curriculum include?
Holy Spirit School follows the Diocese of Oakland guidelines and California state standards with additional enhancements. (See CURRICULM)
