Admissions Mission Statement

Saint Bridget School is dedicated to providing Christian formation, a quality education and the development of the whole person within a Catholic faith community.

Admissions - Statement of Policy

Saint Bridget School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate in its administration of its educational policies, admission policies, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Saint Bridget School seeks first to educate Catholics, therefore, Catholics will receive preference in admission decisions.

Age Requirements for Admission

There are no exceptions to the below listed age requirements for attendance at Saint Bridget School.

• Kindergarten I: Students must be age four by September 1 of the school year in which they are applying for enrollment.
• Kindergarten: Students must be age five by September 1 of the school year in which they are applying for enrollment.
• First Grade: Students must be age six by September 1 of the school year in which they are applying for enrollment. Students who have attended a Kindergarten at another accredited institution will be considered for admission, but students will be required to undergo readiness testing applicable to all first grade applicants.

Medical and Immunization Requirements

Students will provide appropriate proof of medical examination and immunization in accordance with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts General Laws. If a child possesses a special medical/psychological condition it is suggested that the parent meet with the school nurse to discuss the issue relative to the school's ability to meet that child's medical needs. All children are required to have medical insurance either through their parents or through the school's supplemental medical insurance program.

Probationary Policy

Students are admitted to the school on a sixty-day probationary basis. This allows parents, teachers and administration to evaluate the student's (s') opportunity for success. If problems do develop, parents will be notified and a conference will be held. Students may be removed at anytime within the sixty-day probationary period if the Principal deems this to be in the student's and/or the school's best interest.

Policy Governing Religious Education

Students of other faiths are considered integral members of the student body, and are expected and required to participate in all aspects of the school program, except where their religious faith does not allow it. The inter-faith student shall be required to attend and participate in the religion class. Teachers should be sensitive to the students' ability to understand, and should be respectful of their personal religious convictions. Students of other faiths shall be required to be present for liturgical and other religious services. They shall not be required to participate in such services, but should be invited and encouraged to do so to the extent they are able. They may not receive the Holy Eucharist or the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Students of other faiths, shall, like other students, be required to participate in service projects sponsored by the school.

Admissions Preference

Students applying to parish elementary schools shall, if qualified, be accepted according to the following criteria, applied in sequence:

1. Catholic students from Saint Bridget Parish
2. Catholic students who have brothers and sisters presently enrolled in the school
3. Catholic students from other parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston
4. Catholic students from parishes outside the Archdiocese of Boston
5. Non-Catholics who have brothers and sisters presently enrolled in the school
6. Other non-Catholic students.

* The decision of the Principal on grade placement is final. (Archdiocese of Boston Policy Manual).

Admission Process

1. Parent requests admissions inquiry packet and completes the following forms:
   All Grade Levels
• Application for Admission and submits it with the appropriate fee.
Grades 1 - 8 (Include)
• Student Recommendation Form must be completed by the child's current school: either by the grade level teacher or principal, and be received by St. Bridget School. They may be sent by Facsimile to us.
2. Along with the Admission Form, the parent will submit the following documentation for review by the principal and teacher(s):
   All Grade Levels:
• A photocopy of the birth certificate.
• Photocopies of all sacramental certificates (if Catholic).
• Photocopies of a child's Special Education Plan/Individualized Education Plan (IEP) if applicable. If a child is receiving special services in the public school system, and a parent is seeking application for the child at Saint Bridget School, a copy of the Individualized Education Plan is required to be submitted to the Resource Coordinator for evaluation as to the school's abilities/resources to meet the child's educational needs.
• A close-up photo of your child (optional).
Grades 1 - 8 (Include):
• A photocopy of the most current report card.
• A photocopy of the most current standardized test scores.
3. Following the submission of the above documentation and the subsequent review by the principal and appropriate instructors the parent will be contacted to schedule a student assessment (screening) and visit to the school. In the case of a Kindergarten I and Kindergarten application the child's visit will be part of the assessment time. Acceptance of students to Saint Bridget School is contingent on the results of the Readiness Assessment, administered by school personnel. The section below on Kindergarten I and Kindergarten Readiness testing explains the evaluation in depth.
4. Following the assessment by the school and the visit by the child, the principal will discuss the child's placement with the teachers and staff involved and will then decide whether to accept the applicant. Parents will be notified by mail.
5. Following acceptance of the child/children the parent is sent an offer of enrollment, which must be returned with the deposit within the specified time frame. Following receipt of the deposit and acceptance of enrollment a welcome package containing the following information will be sent to the parents:
• School Uniforms
• School Supply List
• Summer Reading List
• List of Important Dates for the Upcoming Year
• Orientation Dates
• Immunization Information
• Tuition Contract
• FACTS Tuition Plan Information and Enrollment Form
6. At the beginning of the school year all families receive the following:
• Parent Handbook
• School Calendar
• PTO Information Packet
• Fundraiser Information
• School Forms Packet
7. Once a student is enrolled, the school will automatically send a "re-registration mailing packet" in the Spring for the upcoming school year. You do not need to fill out an Admission Application Form every year.