Sacred Heart School

Admissions

A certified birth certificate, baptismal certificate, and health/immunization records are required for new registrants. Divorced parents must furnish a copy of the custody section of the final divorce decree.  

Students registering for Kindergarten must be at least five years of age,  for our Pre-Kindergarten at least four years of age (4 year old program), three years of age (3 year old program) before October 1st.     

Release of Public Information and Private Student Records

All public information and private student records (trimester report card, standardized test scores, disciplinary reports) are distributed only to the legal parent(s)/guardian(s) where the student resides the majority of days during the school year. In keeping with the Buckley Amendment, unless a copy of a court-certified document is on file with Sacred Heart School specifically prohibiting access to public or private records, this information will be made available to a non-residential and/or non-custodial parent/guardian. Requests for photocopies or summaries of graded student assessments (tests, quizzes, reports, projects) by non-residential and/or non-custodial parents/guardians cannot be accommodated by our staff.

Sacramental Preparation

As part of the diocesan religion curriculum, all Sacred Heart School students receive instruction for the reception of the sacraments of First Penance and First Eucharist in second grade as well as Confirmation in eighth grade. Any questions regarding these programs should be forwarded to the Parish Director of Religious Education. Every non-Catholic student is welcome to attend these liturgical celebrations and to receive a special blessing in lieu of the sacrament.

Tuition Rates

Sacred Heart School sets tuition rates based upon projected enrollment, expected revenues and expenditures, and the extent of the parish investment.  Financial assistance is available to qualifying families. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the length of the school day for my children?

Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade students should be present for homeroom beginning at 7:50am. The school facilities are open to all students at 7:30am each morning. The dismissal time is 2:30pm on  a full-day schedule and 12:30pm on a half-days with a few exceptions. Our half-day Pre-Kindergarten students are dismissed at 11:30am from the vestibule of the Church.

2. Is after-school care available for children of working parents?

Sacred Heart School operates an  Extended Day Program (EDP)  for students 4 years of age and older beginning each day immediately following dismissal until 6:00pm. Daily and weekly rates are available for the convenience of our parents. Children are provided with supervised play and homework assistance plus a light snack.

3. Are children taught a world language and computer technology?

Formal instruction in Spanish by a full-time teacher is included as part of the weekly Language Arts curriculum for all students.  Technology basics are taught in the computer lab by our technology teacher.  Day to day implementation of technology occurs in the homeroom which is equipped with three Pentium-class workstations with grade-specific software and filtered internet access. A mobile wireless laptop lab suitable for whole class assignments is available throughout the day. All students are additionally provided with weekly instruction in physical education/health, art/music, and library skills.

4.  What co-curriculars are available for students?

As a regional elementary school serving several communities from the Delaware  River to Pemberton, the majority of our students are unable to remain after the school day on a regular basis due to a lack of transportation. For this reason and others, sports activities, such as basketball and baseball as well as cheerleading and the boy/girl scouts are arranged as parish-sponsored programs outside of the jurisdiction of Sacred Heart School. Our students do participate in a variety of local and national academic competitions and related programs during the school year in addition to class educational field trips.

5.  Is bus transportation available for my child to the school?

Depending upon the number of children attending Sacred Heart School who reside in a given public school district and the distance from your home to our school, bus transportation may be available for your child. Under NJ State statutes, a local public school district is required to provide busing to a private school only if the costs do not exceed a set financial limit. In all other cases, the district must reimburse Sacred Heart School parents "in lieu of transportation" at a rate of $771 per child. Further information is available by contacting your local public school district office.

6. Are remedial special education services available for my child?

Burlington County Educational Services Unit (BCESU) provides tax-supported remedial assistance to eligible students including supplemental instruction, compensatory education, and speech during the school day at Sacred Heart School. Child study team evaluations are also available for students meeting certain criteria. Sacred Heart School does not have the staff or facilities to provide "in-class support" or a "resource room" setting for students with special needs.

7. Is tuition assistance and scholarships available for students?

Parents may apply for tuition assistance and/or academic scholarships at registration and throughout the school year. The application form and further information are available upon request.  Tuition assistance is also available from the diocese.

8. Are Sacred Heart School instructors NJ State certified teachers?

All of our full-time instructors are either NJ State certified teachers or "in process" through the alternate route mentoring program. Sacred Heart School staff participate in teacher in-service programs which may be applied to fulfill the 100 hours of professional improvement required by the State to maintain certification. On average, our teachers have been a part of the faculty for at least five years.

9.  What is the average number of students per grade?

The average class size is 15-25 children with a maximum limit set at 30 students. Our Early Childhood Program consists of an academic Kindergarten taught in a spacious setting with teachers being supported by  instructional aides.  Our Pre-Kindergarten provides a developmental academic program for both  three and four year olds.  These classes are staffed by  teachers and aides.

10. Can parents and their children tour the school?

Tours and a brief meeting with the Principal can usually be arranged during school hours from 8am-2pm by calling 609-267-1728 at least one day in advance. Parents can contact the school by e-mail to receive further information at questions@sacred-heart-school.org.

(revised 01/28/08)

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