Maternity B.V.M. School at 9322 Old Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19115 US - Policy and Procedures Regarding Tuition and Contributions
| Policy and Procedures Regarding Tuition and Contributions |
ARCHDIOCESAN HIGH SCHOOLS AND B.V.M. GRADE SCHOOL Most private schools charge direct per pupil cost for students, i.e. LaSalle High School, St. Basil Academy. Some Catholic Parish Schools also have resorted to this pattern because of the lack of financial support by families that opt for Catholic Education but do not participate by Church attendance or support. At present, Maternity B.V.M. School and all Archdiocesan High Schools charge a reduced tuition for students of families who are registered, practicing and contributing up to an expected amount. Maternity B.V.M. Parish pays $1,020.00 for each Archdiocesan High School student who qualifies by Church attendance and Parish support. A parent can opt or by default be required to pay this additional $1,020.00 directly to the high school as tuition. It was never intended on the High School or Grade School level that the minimal contribution ($416.00 - $8.00 weekly. This amount has been increased as of July 1, 2004 to $10.00 weekly) made to the Parish be done at one time and at the end of the school year and only after several reminders from the Parish. The real intent is that Catholic parents and their children who choose Maternity B.V.M. School and/or an Archdiocesan High School attend Mass each Sunday and that they use envelopes each week. This method of contribution serves several good purposes: it should be easier to contribute weekly rather than one lump sum; it creates a verifiable record, the amount contributed by all family members, including high school students is credited; all contributions, unlike tuition, are non-taxable. For the overwhelming majority of families who abide by the letter and intent of this policy, Maternity B.V.M. Parish will continue to gladly extend a reduced tuition to our Parish School and accept responsibility for contributing towards the tuition of their children in Archdiocesan High Schools. For those who do not participate in the Parish by Mass attendance and financial support, we will begin to charge full per pupil cost to our Grade School and indicate to the Archdiocesan High Schools that we no longer will assume any responsibility for non-active families. The presumption has always been: Catholic Schools = Catholic Practice and Support Maternity B.V.M. Catholic School actively pursues the integration of Faith and all academic and complementary programs. This school exists as a cherished and essential part of our Catholic Parish. This fact helps to define the special mission of our school. The published philosophy of the school articulates its commitment to recognizing and developing the SPIRITUAL, INTELLECTUAL, PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL nature of each student. Parents of the Parish must be registered as practicing Catholics. Children of our registered families need to be baptized. Children must be baptized BEFORE entering first grade or they will be charged as a non-parishioner. All registered families must use their church envelopes, and are expected to contribute a minium of $10.00 in the collection weekly. The financial support of the school is shared by the entire parish community. However, this financial responsibility is PRIMARILY THE OBLIGATION OF PARENTS who enroll their children in Maternity B.V.M. School. Payment of the total grade school tuition is expected and required of every family having children in the grade school program. ***For Maternity B.V.M. families to be eligible for Parish rates, a minimum weekly contribution to the Sunday Offertory collection in the amount of ten ($10.00) is mandatory. The use of Sunday envelopes is the standard means for presenting recordable contributions as well as an indication of the fulfillment of a basic practice of the Faith, participation in Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. Any family in the parish NOT presently receiving church envelopes should notify the rectory office of that fact. ***