Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How many students attend St. Monica, and what are class sizes?
A. Currently we have 500 students. Most classes have twenty or more students. The average class size is in the low to mid-twenties.
Q. What are Catholic and Non-Catholic percentages?
A. These vary. Generally, they are about 83% Catholic and 17% Non-Catholic.
Q. What is the school calendar?
A. We generally begin school in mid-August, and finish in late May or early June (180 days per year, as required by the state of Indiana).
Our school days run from 7:30-2:30.
Q. Is your school accredited by the state, and are the teachers licensed?
A. Yes, to both questions.
Q. Are teachers specially trained?
A. In order to provide good programs in all areas of the curriculum, we follow state requirements and hire teachers licensed in the areas they teach (eg. Art, Music, P.E., Library, Special Ed., middle school subject areas, etc.).
Q. Do you offer after-school programs?
A. We provide an after-school care program for a fee. It is open until 6:00 p.m. whenever school is in session. We also offer enrichment classes, taught by our staff members, parents and community members.
Q. Do you offer before-school programs?
A. We provide a before-school care program for free. It is open at 6:30 a.m. whenever school is in session.
Q. Do you have a lunch program?
A. Yes, we do. We have a cafeteria manager and several staff members. It is separate from our tuition amounts. Children are also able to bring their own lunches.
Q. Do you have a gym, and sports teams?
A. Yes on both counts! We offer CYO athletics at St. Monica, as other Indianapolis Archdiocese schools. Most begin in 4th grade.
Q. Do students have daily instruction in religion?
A. They have daily instruction in religion, except on our all-school Mass days, held once a week. On those days they attend a liturgy planned by a class and their teacher.
Q. In what grades do students participate in sacramental preparation?
A. Catholic students make their First Reconciliation in the Fall and their First Communion in the spring of second grade.
Q. What is the Admissions policy?
A. Current families have the opportunity to register for the following school year, and must do so by a specified date. Once it is determined who is returning, remaining spots are opened up to parishioners. Whatever spots remain once parishioners have been served, are filled by new families whose records from a former school (if any) indicate that St. Monica is a good match for their child. Middle school students and parents are interviewed prior to acceptance. A non-refundable processing fee is paid at the time of application for acceptance. A registration fee is paid as well, which is non-refundable unless acceptance is denied.
Q. Do you have a program for students with learning disabilities?
A. Yes, we do. We currently serve over 100 students in our academic support center.
Q. Will you work with students who might be ahead of classmates?
A. Yes, we are glad to do as much as possible to meet students’ needs. One example is our ALEKS program. Each student in grade 5-8 have an ALEKS subscription which is a Math program that allows students to progress at their own rate.
