Frequently Asked Questions

The Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Schools is the largest private school system in the state of Colorado with over 10,000 students receiving a quality, Catholic education based on faith formation, rigorous academics, nurturing community, and reinforcement of family environment.

St. John’s school is part of and operates under the authority of the Archbishop of Denver and, is therefore, referred to as an Archdiocesan Catholic School. Consequently, the Office of Catholic Schools mandates our curriculum, textbooks, school calendar, etc.

The Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Schools system is comprised of 37 parish elementary schools and 2 archdiocesan high schools.

Archdiocesan Catholic schools are located in eighteen cities:

All Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Schools are accredited by the North Central Association and designated Catholic by the Archbishop of Denver.

All teachers in the Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Schools are required to have a state license. All teachers are required to have Catechetical Certification through the Catechetical School at the Archdiocese of Denver.

The principal is responsible for the ordinary operation of the school as specified in the principal contract and for following the Archdiocesan policies and directives. The principal is also responsible for:

1. Exercising leadership in all phases of the educational program.
2. Maintaining communication with the pastor and the Office of Catholic Schools.
3. Collaborating with appropriate parties in establishing the budget and in long-range planning for the school.
4. Setting local school policies in consultation with the pastor.
5. Interviewing, hiring, supervising and terminating teachers in consultation with the pastor and in accordance with Archdiocesan policy.
6. Meeting expectations of the Office of Catholic Schools regarding implementation of the curriculum and co-curricular programs.
7. Working with the pastor to provide spiritual leadership in the school.
8. Establishing positive public relations within and outside the school community.
9. Fostering a positive working relationship with the other principals in the Archdiocese.
10. Attending Archdiocesan principals’ meetings and annual retreat.

The pastor, in cooperation with the Office of Catholic Schools,

1. Supervises the school’s academic and religious programs.
2. Ensures that the religious teachings directed by the Archbishop are implemented in the parish school.
3. Consults with the Office of Catholic Schools regarding legal matters and contractual disputes.
4. Maintains a close working relationship with the principal.
5. Approves the budget and long-range plans.
6. Provides for worship opportunities at the school.
7. Is visible at the school and present to the students.
8. Employs the principal in the parish school.

The preschool director is responsible for the administration of the Catholic preschool. The director provides leadership in all phases of the educational process. Under supervision of the pastor and/or principal, the preschool director:

1. Provides leadership in the faith, academic, and administrative dimensions of the preschool program.
2. Formulates, evaluates, and periodically revises the philosophy of the preschool program.
3. Maintains a continuous plan for the supervision and evaluation of the teachers and support staff.
4. Develops an ongoing program to ensure the religious and professional development of the faculty.
5. Makes recommendations to the pastor regarding the hiring and dismissing of teachers and support staff.
6. Develops, evaluates, and revises the preschool curriculum according to Archdiocesan guidelines.
7. Maintains appropriate records as required by the Archdiocese and the State of Colorado.
8. Ensures the maintenance and safety of the school buildings according to local procedures.
9. Administers the preschool program budget.
10. Promotes good public relations within and beyond the parish.

In those parishes with a parish school, a school advisory council is required.

1. School advisory councils in the Archdiocese are established by the pastor to advise the principal and pastor in matters of planning, policy formulation, finances, development, marketing, and public relations. The council is consultative in nature, and is not to meet without the principal or pastor in attendance.
2. School advisory councils in the Archdiocese are not to engage in matters regarding discipline, parent grievances, program development, approval of materials, and the hiring, evaluation, or termination of teachers and principal.
3. School advisory councils are to develop and operate by a mission statement, constitution, and by-laws that have been approved by the pastor and Director of Catholic Schools.
4. Council membership and term limits and renewals are to be specified in the by-laws. The pastor and principal are ex-officio members of the council, and the principal serves as chief executive officer of the council. Employees of the school or parish may not be members of the council. Members of the school advisory council, other than the principal, are to be appointed by the pastor or principal.

St. John the Baptist Catholic School is funded through tuition, fundraising, parish support, grant support, and philanthropic support.

Parents are the number one stakeholders for the ongoing success of our Catholic schools. In addition to having confidence that their children will experience a more complete development and unsurpassed academic and personal success, parents must support Catholic schools by:

1. Enrolling their child(ren) in a Catholic school following the school’s enrollment timeline and schedules.
2. Continuing to be positive school ambassadors to help build enrollment at their local school and throughout the system of Catholic schools.
3. Building community through personal relationships marked by mutual trust, close cooperation, and continuing dialogue between parents, school administration and staff.
4. Actively participating in fundraising efforts and volunteering to participate in school and parish events. Parents are encouraged to volunteer at least 20 hours per year. More information can be obtained in the school office.
5. Attending Mass regularly and actively engaging in the life of the Parish – being a registered, active, present and supporting parishioner.

The Endowment Fund is a scholarship fund created by a benefactor with the goal of reaching $1,000,000. At that time, funds will be available to provide scholarships for students to attend St. John the Baptist Catholic School. For information about contributing to this scholarship fund, please contact the parish business office at 303.776.0737.

Since 1997, St. John’s parish has installed air conditioning in the Church; built the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, parish offices, Benedict Hall, the middle school, the new gym; and converted the old gym into classrooms. All of these improvements cost approximately $7,000,000. “Bury the Debt” is St. John’s debt reduction campaign. The goal is to have the debt paid off by the end of 2010. Each of us can help reach this goal by being good stewards and contributing to this worthwhile campaign.

The Catholic Schools Athletic League is part of the co-curricular activities available to students enrolled in Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Schools. Co-curricular activities include athletics, spelling, speech, and the art fair.

Click here to access the Catholic Schools Athletic League website.

Tuition Payment Options:

1. Payment in full: A single payment due on or before July 1st, payable directly to St. John the Baptist Catholic School.
   
2. Deferred payments: Equal, deferred payments are available ONLY through FACTS. There is a $38.00 annual fee per family, per year. You may choose from the following options.
   1. 10 monthly payments (July through April )
   2. 4 quarterly payments (July, October, January, and April)
   3. A down payment due on June 1, followed by 10 monthly payments (July through April)
   4. 2 Semi-annual payments (July and December). The FACTS fee for this option will only be $15.00.

   Plans A, B, C and D can be set up in two ways, either by automatic bank transfers (ACH) through your checking or savings account, or by Discover or MasterCard. They do not accept VISA. There will be a convenience fee of $2.50 per $100 charged to your credit card account each month. This fee is in addition to the $38 annual fee. You will also have the option to choose either the 5th or the 20th of each month for your payment due date. This due date will become fixed for the entire year. You may also split the payment between the two dates. If you chose to split your payments there will be an additional $19 fee for the second account.

The scrip program provides a means for our school/parish to raise additional funds without requiring further donations. It costs you nothing except a few minutes to exchange your cash or check for an equal value gift card. Gift cards are sold at the school office and by the parish receptionist.

Each family is expected to purchase $300 in scrip gift cards each month year round (12 months) for a total of $3,600 from June 1st to May 31st.

Families who choose not to participate in the scrip program or do not purchase $3,600 in scrip will have an additional $300 assessment added to their tuition.

Most of our classes have approximately 18 students per class.

We use the Iowa Tests of Basics Skills. Our students always score above average per grade level. View Test Scores

We follow the recommendations from the Archdiocese of Denver. A copy of the curriculum can be found on their website www.archden.org. Look under Catholic Schools.

Arrival and Dismissal:
Students may start arriving at school at 7:45 a.m. All students should go directly to their classrooms. Parents should say goodbye to their children before entering the building.

School hours are:

Full day Kindergarten	8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Partial day Kindergarten	8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Grades 1 – 8	8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Students must leave the school grounds by 3:10 p.m. when supervision ends.

St. John’s has teamed up with the YMCA of Longmont. The YMCA provides after school care here at St. John’s which allows our students to attend after school activities, such as sports, clubs, etc. Students can check in and out to attend St. John’s activities.

The following age requirement must be met during the school year of which the child is enrolled:

Kindergarden:
5 years old by Oct. 1st

Preschool:
3 year olds must be 3 by Oct. 1
4/5 year olds must be 4 by Oct. 1

Fundraising is necessary to help keep tuition low. The fundraisers at St. John’s help to foster community within the school. Several fundraisers that are held throughout the school year are:

Annual Fun Run/Walk - a 5K run/walk around McIntosh Lake held in the fall.

Magazine Drive - the best time to renew your subscriptions or take out new ones. Students are asked to sell to friends and relatives, not go door-to-door.

Book Fair - Our book fair is normally held in Benedict Hall where hundreds of books are displayed for all reading levels. St. John’s receives a percentage for all books sold.

Annual Spring Auction - an adults only evening where donated items are auctioned off. Items range from tickets to a Rockies game to a week long island vacation. There is something for everyone.

Family Fun Nights/Activities - St. John’s partners with local businesses to support the business during specified times. St. John’s in turn receives a percentage of the profits. In the past, these have been held at Chili’s, Borders Books, Carino’s Italian Grill, Ziggy’s Coffeehouse, and Crackpots.

St. John the Baptist is a closed campus. All visitors and volunteers must enter through the front door and check in at the school office to receive a badge. All exterior doors are locked.

Find information about our dress code here.