ADMISSIONS & ENROLLMENT
The Heartland Parishes of Ellis County provide funding to the Hays Catholic Schools in order to support our day-to-day operations. This funding is supplemented by the stewardship of our Catholic school families.
For Catholic school families, the church suggests that 8% of your annual income go to the church, 1% to the diocese, and 1% to charities of our choice. You are also asked to give one hour of prayer and at least two hours a week of your time and talents.
You must be 'in good standing' with your parish and be approved by the pastor for your child to enroll in KinderPrep or Kindergarten. “In good standing” means that you have a history of active participation in the way of stewardship, whether it be in the area of time, talent or treasure.
You will be asked to give your time, talent, and treasure to the school as well. Stewardship is required for all families and active participation through the school will also be taken into consideration during the pre-enrollment process.
Your commitment to stewardship, for both your parish and the school, is renewed at the beginning of every calendar year.
Non-Heartland Parish members
If you belong to a parish that is not listed above, you are required to pay tuition, in addition to our annual school fee. Financial aid is available. Please see the school bookkeeper for more information.
Our admission process gives priority in the following order…
Priority 1: Children of siblings already enrolled at Holy Family Elementary.
Priority 2: Children of older siblings who previously attended Holy Family Elementary but have moved on to secondary education and/or children of parish and/or Catholic school employees
Priority 3: Heartland parish members
Priority 4: Non-Heartland parish Catholics
Priority 5: Non-Catholics
To be considered for priority one, two, or three admissions, parents or guardians must be registered with a parish and approved by the pastor as someone who is an active participant in stewardship and in good standing with the church.
The date that a student was placed on the waitlist will also be taken into consideration.
No Catholic child whose parents or guardians desire enrollment at HFE shall be denied admission based on race, color, or national origin. No child regardless of religious affiliation, whose parents or guardians desire enrollment at HFE that possesses the capacity for additional enrollees shall be denied admission based on race, color, or national origin.
Pre-enrollment
Our pre-enrollment process begins in January when we confirm the placement of our current students for the following school year. After our current students have been placed, we refer to the order of admission policy for placing new students on the waitlist. Once we confirm there is a spot available and that you have met all the requirements set forth by the parish, we will contact you regarding the placement of your child.
Non-refundable pre-enrollment fee
Once a spot has been confirmed for your child, a non-refundable pre-enrollment fee is due by March 1st, to hold your child’s placement at Holy Family Elementary for the following school year.
New Parent Meeting
Once your child has been placed at HFE and the non-refundable pre-enrollment fee has been paid, and you are a new family who did not attend HFE Preschool, we ask that you attend our New Parent Information Night held in March. At this meeting, you will receive the information and paperwork you need to get you moving forward to enrollment in August. Please see our website and/or social media for information on the date and times as this meeting nears.
Paperwork
New student paperwork will be handed out at the New Parent Information Night and/or posted on our website beginning in May. All paperwork must be completed and turned in by or at enrollment in August.
Required Paperwork
HFE new student paperwork
Certified birth certificate from the state
Health/physical assessment from the doctor
Up-to-date Immunization record
If your child is a transfer student, paperwork from your child’s previous school will be requested by the office manager at or around enrollment time.
Enrollment
Enrollment typically takes place the first week in August over the span of a few days by sign-up appointment. A parent from each family is required to complete the online enrollment form and finalize enrollment in the school office. All new student paperwork is due at this time. School fees and other fees such as After School Care registration are paid for at this time. Please see our website and/or social media for information on enrollment.
Financial Aid
Automatic withdrawal is available for tuition and school fee payments. Please see the school bookkeeper for help setting up your account.
Payment plans are available and fees can be paid in quarterly or monthly installments. School fees must be paid in full by April 1st. Please see the school bookkeeper to get set up with a payment plan.
Assistance based on Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines is determined in late spring/summer or at the time of enrollment. Please see the school bookkeeper for more information.
Scholarships are available, through the Diocese of Salina, which is open to new Hays Catholic Schools families entering KP-8th grade who also qualify for the free-reduced lunch program.
Occasionally, we receive donations that are specifically given to assist new families with school fees. Please see the school bookkeeper for more information.
Tuition
Non-Heartland Parish families are required to pay tuition, in addition to our annual school fee. Payment plans are available for families paying tuition and fees. Payments can be made in full, by semester, or monthly. If you are on a payment plan, the first payment is due at enrollment. Please see the school bookkeeper for more information.