All students entering St. Thomas More Parish School must pass the school’s admission exam.

All new students are admitted on probation for one academic trimester. Students shall not be denied admission because of handicap unless the handicap seriously impairs the student’s ability to successfully complete the school’s academic program, or unless the school cannot provide sufficient care or make reasonable accommodation for the child. Students entering Kindergarten must be five years old on or before September 15. Results of readiness screening will also be a factor in determining acceptance into Kindergarten. Students entering First Grade must be six years old on or before September 15. Students seeking admission to First Grade must also meet the criteria set by First Grade teachers regarding student readiness for the academic program.

General Information - Admission Process and Requirements

Application for admission to St. Thomas More Parish School indicates a willingness to be committed to the first priority of our school – the faith formation of the children. This commitment calls for active involvement in, and support of, the parish community. Parents are the primary educators of their children. We expect our parents to be the role models for our students as they strive to live their faith on a daily basis. We have dedicated ourselves to supporting you in that role. Please be aware that active stewardship in the parish and the school is an expectation of all St. Thomas More parishioners requesting enrollment for their children in the school.

Admission (School Policy No. 1000, approved effective date October 19, 1993.):

The following priorities are established for admission:
1. Students currently enrolled.
2. Siblings of students currently enrolled.
3. Children from families who are registered, contributing members of STM Parish.
4. Children from families who are registered in other Catholic parishes. Special consideration will be given to Catholic school students moving into the area.
5. Children from non-affiliated Catholic families.
6. Children from families of other faiths. (Participation in both Catholic religious instruction and activities related to the Catholic character of the school is required.)
All new students are admitted on probation for one academic trimester.

Non-Discrimination Policy

In compliance with the purposes of the Title IX Education Act, the elementary and secondary Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Denver, under the jurisdiction of Archbishop Charles Chaput and at the direction of the Secretary of Catholic Education, attest that none of the Catholic schools discriminate on the basis of gender in its admission policies, treatment of students, or its employment practices.
Catholic schools admit students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the schools. These schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, handicap, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of their educational policies, employment practices, scholarship and loan programs, or athletic or other school administered programs.
Students shall not be denied admission because of handicap unless the handicap seriously impairs the student’s ability to complete successfully the school’s academic program, or unless the school cannot provide sufficient care or make reasonable accommodation for the child.
Colorado law requires that all students have a current Certificate of Immunization on file by the first day of school. If this information is not on file by the first day of school, your child will not be allowed to attend school until such time as the form is turned in to the school office.
Students entering Kindergarten must be five years old on or before September 15th. Results of readiness screening will also be a factor in determining acceptance into Kindergarten.
Students entering First Grade must be six years old on or before September 15th. Students seeking admission to First Grade must also meet the criteria set by first grade teachers regarding student readiness for the academic program.

Tuition

Tuition must be paid in full by June 1st, or at the time of registration if students are registered after June 1st. (School Policy No. 1100, approved effective date November, 1993.)
Arrangements have been made with a local credit union to finance tuition. Families who default on credit union loans may be asked to remove students from the school. Limited resources are available to assist parishioners who may need financial aid. (Financial Assistance, School Policy No. 1050, approved effective date, April 19, 1994.)

1. Applicants must be registered, contributing members of St. Thomas More Parish for a minimum of one year. Contributions can be verified either through the envelope system or cancelled checks.
2. The maximum amount of financial assistance will be one-half the total tuition fee.
3. If granted, financial assistance will be for the current academic year only.
4. Applicants must verify their need by completing a financial assistance application form.
5. All information submitted in financial assistance application form will be regarded as confidential.
6. The Pastor must approve exceptions to the policy.

Financial Obligations

The fee for checks returned for insufficient funds will be charged to the person writing the insufficient check. Registration fees, once paid, will be refunded, less a nominal processing fee, if the family withdraws before school starts. Once school is in session, the registration fee will not be returned or pro-rated. Tuition will be reimbursed, on a pro-rated basis, when a family withdraws during the school year.

Office Hours

The school office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the days when school is in session. There are limited office hours during the months of June and August. The office is closed in July.

Policies of the Archdiocese of Denver

A complete listing of the policies of the Archdiocese of Denver, which govern the operation of St. Thomas More Parish School, is available from the principal.