No, majority of our students are Catholic, but not need to be Catholic to attend. All students will receive Catholic faith based education and will participate in faith based activities. The St. Charles Catholic School advantage is reflected on the philosophy that permeates the total education program and the lives of the faculty and students. This philosophy challenges students to improve the world by sharing Gospel values and living Christ's message of salvation. They grow to understand the roots of their faith and their responsibilities as Christians.

Yes. Every grade level receives daily religious instruction. St. Charles Catholics School uses an integrated approach to religious instruction. In addition to the set time for religion, Catholic values and faith instruction permeate all other academic courses. Catholic community is lived at St. Charles Catholic School. Students are encouraged to actively live the Gospel message discussed in the classroom. Students pray together on a daily basis. Children in grade 2 are prepared for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist

All religion teachers are required to be certified by the Diocese of San Diego.

A Catholic education is a challenging education. High standards, strong motivation, effective discipline and an atmosphere or caring combine to foster excellence and a high quality of student performance is supported by the evidence. St. Charles Catholic School follows the education standards from the California State Board of Education as well as the National Education Standards. Students participate in ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills). Also, St. Charles Catholic School is accredited by WCEA (Western Catholic Education Association).

A Catholic School education is worthy investment. Your child's tuition is an investment which pays a lifelong dividend. Tuition varies depending on family size. Tuition may be paid in 2, 10 or 11 monthly installments. In addition, there is a discount for families with multiple children.

Yes. Tuition Assistance is available on a very limited basis and is only available for families who have been at St. Charles Catholic School for at least one year and are registered parishioners. Applications for Tuition Assistance are available in the school office.

Yes. There are three rates of tuition: Supporting Parishioner, Catholic Non-Parishioner and Non Catholic. In order to receive the Supporting Parishioner rate, you must be registered with St. Charles Church and contribute regularly for a year in the numbered envelopes. Those who do not contribute regularly will be charged at the Non-Parishioner rate.

School hours are from 7:55 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday, except Wednesdays. On Wednesday from 7:55 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. On minimum days from 7:55 a.m. to 12:oo p.m. (first Friday of the month and special holidays).

A child who is five years old by September 1st, and who is developmentally ready may be admitted into Kindergarten. A child who is six years of age by September 1st, and who is developmentally ready may be admitted into the first grade. Developmental readiness is determined by the school, using standardized screening processes approved by the Diocesan Office for Schools (Diocesan policy 505).

Admission of students is determined on the following priorities:

• St. Charles parishioners who are registered with the parish and contribute regularly using the envelopes for at least one year
• Non-supporting parishioners of St. Charles
• Catholics
• Non Catholics

Catholic students who have siblings already enrolled will be given additional consideration.

The vast majorities of students who graduate from St. Charles Catholic School attend Catholic high schools and attend post secondary education at a rate in excess of 80% and are more likely to complete their program of studies. Our graduates have been accepted to various prestigious colleges such as University of Notre Dame, Boston College, Stanford University, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Cornell College, Harvard, and Villanova university to name a few.

Application must be accompanied by:

1. Verification of Baptism
2. Immunization Record
3. The last report card (except Kindergarten applicants)
4. Language Survey form

If there is space available in a desired grade, then the applicant is reviewed. A readiness test is required of all applying students.

The children are tested to determine the readiness of the youngster to enter a given grade. This brief testing, along with review of the last report card, assist St. Charles Catholic School in screening for special needs. If special needs do seem present, the school must then evaluate if these needs can be effectively addressed at St. Charles Catholic School.

Kindergarten and First Grade assessment is based on a developmental approach. Motor skills, oral language skills and adaptive abilities are assessed. It is very helpful if you do not refer to this assessment as a "test" because it is not a test of something the child should have already learned. The word frightens some children. The child's maturity and readiness to learn reading skills are evaluated. Preschool is not required, but is very helpful in preparing the child for Kindergarten.

No. However registration, testing and application fee must be paid prior to testing if we have space available for your child. Registration fees are refundable if the child is not accepted. It is non-refundable if the child is accepted but the family changes their mind and declines to enroll him/her in our school.

Yes. Top Notch Catering offers a variety of options. For more information feel free to visit their site. Click here to proceed to Top Notch Catering.

Yes. Extended Care is available daily from 6:00 a.m. to 7:55 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (2:30 on Wednesdays) on regular days and from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on minimum days.

Yes. Students are required to purchase a full uniform for school as well as a PE uniform. Uniform information will be provided with your registration packet or may be obtained in the school office.

No. Our school does hold several fundraising events throughout the school year which are not mandatory to participate in. With our school you do not have to purchase e-scrip, sell chocolates, or attend other or participate in any additional fundraisers.

Contributed service points are volunteer or contribution service hours at St. Charles Catholic School. Service points may be earned in different way, which include volunteering in the school in many areas such as classrooms, library, coaching or helping with various after-school activities and volunteering in school events and fundraising. All school families are required to complete a total of 30 contributed service points per family per year. St. Charles Catholic School also complies with the policy set forth by the Diocese of San Diego, Office for Schools, and screens all volunteers through Live Scan Fingerprinting. Additionally the my also view the "Protecting Our Children" video and sign the Code of Ethics disclaimer.

Yes. There are two fees to help support the school and parish where all school families must participate in and there are Parish Bazaar Raffle tickets and the Development Draw-Down Ticket. Please read the explanation below on how each raffle works.

Parish Bazaar*: All school families are required to purchase $30 in Parish Bazaar Raffle tickets. The Parish Bazaar fee is to support our parish, in and in early May, all parents school families receive 30 one dollar raffle tickets. Families may choose to keep or sell these tickets, and if you choose to sell them, families may keep the money and return the ticket stubs because they would have already paid for these tickets in advance.

Development Draw-Down Ticket*: The Development Draw Down Ticket is $200. The premise is the same for the Development Draw-Down Ticket as the Parish Bazaar Rafflet Tickets: you may keep or sell your $100 ticket, which will be for a $10,000 draw down raffle held in early February during our dinner / dance party. Only 330 tickets are sold for this draw down, so the odds of winning are 1 to 330! All the money raised that evening will directly benefit the student and will be used for much needed renovation and keep up our sixty-two year old campus, also improving and expanding necessary educational resourses and opportunities for the children and most importantly, tuition assistance.

*Development Draw-Down Ticket and Parish Bazaar Raffle tickets fee may be paid upon registration or you may choose to include it in the tuition payment plan.

Our school does hold several fundraising events throughout the school year which are not mandatory. Participate in fundraising activities is one way to earn required Contributed Service Points.