Principal’s Post for April 16, 2023

ESA Administrative Rules Getting Closer

We have heard that the state is getting closer to releasing the administrative regulations/rules for ESAs, and various elements are being vetted.  On Thursday and Friday of this week, there is a large gathering of private school administrators and school choice advocates in Ankeny.  I anticipate that the regulations/rules will be released for at least public comment no later than the end of this week.

Great Weekend of Events

With the kickball tournament and food truck on Friday night and the Gala on Saturday, it was a fun weekend at OLV/JFK.  Thank you to everyone who helped prepare for, organize, and implement these events.  We can’t do it without you!

Registration Information

JFK now has about 80% of its current students pre-registered for next school year.  Interestingly, in two of the four elementary schools in SCCS, rates are much higher, and they are already trying to make decisions about whether one section grade levels should become two and what to do about two sections that are filling to capacity.  At JFK, it seems we’re still doing our slow and steady pace.   It seems a lot harder to do that in a system’s approach, however.  Enrollment decisions will be made based upon pre-registration information.  Waiting lists and the number of sections needed for each grade level at each building will be based upon completed pre-registrations.  Current families will not want to lose a spot at JFK because they waited too long.

Registration process for 2023-24:

1. All preschool, kindergarten, returning, and new families will need to enter information through the pre-registration/application survey.  A QR Code and link/url are available on the front page of our website.  Submissions are time/date stamped.  For those unable to complete the pre-registration/application survey online, physical copies will be available at school.
2. Pay the registration fee for K-8, three year old preschool, or “non-qualifying” four/five year old preschool* OR the extra time fee for an “IA preschool” four year old preschool.  The registration fee is regularly $125 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $375 per family.  The early bird fee rate has been extended until May 1st.  If paid prior to May 1st, the early bird amount is $100 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $300 per family.   The extra time fee for four year old preschoolers is $250 per child.  These fees can be paid online by following the link in the pre-registration/application survey.  You can also go directly just to this payment link, without having to pre-register your child, which is especially handy if you already pre-registered but did not make the payment initially.  Scroll down to the one time payment option to pay registration or extra time fees.  Checks can also be made payable to JFK and sent to the school office.
   1. *A non-qualifying preschooler is a non-Iowa resident or student who turns 5 on or before Sept 15th.  Tuition is charged for this student, and there is a registration fee.  There is no extra time fee.
3. Complete a more detailed online process that will take the place of the collection of paper Student Information Sheets in August.  Due to delays in the computer app development, this process will likely not be available until at least April 20th.
4. Online tuition contracts to establish the payment plan agreement will be made available to those who have completed the pre-registration process.  The availability of the online tuition contracts is targeted for May.  Being in good-standing with one’s tuition and fees may also impact the timing of receiving a tuition contract and finalizing enrollment.  Those families who agreed to one or two tuition payments should be finished paying.  Those who are on the ten month payment plan should finish in April.  (The payment period began in July.)  Please remember that, in addition to tuition, payments should be up to date for all fees, like aftercare, band, athletics, etc. and for lunches.

K-12 Tuition Rates for 2023-24

Tuition rates for K-12 have not yet been finalized for 2023-24 as we are still waiting for state guidance regarding Educational Savings Accounts.  Tuition rate increases will likely not exceed historical trends:  5% for the grade schools and 3% for the high school.  The 2022-23 tuition rate for a parish supported child was  $4,170 and $6,170 for a non-parish supported child.  Please note that the average cost per pupil for a child in a SCCS elementary school is over $8,000.  The difference between cost per pupil and tuition is made up by parish subsidy and fund-raising/donations.

Scott County Catholic School tuition rates for preschool, with or without wraparound care, have been set.  They are in the linked document:  Preschool Tuition Rates JFK

Clarification on PS Tuition and Wraparound Care

Several weeks ago, I indicated that there would not be the separate weekly billing for ECLC (now called wraparound care in SCCS).  There will, however, still be separate tuition and wraparound care charges.  These can be seen on the Preschool Tuition Rates JFK document link above.  This distinction can be important for those families using employer pre-tax benefits for childcare and/or those seeking tax deductions for child care.

Educational Savings Accounts

Once the state produces the ESA guidelines and application process, eligible families will want to move quickly.  The deadline for application is June 30th, and it seems as if this deadline will be firm regardless of when the state’s application process becomes live.  It will be to families’ advantages to have their taxes completed as line items will likely be referenced on the application.

Who is eligible for an ESA in 2023-24?

1. All kindergartners
2. Students who were not in a private school the year prior
3. All students whose family income is below 300% of poverty