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March 01, 2010
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
REGARDING NAZARETH STUDENTS BECOMING PART OF THE KEARNEY FAMILY
As Bishop Kearney receives an influx of registrations from students wishing to enroll in grades 7 through 12 at Kearney upon the closure of Nazareth Academy, a number of frequently asked questions have surfaced as we discuss this important transition with families. Please use this information as a guide; we will update this information frequently. As always, don't hesitate to contact Bishop Kearney staff and administration for more detailed information. The best place to start is with Director of Admissions Ellen Nolan at 585.342.4000 x246 or enolan@bkhs.org
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How much is tuition at Bishop Kearney?
For the 2010-11 school year tuition for the Junior High (grades 7 and 8) at Kearney will be $3,200. For the High School (grades 9-12) tuition will be $7,500.
What about registration fees?
For any Nazareth student registering at Kearney for the 2010-11 school year there will be no registration fee required in the spirit of easing transition. This is a one-time offer for 2010-11. (Normally, there is a $100 registration fee for Junior High; $200 for High School; maximum $200 per family per year.)
Does Bishop Kearney offer financial aid or scholarships?
Yes! And this fact helps us to continue to ensure we serve our mission and make a Catholic education more affordable for our families. In the case of current Nazareth students who are registering at Kearney, we will match dollar-for-dollar all financial aid and scholarship awards earned at Nazareth for the duration of a student's tenure at Kearney.
How do I get started on the process for enrolling and applying for my already-set financial aid award as a Nazareth student coming to BK?
You can get started right away! In fact, Kearney encourages early registration and financial aid discussion with the Director of Admissions so that you may lock-in your aid and scholarship package now. Contact Ellen Nolan at 585.342.4000 x246 or enolan@bkhs.org today. Kearney's registration process is already underway, with a deadline of mid-April for returning students. And, while we will certainly work to be flexible beyond that date with Nazareth families making transition, the earlier the better for registration. It's simple: call or write to Ellen and fill out registration and financial aid forms.
What if I want to transfer immediately to Kearney from Nazareth for the remainder of the 2009-10 school year?
Bishop Kearney welcomes all Nazareth students immediately, if that choice will help ease transition for Nazareth students. In fact, to ease potential financial burden of a mid-school-year transition, Kearney will waive tuition and fees for the remainder of the 2009-10 school year for any Nazareth students who transfers to Kearney now.
Do I have to take an Entrance Examination to come to Kearney?
No. Any current Nazareth student wishing to enter Bishop Kearney will have the requirement for an entrance examination waived, in that Kearney recognizes the high academic standards set forth at Nazareth and the academic screening which has already taken place.
If I come to Bishop Kearney, will I graduate with a Nazareth diploma?
This answer rests with the New York State Department of Education. Unfortunately, the state prohibits an institution from granting an official diploma from a school which is no longer in existence.
What kind of diploma will I receive then?
Bishop Kearney can, and will, with approval from Kearney's Board of Trustees, grant a local Bishop Kearney diploma to all Nazareth students.
Note: the special considerations for local diplomas will be made during the school years 2010 through 2013.
Isn't Kearney a New York State Regents school? Doesn't that impact graduation requirements?
Kearney's graduation requirements not only meet New York State Regents requirements, but exceed them in the context of our unique and innovative College Prep. Plus. Curriculum. For those Nazareth students wishing to receive a Bishop Kearney New York State Regents diploma, Kearney will work with those students to ensure that they meet the Regents standards and requirements which must be proven through testing.
What about Regents Requirements for Nazareth Juniors coming to Kearney as Seniors for the 2010-11 school year?
It is important to note, the New York State Department of Education, by policy, gives the principal of Bishop Kearney the authority to waive the New York State Regents Examination requirement for Global Studies and Science, for current Nazareth Juniors transferring to Kearney as Seniors for the 2010-11 school year. The status of this policy has been confirmed by the Kearney administration directly with the New York State Department of Education.
Juniors will be required to sit for and pass the Comprehensive English, US History, and a Math Regents Examination in order to earn a New York State Regents Diploma, which will be offered by Nazareth Academy this June, before the school closes. This is the same requirement at any private school to which a Nazareth student may transfer. This too, is a New York State Regents policy. Bishop Kearney, in planning for any eventuality, has also ordered a sufficient quantity of these examinations for any Nazareth student who needs to take them at Kearney this year.
Please feel free to discuss any concerns or questions with Principal Julie Locey at 585.342.4000 x204 or with the Guidance Department at Bishop Kearney by calling x222.
I'm wondering how my class schedule will match up to what I was doing at Nazareth. What should I do to find out? Kearney's guidance counselors have already assisted many Nazareth students and their parents with this question, understanding of course options and requirements, and how to ease this transition. They stand ready to meet with all Nazareth families. Simply call the Kearney Guidance Office at 585.342.4000 x222. Guidance Assistant Sally May will be delighted to set up a one-on-one interview with a Kearney counselor today.
Will Kearney make a commitment to carrying over programs which were unique to Nazareth?
Kearney has committed to core STEM offerings consistent with course work which would fulfill such programmatic requirements in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Plans have been made to offer additional Advanced Placement courses in other disciplines, and a selection of other electives will be made available upon interest and demand. Also, refer to the Frequently Asked Questions document on www.bkhs.org regarding Kearney's exciting new Major Areas of Interest curriculum enhancements.
What about helping Nazareth girls adapt to the Kearney culture?
This will be the easy part! Kearney students are already welcoming Nazareth students into the family. It's a very welcoming culture at Kearney. As they do all new students, our wonderful Peer Ministers will lead the way in making Nazareth girls feel part of the Kearney family right away.
Can I come and shadow at Kearney?
Absolutely. In fact, Nazareth girls are here at Kearney daily now. Just contact Ellen Nolan at 585.342.4000 x246 today to set up an appointment that is convenient to your schedule.
When is open house at Kearney?
The next open house is April 7th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. All grade levels are welcome. Remember, Kearney serves students grades 7-12.
Is there anything else you'd like to tell Nazareth students?
First of all, thank you for considering Bishop Kearney. We strongly believe you will be pleased with this institution as your choice. We're really proud of what happens here every day.
Today, with the blessing of regional college presidents, business leaders, and under the scrutiny of interested national education experts, Kearney is in year three of implementation of an enhanced core curriculum called College Prep. Plus. Entrepreneurial teachers use new state-of-art technology in every classroom including interactive white boards, wireless internet and other technology tools to focus on infusing 21st century skills into every lesson plan.
Every student has a laptop computer. Technology is the gateway to 21st century learning. And it's working. In 2009, the second phase of a longitudinal study by Rochester Research Group showed solid levels of satisfaction amongst key constituencies (students, parents and faculty) with regard to implementation of state-of the-art technology and enhancements of Kearney's core curriculum. There was notable improvement in all key areas year to year from 2008.
Perhaps most notable: student success. They come from all over—from 17 school districts including the city of Rochester and surrounding suburbs. They have diverse needs. Virtually all of them succeed. The graduation rate in 2009 was 100%, with every graduate from Kearney going to college. College placement over the past decade has averaged 98%. A nearly flawless graduation rate from Kearney speaks volumes about programmatic success. Won't you become a part of our family?
Thank you!
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