SCHOOL STUDENT NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

The school, mindful of its mission to be a witness to the love of Christ for all, admits students regardless of race, color, or national and/or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, disability, sex, or national and/or ethnic origin in the administration of educational policies and practices, scholarship programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs, although certain athletic leagues and other programs may limit participation and some archdiocesan schools operate as single sex schools.

While the school does not discriminate against students with special needs, a full range of services may not always be available to them. Decisions concerning the admission and continued enrollment of a student in the school are based upon the student's emotional, academic and physical abilities and the resources available to the school in meeting the student's needs.

GUIDELINES FOR ADMISSION TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

• Preferences are given to active members of the parish
• Students entering kindergarten must be five (5) years of age on or before September 1.
• Students entering first grade must be six (6) years of age on or before September 1.
• All students must comply with current California immunization and health requirements prior to enrollment
• The parish school will strive to have Catholic education accessible to as many students as possible, both with its educational programs and financial considerations; however, it may have insufficient resources to meet the educational and financial needs of all students
• The pastor and principal will review a student's continued eligibility for enrollment in the parish school
• The school establishes its own procedures for admission and enrollment

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ADMISSION POLICY OF ST. MEL SCHOOL

The pastor and the principal shall determine the specific method of accepting pupils at St. Mel School.  Parents should be made aware of the enrollment policy before registering pupils in the school. Preference should be given to the members of the parish.  Inability to pay tuition should not prevent a pupil from being accepted.  When the school cannot accept all applicants, parents should be encouraged to enroll their children in the parish Religious Education Program.

All incoming students are tested and upon satisfactory performance will be considered for admittance.  The applicant student must demonstrate that he/she is developmentally and/or academically ready as determined by all the data compiled as a result of admission process and will be admitted as follows:

• Priority 1: Students whose families are registered and active parishioners of St. Mel Parish and who regularly attend Mass at St. Mel as verified by use of Church envelopes for which a minimum contribution is expected, and whose families submit their registration forms by the required dates.

• Priority 2: If room is available, transferring Catholic students whose parish of residence is St. Mel and who previously attended another Catholic school

• Priority 3: If room is available, transferring parish students who previously attended public school

• Priority 4: If room is available, Catholic students from outside of the parish, whose families will support the school

• Priority 5: If room is available, other students who by their behavior and attitude demonstrate an acceptance of St. Mel Parish philosophy