Does the school have programs for students with special needs?

The services of a school psychologist, a guidance counselor, a speech and language pathologist, and three intervention specialists are available at Gesu Catholic School.

• Intensive Learning Program/Resource Teachers:  Individual and small group instruction is provided for special academic needs on all grade levels.  The educational needs of students are assessed, periodic evaluations are made, and a close contact with teachers and parents is maintained.
• Speech, Language, and Hearing Services:  All children new to Gesu Catholic School (Grs. K-8) are screened for language/speech problems.  Children referred by the professional staff, parents or physicians are given a threshold-hearing test.

For students identified with speech, language, or hearing problems, the therapist plans an individualized program and maintains an on-going parent and teacher contact.

• Psychological Testing and Counseling:  A school psychologist is available for individual testing and counseling.  Group guidance and family counseling opportunities are also available.

1. Application Consideration

Your application for Gesu Catholic School will be considered on the basis of the following guidelines, once an application for admission is complete for review.  This would include the following components per program/grade level.

PRESCHOOL PROGRAM – 3 YEAR OLD, 4 YEAR OLD AND PREK – Completed application, $25 application fee (non refundable), birth certificate, baptismal certificate. Children participating in the Happy Together and TOPS programs must complete a Gesu Catholic Preschool Application for Acceptance into the program. 

KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM – Completed application, $25 application fee (non refundable), birth certificate, baptismal certificate, teacher recommendation form, and Kindergarten Screening.

GRADES 1-8 – Completed application, $25 application fee (non refundable), birth certificate, baptismal certificate, teacher recommendation form, parents records release form (to obtain student records and test scores), and Shadow Visit Day in their current grade level.

 

Considerations:

1. Parishioners:  i.e., children of families who are registered in and attend Mass at Gesu Parish.  (In cases with the same application date, parishioner priority will be based on date of Gesu Parish registration.)
2. Catholics from parishes without an elementary school:  i.e., non-parishioners who are registered in and attend Mass at a parish without an elementary school.
3. Catholics from parishes with an elementary school:  i.e., non-parishioners who are registered in and attend Mass at a parish with an elementary school with the specific written permission of the pastor.
4. Non-Catholics:  i.e., children of families of other faiths who desire a Catholic education.

 

Timeline: 

• The application portal will open on our website on November 1, 2024.  You can access the applications on our website under the admissions tab.  The first application deadline will be February 15, 2025.  First round of completed applications will be reviewed by our admissions committee upon completion of the re-enrollment of our current students to determine space availability per grade level.  Notification of acceptance for first round new applicants will be around March 1, 2025.
• The second application deadline will be March 15, 2025 with review of these completed applications on March 31, 2025 dependent on space availability.
• Any applications received after April 1, 2025 will be reviewed as completed on a rolling admission basis, and upon space availability.
• Parents will be notified of the child’s application status through their Digital Academy email online enrollment system.
• Upon acceptance of your child, parents will receive a link to complete their enrollment through their Digital Academy email online enrollment system. In addition, the enrollment fee of $130.00 is paid at this time.  Please note that enrollment fees are not refundable, cannot be paid for by state scholarships and do not apply toward tuition.

2. Student Visits

Students applying for admission to first through eighth grade need to complete a shadow visit day, in their current grade level.  These will be scheduled through the Director of Admission after an application has been submitted.  These visits allow prospective students to experience the academic, religious, athletic, and social aspects of a day at Gesu Catholic School.

3. Kindergarten Screening

All Kindergarten applicants are screened as part of their admission process by our Kindergarten teachers.  These screenings will take place the week of February 17, 2025

Is there childcare offered before/after the normal school day?

Starting at 7:15 AM, students may be dropped off for our before school program.  There are no fees for this program and registration is not necessary.  Students wait in the cafeteria under the supervision of a teacher until 7:45 AM, at which time they are dismissed to go to their classrooms.

The 2:45 Club is our after school care program.  Parents must register for this program prior to the start of the school year; the cost is currently $4.00 per hour per child.  The latest pick-up time is 5:45 p.m.

How long is the school day?

The morning bell rings at 8:00 AM and the dismissal bell rings at 2:40 PM  for all students in Kdg. – Grade 8.  Students who arrive prior to 7:45 AM wait in the cafeteria while their teachers are preparing for the day.  Students enter their rooms at 7:45 AM, unpack their things and begin morning routines.  The entire school begins the day with a morning broadcast at 8:00 AM which includes announcements and Morning Prayer.

At the end of the day students either walk, take a bus, or get picked up by car.  Those students who need care in the evening enroll in the 2:45 Club program.

Which local school districts provide bussing for Gesu students?

Beachwood; Cleveland Heights-University Heights; Mayfield Hts.; Orange; Shaker Hts.; South Euclid-Lyndhurst; and Richmond Hts.

What is the size of a typical class at Gesu Catholic School?

Class sizes vary at different grade levels.  The maximum class size is 27 students per homeroom.  The class size averages out to be 24 students per class.

Where can I learn more about the programs offered at Gesu Catholic School?

The school website contains a wealth of information about our programs; parents may also contact the Admissions Director at extension 117 or admissions@gesu.com if they have other questions.

Does the school accept new students midyear?

If space exists in the grade level, Gesu Catholic School does consider midyear transfers at the consideration and review by the school principal on a case by case situation.

How will grade level placement be handled for my child?  Who will determine ability groupings when applicable?

All students applying to grades one through eight are screened in Reading and Math prior to admission; grade level placement is partially determined by the results of this screening.  In addition, the student must have successfully completed the previous grade level.
Many criteria are used to determine ability grouping placement.  These include:  recommendations of the previous year’s teacher; objective/standardized test results; the student’s level of motivation and ability to work independently; and others as listed in the Gesu Family Handbook.

When is the tuition/fees determined for the upcoming school year?

The Parish Finance Board typically sets tuition for the upcoming school year by mid-February.

Can tuition be paid in installments?

Yes.  Families wishing to pay monthly or quarterly must enroll in the ACH (automated clearing house) tuition program. Quarterly payments are withdrawn on July 1st; October 1st; January 1st; and April 1st.
Monthly payments are withdrawn on the date selected beginning in July and ending in April.
Tuition is NOT tax-deductible. Tuition and technology fees are to be paid with separate checks and sent directly to the school office. The non-refundable registration fee is due at the time of registration or at re-registration. If a family moves during the school year, tuition refund will be handled on an individual basis.
For more information regarding procedures for registration or tuition payment, please call the Admissions Director at (216) 932-0620, EXT 117.