Frequently Asked Questions

Questions related to who we are, and the makeup of our student body:

Is Huron Valley Catholic School (HVCS) affiliated with a particular local Catholic parish?

Huron Valley Catholic School is an independent Catholic school, recognized and accepted by the Bishop of The Diocese of Lansing. We are not affiliated with any particular parish. Among our Catholic students, nineteen different local parishes are represented. HVCS is a member of The Michigan Association of Nonpublic Schools and the National Association of Private and Catholic Independent Schools.

What percentage of HVCS students are Catholic?

Ninety six percent of our students are Catholic.

How many students attend HVCS? What grades does HVCS accommodate?  How many classes are in each grade?

There are 191 students enrolled in the current school year, in grades PreK – 8.  We have one class per grade for grades K through 8.  We also have a PreK program for 3, 4, and 5 year olds. There are 17 students currently enrolled.

How many students are currently in each class, and what is the maximum number allowed in each class?

Our K-8^th average class size is 19 students. The maximum number of students allowed, as determined by the school board, is 25 per class (except by specific staff and board agreement). Should the Kindergarten class have more than 18 students, a Teacher Aide is provided. Part time aides are assigned to the K, 1^st and 2^nd grade classes.

Teacher, Curriculum and Performance Related Questions:

How long have teachers been here? Do they tend to “come and go”?

We have a very high retention rate among our staff. Two staff members have been here for 28 years. The average stay for our teachers is 15 years.

 Are our teachers certified? Is the school accredited?

Yes, all of our classroom teachers have received State of Michigan Teacher certification. HVCS is accredited through The National Association of Private and Catholic Independent Schools.

 What kind of curriculum does the school use?

The school uses a very traditional curriculum developed by staff and administration.  The curriculum is reviewed regularly to assure alignment with state objectives and goals. Parents are welcome to review the curriculum notebook kept in the office.

How do our IOWA test scores compare with national standards?

In the last six years, our students’ scores (as compared to national norms) have been consistently in the 73-99^th percentile. This past year, the average percentile score for all grades tested was 92.

Religious Formation Questions:

How often is Mass? Who is the chaplain? Is confession available?

We have two Masses every Wednesday: a lower grade Mass in the morning, and an upper grade Mass in the afternoon. On Friday mornings at 7:25am, a Mass is available for students and families. We also hold all school Masses on special occasions during the year, and class Masses are held on a rotating basis.

Each Monday morning, a Communion Service is held for interested students and parents at 7:45am in the school chapel. There is monthly school wide Eucharistic Adoration. Each religious education class spends 30 minutes before the Blessed Sacrament.

Confession is available each Wednesday on a by-grade rotation basis for interested students. Our chaplain is Fr. Fortunato Turati, a member of the Servants of Charity, and chaplain of the St. Louis Boys Center in Chelsea. Our school is located within the parish boundaries of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. The pastor, Fr. Bob Roggenbuck, visits the school often, and celebrates the above mentioned class Masses.

Our school chapel is available for individual prayer and adoration (under supervision of an adult). Parents are also welcome to use the chapel for their own personal prayer.

Does Huron Valley Catholic School have any teachers from religious orders?

Yes, two of our teachers are members of the Servants of God’s Love, a Catholic religious order of Sisters in the Diocese of Lansing, living in Ann Arbor.

Is sacramental preparation offered for First Communion and Confirmation?

First Confession and Communion preparation is offered in 2^nd grade, but the actual ceremonies are usually reserved for individual parishes (as some parishes may require additional preparation). Confirmation preparation is not offered because parishes differ as to the grade in which this sacrament is celebrated.

Extra-Curricular and Enrichment Questions:

Does the school offer other classes? Fine Arts? Foreign Language?

Basic instruction and vocal music is provided for grades K-5. Beginning Band is offered in 5^th 6^th grade. Intermediate Band, Art, and Choir are options for 7^th and 8^th graders. Art is taught in grades K through 6. We currently provide education in Spanish at the 7^th and 8^th grade levels. Media Literacy is taught to all sixth graders.

Is computer instruction offered?

A computer curriculum has been developed for all grades.  Computer instruction is offered in keyboarding and Microsoft Office. Our media center has sixteen fully networked computer workstations with current software.

What sports are offered at HVCS?

Interscholastic sports are offered in 7^th and 8^th grade. Team sports include:  boys’ and girls’basketball, girls’ volleyball and boys’ soccer. Intramural sports are also offered in 5^th and 6^th grade: boys’ and girls’ basketball and girls’ volleyball. Tackle Football and Cheerleading is offered through the Ann Arbor Saints, CYO program, for 5^th-8^th grade girls and boys.

What other extra-curricular activities are available at HVCS?

The school offers Forensics Club, Drama Club (produces a yearly play each spring), Student Council and Girls On the Run.  Service opportunities include audio visual team, library assistant, and upper grade/lower grade big buddy program. Students can also participate in an annual Geography Bee, Spelling Bee and Mythology Knowledge exam.

General Questions:

What kind of discipline is used at HVCS? Is bullying tolerated?

We have high standards for our students’ behavior toward adults and peers. All teachers have classroom and school rules clearly posted, and have appropriate reward and discipline systems in place. Most disciplinary issues are handled at this level. In the event that more intervention is necessary, there is a school-wide warning slip and detention system in place. We desire HVCS to be a safe place, not only from physical harm, but also from emotional and verbal abuse. Parental involvement is critical to assist us in achieving out goals. A more detailed description of our approach is listed in our Parent-Student Handbook.

Do we offer financial aid?

We are able to offer some financial aid to Catholic families who qualify. During the enrollment process, there is an opportunity to apply through an independent agency. Notification is usually by April 30th. Enrollments accepted after the published deadline may not qualify for financial aid. In addition to the school financial aid funds, scholarship assistance, Christ the King Parish and St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish offer assistance to member families.

Are incoming students required to take any kind of test?

We do request that all incoming students provide a copy of the previous year’s report card and standardized test results. Incoming students in grades 3 through 8 also take a short reading, vocabulary, and math test. Students entering Kindergarten take a readiness test in May, and new 1^st and 2^nd graders are given a one-on-one screening test to determine basic reading and math skills.

Are special education services offered for HVCS students?

The Ypsilanti Public School district provides special education evaluation and limited services for those students meeting their specific requirements. Services are offered on site.

How much volunteer work are parents expected to do at HVCS?

We are a parent-run school and rely on the volunteer work of our parents to help our school run smoothly. Fifteen hours of volunteer service is required, five of these hours are for lunch duty, five are for the annual auction, and five hours in other areas of school need. Most parents generously give more than their required hours of service, either in the classroom, with projects, or with events.

How much diversity is present in the HVCS student body?

We have and encourage respect for all races, ancestry, and background. Twenty-nine percent of our students are of a minority background.

Why are you located in east Ypsilanti?

As we chose our location for building our new school, our decision was influenced by two major factors: the affordability and availability of ten acres of land. Additionally the Bishop of Lansing asked us to remain in east Ypsilanti since there was no Catholic school in this immediate area.

Where do the school families reside?

55 percent of our 115 families have an Ypsilanti mailing address, 17 percent have an Ann Arbor mailing address, and the remaining families are from twelve other zip codes.

Is transportation provided?

Bus transportation is provided for students living within the boundaries of the Ypsilanti School District. The school office can assist other families, if needed, in finding an HVCS carpool in their area.

Do you offer hot lunches?

No, but microwave ovens are available in most classrooms for student use. The Athletic Department sponsors bi-monthly pizza lunches.

Why doesn’t Huron Valley Catholic School have a uniform?

Since the early 1990′s, the school has had a defined dress code. This dress code is reviewed every three years by the School Board and principal. As a parent governed school, the board desires to be responsive to the parents’ views and the needs of the school at a particular time. During each of the past three reviews, there was insufficient support for change to a formal school uniform.  The discussions have resulted in a Dress Code outlined in the Student Handbook. Our goals are for clothing to be traditional, modest, available and affordable.

Is HVCS part of the Huron Valley School District?

No. The Huron Valley School District is a public school district located north of us in Milford, Michigan.

How is the school governed?

HVCS is governed by a seven member board of parents elected by fellow parents. Any parent who has been at the school for one year is eligible to run for a three year term.