May 8, 2015 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI
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MACS enrollment opens for upcoming school year
MACS students excel at Special Olympics events CHARLOTTE — St. Ann and St. Patrick schools proudly represented Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools at the Mecklenburg County Special Olympics Springs Games, a track and field event held April 22 at Charlotte Country Day School. This competition provided the athletes an opportunity to compete in running, jumping and throwing events. The athletes experienced teamwork,
good sportsmanship, and personal achievement through this event. St. Ann School had an exciting send-off for its athletes when the student body participated in a rousing school pep rally complete with the school band. St. Patrick’s students showed support for their athletes with a clap-out parade. The adrenaline ran high when all of the athletes paraded into the stadium with confidence and determination.
Athletes were awarded gold, silver and bronze medals in their various events. There were many smiles to count among all the participating schools. We are so very proud of our athletes and thankful for all who made this possible from the parents, Special Olympics organizers, administrators, and teachers. — Lisa Banks, St. Ann Catholic School’s Modified Academic Program
CHARLOTTE — Enrollment for the 2015’16 academic year has opened for the nine schools in the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools system. The nine schools are: St. Ann School (PK, TK-5), St. Gabriel School (K-5), St. Matthew School (TK-5), St. Patrick School (K-5), Our Lady of the Assumption School (PK-8), St. Mark School (K-8), Holy Trinity Middle School (6-8), Charlotte Catholic High School and Christ the King High School. Standardized test scores for MACS students in both elementary and middle school significantly exceed the median national and local average in every category. Over 72 percent of fifth-grade students and over 80 percent of eighth-grade students scored over the median in standardized tests. High school students at both Charlotte Catholic and Christ the King scored significantly higher than state and national averages in all categories in SAT testing. This year Christ the King will graduate its first senior class with a projected 100 percent graduation rate, approximately $2 million in scholarships for a class of less than 50 students. Charlotte Catholic High School has always graduated 100 percent of its students and has consistently sent 99 percent of its graduates to higher education. Last year the seniors at Charlotte Catholic earned $19.2 million in scholarships. MACS also offers special needs programs: n Providing Appropriate Academic Catholic Education (PACE): A program designed for grade 2-5 students who have been diagnosed with a specific learning disability such as dyslexia or dysgraphia, and housed at Our Lady of the Assumption School. PACE’s goal is to return students to the general classroom once they have mastered the necessary skills to achieve at grade level. n Modified Academic Program (MAP): A program for grade 2-12 students whose learning needs can best be met in a modified academic environment, offered at St. Ann, Holy Trinity and Charlotte Catholic High schools. Students receive specialized instruction in reading, math and writing while on a case-by case basis learning with their peers in social studies, science and religion classes. St. Ann and Holy Trinity students also receive speech and occupational therapy services. n The Matthew-Morgan program: For K-3 students with Down Syndrome, housed at St. Patrick School. Students are included in the general classroom with support from a teacher assistant. n Learning Support: Provides additional professional support to students in the general classroom who are struggling academically because of learning challenges. Found in every school. Tuition discounts are provided to participating Catholic parishioners, with tuition costs for the 2015-’16 year set at: $5,973 for elementary school, $6,618 for middle school, and $9,633 for high school. (Tuition for non-Catholic or non-participating Catholics is higher.) A discount for families with two or more students in the school system is available. Financial assistance is available to qualifying families based on need. Families considering MACS but are concerned about their finances are strongly encouraged to apply for financial assistance. For enrollment information email Shannon Fortin, Director of Admissions, at sfortin@charlottediocese.org.