What are the requirements for our son to be accepted at SCA?

During the admissions process, each applicant will be assessed on his character, academic performance, willingness to work to his potential, and ability to work cooperatively with others.

What is the next step to enroll our son?

Please complete the application forms and send them along with required documents to the SCA Admissions Department.

How and when will we know if our son was accepted?

Once we receive the required documents and forms, we will contact you to inform you if your child is accepted. The process can take one to two weeks, as long as the admissions process was followed.

Student Visa

Our son was accepted. What is the next step?

Upon receipt of the down payment, you will receive the Form I-20 to process the student visa (if applicable), and the enrollment contract. These documents will be sent to you via FedEx.

Why is it mandatory to purchase ISM's Health Insurance for our son?

It is a requirement from SEVIS that F-1 visa holders obtain health insurance for international students for the duration of their stay.

The provider chosen by St. Catherine's Academy is ISM. The coverage is for 10 months. Please contact the admissions department for current pricing. Purchasing ISM insurance is not an option; it is a requirement.

The ISM insurance payment must be made with the down payment. We will enroll your son in the insurance. Please refer to the SCA Tuition and Fee Schedule for additional information.

Why can’t our son study in the U.S. with his tourist visa?

Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the U.S. must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Your son must obtain a student visa (F-1) to study in the U.S. It is against the law to try to study in the U.S. with a tourist visa.

When will we receive the Form I-20?

Upon acceptance and payment of the required fees, you will receive the Form I-20, instructions to process the visa, and the Student Visa Guide. These documents will be sent via FedEx.

You will need the original Form I-20. The American Consulate does not accept copies.

How do I apply for an F-1 student visa?

Please refer to the Student Visa Guide.

After Acceptance

We have already paid the required fees and applied for the student visa. Why haven’t we heard from SCA?

You will receive a registration packet in June containing important information regarding the new school year and the registration forms. It will also contain the list of items and clothes your son will need to bring. If you do not hear from us, do not worry. That means all documents are in order. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns.

When do we come to SCA?

Registration day for new families is usually the third Thursday of August. You will be able to purchase your son’s uniforms on this day. Registration times are from 8am to 1pm. The process is about 2 to 3 hours. On the Friday following registration day, there will be a mandatory orientation and dinner for new students and their parents.

Who needs to come with our son on registration day?

We understand it can be difficult for both parents to bring their child. We ask that at least one parent is present.

When do we purchase the uniforms?

You can purchase uniforms on registration day.

What day does our son begin to stay at SCA?

Your son will begin to stay at SCA on the Sunday following registration day. Check-in is between 1pm and 7pm.

What clothing and personal items is our son allowed to bring?

The registration packet will contain a list of authorized clothing and personal items. We ask that you only bring the amount of clothing listed. Students ONLY wear their uniform.

The only personal items allowed are a backpack, suitcase, camera, photos/memories of the family, stuffed animals, and a cell phone. (See requirements for cell phones.) iPods, iPads and other electronics are not allowed and will be confiscated and returned at the end of the school year.

How are dormitories assigned? Can we request a change?

The school administration and military department determine dorm assignments. Decisions are made based on the parent questionnaire and the teacher and principal evaluations. These forms give us an idea of your son’s personality.

Dorm requests can be made before August, but are not guaranteed. We must distribute equitably the number of 5-day and 7-day residents and those who speak a language other than English. Another very important factor in determining the dorm assignment is whether your child has allergies to animals. Two of the four dorms have pets (cat and dog). Dorm changes are not permitted.

During the School Year

When can we talk to our son or visit him?

You can talk with your child on the first Friday of school. It is not permitted to talk with him during the week as this disrupts his activities. We recommend that you wait at least one month before you visit your son. Many families take advantage of the Thanksgiving holiday to do so.

What are the days and times we can talk to our son?

Authorized hours are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 7pm to 9pm directly to your son's cell phone. Another option is to call the school directly on Fridays from 4 pm to 5pm, and Sundays from
11am to 3pm. The time is limited to 15 minutes if you call the school. Your son will be able to use his Chromebook on Fridays from 6pm to 7pm via Google hangout. Schedules and times are subject to change without notice.

Phone calls and visits are not permitted during the week as this will interfere with his daily schedule. The only exception to this rule is during important dates, such as your son's birthday, sibling or parent birthdays, or in case of an emergency.

Cell phones with internet access are not permitted. Additional information will be provided in your registration packet.

What are the rules regarding the use of laptops and access to social media?

The use of laptops in class is allowed only for students in 4th - 8th grade. They can only have a Chromebook, which must be purchased directly from SCA. Students are not allowed to access social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, My Space, etc.

How can we keep track of our son’s personal and academic progress?

On registration day, we will provide a contact list of teachers, military personnel, resident care providers and administrative offices. You can contact teachers by email and the rest of the staff by phone or email.

During the first week of school, we will email you information and instructions to access Gradelink. In Gradelink you can track your son’s academic progress. Progress reports and official report cards will be emailed to you.

How can we keep up to date with the activities at SCA?

On Thursdays you will receive the parent newsletter by email. You can also visit our Facebook page and the parents section of our website or contact the school directly.

Does our son have permission to go out on weekends?

Students are allowed to go out during the weekend with parents and family members. Students leave on Friday at 3pm and need to return Sunday between 6pm-7pm. Contact the admissions departments for information on special holiday schedules.

What are the vacation days?

Thanksgiving: During the fourth week of November. Pick up Wednesday and return on Sunday.
Christmas: During the third week of December. Pick up on Saturday and return on Sunday after New Year (two weeks)
Easter: Students leave the Saturday before Holy Week and return on Sunday after Easter week (two weeks)

Do I need to give my son spending money?

The amount of $3,500 from the cost of tuition is allocated to his personal expenses (outings, spending money, travel to/from airport, etc.).

During the weekend your son will receive an ‘X’ amount of money depending on the outing. It is very important that the boys are taught to have fun with the little money. It is optional if you choose to leave extra money for them, but it is not recommended.

What do the students do on weekends and holidays?

Every Saturday the students go on outings. They go to Mass on Sunday morning and have organized activities after. These are some examples of weekend destinations and activities:

Balboa Beach and Pier	Super Bowl Sunday Party
Knott’s Soak City Waterpark	Harlem Globetrotters
Disneyland/California Adventure	FlightDeck Flight Simulation Center
The Aquarium of the Pacific	Super Soccer Stars
Universal Studios Hollywood	Sea World
Knott’s Berry Farm	Los Angeles Zoo
Kayaking at Newport Aquatic Center	San Diego Safari Park
Monster Truck Rally	Irvine Lake Fishing