Frequently Asked Questions
How many students does Nativity serve?
Why is your enrollment (relatively) so small?
What is the recruiting and admissions process for students?
What are you looking for in students who apply?
What is the typical profile of a Nativity family?
Are parents involved at Nativity?
Where do your students go after they graduate?
Do you have graduates who are now in college?
Are you a charter school, a private school, or a Catholic school?
How is your school funded?
Is your school accredited?
What is the curriculum for Nativity students?
What is unique about Nativity?
How can I get involved at Nativity?
Where can I learn more about schools like yours?
How many students does Nativity serve?
We currently serve over 160 students. There are 63 students on-campus for the 2010-2011 academic year and another 100 of our graduates in high school and college whom we serve through our Graduate Support Program. At present, our campus facilities can only accommodate roughly 60 students, with about 20 students in each grade. Our future plans, however, include increasing enrollment to 90 or to 120 students by the start of the 2012-2013 academic year while at the same time maintaining a very favorable teacher-student ratio.
Why is your enrollment (relatively) so small?
We purposely maintain a small student enrollment to assure a very healthy teacher-student ratio (1:7). Our future plans for expanding student enrollment, too, would limit our capacity to only 90 or 120 students—primarily because we want to make sure our teachers are available to students in and out of the classroom. This personal, one-to-one attention is essential to our mission and perhaps the most significant factor in our students’ success. The majority of our students enter our school having achieved below grade-level academic progress (in reading, language, and math) in their previous (public) schools, where class sizes are upwards of 30 students or more. Limiting our enrollment to roughly 20 students per grade, hiring exceptional teachers who are gifted at engaging students in learning, and incorporating academic and social support programs within an extended-day and extended-year schedule allow our students to make remarkable progress in their three years with us.
What is the recruiting and admissions process for students?
Our parents and families are our most effective means of recruitment for new families. Typically, relatives and friends of current and past students apply after hearing the good news about Nativity. We ask prospective students to complete a written application and personal statement, to make a full-day visit to the school, and to submit two teacher recommendations from current teachers. We also interview parents and students together and administer an in-house academic exam to assess each candidate’s basic skill levels in reading, writing, and math.
What are you looking for in students who apply?
We require first and foremost that students come from families that qualify for the free- or reduced-lunch program in their public school—we are here for families who want a Catholic, private-school education for their children but who otherwise cannot afford tuition costs. We are also looking for students and families who are committed to and motivated by the college-prep mission of our school, which centers on developing the whole person and is focused on preparing students for high school and college. With that said, our students are entering our school, on average, having achieved one to years below grade-level in reading and language in their previous school, as measured by the results of their sixth-grade, pre-year standardized testing. We do not select students based on their grades—above all, we look for students who, regardless of their academic record, show desire and motivation for college.
What is the typical profile of a Nativity family?
The 2010-2011 median income for our families is approximately $25,000, and the average family size is four. Some of our students come from single-parent homes, and we enroll a number of students who are raised by two parents. Most of our parents completed some or all of their elementary (K-6 or K-8) school education, and some have completed their high school education.
Are parents involved at Nativity?
Yes. Before a student is formally accepted to Nativity, all parents and students agree in writing to some core terms for continued enrollment by signing a scholarship agreement. Among the conditions spelled out in the agreement, parents and students are required to attend three (3) in-person parent-teacher-student conferences each year—we are proud to say that since our school opened, we have had 100% attendance from parents for each academic quarter each year. We also have an active Parent Committee, made of elected officers among parents of currently enrolled students. This Committee is responsible for recruiting new families for admission, for sponsoring and hosting social events and fundraising events, and for acting as representatives for each grade-level classroom.
Where do your students go after they graduate?
We are proud to say that each year our graduates continue to be accepted at and to attend excellent college-prep high schools in San Diego and elsewhere in southern California—Mater Dei Catholic High School, Saint Augustine High School, the Academy of Our Lady of Peace, Cathedral Catholic High School, The Bishop’s School, Francis Parker School, The Preuss School, the High Tech High Schools, School for the Creative and Performing Arts, San Pasqual Academy, Mater Dei High School (Orange County), and a number of students attend regional public high schools and out-of-area public schools through the CHOICE program as well. A complete list of high schools is provided through the link for High Schools Attending.
Do you have graduates who are now in college?
Yes. Students from our first two graduating classes (’05 and ’06) have been accepted at a number of in-state and out-of-state universities and colleges, including San Diego State University, Marymount College, Cal State University (CSU) Dominguez Hills, CSU Los Angeles, Humboldt State, St. Mary’s College of California, San Jose State, University of California Riverside, John Paul the Great Catholic University, American Musical and Dance Academy, Francis Marion University, San Francisco State, Academy of Art University (San Francisco), and Yale University. A few of our graduates from these two classes have also opted to attend two-year community college programs in San Diego, with the expectation that they will matriculate to a four-year program. A complete list of colleges and universities is provided through the link for Colleges Attending.
Are you a charter school, a private school, or a Catholic school?
We are not a charter school. Nor are we a parochial school. We are a private Catholic school, with an independent Board of Trustees and a community of benefactors that funds 100% of our costs each year. We participate in the diocesan sports league, but we do not operate under the aegis of the Diocese of San Diego. While we do not discriminate in our admissions policy against families that are not Catholic, we make clear to all prospective students and families that our religious tradition is firmly rooted in the Catholic Church, and as such all of our students participate in daily prayer and in the Catholic Mass, they study the catechism of the Church, and they complete required community service each year. Also, two of the members of our Board are ordained religious - one, our President, a deacon with St. Brigid’s Parish; and the other, a Jesuit priest who directs the clinical social work program at St. Vincent de Paul Villages and who serves as our school’s chaplain.
How is your school funded?
As a private, all-scholarship (i.e., non-tuition driven) school, we are supported financially through the generosity of a number of individuals and with the help of a number of corporate and foundation grants. Our families are committed to paying a monthly program fee of $25 to help with costs for some of our extracurricular programs; otherwise, all income to support our annual operating budget of ~$1M comes exclusively from private, outside benefactors and investors. To learn more about opportunities to support our students financially, please connect here to Giving & Volunteering.
Is your school accredited?
Yes. In May of 2009, after completing our first formal self-study, we earned a six-year term of accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The process of accreditation is an ongoing effort towards school improvement, and we will undergo another extensive self-study for renewal of term in the spring of 2015.
What is the curriculum for Nativity students?
Students in all three grades are required each year to successfully complete coursework in their core academic classes—language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies—and in religion, physical education, and art. We place an added emphasis on writing skills in all seven classes, including art and physical education. Students who are academically eligible can also participate in interscholastic team sports in three seasons each year, and we offer non-graded elective course as well each academic quarter. We place emphasis on teaching social skills to our students in all classes and programs—with simple but important reminders about saying “please“ and “thank you,” for example, and by reminding students the importance of making eye contact when speaking. You can connect here to our Academics link to learn more about our curriculum and programs.
What is unique about Nativity?
There are a number of things unique about a Nativity Prep education. For one, our students are required to attend a ten-hour school day throughout the regular academic year (September through June) and a required five-week summer semester as well in July and August. We also offer for our students an on-site mentoring program that matches adults from the local professional community with individual students to help students develop a relationship of support outside of the classroom. Perhaps the most unique feature of a Nativity Prep education, however, is our Graduate Support Program, which provides ongoing financial, social, and academic support for our graduates throughout their high school years and support throughout the college application process.
How can I get involved at Nativity?
Our number one priority for community involvement is securing student sponsorships. Each year, our funding goal is to establish full-year scholarships ($10,000 each) for all sixty students. We also are looking to recruit additional adult mentors and tutors to work directly with our students on-site each week. We host a number of fundraising and informational events throughout the year as well, including our monthly luncheons, annual golf tournament, annual friendship tea, and annual breakfast. You can read more about making a gift, becoming a mentor or tutor, and attending an event through our Giving & Volunteering page.
Where can I learn more about schools like yours?
Our school is affiliated with the NativityMiguel Schools Network, a nationally recognized consortium of schools that serve the economically disadvantaged through education. There are more than 60 NativityMiguel schools in the United States, but only three in all of California. For a more complete description of the NativityMiguel schools, and listing of schools in the U.S., please visit their website.
