Frequently Asked Questions
Academic Program
- Is Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High School accredited?
- What is Bioethics, and how does it fit into the curriculum?
- Is the academic program at John Paul the Great as good as the other Diocesan high schools?
- Are there AP and Honors classes?
- Is there a learning resource program for students with special needs?
- Will there be an Options Program?
Admissions
Sports
- Is there a full athletic program at Pope John Paul the Great?
- How can my student-athlete be “noticed” in such a new athletic program by college scouts?
Tuition, Financial Aid, Scholarships
- What is the tuition for the 2008-2009 academic year?
- Is financial aid available?
- Are scholarships available?
Miscellaneous
- Will the school be ready to open in August 2008?
- How many students will attend Pope John Paul the Great?
- Will the students wear uniforms?
- What about transportation options to and from school?
- Who will teach at Pope John Paul the Great?
- Will there be social events for students before the new school year begins?
- Who are the Dominican Sisters, and what is their Charism?
Academic Program
Is Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High School accredited?
Yes. Our school is accredited as part of the Diocese of Arlington Office of Catholic Schools, as are the other Diocesan schools. We will be recognized as a rigorous college preparatory high school with the added enhancement of the unique Bioethics program. We will be reviewed every five years by the Southern States Accreditation Council, as all of the Diocesan schools are, to maintain our status as an accredited school.
What is Bioethics, and how does it fit into the curriculum?
Bioethics is the field of study concerned with the ethical implications of certain biological and medical procedures, technologies and treatments. Our Bioethics curriculum is designed to provide an ethical perspective on these issues based on the dignity of the human person.
The bioethics curriculum is just one aspect of the challenging academic program at John Paul the Great and is designed to enhance the classic diocesan curriculum. Bioethics courses will be required for students in each of their four years of study. Two credits (a quarter each year) is required to graduate.
In the past ten years, science and medical technology have made many discoveries. As these discoveries advance into our society, we need to provide students with a foundation of knowledge to think clearly about issues that impact the human person. A background in bioethics will help our students develop a wider ethical lens as they embark on their journeys toward college studies in science, medicine, politics, law, history and more. John Paul the Great students will have the skills and critical tools to make well-informed personal decisions and participate thoughtfully in forging public policies about scientific and ethical issues related to new knowledge and new technology.
Is the academic program at John Paul the Great as good as the other Diocesan high schools?
Our curriculum is as challenging and comprehensive as those at the other three Diocesan high schools. The Office of Catholic Schools has designed and approved the curriculum with the goal that our graduates will be accepted at and excel in the most prestigious colleges in the country. Our graduates will also have the added credential of successful completion of the Bioethics Curriculum that no other school currently offers, giving our students an advantage over some other applicants.
Are there AP and Honors classes?
Yes. Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High School will provide a comprehensive academic program providing a superior college-prep curriculum for students who have the ability to achieve at the highest academic levels, as well as for those students whose learning styles are better served by a different pace and approach to learning.
Please visit the Academics page of our web site for detailed information on our complete academic program.
Is there a learning resource program for students with special needs?
Yes. We will offer an Academic Support Program for our students who may need additional support.
Will there be an Options Program?
We will offer the Options Program for students with intellectual disabilities, modeled after the successful program at Pope Paul VI Catholic High School. The Options program will serve students with mild to moderate cognitive impairments in a modified inclusive setting. A primary goal for each student is to be as fully integrated as possible into the total life of the school community. If you are interested in this program, please contact Megan Battle, Director of the Options Program: m.battle@jpthegreat.org.
Admissions
Who should apply?
Any student who will be in 9th or 10th grade next school year may apply to be part of our vibrant, new community rooted in the Catholic faith! A student need not be Catholic to attend the school but all students will be required to participate in the established curriculum. We welcome applications from students who are not Catholic.
How do I apply?
You can apply on-line today through our web site. Please visit the Admissions page of this web site for step-by-step instructions.
Sports
Is there a full athletic program at Pope John Paul the Great?
Yes! There will be a GREAT athletic program at Pope John Paul the Great! We recognize that athletics help build a strong sense of community and identity within our student body. Please visit our Athletics page for detailed information!
How can my student-athlete be “noticed” in such a new athletic program by college scouts?
Pope John Paul the Great student-athletes will be competing against their peers in the Washington, D.C. metro area. College coaches attend many of these events and will see our student-athletes in the same competitions as they will see student-athletes at more established schools. Accomplished student-athletes always manage to rise to the top and receive recognition for their achievements.
Tuition, Financial Aid and Scholarships
What is the tuition for the 2008-2009 academic year?
Tuition rates for Pope John Paul the Great are on-par, or less than, rates at other diocesan Catholic high schools. In addition to tuition, which may be paid on a monthly basis, certain standard fees –such as text books-- also apply.
However, at John Paul the Great, we have decided to include many other expenses – such as participation fees for athletics, band, and extra-curricular clubs— as part of our standard tuition rate.
Tuition rates for the 2008-2009 school year are as follows:
| Catholic Rate for One Student | $8,700.00 |
| Catholic Rate for Second Student | $6,000.00 |
| Catholic Rate for Third Student | $5,000.00 |
| Non-Catholic Rate per Student | $12,500.00 |
For families with a student enrolled at another Arlington DIOCESAN high school, the second student discount may be applied to the student enrolled at John Paul the Great for the period of this dual enrollment.
*The subsidized rate for Catholic students reflects the tithing commitment made by parishioners and parishes in the Diocese of Arlington.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. Bishop Loverde and the Diocese of Arlington are committed to making it possible for ANY student who is accepted at Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High School to enroll by providing tuition assistance to those who demonstrate financial need.
Information submitted as part of your aid application is kept confidential and is analyzed with weight given to many factors such as housing costs in this area, other tuition obligations (Catholic elementary schools, college…) and general living expenses. There is no income range minimum or maximum as every family has different circumstances.
We encourage every family to apply for tuition assistance if it will allow them to become part of the Pope John Paul the Great community.
Please visit our Admissions page to learn more about applying for financial aid on-line today.
Are scholarships available?
There will be need-based scholarships offered to deserving students at the beginning of each school year. The value of these scholarships will range from $1,000 to several thousand dollars. The scholarship recipients will be notified of this award prior to the start of the school year. Recipients will be recommended for consideration by teachers and principals of their current schools. No exam is required for this scholarship award. There will be no athletic scholarships awarded but all students are eligible to apply for need-based tuition aid.
Information on how to apply for scholarships will be forthcoming.
Miscellaneous
Will the school be ready to open in August 2008?
Yes! Major construction is complete and finishing work is under way. We are in the proocess of moving in desks, installing science lab equipment and classroom technology systems, finishing the gyms and athletic fields, stocking the student store, and more! We will look forward to welcoming you to the first day of school on August 25!
How many students will attend Pope John Paul the Great?
The school was built to accommodate 1,000 students. We will open our doors in August of 2008 to 9th and 10th graders, and will add one incoming freshman class in each of the following two years, so that by 2010 we will have 1,000 students in grades 9-12.
Will the students wear uniforms?
The students at John Paul the Great will wear uniforms reflecting the school colors of green, black and white. Uniforms are ordered through Flynn and O'Hara. Please see our Calendar page for more information.
What about transportation options to and from school?
We will operate school buses from the following areas: Fredericksburg, Gainsville/Manassas, and Alexandria/Springfield. Please see the Bus Routes and Registration form below. In addition, we may be able to run shuttle buses the Rippon Landing VRE station depending on the VRE schedule. Those interested in the VRE shuttle should contact the school office. These transportation options will be offered at an additional cost.
- Bus Routes and Registration Form
As always, carpools will be a popular option for our students. We will facilitate the coordination of establishing carpools for interested families. Those families interested in car pools should complete the Car Pool Inquiry Form beow and return it to the school office as soon as possible.
Who will teach at Pope John Paul the Great?
We have hired an excellent team of educators. Please see the Faculty and Staff page to learn more about your teachers!
Will there be social events for students before the new school year begins?
Yes! This spring and summer we will host events for our new students so they can get to know each other, and some of the faculty and staff at Pope John Paul the Great. We believe these events will lay the foundation for a strong student body from day one.
Who are the Dominican Sisters, and what is their Charism?
Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia (also known as the “Nashville Dominicans”) were invited by Bishop Loverde to lead Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High School.
Over the past 145 years, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia have given the fruits of their contemplation in the apostolate of Catholic education. With a love of Truth and a dedication to the Church, the sisters have brought generations of young people the message of Christ.
The Congregation presently serves in 32 schools across eleven states, teaching children and young adults from pre-school through college level. It serves in suburban, inner city, private, and diocesan schools.
A Dominican education provides a foundation for life, forming the entire person. The Dominican Life can be described in terms of four pillars:
Prayer: The Dominicans provide an environment- through daily prayer, mass, Eucharistic Adoration and Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary – in which the Catholic faith is vibrant so that students can grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and are motivated to take an ever more active role in His church.
Study: In order to teach the Truth, St. Dominic and his followers studied. They valued truth and development of the intellectual virtues. Study will likewise be important to students at Pope John Paul the Great.
Community: The community at Pope John Paul the Great affirms the dignity of each student, and creates an environment where talents and gifts can be shared. Also, a school that is closer to home makes social interaction easier for students and families.
Service: Students will work actively for the good of themselves, their families and their society, treating every human being with the utmost respect. Person-to-person service enlarges the heart and has a positive impact on society.