• Mission Statement
• Accreditation
• Academics
• Admissions
• Tuition
• Extended Day
• Other helpful information
• Montgomery County 'School's out' (offsite link)

• Mission Statement

St. Jude School is dedicated to the development of the whole child within the framework of a Catholic Community at work and worship. We strive in dedication to awaken in the children the desire to cultivate their talents and abilities, stressing the importance of assuming responsibilities for their decisions in preparation for the World of Tomorrow.

We foster and nurture a sense of compassion and justice toward others. Realizing that parents are the primary educators, we encouraged an active involvement in the children's education.

We stress an academic curriculum which encourages continual progress to meet the needs of the individual child. We continue to promote an ongoing evaluation of our stated goals at frequent intervals in compliance with our commitment for high standards.

As educators, we view the school as a Beacon of Hope and a vital part of the entire parish community, evidencing that young Catholics are preparing to grow in acceptance of the mantle of leadership for the Catholic Church in the Future.
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• Accreditation

Accreditation is the recognition accorded by the academic profession to an elementary school that has udertaken a sanctioned process of evaluation and development. It is an expression of confidence by the profession that the quality of the school is effectively and progressively managed by its faculty.
St. Jude was granted accreditation in the Assembly of Elementary Schools Middle States Association as of October, 1987. The standards are established by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and administered by the Commission on Elementary Schools, one of the three accreditation authorities under the auspices of the Association.

Accredited schools such as St. Jude meet the following standards:

• define appropriate educational goals and provide educational programs to achieve them
• maintain a qualified faculty and an effective school organization
• assess outcomes of school experience and control the quality of educational programs
• respond to concerns of parents and needs of the school community
• provide for the continuity of its programs and plan for their future
• describe with accuracy the content of its services and programs
  

As with all accreditation processes under the auspices of the Middle States Association, this is an on-going process. St. Jude actively participates and supports this continuing effort to maintain its high rating. (top)

 

• Academics

The curriculum followed at St. Jude Catholic School is prescribed by the Office of Education in the Archdiocese of Washington, and in accordance with the State of Maryland courses of instruction recommended for the elementary schools. The ultimate end of the entire curriculum is to bring the student to a better understanding of himself in relation to God and to the world in which he lives.

The students in grades kindergarten through three are grouped heterogeneously, and the departmental organization is used from grades four through eight.

• Religion: Our program uses Scripture, prayer and decision making skills to teach the students about their faith. The history of the Church, its seasons and saints, as well as current issues are discussed in order to give the student a true living concept of their religion, with special awareness that service is and should be an integral part of a living faith.
• Reading: A basic phonetic approach is used in our program with concept and vocabulary building. Skills and strategies are taught to promote fluency and comprehension. There is an emphasis on outside reading and an introduction to literature.
• Science: A systematic development of concepts with a hands-on method is used in science to promote clear understanding of the major areas of science. Creative and critical thinking skills are utilized to formulate hypotheses and draw conclusions based on scientific principles.
• Math: Our program helps students keep pace with a changing technological society with emphasis on exploration, estimation, critical thinking and alternate methods of solutions. There is a special stress on building computational skills and problem-solving techniques. We are stressing the new mathematics standards in all grades.
• Language Arts: Creative writing is an integral part of our curriculum with a continuing emphasis on grammar, usage and mechanics. Related skills of literary appreciation, oral presentation, listening skills, vocabulary development, as well as research and study skills are stressed throughout the program.
• Social Studies: A structural interdisciplinary approach provides for an interrelated study of history, geography, economics, anthropology and sociology. Stress in grade 4 is on our State of Maryland, while 7th grade has a focus on geography and the 8th grade concentration is on U.S. history. With an overview of the social sciences, students should mature into informed and responsible citizens. (top)

 

• Admissions

Children whose siblings currently attend St. Jude Catholic School have first preference for admission to the parish school. Children of Shrine of St. Jude Parishioners have second preference. St. Jude Parents are expected to be regular users of parish envelopes.

If space permits, Catholic students coming from parishes that do not have a school (i.e., St. Patrick or St. Francis) or whose parish school is filled, will be considered for admission. If further space is available, other students will be considered.

Students transferring from any other school must provide a record of standardized test scores (Iowa, Basic, SRA, etc.) and a recent report card for evaluation. St. Jude Catholic School will administer an entrance exam and the results of this test and the above required information will determine acceptance or non-acceptance. (top)

 

• Tuition
  

St. Judes participates in Smart Tuition to help each family keep track of their tuition payments, credits, and other school obligations. Smart Tuition offers several payment options. Their Parent Line is 1.800.762.7803. FAQs and other information may be found on their website.

2003 - 2004 School Year Tuition

Parishioners

 

St. Patrick (K through 8th grade)

 

Non-Parishioners
Per Student $4700

Pre-Kindergarten Program
Per Student $4750

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• Extended Day

In many families today, both parents share the responsibility and obligations of full time employment, making child-care a priority. The Extended Day Program has been established in response to this need and provides a healthy, safe, enriching environment for the children of St. Jude Catholic School.

Full Tuition (per week) Per Child:

Morning Care $32.00
Afternoon Care $60.00

For 2 or More Children (per child):

Morning Care $27.00
Afternoon Care $55.00

Part Time Care $30.00 Per Child

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• Other helpful information

School address and phone number:

4820 Walbridge St
Rockville MD 20853
301.946.7888

Medical forms to authorize administration of medications are now available online for your convenience. Adobe Acrobat required; for your free Acrobat download, click here.

Anaphylaxis Authorization
Long-Term Medication Authorization
Short-Term Medication Authorization

The oldest child in the family will bring home important information concerning the school and activities every Wednesday. Please do not send any correspondence back in the Wednesday folder. Send notes and correspondence back to the office. The Wednesday folder should be returned to the office (via your child) by Friday.

Partners for Computers - become a sponsor of the St Jude Computer Lab

The Code Bulldog program for St Jude-specific emergency communications has been implemented. To change your information, print a copy of the form and send it in to the school office.

Code Bulldog

The Lost and Found is located across from the Thaddeus Room and is open in the mornings and afternoons.

Children in Kindergarten are to bring a snack to school everyday.

On days when dismissal is 12:00 PM all children in grades K-8 should bring in a snack and drink.

Milk is available daily for those children who previously paid for it.

St. Jude Catholic School uniform suppliers are:

School uniforms:

Flynn and O'Hara
2208 Veirs Mill Rd
Rockville MD
301.838.8958

March Uniforms
12 North Washington St
Rockville MD
301.217.9273

Gym uniforms: C.J. Enterprises
12 Maxim Lane Rockville, MD
(301) 340-0694

Please enter the school building through the front door near the flag pole. Check in with the office first. Please do not go directly to the classrooms. If your child forgot something, drop it off at the office.

Occasionally, classes go on field trips. You will be notified by your child's teacher, and a permission slip will be sent home for your signature.

St. Jude Catholic School students will have the opportunity to have student photographs and a yearbook. Information will be sent home.

The School Directory and Student Handbook are invaluable tools along with the St. Jude HSA Booklet and are produced at the beginning of each academic year.

Check to make sure that your child returns his or her library books in the assigned timely manner.

School begins at 8:20 AM each morning - students may be dropped off beginning at 8:00 AM. No child may be dropped off earlier, unless they attend St. Jude's extended day programs.

Dismissal is 3:00 PM each day.

Periodically, the students have out-of-uniform days. These are days when the children have the opportunity to select and wear their own casual clothes. There are several types of out-of-uniform days:

Tag Day - pay a nominal fee (fundraiser).
Special - no fee.
Color Special - i.e., Red for Valentines Day, Green for St. Patricks Day.
Out-of-uniform days will be announced prior to the actual day.

Newsletters are sent home every other month in the Wednesday folder.

Please be sure to follow all Traffic Regulations for the safety of the children. Please do not pull off of the parking lot until the whistle signal has been given. Remember to inform anyone else who will be picking up your child of the traffic regulations.

Please be sure to label your child's clothing, lunch box, backpack and any other items that come to school. (top)