Summary

Contact Info

Blessed Sacrament Grade School & Early Childhood Center
1417 West Braddock Road
Alexandria , VA 22302
www.blessedsacramentcc.org

Tel: (703) 998-4170

Director: Valerie Garcia, Principal. Kelly Brinley, Director, Early Childhood Center

Application Information

Deadline for applications

March 07

Key Statistics

Age cutoff for enrollment

3 years

Extended day

Yes

Parent Ratings

Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents.

Quality of teaching

Development of social skills and work habits

Home-school connection

Parent community

Discipline

Facilities

Health

Safety

Handling of separation

Survey Information

Number of parents surveyed: 1

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (5.0)

Building, bathrooms, hallway

Classroom equipment and furniture

Outside play equipment

Facilities Include:

Classrooms (with bathroom attached)

Classrooms (with kitchenette attached)

Music room

Art room

Library

Playground

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

"Blessed Sacrament School provides a Christ-centered environment where the Catholic faith is taught and Christian values are developed as a way of life and where students are nurtured in their spiritual growth by participation in liturgy and prayer.
A quality academic program is offered which emphasizes respect, courtesy and genuine caring while striving to cultivate the spiritual, intellectual, social and physical development of each student.
The school is wholeheartedly committed to the task of aiding parents in the development of the total child and is staffed by competent, qualified and loving educators who see the involvement, commitment and cooperation of parents as essential to the educational process. "
Excerpted from the preschool's website

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

Director has not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (4.5)

This school has increased my child's:

Ability to listen and follow directions

Ability to sit still for longer periods of time

Ability to be a part of a group of children

Self-sufficiency and independence

Awareness of others’ feelings

Cooperation with other children

Curriculum and Teaching Approach


Language					YES
Oral language	-	-	-	-	n/a
Nursery rhymes, poems, songs	-	-		-	n/a
Storybook reading	-	-		-	n/a
Emerging literacy skills	-		-	-	n/a

Cognitive Development					n/a
Math and number sense	-	-		-	YES
Time & space	-	-		-	YES
Sci. reasoning/physical world	-		-	-	-
Music	-	-		-	YES

Visual arts	-	-		-	-
Physical activity	-		-	-	YES

Other subjects taught					n/a

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.8)

Full of energy and seemingly happy in job

Patient and affectionate with children

Talks with children and listens carefully when they are talking with him/her

Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior

Provides feedback on what my child does during the day

Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate

Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses

If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off

Resolves disputes quickly, calmly and fairly in a manner that allows children to learn from the dispute

Notices children who are not on task and/or engaging with other children appropriately and quickly reengages them

Manages the energy level of the children so that all children feel safe and able to learn

Provides additional support to a child when s/he is clearly failing in her/his efforts

Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (3.5)

Conducts an open house at start of school year

Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year

Conducts regular parent teacher conferences

Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year

Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year

Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools

Separation

OVERALL RATING (4.0)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Abbreviated schedule at start of school year

Director's and Parents' Comments

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Teachers at the school are very open to parent participation. They are pleased to have parents involved in the classroom, even allowing parents to do special parent-defined (and teacher-approved) activities with the class.

Drop-in Policy

- During school parents are welcomed as the school has an open door policy

General Parent Education

-This preschool does not conduct parent education classes

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (4.0)

Parents:

- Hold social events at the school to build community

- Fundraise

- Are required to make donations ourselves

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Go on field trips

- Volunteer in the classroom

- Receive newsletters

- Hold social events outside of the school (with and/or without children)

- Encourage play dates out of school

- Shares information on matter related to our children (e.g. babysitter lists, pediatricians, extracurriculuar classes, etc.)

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Email

- Special Meetings

- Drop-Off

- Pick-Up

- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
A regular conference is scheduled each winter; other conferences are scheduled as needed

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (5.0)
Parents' Opinions
Parents at this school, on average, believe that conflicts between children: are handled extraordinarily well in a way that not only gives me confidence in the safety of my child but also reassures me that my child (and his/her peers) are learning the early skills needed to socialize effectively with one another

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
snacks generally are not provided by the school; children bring snacks from home

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.3)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

Safety

OVERALL RATING (4.5)

Screen and identify all visitors

Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

Extended Care

- This school does have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

"A yearly non-refundable fee of $35.00 per new student or $25.00 per returning
student must be paid when the application for enrollment is submitted.
Before School Care (7:00 a.m. – start of school)
First Child Sibling
5 day - $89.00/month $43.00/month
4 day - $72.00/month $34.00/month
3 day - $54.00/month $25.00/month
Before School Care (8:00 a.m. - 8:35 a.m. (Grade School ECC Sibling))
5 day - $56/month
4 day - $44/month
3 day - $33/month
Session A (11:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)
5 day - $232.00/month $135.00/month
4 day - $186.00/month $108.00/month
3 day - $140.00/month $ 81.00/month
Session A (1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Rainbows & Shooting Stars))
5 day - $ 119.00/month $ 69.00/month
4 day - $ 95.00/month $ 55.00/month
3 day - $ 72.00/month $ 42.00/month
Session B (3:15 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.)
5 day - $219.00/month $122.00/month
4 day - $175.00/month $98.00/month
3 day - $131.00/month $74.00/month
Session B with Early Release (12:00 p.m. - 6:00p.m.)
5 day - $235.00/month $134.00/month
4 day - $188.00/month $108.00/month
3 day - $141.00/month $ 80.00/month
Early Release only (12:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.)
$25.00/month $17/month
Drop-in Rates
First Child Sibling
BSC - $6.00/Session $3.50/Session
Sessions A & B - $6.00/hour $3.50/hour
"
Excerpted from the preschool's website

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Deadline for applications: March 07

Application fee: $150

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: Priority is based on longevity of parish membership. Children of parishioners registered before 3/1/99, regardless of boundaries. Children of parishioners registered after 3/1/99 living within parish boundaries. Children of parishioners living outside parish boundaries registered after 3/1/99. Siblings of returning students who are non-parishioners. Returning ECC students entering Kindergarten. Students from parishes without schools. Students from parishes with schools. Students from non-Catholic families

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 3 years to enroll.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Director and Parents have not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source.

Parents' Admission Tips

Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions

Parent #1
member of the parish