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Admissions Policies

Admissions Policy – Incoming Freshmen

Who Can Apply?
All rising ninth grade students are welcome to apply for admission to Tampa Catholic. 

Freshmen Admissions Criteria
Incoming freshmen are accepted if they met all criteria stated below.  If one of the criteria is not met that student will automatically be reviewed by the admissions committee.  If one or more criteria are not met the student could be denied admission.  Students who have documented special needs and who do not meet all four criteria may be admitted only if we are able to accommodate the student’s need and there is likelihood that those accommodations will ensure success at TC.  Documentation (psychological-education evaluation) must be current (less than 3 years old), complete, and submitted with the application.

The admissions committee consists of the Principal, Assistant Principal for Academics, Assistant Principal for Student Life, Director of Admissions, Guidance Counselors, and the ESE Specialist.
 
Timetable for Tampa Catholic Freshman Admission
List below is the usual procedure for applying to Tampa Catholic.
 
Admissions Test
Prospective ninth grade students (class of 2016) must take the admissions exam offered at Tampa Catholic.
  • There is a $45 non-refundable application fee (includes admissions test) and reservations must be made prior to testing.
  • Check-in begins at 8:00am. Students must arrive by 8:15am on the date of their scheduled test.
  • Students should report to the Center building where the test will be administered. The test will generally be completed by 11:15am.

Tampa Catholic Admissions Testing dates: Nov. 19, 2011; Dec. 10, 2011; Jan. 21. 2012; March 10, 2012

NOTE:  Students competing for the new Tampa Catholic Academic Scholarships must take the 1st admissions test.

Notification of Acceptance
Students will receive a letter of notification and registration information after the completed application has been reviewed.  This letter will indicate acceptance status or advise if additional information on the student is required prior to being accepted.  

Registration
Parents are encouraged to register via mail after receiving the registration information.

Financial Aid
Families may apply for financial aid after they have registered. Information on how to do this is provided in the registration packet

Admissions Test (Explore)              13 or higher   Click here for more information about the admissions test.
Discipline/Attendance                      Satisfactory
7th & 8th report cards                        C’s or higher
Standardized test                              50th percentile or higher
 
If all 4 criteria are met then the student is accepted.
If one or more criteria are not met the student’s file is reviewed by the admissions committee
 
Appeals:
It is sometimes necessary to deny admission to a student. The admissions committee makes this determination after careful review of the applicant’s records. Families may appeal an admissions decision only if they can provide additional written information not included in the original application. This would include items such as new standardized test scores, updated report cards, or explanations of any issues with absences or discipline.
 
Who May Transfer?
Transfer students from outside the Tampa Bay area
Students in all grades who are new to the Tampa Bay area are welcome to apply for admission. Our Admissions Office and counseling staff will work to find appropriate courses for each transfer student. While we prefer to admit students at the start of each semester we are willing to work with families to facilitate mid-semester transfers when necessary. Parents are encouraged to contact the school as early as possible in order to ensure a smooth transition for the student to Tampa Catholic.
 
Transfer students from within the Tampa Bay area
Tampa Catholic only accepts transfer students currently living in the Tampa Bay area at the beginning of a semester. Further, these students must currently be in, or have completed their 9th or 10th grade year. We do not accept juniors at the beginning of the second semester or seniors as transfer students. 
 
Transfer Student Admissions Criteria
Transfer students will only be considered if they can provide a letter from the previous school’s administration stating that the student is in good standing and is eligible to remain at their current school.
Provided this letter is received, transfer students are accepted if they meet all the criteria stated below. If one or more criteria are not met a student could be denied admission.  Students who have documented special needs and who do not meet all four criteria may be admitted only if we are able to accommodate the student’s need and there is likelihood that those accommodations will ensure success at TC.  Documentation (psychological-education evaluation) must be current (less than 3 years old), complete and submitted with the application.
 
High school report cards / GPA:     cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
Standardized test:                             50th percentile or higher
Discipline/Attendance:                     satisfactory
Academic credits:                             The student is not deficient in academic credits

 

If all 4 criteria are met then the student is accepted
If 1 or more criteria are not met then a written explanation would be required by the family before the student’s file is reviewed by the admissions committee.