Mission Statement

The mission of Springfield Catholic Schools is to prepare students, with God’s help, to spread the Kingdom of God and to contribute to the world as responsible Christian citizens by providing a caring family environment where the Catholic Faith is taught and modeled in an atmosphere of academic excellence.

Our school provides a disciplined environment in which all students are active participants in the learning process that encourages academic excellence. Setting goals and solving problems together provide opportunities for each student to develop into responsible and productive citizens in accordance with individual needs, interests, and abilities. Our graduates will be prepared to accept responsibility and to perform service in a changing global society.

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School Prayer

Good and loving God,
Thank you for uniting us
as your Springfield Catholic
High School family.
Our family is growing.
Help us increase
our care, compassion, and respect
for ourselves and others.
Jesus, we trust you will always
be with us as you promised.
Jesus, our brother,
help us to love each other.
Amen.

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Philosophy

Springfield Catholic High School is part of the educational and spiritual ministry of the Catholic Church and shares in the purpose of all ministries in the Church, to further the work, truth and presence of Christ in the world. SCHS not only assumes the goals of any secular educational institution, but also has a particular religious dimension as well. We are a community of believing young people and adults together pursuing, within the Catholic tradition of faith, academic excellence in an environment where Christianity is taught, experienced and practiced. Within this community, ministry can be given to every aspect of a student's growth.

Springfield Catholic High School emphasizes academic achievement. Since academic achievement is closely related to the background and future plans of each student, the road to academic success may be different for each student. The curriculum, therefore, affords students a choice of courses to meet collegiate, vocational, practical, and spiritual needs. It is designed to develop a broad base of competence in language, speaking skills, mathematics, science, social studies, fine arts, and vocational subjects. Such a program guarantees not only a solid foundation for whatever a student wishes to do after high school, but also broadens his scope for continued learning throughout life.

SCHS recognizes that it supplements and complements parental guidance. The school assumes the responsibility for a core curriculum that is basic to a sound moral development. This moral development can best be accomplished in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Since a student learns through observation, as well as study, a Christian educator is the medium in which the message of Christianity is incarnated. This positive example, based on caring and concern for the individual, creates a Christian environment that reaches far beyond the classroom.

Personal attention in an atmosphere of acceptance and care gives each student the support and freedom to discover his own potential and to develop fully into the person he wishes to become. Spiritual and religious values offer each student a stabilizing point in a changing world -- a purpose for living and dying, a way of being with and for others in service to the Church and to the world. SCHS also is a community of faith in which the Christian message, the experience of community, worship, and social concern are integrated in the total experience of students, their parents, and members of the faculty. All of society is, thereby, enriched with a citizen able to analyze social issues knowledgeably, ethically, and creatively with historical perspective.

By fulfilling these needs within the faith context of a Catholic school, SCHS hopes to enable students to develop a personal desire for a relationship with God and a commitment to share Gospel values with others. Catholic education provides opportunities for spiritual growth through prayer, study of faith, and service to others. Participation in the faith community at Springfield Catholic High School prepares students for immediate and future involvement in the parish, in the diocese, and in the global church.

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History of Springfield Catholic High School

Springfield Catholic High School (SCHS) is a four-year, co-educational, secondary school under the direction of the Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. It was established as a parish high school of St. Agnes Parish in 1916, in the old elementary school building with the Sisters of Loretto as teachers. In 1941, the first floor and the gymnasium of the main high school building were erected. In 1954, a second story was constructed. Additional facilities to accommodate an expanding curriculum were added in 1969. When the new St. Agnes Elementary School was completed in 1958, the old grade school building was given to the high school.

In 1957, St. Agnes High School, as SCHS was then known, became a regional high school serving the parishes of Springfield and the surrounding area. Catholic schools were consolidated into the Springfield Catholic School System in 1974, when the school received its present name. The school moved into its new facility on South Eastgate on January 2, 1986. The new facility consisted of approximately 59,600 square feet designed to accommodate 250 students. Over a ten-year period the student population increased to 300 students.

The Springfield Catholic Development Board and Board of Education initiated a capital campaign, “Vision for Tomorrow”, to increase the existing school facilities with a new addition of 26,000 square feet. On Friday, August 16, 1996, Bishop John Leibrecht blessed the site for the new phase of growth at SCHS. The new facility and alterations were completed for occupancy for the 1997-98 school year which strengthened Springfield Catholic High School’s commitment to its founding purpose as a diocesan regional high school proudly providing an opportunity for Catholic secondary education.

The high school functions as part of the Springfield Catholic School System, under the direction of the Bishop, acting through a local Board, composed of pastors and lay representatives from Catholic parishes in the city. The Director of Springfield Catholic Schools is the chief executive officer of the board and supervises each of the principals in the system, which is composed of one high school and four elementary schools. The principals are the chief administrators in their respective schools, responsible for hiring, supervision of the faculty, planning of curriculum, discipline and public relations.

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School/Staff Credentials

SCHS is an accredited member of the North Central Association (NCA) Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. Credits earned at SCHS are recognized by all institutions that accept credits from schools accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

SCHS is a member of the Secondary Department of the National Catholic Educational Association, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Missouri Council on American Private Education.

The classroom teacher is the model of the message of Jesus and the heart of the learning process. SCHS is proud of the Christian, university-educated instructors who comprise our faculty. Teachers are certified in their specialty areas by the Missouri State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

SCHS is a member of the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA).

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Policy

Springfield Catholic Schools admit students of any race, sex, nationality or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, nationality or ethnic origin in our admissions policies and/or any other school-administered program. Christian values are taught to all students.

The Springfield Catholic School System attempts to address the special learning needs of all students within the parameters of the system’s human and financial resources according to guidelines. Students are considered for enrollment when educational resources and programming are available which can address their specific needs and allow them to be successful.

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Guidelines for Students with Special Needs

The goal of educating students with special needs—whether their need relates to academics or health, physical, social, or emotional concerns—is the successful mastery of the regular curriculum in the regular classroom setting.

The Springfield Catholic School System provides for a normal range of learning differences and serves students whose instructional program requires minimal adjustments. The system does not offer direct special education instruction. It does, however, provide administrative services to coordinate with resident public schools the screening and diagnostic evaluation of students and the development of an Individual Service Plan. Direct special education services are provided by the public school district in which the child resides with input and support from the Springfield Catholic School System.

Adjustments that allow a student access to the general curriculum, but do not fundamentally lower the standard or expectation of the course, are available to students on an individual basis determined by learning needs and a documented disability. Adjustments do not release students from demonstrating the required knowledge. Rather, adjustments provide students with disabilities the support they need to demonstrate what they know and understand.

The Springfield Catholic School System strives to address and make appropriate adjustments for special learning needs, but in some cases it may not be feasible. If the system does not have the resources to address the need that has emerged, if an appropriate education requires more than minimal adjustments, if the student seriously disrupts other students’ learning, or if the student puts the safety of staff or other students at risk, enrollment may be terminated. In such cases, the Springfield Catholic School System will attempt to assist families in finding appropriate alternatives.

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Residence

Any student attending SCHS is required to be living with one of the following:

  • the student’s parent(s)
  • a legal guardian
  • a person who has been given the power of attorney by a natural parent (According to Missouri statute, Sec. 475.024, RSMO1994, a parent of a minor child may delegate to another individual, for a period of one year, any of the parent's rights, including the care and custody of the minor child, with the exception of consenting to marriage or the adoption of a minor child).

• A written notification is to be on file, which identifies the residence of the student. Should a student be living with anyone other than one of the above-stated parties, the student will be suspended according to procedures of the local school policy.

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Random Drug Testing

In an effort to protect the health and safety of its students from illegal drug use and abuse or injuries resulting from the use of drugs, thereby setting an example for all students, Springfield Catholic High School has adopted policy 1.38 – Student Drug Testing. Established guidelines will be communicated to parents and students. Willingness to participate in this program is a condition of enrollment.

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Tuition

Please refer to School Board policies: 1.21, 1.22, and 1.23 for all information related to tuition or contact our Central Office at: 865-5567.

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Textbooks and Fees

Textbooks are furnished by the school for student use. Once a textbook is assigned to a student it is considered a loan. The student to whom the textbooks are issued is responsible for returning them to the school. If books are lost, stolen, damaged, etc., the student must pay replacement cost.

Replacement Costs will consist of:
$100 for hardcover textbooks
$65 for paperback textbooks

Some courses also necessitate supplemental textbooks and fees for materials (i.e. Publications, Theology, Consumer Education, and English).

Additional fees are assessed for graduation, transcripts (no charge for current SCHS students), and field trips/retreats.

Students must also provide their own consumables and personal materials, i.e., paper, locks, notebooks, pens, funds for printing documents, etc.

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Procedure: New/Transfer Student

  • All students 9-12 will be admitted on a probationary basis. Students who are currently enrolled in one of the Springfield Catholic Schools are not considered transfer students. Transfer students will be admitted on a probationary status for 90 attendance days starting with the first day of attendance. Anytime during the probationary period the administrator may:
    1. remove the probationary status of the student
    2. extend the probationary status of the student
    3. dismiss the student from school
  • The Transfer Student form will be completed prior to registration.
  • An evaluation form must be completed by the school last attended.
  • Parents/Guardian must sign a "Permission to Release Records" form requesting records from the previous school.
  • The administrator will conduct an interview with parent(s)/guardian(s) and student.
  • The administrator, coordinator of special services, guidance counselor and other appropriate personnel may contact the former school(s) regarding the student ’s educational history. Only students who are in good standing at their prior school will be considered for enrollment.
  • All medical records required by the state and federal government must be in place and on file with the school nurse prior to enrollment and attendance.
  • The student's most recent grades will be reviewed during the personal interview. Other records and grades, which are requested, must be made available within a reasonable period of time.
  • A student who is accepted is expected to keep pace with normal class work. The student and the parents/guardian share in the responsibility of keeping the student progressing at an acceptable class level.
  • The administrator makes the decision regarding enrollment and placement.
  • Non-English speaking students will be treated as transfer students.

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Reinstatement of Students

A student who leaves the school in good standing may be reinstated if room is available in the given class. Additional deliberation is given to a student who leaves Catholic High a second time, for reasons other than a change of residence, and who requests readmission. Students who are not in good standing at departure are only readmitted on a probationary basis.

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