Frequently Asked Questions
Enrollment
Northside Catholic Assumption Academy enrollment in grades K-8 is 185. We have two kindergartens and two 3rd grade classes due to the larger class sizes. All other grades consist of one class. We also have a 4-year-old preschool program.
Curriculum
We have support through Title 1 Services for Reading, Math and Speech. The grading system is consistent with Diocesan guidelines. Read more: Academics.
Communication
Option C is utilized for sharing school notes, lunch menus, calendars, ongoing assessment and messaging with students and parents. There is a weekly Parish bulletin column by the faculty. Finally, there are take home Anti-Bullying folders and Homework Assignment books in place. Communication is encouraged between the home and school. Teachers utilize email and some teachers have web pages for their subjects/homerooms.
School Hours
The school office is open from 7:30am – 3:30pm School Doors open at 7:45 for students to go to their homerooms. Students must be in Homeroom by 8:10 otherwise they will be marked tardy. Dismissal is at 2:40pm.
Dress Code
Students wear navy or khaki bottoms, collared shirt, and sweaters in white, light blue or navy, and school logo sweatshirts. They may elect to purchase a navy blue sweatshirt with the school emblem. Tennis shoes and dress shoes are acceptable.
No hoodies are to be worn in the classroom.
Walking shorts of navy (K-5) or khaki or navy (6-8) may be worn April 1st through the end of October.
Gym Uniform
Solid dark blue or black bottoms. Solid blue (light or navy), black, or school logo T-shirts.
Safety-security
Our school has audio and visual monitors at the entrances. Students enter through the main doors in the morning and leave the building the same way. All doors are locked throughout the school day. Bus students have a designated Entrance/Exit closer to the bus stop. The principal and teachers attend to the doors at arrival and dismissal. Visitors sign in and wear name tags and are escorted when in the building. Our school has a safety program in place for all hazards, emergencies or needs that may arise in which the students need to “shelter in place”, lockdown, or go to an off-site location. We are compliant with Diocesan Guidelines for Safe Environment, and all personnel have all necessary clearances.
Service Projects
Northside Catholic Assumption Academy supports several service projects including mission projects for Chimbote, Missionary Childhood Association, the Parish Food bank, Little Sisters of the Poor; recycling projects, and support to our Veterans and Active Duty Armed Forces.
Student Activities
Student activities include Student Council, Altar Servers, the All-School Music Program, Instrumental Band, and various Athletic programs.
Transition
“Buddies” are assigned to all new students to help with the transition. “Mass Buddies” help students at Mass and through other school activities.
Before and After School Programs
These two programs are available Monday through Friday when school is in session on full days only for additional nominal fees. Morning Care is 7:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. After Care is 2:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Bus Transportation
Bus transportation is provided by students’ public school district.
The City of Pittsburgh provides bus transportation to our school if you live beyond 1.5 miles from the school. We have students from North Hills, Shaler and Sto-Rox transported via school bus.
Breakfast And Lunch Program
We offer a free Breakfast and Hot Lunch Program that is provided to all the students as part of the National School Lunch Program. Students may also pack their lunches. The lunch is served in the Church Hall. Students are escorted by their teacher to the lunchroom. The lunchroom is monitored by paid lunch monitors. Parents are encouraged to volunteer to help in the lunch room as long as they have their Diocesan clearances. A nominal fee ($40) is paid and returned as the volunteer days are filled. Students have recess in grades K-8.
Volunteers
We welcome and encourage our parents to volunteer through the PTG and Athletic Association as well as for classroom events, Musicals, field trips, the Scholastic Book Fair, parish/school dinners etc. and fundraising events. For the safety of all the children, all volunteers must meet the requirements of the Diocesan Safe Environment Policy.
PTG
Our PTG is a volunteer based organization. The PTG sponsors a fundraiser to provide resources for assemblies, speakers, offset field trip transportation, The Santa Store, Fun Day, special luncheons throughout the year for the students and teachers, Scholastic Book Fair etc. All parents are welcome and invited to participate. Our PTG can be reached at ncaacademyptg@gmail.com.
Athletic Association
The Athletic Association is an organization of parent volunteers interested in the various sports teams and activities offered to the students. They are active and help maintain our school gym as well as provide coaches for the Soccer, Cross Country, Track, and Basketball.
A booster fee of $75 for one child or $100 per family once per year is required to participate in all sports, not each individual sport.
Tuition
Tuition is $4,400 for one student and $5,500 for two or more.
There is a discount provided for families with more than one child attending Northside Catholic Assumption Academy. Financial assistance is available through diocesan and private foundations.
Parents are encouraged to apply for BEF and SOS funds through the Diocese. The Poise Foundation, Junior Achievement, Bridge Foundation and Kremer Foundation have also been sources for school aid.
Fundraising
All school families are required to participate in at least 2 fundraisers in some capacity, such as donating gift, food and beverage items, or monetary donations. Families may also purchase Christmas and Easter Candy, or attend one of the Fundraisers such as Night at the Races. These fundraisers are necessary to fulfill the fundraising component of the school budget.
Non-Discriminatory Policy
Northside Catholic Assumption Academy admits students of any race or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to all students formally accepted into the school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race or national or ethnic origin in the administration of our educational policies, admission policies; athletic or other school administered programs. Children who are not Catholic are expected to participate in religion classes and to attend all religious functions of the school/church.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027), and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) Mail
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.