Dual Language Academy at SJA

Posted bywilmaernestiPosted inUncategorized

Background

There is growing excitement at St. Joan of Arc about the emerging relationship with the Dual Language Academy (DLA) of the Omaha Catholic Consortium. In the upcoming school year (2021-2022), we will take the first step in this journey by providing space for the DLA’s 150-175 students, and its innovative dual-language format. Much research shows that this format provides a superior educational foundation for students of all cultures. We are impressed with the diligent planning the DLA has put into the launch of this bold initiative and thrilled that our parish will become the face of the program across the Archdiocese.

Next Year

The DLA will offer Pre-School, Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Grades 1 through 3 at the St. Joan facility in the upcoming school year under its dual language format. As already announced, St. Joan of Arc will not offer a Pre-School or
Pre-K program next year, but will offer all other classes in its traditional format.
We are strongly encouraging parents of Pre-School and Pre-K children to enroll in the DLA program. Students entering Kindergarten are welcome to continue in the traditional format at St. Joan, but we encourage parents to consider the DLA program. Students entering first grade are also eligible to enroll in the DLA program next year, though these students must complete a jump-start program in preparation. This program will be offered to interested families at no charge this summer.

Purpose of the DLA Transition Assistance Program

The tuition schedule at the DLA is somewhat higher than the schedule at St. Joan of Arc. We want each family to make its decision about the dual language format without concern about the financial impact of transitioning to the DLA. The DLA Transition Assistance Program has been funded by the parish to help in this regard. The program offers to “equalize” the tuition paid by an SJA family next year to match what the family would have paid under the SJA tuition schedule.

Eligible Families

A family with a student interested in enrolling in the DLA program for the upcoming school year is eligible for transition assistance if either of the following is true:

  • The family has a student enrolled at SJA in the current school year (2020-2021) or if
  • The family is a registered parishioner of St. Joan of Arc.

Interested families should contact the school office for more information.

Kayleen Wallace, Principal