answers to

FAQs

Find answers to commonly asked questions here.
What is the average class size? How many classes per grade?

St. Dominic prides itself on having small student-teacher ratios, as they help to create a close-knit environment in which all students are called to lead. Our maximum class size is 25 students per grade. Current class sizes range from 20 to 24 students. There is one class per grade.

How often do the students celebrate Mass?

The students generally attend Mass every Friday at 8:30 a.m. The service is warm, student-centered and interactive, and family members are welcome and encouraged to come share it with us.

How does St. Dominic address the needs of advanced learners?

Small teacher-student ratios mean that St. Dominic teachers can offer differentiated instruction for advanced learners, helping them reach their full potential. All 8th Grade students have the opportunity to take Algebra I in place of the standard math curriculum.

What services does St. Dominic offer for students who need extra help?

St. Dominic School is part of the Diocese of Cleveland's Better Together program, which strives to provide a Catholic education for all learners. We accept the Jon Peterson Scholarship for students on IEPs.

How long is the school day?

School begins promptly at 7:50 a.m. and finishes at 2:30 p.m.

How early can I drop off my child in the morning?

Students may arrive as early as 7:15 a.m. for our before school program. There is no fee for this program, and registration is not necessary. Students are supervised in the cafeteria and gymnasium until 7:50 a.m., at which time they are dismissed to go to their classrooms.

Is there an After Care program?

St. Dominic offers a comprehensive After Care program every evening until 6:30 p.m., featuring an afternoon snack, a supervised study period, and an array of age-appropriate, stimulating activities and service projects.

Parents must register for this program at the start of each school year and can elect to send their children to After Care on a daily basis or may select particular days each week. A drop in option is also available.

Does St. Dominic offer bus service?

The following school districts currently provide bus transportation to and from St. Dominic School:

  • Shaker Heights
  • Cleveland Heights
  • University Heights
  • Orange
When does registration begin?

Registration for Kindergarten begins in the fall. The registration process for Grades 1 through 8 is ongoing, starting in January and continuing throughout the summer. We will make every effort to accommodate all interested families. However, first priority is given to St. Dominic parishioners and to siblings of current St. Dominic School families.

Do you offer hot lunch?

Yes. St. Dominic offers a healthy, homemade hot lunch program served daily in the cafeteria. Monthly lunch menus are sent home in advance, and families may choose to purchase lunches by the year, quarter, month, or day. St. Dominic also participates in the National School Lunch Program for qualifying families.

Are Volunteer Service Hours required of parents?

A small school such as ours could not exist without the time and assistance of parent volunteers. We expect parents to become engaged and involved in the school, and offer countless ways to participate that can accommodate most any schedule. Activities sponsored by the St. Dominic FEA and the parish Bulldog Club, volunteering in the lunch room or the classroom, or helping out with various fundraisers are just a few ways to get started.

Where do St. Dominic graduates go to high school?

St. Dominic teachers work closely with each 8th Grade student to ensure that he/she finds the high school that will be a good fit and offer the greatest opportunities. Recent graduates attend a wide range of high schools, including:

  • Beachwood High School
  • Beaumont School
  • Benedictine High School
  • Cleveland Heights High School
  • Gilmour Academy
  • Hathaway Brown School
  • Hawken School
  • Laurel School
  • Notre Dame Cathedral Latin
  • Orange High School
  • Shaker Heights High School
  • St. Ignatius High School
  • St. Edward High School
  • Trinity High School
  • Walsh Jesuit High School
  • University School