FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT THE SCHOOL
Q: What is the mission of St. Dominic Savio?
A: St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School is a co-educational, college preparatory school founded by the Diocese of Austin to prepare young men and women to become faith-filled, visionary and inspirational leaders in service to the Church and the world.
Q: How large is your student body?
A: Savio opened the 2011 – 2012 school year with 280 students in grades 9 – 12.
Q: What is the capacity of the St. Dominic Savio?
A: St. Dominic Savio is anticipating reaching full capacity during the 2012 – 2013 school year with around 370 students.
Q: What accreditations and memberships does St. Dominic Savio hold?
A: St. Dominic Savio is accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference. Memberships include the National Catholic Educational Association, the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS), the National Association of College Admission Counseling, the Texas Association of College Admission Counseling, Project Lead the Way, National Honor Society, and the Spanish National Honor Society.
Q: Are there opportunities for parents to become involved at St. Dominic Savio?
A: Yes. The HSA (Home & School Association) is a parent run organization that assists in many of the activities around Savio. Volunteer opportunities are shared with parents at the beginning of each school year. For more information about the HSA, please visit the following website:
http://saviochs.org/support/home-school-association/
ADMISSION
Q: Is there an application deadline?
A: Yes. The deadline for the 2012 – 2013 school year is Friday, January 13, 2012. Please see the following website for a complete calendar of Admission Events & Deadlines:
http://saviochs.org/admissions/admission-calendar-due-dates-events/
Q: If I miss the deadline, may I still apply and gain acceptance?
A: As St. Dominic Savio nears capacity, it is more important than ever to meet the application deadline. We will admit students until we reach capacity. Once we reach capacity, we will accept applications, but students will be placed on a Waiting List for admission.
Q: How does one apply to St. Dominic Savio?
A: For the application and complete application instructions, please visit:
http://saviochs.org/admissions/how-to-apply/
Q: What are the criteria for admission?
A: The Admission Committee determines qualification of candidates for admission on the basis of the following: 1) the student’s desire for a Catholic education; 2) a completed application for admission; 3) past educational records; 4) recommendations from previous teachers, including one English instructor and one Mathematics instructor; 5) a personal interview with the Admission Committee; and 6) the demonstrated ability/potential to be successful in a college preparatory environment. St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national/ethnic origin, gender, or physical limitations (given reasonable accommodations) in the administration of its admission policies, educational policies, tuition assistance program, or other school-administered programs.
Q: Is there a test for admission?
A: There is not a test for admission, but there is a placement test given to each incoming 9th grade student. The test we give each student is called the High School Placement Test (HSPT). The results of this test help us appropriately place students within our curriculum. It is mandatory for all incoming 9th grade students.
Q: Does Savio accept transfer students?
A: Yes. If you are a student at another school and are thinking about transferring to Savio, you may go through the application process.
Q: Will Savio accept Senior transfer students? (The following policy applies ONLY to those students who wish to transfer to Savio from within the greater Austin area. It does not apply to families moving into the Austin area.)
A: Yes. St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School will welcome senior students who would like to transfer as a senior (only before the start of the school year). The Office of Admission will accept and review applications from students. Along with an additional essay, the senior applicant and their parents will meet with the Director of Admission and the Principal to review the situation. After a thorough review by the Office of Admission and the school Administration, if the student is admitted and decides to enroll, he/she will be placed on probation for the duration of the school year. The administration reserves the right to dismiss the student for any behavioral or academic issues.
There will be no Tuition Assistance available for senior transfer students.
Q: Do I have to be Catholic to gain admission to Savio?
A: No. Although the majority of our students come from a Catholic background, it is not a requirement for admission.
Q: Are siblings guaranteed admission?
A: Not automatically. Preference will be given to siblings of current Savio students, but they still must meet the same criteria as all applicants.
TUITION/TUITION ASSITANCE/SCHOLARHIPS/FEES/TRANSPORTATION
Q: What is tuition for the 2011 – 2012 school year?
A: $8,460 for Catholic Students and $9,460 for non-Catholic students.
Q: Is there Tuition Assistance available?
A: Yes. If your family is in need of Tuition Assistance, then you are encouraged to apply. We cannot offer Tuition Assistance to a family who has not submitted the Tuition Assistance application. For complete information on this subject, please visit:
http://saviochs.org/admissions/tuition-tuition-assistance/
Q: Do I have to apply for admission to be eligible for Tuition Assistance?
A: Yes. For the Tuition Assistance committee to consider your application for Tuition Assistance, your student must have applied and been admitted to St. Dominic Savio.
Q: Are there scholarships available?
A: No. St. Dominic Savio does not offer either academic or athletic scholarships.
Q: Is there a tuition discount for having multiple students from the same family enrolled at Savio?
A: Yes. St. Dominic Savio will discount a 2nd and a 3rd student enrolled from the same family. Any number of students over three will receive the same discount as the 3rd student.
Q: Other than tuition, what other fees are required at Savio?
A: Other than a student’s tuition, the other fees that must be paid are the following: $100 application fee and a $250 Enrollment Fee (non-refundable). Students are also required to purchase their own books and uniform.
Q: What other costs can we expect to incur?
A: Books and uniforms. The cost of these varies from family to family. A good guesstimate for both would be somewhere in the $600-$700 range.
Q: Is transportation available to and from St. Dominic Savio?
A: Yes. St. Dominic Savio has one bus route that picks-up at St. Ignatius and St. Louis Catholic Schools and another route that picks-up at St. Helen’s Catholic School and St. William Catholic Church. The bus service fee is $840 for the year ($84/month), or $105 per month for on a month-to-month basis.
ACADEMICS
Q: What is the student to faculty ration?
A: St. Dominic Savio has 22 full-time faculty members. The student to teacher ratio is 12:1.
Q: What is the average class size?
A: The average class size is between 18.
Q: Does Savio offer advanced/accelerated courses?
A: Yes. St. Dominic Savio offers three different levels of college preparatory courses: (1) College Prep; (2) PreAP; (3) Advanced Placement (AP).
Q: What is the difference between College Prep, PreAP, and AP courses?
A: The differences among these three course levels are speed and depth. The PreAP and AP level courses require students to move at a faster speed and think deeper and more critically. For these reasons, the PreAP and AP courses are given more weight when calculating GPA.
Q: May I take a PreAP course in one subject and enroll in College Prep in another?
A: Yes. We all have different strengths and weaknesses. One student may be very strong in math and science, but not as strong in English and social studies. If there is a situation like this, a student may take the PreAP or AP levels in the math and/or science, and the College Prep level in English and/or social studies.
Q: What is S.T.E.M./Project Lead the Way?
A: S.T.E.M. is a curriculum designed for students who are interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Please visit the Engineering/S.T.E.M. website for detailed information:
http://saviochs.org/departments/engineering/
Q: What are the academic credit requirements for graduation?
A: All students need a minimum of 28 credits to graduate from St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School. Listed below are requirements for graduation:
| English (4) credits | Fine Arts (1) credit |
| Theology (4) credits | Physical Education (1) credit |
| Mathematics (4) credits | Health (.5) credit |
| Science (4) credits | Speech (.5) credit |
| Social Studies (4) credits | Elective (2) credits |
| World Languages (3) credits of same language | |
(To earn an Honors Diploma, a student must earn 30 total credits; to earn a High Honors Diploma, a student must earn 32 total credits.) This may be achieved by taking additional credits throughout your time at Savio.
Q: I see that a full credit of Physical Education is required for graduation. Do I have to take PE class at Savio to earn that credit?
A: No. You may earn your required PE credit through playing a sport at St. Dominic Savio as well. For each sport a student participates in, they will earn ½ credit in PE – up to 2 full credits. (Students will not be awarded credit for playing a sport outside of St. Dominic Savio.)
Q: If I do not play a sport, how will I earn my PE credit?
A: Any student not earning their PE credit through athletics must enroll in the PE course.
Q: I have taken a high school course in middle school. Will my credit count at Savio?
A: St. Dominic Savio will honor credits earned for high school courses taken in middle school. However, if you would like to advance on to the PreAP level in a specific subject, the student will need to take the proficiency exam in that subject.
STUDENT LIFE
Q: Do I have to be Catholic to feel comfortable at Savio?
A: No. Students from any religious background are welcome at Savio. It is our goal that a student from any religious background would feel comfortable at Savio.
Q: If I am not Catholic, do I have to take Theology and attend Mass?
A: Yes. St. Dominic Savio is a Catholic school founded by the Diocese of Austin. Each student must take Theology and attend our weekly all-school Mass on Wednesday morning.
Q: Does St. Dominic Savio have a priest on campus?
A: Yes. Father Daniel Liu is our campus minister and one of our Theology instructors. He is with us every day.
Q: How many days a week may I attend Mass at St. Dominic Savio?
A: Mass is offered on a voluntary basis on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings before school. All-school Mass is on Wednesday during the school day. So if a student wanted to, they could attend Mass each day.
Q: What other Catholic activities go on at St. Dominic Savio?
A: Along with Mass, our students have the opportunity to take part in class retreats, Adoration, and various service opportunities. Each class at St. Dominic Savio begins with a prayer as well.
Q: Is there a service hour requirement?
A: Yes. Students are required to earn a minimum of 40 hours of community service over their four years at Savio.
Q: Does St. Dominic Savio maintain a dress code?
A: Yes. All students at St. Dominic Savio dress according to our school dress code guidelines. This dress code is kept to maintain self-respect and appropriate and proper personal appearance. Please visit the following site for complete uniform information: http://saviochs.org/school-life/dress-code/
Q: What types of clubs and organizations are available at St. Dominic Savio?
A: ACADEMIC: Model United Nations (MUN), Mu Alpha Theta (New in 2011-2012), National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society Sodalitas Latina (New in 2011-2012), Tri-M Music Honors Society (New in 2011-2012)
FINE ARTS: Faith Choir, Jazz Band, Pep Band, Show Choir, Spring Musical
SERVICE: Eagles for Life, Mentor Program, Student Ambassadors, Student Senate
SOCIAL: Fine Arts Socials, Open Mic Nights, Homecoming dance, Sadie Hawkins dance, Prom
SPECIAL INTEREST: Eagle Eye Student Newspaper, Robotics, Savio Sisters Program, Yearbook
Q: What athletic opportunities are available at St. Dominic Savio?
A: FALL: Volleyball (girls), Football (boys), Cross Country (girls and boys), Cheerleading
WINTER: Basketball (girls and boys), Soccer (girls and boys), Cheerleading
SPRING: Softball (girls), Baseball (boys), Track (girls and boys)
* Coming 2012 – 2013: Golf, Swimming, Tennis
