Back to School Information

This page contains information helpful to new and returning families at Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart. We hope this will help in your preparation for the 2019–20 academic year. Please check this page regularly throughout the summer as new information will be added periodically.

Lower School: K-Grade 4
Middle School: Grades 5-8
Health, Athletic and Student Forms
Music Selection
One School Handbook
HAWK Athletics Information (Grades 5-8)
Extended Day Programs
School Hours
School Calendar
Back to School Nights
School Lunch Program
Key School Contacts

Lower School: K-Grade 4

Summer SOAR and Reading Lists:

This year our Lower School will continue with the Summer Student Online Academic Resource (SOAR). Under the guidance of our Lead Classroom Teachers and Classroom Teaching Assistants, each rising grade has specially crafted learning opportunities and suggestions. Please know that these materials will not be a requirement and will not be assessed in any manner. Our Lower School educators are offering this partnership as an opportunity for boys to stay fresh with their existing skills and prepare for the coming grade level. Please note that all lists below apply to the grade your son will be entering in the fall of 2018.

To keep their reading skills sharp over the upcoming months, Princeton Academy strongly suggests that our boys read for fun. Below are suggested reading lists for our students. Enjoy!

Supplies:

Middle School: Grades 5-8

Summer Academic Preparation:

Summer is a wonderful time for students to play, pray, rest, read, and spend time with family and friends. We are certain that your summer plans will include enriching learning activities for your sons.

Reading

To keep their reading skills sharp over the upcoming months, Princeton Academy strongly suggests that our boys read for fun. Below are suggested reading lists for our students. Enjoy!

Rising Grade 5 Students

As students transition from Lower School to Middle School, the Fourth Grade Team has prepared a Summer SOAR packet for optional review.

Rising Grade 5 Summer SOAR

Mathematics

It is important to keep math skills sharp over the upcoming summer months. It is highly recommended that Middle School students complete assigned Khan Academy grade-level missions*.

*Returning students should use their Princeton Academy email addresses to log-in to their Khan Academy accounts. New students can create an account using their personal email addresses.

It is recommended that students moving up to Grade 5 complete 75 percent of the Grade 4 Mission.
It is recommended that students moving up to Grade 6 complete 75 percent of the Grade 5 Mission.
It is recommended that students moving up to Grade 7 complete 75 percent of the Pre-Algebra Mission.
It is recommended that students in Grade 7 (7A2 - The Two Year Program) moving up to Grade 8 complete 75 percent of the Algebra Basics Mission.
It is recommended that students in Grade 7 (7A1 - The One Year Program) moving up to Grade 8 complete 75 percent of the Algebra 1 Mission.

Required Text Books:

Supplies:

Technology:

Supplemental technological devices are provided by the school and are assigned to students on a 1:1 basis.

Health, Athletic and Student Forms

Required Forms

Health Forms:

All forms must be completed for each student unless otherwise noted. Please turn in these forms before the first day of school.

With regards to the PreParticipation Physical Evaluation Form, all New Students and MS students participating in athletics must have a current physical on file with the school. Please note: all students enrolled in Grades 3 through 8 are required to have a current annual PreParticipation Physical Evaluation Form on file with the School Nurse. The physical must not be greater than 365 days old. This is required for participation on all field trips, after-school activities, as well as Athletics for applicable grades.

In addition, in an effort to streamline our protocols, we are requiring a Permission for Medical Care and Release of Medical Information form to be completed for each student annually beginning in the 2018-2019 academic year. Please submit these forms to the Health Office by August 1.

If applicable:

*A Health History Update needs to be completed if a student's physical on file is more than 90 days old.

Athletic Forms:

*A Health History Update needs to be completed if a student's physical on file is more than 90 days old.

Student Forms:

All forms must be completed for each student unless otherwise noted. Please turn in these forms by August 1.

*For New Students only

Music Selection

Music Selection for Students Entering Grade 4 and Middle School (Grades 5-8)

Middle School Music Options:

Strings: The string class takes the knowledge built in previous years and applies it to the practice of playing a musical instrument and developing ensemble performance. Beginner-intermediate instrument technique for violin, viola and cello is taught, including instrument care, tuning, proper holding of the bow and instrument, and fingering. Rentals are available for approximately $130 for nine months through the Music and Arts Center in Lawrenceville, NJ. Contracts are provided by the school, and arrangements are facilitated by Mr. Wu.

Band: We offer lessons for the following band instruments at the beginner’s level: flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and percussion. However, if your son can play any other instrument at no less than intermediate level, and he is interested in joining the band, please contact me for scheduling a brief audition. Instrumental rentals are offered through the Music and Arts Center in Lawrenceville, NJ, for approximately $130-$190 per month.

General Music: The general music class continues to build upon the fourth grade music studies by playing on new instruments, as well as familiar ones, to further develop reading advanced rhythm combinations and all the pitches on the 5-line staff. Musical elements and terminology continue to be reviewed, and new aspects of music form are introduced.

Other Opportunities: In addition, all Middle School students, regardless of the music program they select, are eligible to participate in the winter musical and music liturgy.

In order for us to accurately plan for the three music tracks, it is important for you to return the form below and indicate which musical program your son is interested in taking next year.

Grade 4 Music Options:

Students entering fourth grade have the opportunity to choose between taking violin or general music. Both of our musical tracks are offered during the same academic period.

Violin: The string class takes the knowledge built in third grade general music and applies it to the practice of playing a musical instrument and developing ensemble performance. Basic instrument technique is taught, including instrument care, tuning, proper holding of the bow and instrument, and fingering. Violin rentals are available for approximately $140 for nine months through the Music and Arts Center in Lawrenceville, NJ. Contracts are provided by the school and arrangements are facilitated by Mr. Wu.

General Music: The general music class continues to build upon the third grade music studies by playing on new instruments, as well as familiar ones, to further develop reading advanced rhythm combinations and all the pitches on the 5-line staff. Partner songs, multi-part rounds, descants, and simple two part harmony songs continue to be sung. Musical elements and terminology continue to be reviewed, and new aspects of music form are introduced.

One School Handbook

Parent and Student Handbook

Princeton Academy publishes a Parent and Student Handbook each academic year. The 2019–20 One School Handbook will be available here by July.

HAWK Athletics Information (Grades 5-8)

Students in Middle School are eligible to play on Princeton Academy's athletic teams. If you are interested, please click here for athletics information.

Athletic Season Start Dates:

Fall Season: Thursday, September 5
Golf Tryouts: Monday, September 9
Winter Season: Monday, November 11
Spring Season: Monday, March 5

Please note that students in Middle School interested in participating in Princeton Academy Athletics must complete the necessary forms located in the Health, Athletics and Student Forms tab. All forms are due by August 1.

For additional information about Athletics at Princeton Academy please contact Director of Athletics Paul Clewell.

Don't forget to follow the HAWKS on Twitter at @HAWKS_Athletics!

Extended Day Programs

Before School Care

MONDAY - FRIDAY

Supervised time in the library. Please bring your son to the library.

Before School Care is available from 7:00-7:50 a.m. Students must be enrolled in advance, however, drop-ins will be accepted if unforeseen circumstances arise. The charge for a one-day drop-in is $10. Drop-in billing will be mailed at the end of each month.

After School Care

MONDAY - FRIDAY

After School Care will consist of supervised, structured and unstructured playtime. Snack will be provided. Following dismissal, students will be sent to the cafeteria.

After School Care hours are 3:00-6:00 p.m. and is primarily for students enrolled in advance, however, drop-ins are welcome and will be billed on a day-to-day basis. Since we are concerned about the proper supervision of students after regular dismissal, any child who has not been picked up by 3:20 p.m. will be sent to the After School Care and the family will be billed at the rate of $15 for the first hour. If your son remains in After School Care beyond 4:20 p.m., you will be charged a drop-in fee of $30. Drop-in billing will be mailed at the beginning of each month.

Extended Day Classes

Princeton Academy offers Extended Day Classes to students in Kindergarten through Grade 8. Classes meet 3:30-4:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Classes are open to both Princeton Academy and Stuart Country Day School students. Students may be enrolled in one class per day. Drop-ins are not permitted for Extended Day Classes. Winter Extended Day Classes will begin on January 3, 2018. Please see the list of class offerings below.

Fees and Policies

Lower School Study Hall carries the same fee as an after school class and will be held 3:30-4:30 p.m. Lower School students who are not signed up for this class in advance, will not be permitted to use the library after school. Students are expected to respect the space as a quiet location for individual study and recreational reading.

For all students enrolled in After School Care and for those using After School Care "drop-in," there will be a $45 per hour late fee charged for any child who is picked up after 6:00 p.m. “Drop-ins” are not permitted in After School Classes.

On the registration form there are three fee scales. The top fee scale is for early morning drop off only. The middle fee scale is for regular After School Care only (not classes). The bottom fee scale is for Extended Day Classes only.

Any student enrolled in Extended Day Classes may attend regular After Care when the class ends until 6:00 p.m. at no additional charge on those days only.

Please visit the Extended Day Programs page for more information.

School Hours

Lower School promptly begins at 8:00 a.m. and dismissal is at 3:00 p.m. Students may be dropped off as early as 7:30 a.m. There is also an early morning drop off program, starting at 7:00 a.m., available as part of our Extended Day Programs. Extended Day Programs and Classes are available on full school days. Please note that fall offerings for Extended Day Programs will be available in late August.

Middle School homeroom begins promptly at 7:45 a.m. and dismissal is at 3:00 p.m. Students may be dropped off as early as 7:30 a.m. Extended Day Programs and classes and After-School Study Hall are also available on full school days. For a fee, there is also an Early Morning Drop Off program available. Please note that fall offerings for Extended Day Programs will be available in late August.

School Calendar

The One School Calendar can be found on our website. It includes orientation dates, school start dates, vacations, holidays, teacher workdays and early dismissals. It is regularly updated to include athletic events, special all-school events, field trips and other division-wide events. We suggest you bookmark this link to the calendar and set up calendar alerts via myAcademy (Parent Portal). Please note that newly enrolled families will be receiving their log-in credentials over the summer months.

For quick reference of key dates, please click here to view our 2019–20 Preliminary Parent Calendar. Please keep in mind that this is NOT a comprehensive calendar. To see all events, please refer to our One School Calendar.