St. Barnabas recognizes that many families have been impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic and is reducing tuition for all new incoming students for the 2020-2021 school year. St. Barnabas is paying 50% of the tuition for all current and new Kindergarten students for the upcoming school year. St. Barnabas will freeze tuition for all students to reflect 2019-2020 rates, waive enrollment fees for all students and reduce tuition for returning Preschool 3s, 4s and Pre-K students.
A Tuition Relief Fund has also been established to assist with the urgent and unexpected financial burdens of those families whose ability to attend St. Barnabas School has been jeopardized due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund will be fully funded by St. Barnabas families and supporters to help those families who may be struggling with the decision to stay at the school due to the financial impact of the pandemic.
“As a parent, nurse and business owner whose family has been deeply affected by the pandemic, the financial assistance programs St. Barnabas has implemented will allow my daughter to continue her education there”, commented Kim Priban, St. Barnabas parent. “What makes the school stand out in my mind is when cuts and restrictions grow by the day, they are actually offering more. Things like free tutoring, virtual clubs and technology offerings make such a difference. St. Barnabas’s enhanced educational and now financial offerings shows that they are more than a school but a part of our family.”
St. Barnabas School is ready and prepared for any scenario in the fall. The current goal is to teach students in person, full-time, 5 days a week as well as provide simultaneous eLearning instruction for those students who cannot or choose not to attend school in person.
One of the main reasons St. Barnabas may be able to return full-time, unlike many other schools, is due to the campus size and ability to spread students out safely. St. Barnabas School, originally built in 1957, built out a new gym in 1998, and an early learning facility in the early 2000s. The school and campus was built to accommodate 800+ students and enrollment was nearly double in the 1990s with 3 classes of 30 students. Today, current enrollment stands at 436 and therefore allows for smaller classes to spread out throughout various alternative learning environments on campus.
“The future looks bright at St. Barnabas School” said Principal Erin Faetanini. “The teachers and staff are ready and prepared to meet students where they are at every grade level on any educational platform. We are committed to providing a faith-based Catholic education where high standards of academic excellence, creativity and individuality are fostered and celebrated.”
The St. Barnabas staff and leadership councils have been working diligently to develop a plan to allow students to safely return to the St. Barnabas campus for the upcoming academic year. A “Return to School” task force has also been created and consists of parents and teachers to develop a plan that provides comfort levels for the return of school.
St. Barnabas School is also partnering with Secure My Campus, who helped upgrade safety and security measures on the school campus over the last three years, including the relocation of the school office.
Secure my Campus is helping identify tools such as temperature takers, sanitation stations and new seating arrangements that would create a sanitary and safe distance between students. St. Barnabas will continue to work closely with the Diocese and state health officials to ensure they are following recommendations and CDC guidelines.
Understanding some families may not feel comfortable sending their students back to campus in the fall, St. Barnabas has developed a robust and successful eLearning structure that will provide an alternative option for families who wish to continue distance learning from home.
St. Barnabas is currently enrolling for the 2020-2021 school year. For more information about admission for the 2020-2021 school year, please visit: www.sbcatholicschool.com, email admissions@barnabasohio.org or contact 330-467-7921.
St. Barnabas School is a Blue Ribbon K-8 Catholic grade school located in Northfield, Ohio. St. Barnabas School follows the educational curriculum developed and supported by the Catholic Dioceses of Cleveland. This curriculum meets and exceeds the requirements for the State of Ohio learning standards.
