Frequently Asked Questions

Does my child need to be Catholic to attend Holy Disciples Catholic School??

Holy Disciples Catholic School accept students of all faiths who are willing to live by our school philosophy. All students attend a daily religion class and attend a monthly mass held on each campus. Today, 30% of our student body is non-Catholic and their faith traditions enrich our community.

Can my child ride a bus to school?

Students who live in Watertown and Oakville may ride the bus to school according to the policies and plans of the Watertown Public School District.

Students residing in Waterbury and Naugatuck may ride a school bus provided by The Unified Schools of St. Mary Magdalen & St. John the Evangelist. That bus schedule is released annually and the route is based on drop-off stops nearest to our enrolled students living in these towns. If a child from a town other than Waterbury, Naugatuck, Watertown or Oakville lives close to one of the Unified bus stops, the family may also request that their child ride the Unified bus. Bus service stops provided by Holy Disciples Catholic School are determined by registered rider destinations, and are not door-to-door.

Is there a school uniform?

The spirit of our schools uniform policy is to place students in the best possible position to succeed in school by respecting the importance of the academic day and by being well prepared for a full day of work without distraction. Students in Grades PK-8 are required to follow the school uniform code which lists an academic day uniform and a gym uniform.
Uniforms can be purchased online from Lands End. The school code is 900105479.

Do Holy Disciples Catholic School participate in standardized testing?

All students in Grades 3 through 7 will participate in standardized testing designed to determine if students have reached specific performance levels on a specific body of knowledge taught within the school curriculum. These standardized tests are used to pinpoint learning opportunities and to identify areas where support may be needed or acceleration is appropriate. It is important to note that these test scores, while informative, are not in any way a complete picture of a student’s academic achievement or ability. 

Students in grades 7 and 8 may be required to take summative exams in designated subjects at the midterm of the school year. Final exams may also be given in May/June in designated subjects. These exams will help the students in the middle school program to study comprehensively and will ultimately prepare them for similar tests in high school.

What are the school hours?

Our dual campus model provides for closely aligned start and end times to accommodate student transportation.

• Elementary campus hours (Grades PK-4)
  School begins at 8:15am. Students may arrive as early as 7:00 am if they participate in the Extended Day program. Regular student arrival is between 7:45 am and 8:10am. School dismissal is at 2:30 pm. Lunch is at 11:45 pm. All students have a short morning snack break and recess and a short recess following lunch. Following dismissal, students may remain on campus for clubs, sports or academic support. The Extended Day program is also available for students on the Elementary campus from dismissal until 6pm daily.
• Middle school campus hours (Grades 5-8)
  School begins at 8:00am. Students may arrive as early as 7:00 am if they participate in the Extended Day program. Regular student arrival is between 7:30 am and 7:55 am. School dismissal is at 2:15 pm. Lunch is at 12:15 pm. All students have a short morning snack break during instruction and a short recess following lunch. Following dismissal, students may remain on campus for clubs, sports or academic support. The Extended Day program is also available for students on the St. Mary Magdalen campus from dismissal until 6pm daily. Students at the Middle school campus may take a school bus to the lower campus to attend the Extended Day program.

Are the teachers credentialed?

The quality of teaching and the engagement of the teacher in student success are the most important factors in a successful school.

Our teachers come from a variety of backgrounds and every teacher is on a path of continual improvement. Teachers share methods and provide personal coaching within their supportive grade level groups. They seek out and receive current professional development opportunities through the Archdiocese as well as through independent programs and grants. Many hold advanced degrees in education as well as Connecticut State certification.

Holy Disciples Catholic School are in compliance with any applicable state and federal laws.

Can I buy lunch at school?

Lunch is available daily and the menu is posted on a monthly basis. All families use a website to order lunch and can order lunch for a day, a week, a month or any combination through their lunch account. Click here to view the Lunch Ordering app.

Do you have Extended Day options for working families?

Holy Disciples Catholic School offer before-school and after-school programs. The morning Extended Day Program is offered every day on both campuses from 7:00 a.m. to the start of the school day.

The afternoon Extended Day Program operates every school day on the Elementary campus. Students attending the Middle school campus who wish to attend the afternoon Extended Day Program will take a regularly scheduled school bus to the Elementary campus after school. Pre-registration is required and there is a daily charge.

The afternoon Extended Day Program runs from school dismissal to 6:00 pm daily.

On half days the afternoon Extended Day Program runs from 12:15 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

The programs are staffed by an adult trained in First Aid, CPR, and Med Administration and high school students who organize and participate in homework help, and activities.

Students have the opportunity to play games and prepare for school in the morning Extended Day Program. The afternoon Extended Day Program begins with a snacktime (students bring their own snacks) and then students transition to structured homework time and planned activities.

What do your campus facilities include?

Holy Disciples Catholic School are located on 2 campuses. The elementary school campus, Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 4, is located at 140 Buckingham Street, Oakville, CT. The middle school campus Grades 5-8, is located at 760 Main St., Watertown, CT.

All classrooms are spacious and modernized to include Smartboards in each room, document cameras, student devices (Chromebooks or iPads), and wireless access points located throughout the buildings for secure student, faculty and staff access to the internet and cloud storage. Each campus has a science lab/facilities, a MakerSpace/Innovation Lab, a library/media center, a full-size gymnasium, administrative offices, and lavatories. The lower school has age-appropriate outdoor playscapes and each campus has outdoor basketball hoops. The upper school also has a bocce court for student enjoyment.

The elementary school is located on a 3 acre site that includes a sports field, and the middle school is situated on a 2 acre site.

Each campus also includes an Outdoor Classroom where students engage in the study of plants, microclimates, and habitats while growing food for purchase as part of an entrepreneurial program that is integrated into the curriculum and empowers young people to test and develop business skills. Students also plant and harvest food to donate to the local food bank (in excess of 250 pounds of fresh food annually).