Every family at Geibel Catholic is unique, and we may not have answered all of your questions on our Admissions pages. Below are a list of common questions that we are frequently asked. If you have a question about something not addressed, please contact the Main Office by phone or email.
Educational Philosophy & Catholic Values
- Does Geibel Catholic have a particular educational philosophy or mission?
- The mission of Geibel Catholic Junior-Senior High School is to achieve and sustain excellence in faith formation, academics, and service.
- What accreditation does Geibel Catholic have?
- Geibel Catholic is accredited through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
- What values do you instill in your students?
- As a Catholic, Christian-based school system, we believe in the value of a school day filled with positive peer experiences and encouraging interactions with teachers. In providing students a welcoming, family-like atmosphere with a caring and dedicated faculty and staff, Geibel Catholic is a place where students can develop confidence, skills, intellect, and spiritual life in preparation for a lifetime of purpose. Paired with a well-rounded curriculum and a variety of extracurricular activities, Geibel Catholic provides an educational experience unlike any other. As GATORS, we reflect on such values as Generosity, Academics, Tenacity, Organization, Respect, as well as acceptance, compassion, dependability, and humility.
- Is service part of the Geibel Catholic curriculum?
- Each year, students are required to complete service hours either in the school, in their faith community, or in their community. We want our students to become upstanding citizens who realize the value of giving back while using their gifts and talents.
- What is the school’s philosophy on homework?
- Homework enables the skill of time management, develops responsibility, encourages in-depth conceptual learning, promotes practice, and motivates revision.
Educational Opportunities
- Does the school have a good selection of Honors and CHS classes?
- Geibel Catholic offers a wide variety of honors courses across all content areas which are largely accessible beginning at the high school level. Honors courses are weighted with a 4.5.
- College in High School (CHS) is an Articulation Agreement for Dual Enrollment and is a great benefit to the student who has an opportunity to complete over a year of college while at Geibel Catholic. The curriculum for CHS courses is determined by the college or university granting the credit for the course but taught by our teachers during the school day. To receive college credit, students must meet all requirements of the course and pay the course fee as determined by the institution, which is a reduced tuition.
- CHS courses are currently offered through: Mount Aloysius College, Saint Vincent College, and Seton Hill University, yet all earned credits can be transferred to most post-secondary institutions. The enrollment process transpires between the parents and the college or university in the Fall after the academic school year has begun. Currently, Geibel Catholic offers 20 CHS courses which are each weighted at a 5.0.
- What kind of library resources are available to students?
- Electronic access to various resources is available to our students. Students who read for pleasure are healthier, happier and do better at school.
- How do Fine Arts fit into the curriculum?
- Fine arts improve and encourage student creativity, confidence, and perseverance while also developing academic skills, motor skills, visual learning, decision-making, focus, collaboration, and accountability. At Geibel Catholic, we offer such classes as Music Theory, 2-D and 3-D Art, and Digital Media Photography. Fine Arts are also incorporated through cross-curricular activities. Chorus and Musical Performances are options for students to get involved musically. We are proud that we have our very own recording studio housed in our music department.
- Does the school offer Physical Education (PE) classes?
- Physical Education classes are offered in grades 7 and 8. Students at the high school level can opt to participate in a school approved sport that counts towards physical education graduation requirements.
- What extracurricular opportunities are available for students?
- We have a variety of sports including co-ed trap team (Fall and Spring), boys/girls’ golf, cross country, girls’ soccer (co-op), football (co-op), swim (co-op), wrestling (co-op), cheer, boys’/girls’ basketball, girls’ volleyball, track and field, baseball, softball, eSports, plus a variety of Junior High and CYO activities.
- Each week, there is an activity period in which, at the end of each Wednesday, students get to choose clubs or activities in which to participate such as Science Bowl, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS), Campus Ministry, History Club, Yearbook Committee, Quiz Bowl, Math League, SAT Prep, French Club, Spanish Club, Art Club, Life Skills, Sign Language, and Envirothon. Some of these activities lead to a competitive level.
- Geibel Catholic also provides students the opportunity to become involved in Student Council, National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, French Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society.
- Does my child need to have a physical to participate on a sports team?
- Yes, in order to practice with any sports team during in-season practices your child must have a completed PA CIPPE form. CYO have additional forms to complete.
This form must be dated after May 1 of the current school year. The PA CIPPE form can be found on the Athletics page.
- Yes, in order to practice with any sports team during in-season practices your child must have a completed PA CIPPE form. CYO have additional forms to complete.
Safety & Technology
- What is Geibel Catholic’s approach to school safety?
- Every faculty and staff member goes through scheduled safety training and CPR/AED training. Our students also go through yearly safety training, Safe2Say training, and severe weather drills as well as monthly fire drills. We are consistently updating safety technologies throughout the school and have established strong partnerships with the Connellsville Fire Department and the Pennsylvania State Police. Through the Diocese of Greensburg Police Department, we have a full-time Police Officer on site each day at Geibel Catholic. The safety of our students is a priority and security measures are constantly evaluated. Safety is closely monitored by faculty and administration as students play a significant role in creating a safe environment. Respect of self and others in living out the Gospel values is of utmost importance in creating a culture where all feel safe.
- Does the school have an anti-bullying policy?
- Geibel Catholic emphasizes respect of self and others in creating a safe and welcoming culture where all feel valued and accepted. Any instance reported of a student not feeling respected will have the follow through of administration.
- Our student/parent handbook outlines an anti-bullying policy, and we have implemented the strategies of conflict-resolution in dealing with conflicts.
- How does the school support students who have academic, social, or emotional difficulties?
- Not all children learn the same, and we want every student to find success in their educational journey. For this reason, based on the recommendation of teachers or our guidance counselor, an Individualized Student Plan (ISP) may be developed, which generally comes from an academic evaluation. In working closely with the students’ guardians, we do our best to accommodate the needs of our students. We also have a Catholic Charities Counselor in house, once a week, to help ensure that students’ emotional needs are met.
- How is technology used to support teaching and learning at this school?
- We have one-to-one technology, as every student is issued a laptop on which Microsoft 360 is installed so that students may access MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other MS features, all of which are utilized across the curriculum. Teachers blend traditional learning with the learning platform of Schoology. Various applications are available to our students including Promethean Smartboards, IXL, Turn It In, Delta Math, and Discovery Education. Teachers implement various technology applications as well.
- Students in grades 7 and 8 have a technology class. At the high school level, Programming classes are elective options. The use of 3-D printers enhances the technology curriculum.
Logistics
- How do students get to school?
- Bus transportation to Geibel Catholic can be confirmed through your home school district. If you need help with this contact information, please reach out to the school office for assistance. Guardians will sometimes drive their students to school. Students who are of legal driving age can obtain a driving/parking pass from the main office to transport themselves to school.
- How long is the school day?
- Students are welcome to enter the school building as early as 7:00am with the school day beginning at 7:30am as we all gather for prayer in our Homerooms.
- The school day ends with prayer, then the dismissal bell rings at 2:27pm.
- Is there a uniform or dress code?
- Geibel Catholic Junior-Senior High School is committed to the affirmation of the self-worth of each person. We believe that the style of dress influences the students’ self-concept. All students are expected to take pride in their appearance and to dress and groom in a manner that will not disrupt the instructional climate, so a dress code has been established. The full outline of the dress code is in the student/parent handbook accessible through our website.
- A variety of quality uniform pieces are available through Land’s End for purchase. Additionally, we have gently used school uniforms at school where students may take clothing as needed.
- Tell me about the communication between school and home.
- The Geibel Gator Newsletter is sent electronically through PowerSchool to guardians each week to help keep parents informed by outlining various happenings within the school.
- Parents are also encouraged to become involved with the Geibel Parent Society (GPS), which is a network for parents to stay in touch and share “happenings” within the school by using the Remind app. This is a no-cost option to connect and stay informed.
- Stay connected with social media! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can always check our website for the latest events and other information, as well!
- What does parent involvement look like?
- The home-school connection is a great recipe for student success, and Geibel Catholic encourages parents to take interest in their child’s education. This can be done easily through staying in touch with your child’s academic progress through PowerSchool and keeping in touch with the weekly newsletter sent home.
- Middle school and high school mark the time in which the parents remain connected yet encourage students to advocate for themselves. This self-advocacy prepares our students for the world beyond high school.
- We always welcome the involvement of parents in making our school a success!
- Is there an application deadline?
- There is not a hard-fast deadline. However, the earlier you apply the better your chances are for financial aid. Don’t miss out on your chance of being a Geibel Gator.
Financial Information
- How much is tuition? Can we afford it? How will I know my bottom line financially?
- Every family’s situation is different, and their tuition price will vary based on their FACTS application and what they qualify for in scholarships and financial aid.
- Geibel Catholic is proud that we have worked with families to make a quality education affordable.
- Once the FACTS application is completed, a more definitive answer can be given about the final tuition amount.
- Do you offer financial aid and what does that process look like?
- Scholarships and financial aid are available to help with the cost of tuition through Tops Scholarships, EITC, and Guardian Angel assistance.
- Outside scholarship opportunities can also be found and applied to tuition.
- Once the FACTS application is fully completed, the business office is notified, and the financial aid determination and tuition amount is then communicated to the family from our business office.
- What does tuition include? Are there any extra fees?
- Tuition includes school issued academic materials (textbooks, class retreats, transportation to various masses throughout the year, art class supplies, science class/lab supplies, etc.)
- A yearly technology fee of $425 is assessed.
- What is expected of parents regarding fundraising and development for the school?
- Each family is required to purchase two tickets to our annual gala held in the Spring of each year.
- Any other required fundraisers would be announced in advance. All proceeds directly benefit our students and their overall school experiences.
- Who decides how much financial aid I will receive?
- The educational institution granting aid is solely responsible for determining the final award. The analysis completed by FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment serves as a recommendation only.
- Why do I have to provide this personal and confidential information?
- FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment must verify your expenses and household income to assist your institution in making an informed decision about the amount of financial aid needed for each family.
- How can I check the status of my application?
- Once you have completed the online application, you will be able to log on to the FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment website to check the status of your application.
