Catholic schools in the Diocese of Richmond may have one of three forms of organization:
- A parish school is a school that is the responsibility of one particular parish under the direct supervision of its Pastor.
- A regional inter-parochial school is a school that is ordinarily supported by several parishes and is under the direct supervision of the Superintendent of Schools.
- A private school is a Catholic school under the jurisdiction of a religious community or private corporation. Such a school is affiliated with the diocesan school system with the consent of, and subject to terms and conditions agreed upon by, the Bishop of Richmond.
Charlottesville Catholic School is a regional inter-parochial school. As a regional school, Charlottesville Catholic School is a ministry of several parishes but receives less than 1% of its funding coming directly from those parishes. The school operates under the direct supervision of the Superintendent of Schools. As a regional school we are mandated to adhere to the policies stipulated in the Diocese of Richmond’s School Policy Manual.
The principal of Charlottesville Catholic School is responsible for overseeing all school programs and activities in accordance with the diocesan policy. The Charlottesville Catholic School Advisory Board serves in a consultative role both to the superintendent of schools and the principal of Charlottesville Catholic. The board assists in areas for which there are ordinarily standing committees or appointed persons with particular expertise and/or responsibility.
VDOE Licensing Information for Parents:
The Commonwealth of Virginia helps to assure parents that child day programs that assume responsibility for the supervision, protection, and well-being of a child for any part of a 24- hour day are safe. Title 63.1 chapter 10 of the Code of Virginia gives the Department of Education authority to license these programs. While there are some legislative exceptions to licensure, licensed programs include child day centers, family day homes, child day care systems, and family day systems. The state may also voluntarily register family day homes not required to be licensed. Charlottesville Catholic School is a religiously exempt program.
Standards for licensed child day center address certain health precautions, adequate play space, a ratio of children per staff member, equipment, program and record keeping. Criminal record checks and specific qualifications for staff and most volunteers working directly with children are also required. Standards require the facility to meet applicable fire, health, and building codes.
Compliance with standards is determined by announced and unannounced visits to the program by licensing staff with the Department of Education. In addition, parents or other individuals may register a complaint about a program which will be investigated if it violates standards.