Admissions Process
Tour Schedule
Tuition and Fees
FAQ's
Afterschool Program
Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a birthday cut off for my child to be admitted to Kindergarten?
Yes, your child must turn 5 by September 1st of the year they enter kindergarten. Our admissions process also includes an evaluation to ensure the child is kindergarten-ready no matter what their age. [Back to Top]

What is the last day to submit an application form for my child?
Contact the school office at 415-421-0069 and they can provide you with the key dates within the application process for this school year. [Back to Top]

What is the child to teacher ratio in the Kindergarten class?
The kindergarten classroom has a full-time teacher and full time teacher's aide. The average class size for kindergarten is 25-30. [Back to Top]

How much is the admissions fee?
Check out the Tuition and Fees information for admissions fees. [Back to Top]

Do you charge an evaluation fee for Kindergarten readiness?
Check out the Tuition and Fees information for application related fees. [Back to Top]

My child is not entering at Kindergarten. What is the admissions process for him?
Check out the Admissions Process for details relating to non-Kindergarten admissions. [Back to Top]

Is this a French immersion school?
NDV is not a French immersion program but all student receive French instruction daily. There are two French language teachers; one for the primary grades (K-3) and one for the upper grades (4-8). [Back to Top]

How often do the students receive French language instruction?
Students receive French language instruction daily. [Back to Top]

Who is the pastor of this school and community?
Fr. Rene Iturbe is the pastor for the school and church. [Back to Top]

Is NDV open to non-Catholic families?
Yes, while we have a predominance of Catholic families attending the school, many other denominations are represented, Christian and non-Christian alike. [Back to Top]

My family is not Catholic, how can I be sure that my child will not feel like an outsider?
While NDV is a Catholic school and all students are given religious instruction daily, the NDV community welcomes the diversity that is represented in San Francisco. [Back to Top]

When do the children have school team sports?
The school's structured sports teams begin in 3rd grade when CYO sports begins. In grades K-2, parents typically organize soccer and basketball teams through outside leagues like Viking Soccer and YMCA Youth Sports. [Back to Top]

If I want my child to be on a team in grades K-2, how does that happen?
Parents are free to organize teams within these grades based on the general interest of the families in that class. [Back to Top]

Are there special academic events at NDV?
Yes, NDV participates or sponsors several academic events:

  • Academic Decathlon
  • School Science Fair
  • Lawrence Livermore Science Presentation
[Back to Top]

Is there music instruction at NDV?
There is weekly music instruction within the school curriculum. At an extra cost, private piano and violin lessons are also given during the school day when they can be arranged within the student's schedule. [Back to Top]

Is there art at NDV? How often do the students get art instruction? Is art implemented during their regular class time?
NDV has a full time art teacher who creates separate art projects for each grade. The students have art once a week. Art in the classroom is dependant on the specific teacher. NDV, however, embraces the fine arts and where possible uses them to aid in the children's learning. [Back to Top]

How do the students at NDV do on standardized tests?
Beginning in Grade 2, NDV students take the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS). Our students consistently rank in the top percentiles. Contact the school at 415-421-0069 for further details. [Back to Top]

What grade are the children in when they first take the standardized test? Is it the same as the test taken in public schools?
Children begin taking the standardized tests in 2nd grade. NDV uses the IOWA Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS). It is not the same as those taken in public schools. They use California Standards tests. [Back to Top]

How many students go to NDV?
The total varies from year to year but the total number of students is typically between 250 and 270. [Back to Top]

How many classes are there of each grade?
There is one class per grade. Grades begin in Kindergarten and go through 8th grade. [Back to Top]

What high schools do NDV graduates matriculate into?
NDV graduates matriculate to all the top high schools in San Francisco including Stuart Hall, Convent, Lick Wilmerding, St Ignatius, Mercy, Lowell, University, Bay School, and Urban to name a few. [Back to Top]

Is there mandatory participation for the parents?
Yes, NDV believes that parent participation is critical to our students' success. Families must participate 36 hours each, 18 hours for single parent families. This participation can be accomplished is lots of different ways through participating in events, field trips, to name a few. [Back to Top]

How many parent hours must be fulfilled to satisfy the obligation?
Families must participate 36 hours each, 18 hours for single parent families. Parent Hours are per-family no matter how many children attend the school. [Back to Top]

Do parents find it difficult to participate and fulfill those hours?
Participation can be completed in lots of different ways and during different times of the day, week and year. Parents can participate by volunteering in their children's classrooms, at different fundraising activities, and within the NDV Parent Association. [Back to Top]

Is there any tuition assistance at NDV? How would my family qualify?
Yes, there is tuition assistance at NDV. Contact the principal for further details at 415-421-0069. [Back to Top]

NDV is downtown. How can I drop off or pick up my child given the challenge of parking?
Drop off and pick up is a streamlined process that ensures speed as well as safety. There is no need to park in order to drop off or pick up your child at normal times, although you may do so if you choose. For drop-off and pick-up during non-standard times, there is typically street parking or the Sutter-Stockton garage (on Bush between Stockton and Grant). [Back to Top]

Is hot lunch provided?
Yes, for a fee your child can have hot lunch daily. [Back to Top]

I'm concerned that since NDV isn't in a typical residential neighborhood, there won't the same camaraderie as in other schools. Are there any community building efforts?
In San Francisco schools in general, students often come from different and far-reaching neighborhoods. We work hard to create a warm and inviting community. We have many different school and church events that allow our families to come together and socialize. [Back to Top]

I am a single mom/dad. My child is still suffering the loss of us being together under one roof. Are there any special programs to help her through this tough process?
NDV has a counselor that can work with teachers and students on individual issues. Also, the school has a program, "Rainbows", that help children that face loss and trauma in their lives including death of a loved one and divorce. [Back to Top]

When are parent teacher conferences?
There are formally scheduled conferences in the fall. Parents are also encouraged to meet with teachers as necessary. [Back to Top]

Is there a program to help child resolve conflict? How is bullying handled?
Bullying is not tolerated. It doesn't reflect the Christian principles which guide the school's community at large. NDV has a program called R.I.S.E. which reinforces Respect, Inclusion, Safety and Effective communication. This program is integrated into the school's curriculum taking a variety of opportunities to teach the students how to integrate the key RISE principles into their daily lives.

NDV's counselor is also available for individual situations conflicts that may arise. [Back to Top]

What are the governing bodies of the school?
The School Board acts in an advisory capacity to the principal and pastor on school matters. The NDV Parents Association raises funds for the many activities and field trips the classes participate in. [Back to Top]