Frequently Asked Questions
What is the enrollment at St. Sebastian?
As of January 2008, we had 332 students in 4K through eighth grade.
How large are the class sizes?
Overall, the average number of students per classroom is 19.
The average is:
16 in K4 and K5
18 in grades 1-3
21 in grades 4-5
22 in grades 6-8
How do St. Sebastian teachers teach the Catholic faith?
Teaching our Catholic faith is incorporated into every lesson, every day. We also say a morning prayer, grace before lunch and an afternoon prayer; we offer daily religion class and all students attend weekly Mass, which is planned by the students.
Students learn to contribute to food pantries, shelters and other causes. Students in grades 6-8 participate in a stewardship program, which require them to volunteer a certain number of hours for the good of others.
Practice in Christian Living >
How well do St. Sebastian graduates students perform academically?
Most St. Sebastian graduates are placed in advanced-placement courses in high school and do well academically. About 85% of our graduates attend Catholic high schools, while most others attend Wauwatosa East. Recent graduates include a Pius High School valedictorian and salutatorian, two Marquette High School National Merit Finalists and numerous National Honor Society members.
Academic Competitions
- St. Sebastian finished first among large schools in the Milwaukee Archdiocese’s Academics Olympics
- Seventh and eighth-graders placed first in the Dominican High School Academic Challenge
- St. Sebastian athletic teams consistently finish in first and second place in the DSHA Excel-A-Thon.
- Math competitions. Students score in the top 10% nationally in the American Mathematics Competition
- Sebs teams consistently place among the top three Catholic schools in the Marquette University High School Interscholastic Math and Math/Science competitions
- Students consistently rank among the top five schools in Pius XI’s math contest.
What grading system does St. Sebastian use?
Grades K4–3: G = Good; S = Satisfactory; N = Needs Improvement
Grades 4–8: A – 93-100; B – 85-92; C – 78-84; D – 70-77
Teachers decide how much of a grade is determined by classroom participation, homework assignments, tests, etc.
Educating the Whole Student - How does St. Sebastian enhance the core curriculum?
What extracurricular activities does St. Sebastian offer?
How involved are parents at St. Sebastian? Are volunteer hours required?
The school does not require parents to volunteer a certain number of hours in school activities. But parental involvement in the classroom and during non-school hours is vital. We are blessed with a strong and dedicated parent population.
Do students wear uniforms?
St. Sebastian has a dress code. The dress code is intended to reflect the simplicity of a Christian lifestyle. We believe a child’s identity is based on his or her words and actions, not attire. By eliminating fad and logo clothing, teachers and students can concentrate on what is important – educating children through a focus on spiritual and academic development.
Students in grades K5–8 wear navy blue pants, and a pale blue, red or white shirt with a collar, or a turtleneck. Red, white or navy blue sweaters or sweatshirts may also be worn. Girls may wear navy blue jumpers or skirts in addition to navy blue slacks.
All uniform items can be purchased at Target, K-Mart, Kohl’s, JC Penney, and Land’s End, among other stores. St. Sebastian also offers an exchange program that makes uniforms donated by school families available to other families at no charge.
Does St. Sebastian offer before and after school child care?
The St. Sebastian PAL (Parents’ Alternative to Latchkey) program offers childcare in the school from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for children age 3 through eighth grade.
What computer resources does St. Sebastian have?
We have a 25-station computer lab. Every grade attends computer class at least once a week. In addition, each classroom has a set of computers for classroom work.
How does St. Sebastian serve students who have special needs?
If a teacher observes a student who may need additional assistance, the teacher recommends testing through in-school support consultants. If additional help is needed, the student can get it through tutors in the Learning Center.
How much is tuition?
In 1987, the parishioners of St. Sebastian made a decision about the school. Would it be a school only for those who could afford tuition, or would it be open to ethnic and economic diversity? Choosing the latter meant finding a way to fund the school. A “common pot” policy was formed requiring that all parish income go to a common pot.
St. Sebastian is truly a parish school. The school is a service offered to all parish members with school-age children. The funding of the school is based on the concept and practice of a tithing pledge. All parishioners are encouraged to pledge 5% of their income to the parish.
What makes St. Sebastian Unique!