We’ve gathered answers to some of the most common questions below. If you don’t see what you’re looking for—or if you’d like more details—please don’t hesitate to call the school office at 913-851-2531. We’re happy to help.
Arrival / drop-off begins at 7:15 AM. Students proceed to their classrooms and await the start of our day at 7:45 AM, which begins with prayer and announcements. School releases at 3:15. Parents and guardians arrive in the parking lot by 3 PM to ensure safety. Dismissal is staggered, with grade levels leaving the building between 3:00 and 3:15 PM. Specific instructions for arrival and dismissal procedures are provided to families each August before school begins.
After-School Care is offered through a YMCA program called Y-Care for children kindergarten
thru age 12. It runs from the end of the school day until 6:00 P.M. in the lower level of the
church. The registration fee for the 2025-2026 school year was $75.00 per child. The full-time
weekly fee is $80.00 with discounts for additional children in the family. The fee for the 2026-
2027 year should increase minimally. The program includes recreational and creative activities,
and homework supervision. Registration forms will be available in summer packets and in the
school office. For program information, call Youth Program Services at 913-345-9622 or go to
kansascityymca.org.
Hot lunches are provided by OPAA Food Management. The current cost of $5.02 (to be
updated for 2026-2027) includes milk. Students may also bring cold lunches from home.
Parents use send money to the office for student lunches or pay online (free with checking) through their FACTS accounts.
We employ a full-time staff nurse for our school. The nurse manages our medical records,
acute illness or injury occurring at school and short-term and long-term medications that
need to be dosed during the school day.
We also have a full-time staff counselor at our school. The counselor provides classroom
programs in the areas of safety, mental health, and appropriate behavior. Our counselor
participates in special education plans as needed and provides small group or individual
counseling for personal needs or classroom behavior interventions.
Christ is the reason for our school and the foundation for everything we do. Our community deepens our relationship with Jesus through regular and communal prayer and academic study. We engage in intentional practice of virtues and we have a strong foundation of theology at every grade level.
Here are just a few of the ways that we bring the Catholic Faith alive for our ACS students:
Your child will attend Mass weekly according to the school calendar. Each grade plans a liturgy. Check the calendar and join the students as often as you can.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a Montessori-based religion program that immerses our children in the different facets of our Church history, Bible stories, and the symbolism of Mass. The main goal of this program is to teach our students to know that Jesus is our friend. He loves us and He will always be there for us. This program is offered as a weekly supplement to our core religion curriculum for Kindergarten through grade 2.
Catechist led classes are in a specially designed room called the Atrium. Catechists attend intense, specialized training over the course of several months. Each class also utilizes aides to help in the Atrium, but no formal training is required. If you would like to be involved with CGS, or are interested in learning more about different opportunities with this ministry, please contact Geri Teager at gteager@acseagles.org.
Within the classrooms at Ascension, teachers use differentiated instruction to respond to the needs of individual learners. All students are screened with research-based assessments, such as MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) and DIBELS, and they are matched with instruction that addresses grade level requirements, reinforces basics, and meets the needs of those ready for enrichment. We also have an Enrichment Coordinator who specializes in giving advanced students extra materials and lessons.
Students naturally become acquainted with other children in their own classroom and the other grade level classes through day-to-day activities and recess. Activities to encourage interaction are planned into lessons. Prior to the start of school you are welcome to attend a social and play dates planned by the lead parent to meet other students and parents, and you are encouraged to initiate activities outside of school that help both students and parents develop a sense of community.
Similarly, parents are encouraged to participate in Ascension school and parish activities that allow for
parent interaction and to volunteer at school to develop a sense of community with other parents.
Ascension-sponsored sports begin in third grade through Catholic Youth Organization, or CYO. Prior to that, Ascension does not sponsor teams or sports. Some parents may choose to have their child participate in sports provided through local organizations, and may request to align students from a school on the same team, but this does not happen through Ascension school or parish.
VIRTUS-trained parents are encouraged to volunteer. There are opportunities during the school day as well as school events that need parent involvement, for example, our annual Eagle Serve Day or Celebrate Ascension events. Volunteers help with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and assist in the work room or library. PTO also recruits room parents and lead parents for each grade. There are also flexible opportunities to help from home.
Students celebrate Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day with class parties. Parent volunteers plan these parties and coordinate with the teachers to implement party activities.
Celebrate your child’s birthday or half-birthday by sharing lunch with him/her in the cafeteria. This is a special event for you and your child. School friends remain with the class. Students may also bring an allergy-friendly treat for their homeroom. Information about school-safe treats is shared by the School Nurse at the beginning of the year.
Every new family is matched with a veteran ACS ‘buddy’ family. It is very convenient to check with this family regarding any questions you might have throughout the school year. Buddy families typically have students in similar grades and often meet up in person to get to know one another.
Students must be five by August 31. If this is not the case, specific Archdiocesan guidelines we must be considered. Please contact Mrs. Wright for more details.
No. We have children at all levels entering kindergarten. We differentiate the instruction to ensure academic growth and progress.
Your child will be assessed on letters, phonics, numbers, fine motor ability and vocabulary during small group activities. They will also be assessed during group activities for their social interaction. After Kindergarten screening, we will contact you if we have concerns. Keep in mind that concerns can often be remedied with some assistance over the summer.
You will receive an official letter from the school in mid–April.
We will have three full-day classrooms. A half-day, lunchtime dismissal option is available upon request. Parents sometimes use this option at the beginning of the year if their child is having challenges with a full day. The core curriculum is taught in the morning.
The students have STEM, art, music, library, P.E,, computer and, Spanish in the afternoons.
Typically, we have from 20-24 in a classroom. We accept a maximum of 72 Kindergarten students.
Kindergarten girls may participate in American Heritage Girls. Boys may particpate in Tiger Cubs. Contact the parish for sign up. We also have chess club through The Knight School.
The philosophy of the Ascension Preschool Program is to provide a faith-filled, positive, joyful beginning school experience for each child entering the classroom. Each child is a precious gift from God, and this includes:
Preschool (two half-days, $190 per month) — This program is for three-year-olds. There are two options: Tuesday and Thursday mornings (8:00-11 AM); and Tuesday and Thursday afternoons (12:00-3 PM). Students in this program must be three years old by August 31, 2026. Each preschool class (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) has a maximum of 12 students.
Pre-K (three half-days, $250 per month) — This program is for four-year-olds. There are two options: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings (8:00-11 AM); and Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons (12:00-3 PM). Students in this program must be four years old by August 31, 2026. Each Pre-K half day class (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) has a maximum of 16 students.
Full Day Pre-K (five full days, $650 per month) — This program is also for four-year-olds. The program is 8:00 AM-3 PM, Monday through Friday. Students in this program must be four years old by August 31, 2026. The Full Day Pre-K class has a maximum of 16 students.
During online enrollment in FACTS, you will select 1 of 3 tuition payment plans:
School begins promptly at 8:00 for the AM and Full Day students and 12:00 for the PM students.
Teachers will greet children at the school entrance at 7:55 AM and PK4 Full Day and 11:55 for PM class. Pull up and park in front along the curb in front of the school. You will need to park and walk your child to the teachers waiting by the front entrance.
For pick up at 11:00 (for AM students) and 3:00 (for PM and Full Day students) please park along the curb in front of the school. Walk to the front of the school’s entrance to pick up your child from his/her teacher. Families without K-8 students, please pull out of the line as soon as you and your child are safely buckled into your car. Families with K-8 students, please pull forward as far as possible to wait for K-8 students.
Students will be dismissed only to a parent/guardian or an individual listed on the emergency form. Please send a note to school if another adult will pick up your child from school. Preschool students are not allowed to walk home unless accompanied by an adult listed on the release form.
Please refrain from using your cell phone during drop off and pick up. AT NO TIME, during arrival or dismissal, should anyone (especially children) be hanging out of car windows or sunroofs as this is dangerous.
ACS’s preschool curriculum aligns with Archdiocesan standards. Our program provides open-ended developmentally appropriate learning activities that develop the whole child.
ACS preschool students do not wear uniforms. Please send your child to school in clothing comfortable for active play and is easy to handle while using the restroom. Costumes and distracting jewelry/accessories are not allowed. Students must wear tennis shoes (closed toe and heel), no flip flops, or crocs.
Please make sure your child dresses appropriately for the weather including coats, hats, scarves, and mittens labeled with your child’s name for the colder months. We go outside for recess daily (weather permitting). In warmer months, a sun hat and sunscreen are highly encouraged.
Spare clothing (outfit, underwear, extra socks) should be placed in a ziplock bag and kept in your child’s backpack at all times.
There are multiple opportunities throughout the year for parents to be involved in their child’s preschool education. Please reach out to the director if you have a specific time or talent that you would like to share with the preschool. All volunteers are required to be VIRTUS trained. Please visit www.virtusonline.org for enrollment classes.
At Ascension Catholic School, we believe that our students grow and develop by learning how to make good decisions – academically, morally, and behaviorally – and following Christ’s example.
ACS’s preschool program uses Love and Logic together with a virtue based approach to discipline that recognizes and honors the dignity of our young students.
All staff members model positive and loving behavior. Each student is seen as a child of God and is valued with respect and is listened to for understanding. Students exhibiting unsafe behavior will be redirected. If such behavior continues, the student may be removed from class. Parents will be notified and may be asked to meet with the director and/or teacher to decide upon a plan of action.
All students attending Ascension Preschool must be fully toilet trained. They must be able to use the restroom independently and be ready for the structure of a school program. Please do not jeopardize your child’s self- esteem and enrollment status by letting him/her start school when he/she has not had multiple weeks of success and no accidents.
A toilet-trained child is one who has demonstrated he/she can use the toilet every time, without having any accidents, demonstrated over a period of time (at least for multiple weeks). The child should be able to:
In addition:
Your child will have a change of clothes that will be left in his/her backpack. If an accident occurs, your child will change clothes in the class bathroom on his/her own. This will encourage independence. Make sure that clothing is easy to take off – for example, pants with elastic waistbands or jeggings/leggings are much easier to handle than pants/jeans with buttons, belts, and zippers.
All soiled clothing will be sent home in a plastic bag, and you will be notified by the teacher. Please make sure that a new set of clothes is sent back with your child the following school day. Teachers will not clean soiled clothes.
Ascension Catholic Preschool does not have the resources to toilet train your children. Doing so would take time away from teaching and disrupt the daily routine of the class. We understand that being in a new environment, changes in family routine (arrival of a new sibling), and a change of setting (being in a new classroom/starting school) can trigger accidents. We recognize that accidents will happen at the beginning of the school year. We will help your child as he/she transitions into our classroom and new school routine.
However, if your child has accidents every day he/she is in school, we do not consider your child to be toilet trained. After 3 accidents within 5 consecutive days, your child will be sent home and will be asked to stay home until fully toilet trained. If your child returns and is not completely toilet trained, he/she will be removed from the program.
Biting is an occurrence whereby a child sinks teeth into any part of someone else’s body. Children who usually bite do so because they are frustrated or angry and act quickly and impulsively to get what they want. They are still too young or immature to think through other choices.
Absolutely! You are welcome to visit our preschool classroom and chat with staff by signing up for a tour HERE.
