New Family Resources

Thank you for choosing St. Pius X Catholic High School! Our students and their families are our community’s greatest blessing. We are excited to walk alongside your child as they continue to grow in mind, body, and spirit.

Quick Info

2025-26 ONE PAGE CALENDAR WHO TO ASK A QUESTION

INITIAL STEPS

1. Deposit Due April 17

2. Kickoff Meeting April 22

Tuesday, April 22 - Enrollment Kickoff

6:30pm: Enrollment Kickoff Meeting for Parents and Students

6:30pm, Young Center Auditorium
MANDATORY FOR ONE PARENT

This meeting will cover email credentials, course placements / placement tests, as well time to speak with Department Chairs.
&
6:30 pm, Mark Kelly Game Gym

New Students with Lion Leaders

OPTIONAL FOR NEW STUDENTS

3. Enroll April 22-May 1

April 22-May 1 - Forms & Course Placement

The information below will all be further explained at the Kickoff Meeting on April 22!

April 22-25: Complete Online Enrollment Forms in PowerSchool

You will use your SPX parent credentials to log in to PowerSchool and complete the online Enrollment Forms. There is a series of nine forms, and all must be completed by Friday, April 25, in order for your student to be considered enrolled and eligible for course registration. Forms and instructions will be available after the mandatory kickoff meeting on April 22.

April 23-May 1: Course Placement Testing

You will receive your student's initial course placements at the Kickoff Meeting on April 22. If your student was asked to complete a Placement Test OR your student would like to opt into a Placement Test, please complete this form (link will be published April 22!) after you review your student's initial course placement at the Enrollment Kickoff. All placement tests will be offered on campus and there will be both morning and afternoon times available between April 23 and May 1.

April 23-May 1: Fine Arts Auditions

Students who are interested in auditioning for an advanced Fine Art elective should review the information and schedule here: https://www.spx.org/arts/new-students-auditions.

April 23-May 1: Summer Course Applications

For students interested in applying for the online summer Intro to Digital Technology course or online Health and Wellness, applications will be emailed to the SPX student emails on April 22 and are due April 26.

Exemption Test

There is also an option to test out of the Intro to Digital Technology course. Students who successfully pass the exemption test are not required to take the course during the school year or summer; instead they must take one other course in the Business/Computer Science department (at any point during their time at SPX) to fulfill the graduation requirement. Freshmen who exempt the IDT course may register for electives that have IDT as a pre-requisite. The exemption test will be emailed out with the summer course application on April 22.

4. New Parent Reception May 6

Tuesday, May 6, 2025 - New Parent Reception
7pm-9pm

President Aaron Parr and Principal Edye Simpson cordially invite you to a reception honoring our newest St. Pius X parents!

Enjoy fellowship and small group discussions with veteran parents. Light refreshments will be served. This is a parent only event and dress is casual.

St. Pius X Catholic High School
Edwards Cafeteria

Please RSVP

If you have any questions, please email advancement@spx.org.

More Information and Summer Steps

PHYSICALS / IMMUNIZATIONS / AS NEEDED HEALTH FORMS

REQUIRED

Student Physicals (ALL incoming students, regardless of athletic participation and must be dated AFTER 4/1/25)
- Detailed information and required form
Immunization Policy – Form must be submitted to Mrs. Petersen in the clinic no later than July 1, 2025.
- St. Pius X does not recognize an immunization exemption based upon matters of conscience/religion convictions or serology testing.
Substance Abuse Policy

AS NEEDED HEALTH FORMS

A note from Nurse Petersen:

Welcome to St. Pius X! As you begin the process of completing information for your new student, I wanted to let you know of some important information that the SPX clinic will need so that you will have time to work on getting the forms completed before the start of next school year. As part of your initial student information, you will complete a health history for your student. This is very important-please be as thorough as possible.

If any of the following unique conditions apply to your student, please follow the instructions listed next to the condition. Please send any completed paperwork to mpetersen@spx.org or you can bring it to the clinic the week before school begins, along with any medication.

The forms below require signature and must be updated each school year your child is at St. Pius X. The forms and medications are due in the Clinic by Monday, August 5, 2025. Any questions? Contact Nurse Petersen at mpetersen@spx.org.

Regarding asthma rescue medications: Students diagnosed with Asthma must have a completed Asthma Action Plan and rescue inhaler with spacer in the Clinic. St Pius X does allow students to carry their inhaler on their person after completing additional paperwork. Nebulizers are not allowed in school.

Cardiovascular Action Plan
Food Allergy Action Plan

If your student has food or environmental allergies that result in anaphylaxis, it is very important that you have your student’s doctor complete the allergy action plan. Your student can carry his/her own EpiPen / Auvi-Q and also has the option of keeping one in the clinic. If he/she participates in sports, it is a good idea to make sure the coach has one, as well.

Migraine Action Plan

If your student has a diagnosis of migraine headaches and requires rescue medication or special accommodations, please have his/ her doctor complete the migraine action plan paperwork. You can send any medication that you want for me to keep in the clinic, as long as a medication permit form accompanies each medication.

Seizure Action Plan

Regarding seizure rescue medications: According to the Archdiocese of Atlanta, students who have been diagnosed with a seizure disorder must have a completed seizure action plan and seizure rescue medications on file in the Clinic. In accordance with the ruling of the Office of Catholic Schools, St. Pius X will only accept nasal seizure rescue medication like Nayzilam or Valtoco. Any rectal seizure rescue medication, like Diastat, is not allowed in the school.

Diabetes Action Plan

Have your student’s endocrinologist complete a diabetes management plan. You will need to provide a small bag or small bin with general diabetic supplies (pen needles, glucagon, etc.) I have urine ketone sticks and snacks in the clinic. Please bring one vial of insulin or one insulin pen for me to keep in the clinic. We will need to make a time to sit together to review the plan on the day of the new freshmen orientation.

Sickle Cell Action Plan

COURSE PLACEMENT INFORMATION

Department Chairs review each student’s application file to aid in the course placement process. Teacher evaluations, prior grades and coursework, as well as standardized test scores are considered in order to assign a course level.

Incoming students may be required to complete placement tests in certain core subjects and have the option to complete testing in others. Below is a summary of what is required for each department. Students who are required by a department to take a placement test will be notified shortly after enrollment via their SPX email. No level changes will be made without placement testing.

The World Language Test-In form will be available after the parent meeting on April 22.

English
No testing. Complete the Placement Review Request Form if you would like a file review.

Math

May be REQUIRED for: Students enrolling from a public school or other program with which we are not familiar OR students who scored poorly on the quantitative section of the SSAT; testing must happen before placement can occur.

Is an OPTION for: Students who feel they should have been placed in a higher level in math; it is an opportunity to “test in”; testing will happen after placements are published.

Science

Is an OPTION for: Students who feel they should have been placed at a higher level in science; it is an opportunity to “test in”. Testing will happen after placements are published April 22. Complete the Placement Test RSVP Form if you would like to test. NOTE: Poor performance on the placement test will not lower your course level recommendation.

World Languages

Is REQUIRED for:

Students who took a core language at one of the following schools and wish to take level II of that same language in grade 9 here at St. Pius: Arbor Montessori, Atlanta Classical Academy, Cliff Valley, Heritage Prep, Holy Redeemer, Holy Spirit, Notre Dame Academy, SMES, The Friends School, Public School, Homeschool
All transfer students (grades 10,11,12) who plan to take a language AND native speakers who plan to take their native language.

Is an OPTION for:

Students interested in continuing the language they have been studying in middle school and who want priority in the class placement process; taking the placement exam demonstrates your commitment to that language.

Students who do not take a placement test will be assigned to a language course as space allows.

Social Studies

No testing. (Typically, freshman do not take a Social Studies course their freshman year. Do not be alarmed! Watch this video from Kristin Kramer, our Social Studies Department Chair, to learn why!)

LION LEADERS

The Lion Leader program is designed to facilitate each new student’s transition into the St. Pius X community. As a Pius “Cub” students will be placed in Homerooms with junior and senior leaders who will introduce them to our campus and answer questions they may have as they begin their journey toward academic, social and personal success as a Golden Lion. Transfer students will also be placed in Homerooms to meet Lion Leaders. Here is a line up of available events to get your Golden Lion involved from the start!

Tuesday, April 22, at 6:30 pm: Ice Cream Social (students will be with Lion Leaders as a parent attends the Enrollment Kickoff Meeting)
Friday, June 13, or Friday, July 11, from 12:00-1:30 pm: Lion Lunch– Students can pick a date over the summer to take a tour of campus and try out their locker combination! This is a BYOL event, but the Lion Leaders will have treats to share with their cubs.
Monday, August 4, from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm: New Student Orientation (mandatory)

UPPER GRADE TRANSFERS

Some considerations for students entering the 10th, 11th, or 12th grade:

Transcripts

Please make sure to request that your student’s current school share official transcripts with St. Pius X at the conclusion of this school year. Course placement is tentative until we receive the student’s final transcript. We will send a reminder of this requirement over the summer as well.

Athletics

Please direct any questions regarding eligibility to play at the varsity level towards our Athletic Director, Todd Mooney (tmooney@spx.org). The Georgia High School Association regulates eligibility of transfer students seeking to play varsity sports.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES / TEXTBOOKS / UNIFORMS

School Supplies & Textbooks

There is no supply list for St. Pius. Teachers will inform students of course-specific supplies during the first days of school. All required materials (ebooks and print) are purchased by the families through EdTech.

EdTech Bookstore Instructions (read first)
EdTech Bookstore & Shelf (spx.shelfit.com)

Uniforms

DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP

PARKING ON CAMPUS

STUDENT SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

VOLUNTEER CERTIFICATION

All employees and volunteers working with children and/or vulnerable individuals must attend a VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children training before they begin paid or volunteer work for any entity of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. This training is a three hour live training session offered at locations around Atlanta. Please understand that no one will be eligible to volunteer or work in any capacity at St. Pius X Catholic High School until the following is completed:

Complete Volunteer paperwork which includes: a Volunteer Application, a consent form to run a background check, and a Safe Environment Acknowledgment form.
A clear and complete background check
A completed “Virtus, Protecting God’s Children” Training Session

Paperwork, registration information, and instructions will be available to new families beginning in June.

WAYS TO STAY INFORMED

1. This webpage — from now through summer this page will be updated with information you need to know and answers to frequently asked questions as we approach the first day of school. Please check back often.

2. Your SPX email — this is the official means of communication from the school and teachers. You will be added to the appropriate parent and school-wide distribution lists.

3. eSpiritus — a weekly newsletter emailed each Monday with the events and information you need to know for the coming week.

4. PowerSchool Parent Portal — this is the site for student schedules, grades/report cards, attendance, discipline, course registration, and enrollment. You can also configure your account to email progress reports to you on a regular schedule.

5. Canvas — once school starts you will have access to your student’s individual class websites as well as the online school directory and other campus organizations such as the Library, Campus Life, Academics and more.

6. SPX Social Media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spxatl/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stpiusxatlanta
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StPiusXAtlanta

7. The St. Pius X website — has important reminders, upcoming events, quick links to system logins and parent organizations, and the school calendar.

8. The Golden Lines — the online student news site of St. Pius X Catholic High School

SUMMER ENRICHMENT COURSES

St. Pius X offers several enrichment course opportunities during summer in the subjects of Math, Spanish, English, and College Essay Writing in order to help prepare students academically for the 2025-2026 school year. We also offer SAT/ACT Test Preparation classes in August and January.

Week 1: July 15-18, 2025

Week 2: July 21-24, 2025

Each session will consist of four classes lasting two hours a day. If you register on or before Wednesday, June 25, each course will cost $120.00. Beginning June 26, the cost of the class will be $150.00. Please visit this Canvas page for more details and the registration forms. Once you complete the online registration, the cost of the class will be charged to your FACTS account. If your child is an incoming 9th grader, please make sure you have set up your FACTS account.

When planning summer activities, please try to avoid scheduling conflicts. Once your registration for the Summer Enrichment Course(s) is submitted, the family is responsible for the cost of the class and understand that there are no make-up classes; nor are refunds available after Wednesday, 6/25/2025. The cost of the class will be posted on the July or August FACTS statement.