Our curriculum focuses on the study of Catholic Church teachings, core subjects, enrichment classes, and we also provide various other sports, activities, and events for family participation. We’ve included as many resources as possible to get you the information you may be looking for as a parent, but if you still have questions or concerns, please reach out to us and we’d be happy to assist.
Parent Information
Resources and Helpful Links
Power Hour
Explicit Small Group Instruction K-5th
Power Hour is a literacy block utilizing a team of reading specialists that enter the classroom and lead literacy-based centers. The team will be in the classroom Monday through Thursday for about 30-45 minutes. Power Hour provides added explicit small group instruction. The Reading Team, along with classroom teachers, will focus on vocabulary, spelling, writing, fluency, phonics, and guided reading.
How Power Hour works at Cosgriff relies on a student’s specific reading level determined with the use of DIBELS, (now known as Acadience). This is a set of procedures and measures developed at the University of Oregon for assessing literacy development in students from kindergarten through sixth grade. In addition, the University of Utah Reading Clinic rate, accuracy and words per minute criteria is obtained through individual assessment.
Five or six students reading on the same level are placed in a small group. The assigned teacher prepares a guided reading lesson and teaches specific comprehension, vocabulary and higher level thinking skills each day for 15 to 20 minutes. Progress monitoring is an ongoing assessment used by the reading team to determine if growth is taking place in reading. Students then rotate to a spelling or writing small group.
“Words Their Way” is formal word study where students develop a general knowledge of English and Spelling. This research-based program is used to teach a systematic spelling in a Power Hour group. Students are assessed prior to grouping for “Words Their Way” in order to determine their skill based starting level.
Power Hour strengthens classroom instruction and student learning in fluency, spelling, writing, comprehension, vocabulary, and word solving strategies. The regular classroom teacher directs the writing and reading portion of Power Hour groups with specific lesson plans for the Power Hour teacher. Power Hour is a win-win block of time at Cosgriff School.
Faith. Excellence. Service.
Our goal is to provide the many benefits of a Catholic education
J.E. Cosgriff Memorial Catholic School provides a Christ-centered inclusive environment dedicated to faith formation, academic excellence and the individual growth of our students. We offer a faith centered education that combines academic excellence with Christian values. We partner with parents in faith formation of their children and seek to develop the whole child in the image of Christ. We foster a safe and welcoming environment that is inclusive of all ethnic and faith backgrounds. We create a strong sense of community among students, parents, teachers and our parish. We instill in students the value of service to others and prepare them to be productive citizens and future leaders. We cultivate a caring and effective faculty and staff who integrate Christian values into the curriculum.
Promise to Protect, Promise to Heal
Safe Environment Training and Compliance Program
The Diocese of Salt Lake City is committed to ensuring the safety of children, young people and vulnerable adults and providing pastoral outreach to victims and survivors of sexual abuse by clergy.
“Families need to know that the Church is making every effort to protect their children. They should also know that they have every right to turn to the Church with full confidence, for it is a safe and secure home. Consequently, priority must not be given to any other kind of concern, whatever its nature, such as the desire to avoid scandal, since there is absolutely no place in ministry for those who abuse minors.” Pope Francis (2/2/2015)
Frequently Asked Financial Questions
HOW ARE TUITION RATES DETERMINED?
The Diocese reviews financial documents of several Diocesan Catholic schools to determine the average cost to educate a student. After review, the tuition rates are determined by the Diocesan Catholic School Office leadership and approved by the bishop. Annual increases are to be expected.
HOW ARE TEACHER SALARIES DETERMINED?
Annually, the Utah Catholic Schools leadership, with the Bishop’s approval, presents the pay scale for the coming school year. The scale has lanes to reflect education levels of education and steps with increases for each year of service.
DO CATHOLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS, LIKE SOME PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS, MAKE MORE MONEY THAN PUBLIC SCHOOL?
No. Teachers and principals in our system make less than their public school and private school counterparts. We are a tuition driven system and teacher salaries are determined by the amount of tuition we can charge.
WHY CAN’T DONATIONS AND FUNDRAISING DOLLARS BE EARMARKED FOR COMPENSATION OF FACULTY?
Donations have provided bonuses for faculty and staff. Fundraising efforts support Cosgriff tuition assistance, extracurricular scholarships, and programs that are above and beyond what tuition covers. Examples of these expenses are short core instructors, power hour team, part-time counselor, extracurricular stipends, and learning resource center. Fundraising also supports needs within our operational budgets, from repairs to educational materials. Fundraising is not a reliable source of income for committing to across the board increases in salaries.
WHAT IF I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THE EXPECTED TUITION?
All families who need tuition assistance should complete a FACTS Grant and Aid Application as part of their enrollment, or re-enrollment, process. The information and recommendations from the FACTS application is reviewed by the pastor of St. Ambrose Parish, Principal, Finance Manager and Admissions Director to determine an offer of tuition assistance.
At any time if a family’s financial situation changes they should contact the Principal and Admissions Director for assistance.
WHY DOESN’T THE DIOCESE GIVE THE SCHOOLS MONEY FOR TEACHERS’ SALARIES AND/OR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS?
Currently, the Diocese annually assesses most Catholic parishes a portion of their income to support Catholic schools. All schools may write grants for emergency funding should a special need arise. Monies are distributed to schools based on their financial need. The Skaggs Tuition Assistance Program provides financial assistance for students whose families are below poverty level. This program requires a referral and application to be reviewed for acceptance.
WHY DO I PAY A RE-ENROLLMENT FEE EACH YEAR?
There is a $400 re-enrollment fee for students in K-8th and a $200 re-enrollment fee for Toddler, PS and PK students each school year. These fees cover administrative costs that we accrue throughout the school year.
ONCE I CHOOSE A TUITION PAYMENT PLAN THROUGH FACTS, AM I ABLE TO MAKE CHANGES?
Yes, please contact the Admissions Director or FACTS support (866) 441-4637.
WHY IS THERE A FEE TO ENROLL IN FACTS
Our tuition management program, FACTS, will deduct an annual enrollment fee for using their payment system for tuition and incidentals (i.e. RaiseRight, EDP, Sport Team registration fees, etc). Their fees range from $25-$55, based on which tuition payment plan you choose. There is one fee per family.