Welcome! We’re so glad you're considering Frassati Academy for your family. This FAQ resource is designed to answer some common questions and help you prepare for the family interview.
Frassati Academy is dedicated to providing a Christ-centered education that nurtures the development of the whole person — body, mind and soul. The school’s mission is to form hearts and minds through an academically excellent curriculum that is rooted in the Church's rich spiritual and intellectual heritage. Children will be encouraged in their pursuit of charity, virtue and faith, all for the greater glory of God.
The Catholic faith is the core identity and soul of Frassati Academy. It will be lived out through daily prayer, catechesis, Christocentric classroom instruction as well as through the values that inform our interactions with one another. Children will grow in their familiarity with the Saints, including our patron. Observance of feast days and the liturgical seasons will be the foundation of the school calendar. All of this will contribute to the integration of the Catholic faith into daily school life and its rhythms. Our teachers will model joyful discipleship and guide students in discovering God’s presence, both inside and outside the classroom.
Yes! Daily prayer will include regular participation in weekday Mass as well as Catholic prayers such as Grace before meals, the Angelus/Regina Coeli and Rosary. Where possible, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will also be encouraged and offered.
Through education in the virtues, stories of the lives of the Saints, biblical literacy, vocational awareness and mentorship from teachers as well as clergy and religious, students will grow in moral clarity and an openness to God’s call in their lives.
Frassati Academy is an independent, lay-led school which, while not officially operated by the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth, has received the Archbishop’s blessing and which, because it is a Catholic school, falls under his auspice. The Academy’s board of directors is in regular communication with the Archbishop and other Archdiocesan leaders. Frassati Academy is fully faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Frassati Academy welcomes partnerships with local parishes such as for priestly visits and sacramental support. Children will be encouraged to continue preparation for, and reception of, their Sacraments (First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation) within their respective parishes.
No. However, while Frassati Academy welcomes non-Catholics, it reserves the right to give priority to practicing Catholics.
We aim to form Godly, wise, articulate and virtuous young men and women who love truth, goodness and beauty as well as the pursuit of learning itself. Academics at Frassati Academy will be rigorous, yet joyful. This will be achieved through an emphasis on wonder, awe and discovery.
Frassati Academy seeks to meet and exceed provincial requirements. It will do so through an independent curriculum that is shaped by academic excellence, Catholic values and classical principles.
Frassati Academy embraces a Classical Education model, which focuses on presenting students with the best literature, art, history and ideas that the Western canon has to offer. This will grow students’ ability to thoughtfully, insightfully and constructively engage and better the culture with sound Catholic faith and ordered, beautiful ideas. This education model also focuses on developing key skills such as reading, writing and oral communication.
While Frassati Academy seeks to offer a classical curriculum, we are mindful that this is an identity we will grow into over time, along with our staff. Accordingly, in our inaugural year we have charted a direction that involves incorporating classical principles and values into our curriculum.
In collaboration with other Catholic schools and educators, Frassati Academy is developing its own curriculum which will draw upon books and resources from - amongst others - Seton Home Study, Memoria Press and Catholic Heritage Curricula. As with the school’s desire to pursue a classical approach, Frassati Academy will work with its teachers to implement the fullness of this curriculum over time.
While Frassati Academy hopes to offer core French, especially for the younger grades, there will be ongoing review as to the extent of future French education depending on faculty availability, ability and scheduling.
Yes. We will provide curriculum overviews for each grade level to ensure transparency and collaboration with families.
Every subject will be taught through a Catholic lens that focuses on God’s providential arrangement of creation and reality as an expression of His goodness, beauty, order and wisdom. Each academic discipline will provide opportunities to highlight spiritual elements such as perseverance in math, wonder in science as well as beauty in art and literature.
Similar to other independent Catholic schools, we are committed to a high academic standard. We will provide strong academics with a deep emphasis on virtue, truth and a Catholic worldview to provide a balanced and excellent Catholic education.
We are recruiting qualified, mission-driven Catholic teachers who are passionate about forming young minds and hearts. Retired educators and qualified volunteers are also welcome to bless the school community through their time and talents.
Not necessarily. While certification is an asset, Frassati Academy prioritizes strong teaching ability, fidelity to the Catholic faith and a commitment to growing in a classical pedagogy.
Yes. We are partnering with Edvance as well as other institutions and professionals to provide staff with ongoing support as well as formation in teaching, classical education and an integrated-Catholic worldview.
In the early years we are aiming for a maximum student-to-teacher ratio of between 12:1 and 15:1, but actual class sizes will depend on enrollment.
Frassati Academy strives to support all learners. Accordingly, while we may not be able to offer the full range of public supports initially, we seek to expand our ability to welcome as many children as possible.
The grades we offer in our first year will depend on enrollment. We encourage families with children in Pre-Primary through Grade 7 to apply here. Based on enrollment, we will determine which grade groupings are possible — for example, we may have several combined classes and individual classes for other grades. That said, split classes are very likely. We have learned from other similar schools that split classes foster friendships and an environment of unity as well as assistance amongst the students, which has great benefits. Regardless, our goal is to increase the number of grades offered each year as our enrollment increases.
Yes! Our long-term vision includes a full PP-12 classical Catholic academy.
Because several significant factors cannot be conclusively known at this time, we are proposing a range of tuition with the final amount to be confirmed at the time of enrollment.
We aim to build a grant fund in the years ahead to help make Frassati Academy accessible to as many families as possible.
Yes. Families with two or more children will benefit from a tiered tuition discount (please see above).
We believe that Catholic education should be accessible. We are committed to academic excellence and paying teachers a just wage. We will manage costs to help keep tuition manageable for families.
No. Frassati Academy is an independent, lay-led school that will rely primarily on tuition to meet its operating budget needs. Donations and grants will subsidize special projects and campaigns. Nova Scotia does not currently allocate funds to families choosing to educate their children outside of the public system. We support broader efforts toward educational choice and parents’ rights to educate their children according to what they discern to be best.
Families are responsible for providing transportation to and from the school. We do not anticipate offering transportation at this time. There is, however, a public bus stop directly outside of Frassati Academy.
Frassati Academy will be housed in the Campbell Centre at St. Agnes church (Good Shepherd Parish), 6903 Mumford Road, Halifax.
Yes. The facility includes onsite parking and accessible entrances.
We are aware that for many families before and/or after school care is a necessity. Accordingly, once our enrollment is confirmed, we will investigate what families' individual needs are. Should you be interested in helping to organize or assist with this program, please let us know!
The day will begin with prayer and include core academic subjects, daily physical activity, time outdoors (weather permitting) and special classes in art, music and religious instruction.
It is important for children to move and be outside. Accordingly, weather permitting, there will be at least one extended outdoor recess daily with a goal to incorporate movement and outdoor play at other points throughout the day. This would be in addition to gym class.
Yes. Uniforms will be modest, comfortable and affordable to foster community, reduce distractions and to foster responsibility as well as orderliness in our students.
Families are responsible for packing daily lunches and snacks for their children. Special lunch days may be offered occasionally, such as participation in a pizza or milk program.
We hope to offer a variety of extracurricular activities, sports and clubs. We will need the enthusiastic involvement of parents and community members to animate these activities.
Frassati Academy will be located in the Campbell Centre at St. Agnes church, which offers multiple classrooms, a large gym space and outdoor areas for play and learning. Being next door to the church, where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved, children will also be able to worship in that sacred space through Mass and Eucharistic Adoration.
We estimate the facility can welcome up to 65 students.
Yes. As we grow, we hope to expand within the facility or relocate to a larger space that allows for a high school and additional programs.
Frassati Academy upholds the role of parents as the primary educators of their children. The school’s supporting role in this task is considered both a privilege and a responsibility. Parents are encouraged to volunteer, lead clubs, attend liturgies and support both in-class and behind-the-scenes needs.
Yes. We plan to offer regular formation events for parents including talks, book studies and workshops.
Absolutely! We aim to foster a deeply connected Catholic community. Families are welcome at school events and to be involved in support of the life of the school, including classroom activities.
Yes. From lunch duty to event planning to maintenance and fundraising — many hands are welcome, and necessary, for building up this school!
Frassati Academy seeks to become a full K-12 Catholic academy known for academic excellence, joyful discipleship and a strong, united school community.
Yes. Frassati Academy is overseen by a board of directors composed of both lay and clergy members who are committed to our mission, financial health and long-term success.
The school will meet these goals through careful budgeting, fundraising, donor engagement and strong community partnerships.
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati is the school’s namesake. He will be canonized on August 3, 2025. Blessed Frassati is a praiseworthy role model for students on account of his faith, virtue, joy, prayer life, love, service and devotion to God, Our Lady and the Church.
Please pray for fidelity, wisdom, protection, unity and provision! Specific intentions are shared in our correspondence, which you can sign up for here. You can also join us for our weekly Rosary by signing up here.
Yes, and we are deeply grateful. Contact us if you’d like to offer help with a practical need.
Children entering Pre-Primary in September must turn four-years-old before the end of December. If your child meets this age requirement, we welcome you to click here to apply.
Frassati Academy has the Archbishop’s blessing. Though lay-led and independent, it is faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church and in regular conversation with the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth.
It depends on your child's age and the nature of the services provided by the school. A portion of the tuition may be eligible as a child care expense, based on the time that qualifies as supervised care (such as recess, lunch and before/after school supervision). If your child is under the age of six, you may be eligible to claim 100% of the tuition as a child care expense.
Frassati Academy, as an independent Catholic school, operates in a dual capacity—providing both an academic education and religious instruction. As such, a portion of the tuition may also qualify for a charitable donation tax receipt, based on CRA guidelines. These guidelines outline that any amount paid above the cost of an academic education may be eligible for a charitable donation receipt (subject to CRA rules). For more information, follow these links:
We are still finalizing school hours, however they will be comparable to other schools.
No, Pre-Primary will be a full-day program. If parents decide to pick up their child half-way through the day, they will still be charged full tuition.