Student Life

At Nativity, students are encouraged to participate in sports and other extra-curricular school activities that build body, mind and spirit. Our extensive programs provide opportunities for them to mature in areas beyond strictly academic studies. Every student is empowered to discover their aptitudes and express them in group activities in athletics, clubs and community service. This engenders a sense of cohesion and solidarity with others.

Community Service

The Diocese of Allentown mandates that all students complete Community Service tasks during each of the four academic years. Community Service is about more than fulfilling a requirement for a number of hours. It is about being called to service. It is about taking time to serve others. It is a call from our Lord who reminds us that He created us to know, to love and to serve Him by loving and serving our neighbor as ourselves.

The Diocesan Community Service requirements for all students include service to the school, to the church/parish and service to the Community at large. Each year Nativity students complete more than 5,000 hours of community service.

Our Community Service Coordinator maintains all service records.
Mrs. Toni Holohan, Community Service Coordinator
570-622-8110
tholohan@nativitybvm.net

The following are the minimum hours required for each grade:

Grade 9: 10 hours
Grade 10: 20 hours

Grade 11: 30 hours
Grade 12: 40 hours

Student Handbook

Student Handbook 2024 – 2025

Student Forms

Registration Loan of Textbooks Learning Support Info Sheet Student Information Release Student Registration Status

Counseling Department

Parents and Guardians may join their student’s Google Classroom for daily updates.

Class of 2024 Class of 2025 Class of 2026 Class of 2027

Monthly Newsletter

College Visits

Seniors and Juniors can schedule college visitation days during the school year. Please obtain a college visit form from the Main Office. Completed and Signed forms are to be returned to the Main Office 48 hours before the scheduled visit. Please view the student handbook for the college visitation policy.

Financial Aid Information

For more information, visit financialaidtoolkit.ed.gov.
FSA ID Application – Before you fill out the FAFSA (www.fafsa.gov), you and your student need to apply for a FSA ID (your electronic signature) at www.fsaid.ed.gov. It takes about five minutes. The DEADLINE for applying for the FAFSA is May 1st, but certain colleges require students to apply earlier. There is an annual Financial Aid Night hosted in the Fall Semester at Nativity BVM.

PHEAA – PA State Level College Financial Aid

Important Dates for High School Seniors
May 1: The FAFSA filing deadline for the Pennsylvania State Grant Program for all new applicants who plan to enroll in baccalaureate degree programs, including those who enroll in college transfer programs at two-year public colleges or junior colleges (excludes community colleges and designated Pennsylvania Open-Admission institutions).
August 1: The FAFSA filing deadline for the Pennsylvania State Grant Program for all new applicants who plan to enroll in designated Pennsylvania Open-Admission institutions; business, trade, and technical schools; hospital schools of nursing; or two-year non-transferable career programs at two-year public, junior or four-year colleges.

Student Information Access

PHEAA provides several different avenues for students and their families to use if questions arise concerning the FAFSA application process, how to apply for grants, student employment, guidance on career planning and other important issues. They may call 1-800-692-7392 and a representative will personally assist them. Information is also available at several Websites including pheaa.org, educationplanner.org, and MySmartBorrowing.org. For the latest financial aid information, we encourage students to join us on Facebook at facebook.com/pheaa.aid. Printed materials may also be requested by telephone or online.

Email HINT: Students should add “StateGrantsandSpecialPrograms@pheaa.org”, “StateGrantsandSpecialPrograms2@pheaa.org” “and “StateGrantsandSpecialPrograms3@pheaa.org” to their email address book so that they do not miss any important electronic communications.

Graduation Verification

When you graduate, your diploma is your only copy. Nativity does not keep copies of graduates’ diplomas. However, if proof is needed of graduation a transcript and/or a letter on school letterhead can be provided. To request graduation verification please fax a signed release with your name, year of graduation, an address of where the information is to be sent and number to contact you if there are questions to 570-622-8110 to the attention of Mrs. Yaneck in the Main Office. There is a $10.00 fee per transaction

International Students

International students are encouraged to work through an outside agency to obtain acceptance into Nativity High School. All international students must apply through the Development Office and be accepted by the Administration. All international students seeking acceptance must be fluent in English. Once accepted, international students may obtain an I-20 Visa form from Mr. Naffin in the Studies Office.

NCAA Eligibility Requirements

All student athletes looking to compete at the Division 1 or Division 2 levels of athletics in college must register through the NCAA Eligibility Center. Most but not all major courses at Nativity are NCAA Core Course Approved. Please check with the School Counselor starting in your junior year that enough core courses are being taken to be eligible for college athletics. See NCAA Eligibility Center.

SAT/ACT Preparation

Nativity offers an in-house SAT prep course for one quarter during the Sophomore year. The course is co-taught by a faculty member from the Math and English departments. Other information regarding outside testing preparation opportunities in the local community can be found in the Counseling Office.

SAT/ACT Testing

ACT Website
SAT Website

Khan Academy is an excellent, free website for practicing the SAT or ACT. Tutorials and practice tests are available for both the English and Math component. Mrs. Brensinger will walk you through the website if you need assistance. See Khan Academy.
PSAT Code – Nativity administers the PSAT to all underclassmen in October. Upon completion of the PSAT, the student grade reporting packet includes an individualized code to connect to Khan Academy for specialized practice/tutoring for the SAT. This is an excellent tool for SAT Preparation.