Students who are eligible for DECATS meet the following criteria.
- Student will complete the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth grade by June.
- Student must have scored in the 95th percentile or higher on a nationally-normed, standardized achievement test.
In Novemeber, DECATS invites Catholic school principals in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston to nominate students who meet the eligibility criteria. Principals, or an assistant of their designation, compile the necessary information and submit it to DECATS.
Nominees, having been certified by their principals of their achievement test score, are then eligible to make formal application to the program. Scholars complete an online application and pay an application deposit. A space is not reserved for a Scholar until DECATS receives both items. Families can use the myStatus system to track what has and has not been received by DECATS. Applications are typically due in February.
Applicants are notified of their admission status usually during March or April. In the acceptance letter, Scholars are invited to register online. On the registration website, Scholars review the courses that will be offered at the upcoming session and rank them in order of preference. DECATS must receive a completed registration and a remaining tuition payment before a Scholar is scheduled into courses. Registrations are typically due in May.
Students who have attended DECATS in the past are automatically invited to return to the program each year until they no longer meet the age eligibility requirement. |
