Join us on our QUEST for learning through exploration, wonder, investigation, and play!
FAQs re: Quest
I have to be at work at 8 AM but school doesn’t start until 8:15 AM; what am I supposed to do with my elementary-aged student?
We understand this is a concern for many parents. We are happy to offer three options for parents:
**As promised, our administration worked closely with our teachers and elementary school principals to determine whether we could open the doors earlier than 7:55 AM. We even looked at providing incentives or extra personnel at each school to open the doors earlier than 7:55 AM.
After a thorough analysis, we determined that unfortunately, we simply do not have enough personnel at our elementary schools to open the doors any earlier than the school needs for car rider line. Our elementary teachers need to be preparing to teach, and we don't have enough classified staff to fill our supervision needs.
If you need to use Quest and have financial constraints, please call the Quest office to discuss your particular situation: 828.464.8333.
Did you change the start times just so more students would have to pay for QUEST in the morning and the school district can make more money?
The short answer? Absolutely not. Our before- and after-school care program, QUEST, is a self-sustaining, non-profit organization under the umbrella of Catawba County Schools which is also a non-profit organization. By definition, neither organization can charge more than what something costs to run that organization. We are working hard to make sure that QUEST remains an affordable option for all of our families. We are happy to announce that we were able to keep the total cost of AM/PM care to remain the same from 2018-19 to 2019-20 ($55/week for a 5-day contract). Please click here to view the pricing information on Quest.
I’ve heard there is already a waiting list with some Quest programs. How will I know if my child gets into the before- or after-school program?
The best thing you can do is to sign up for Quest as early as possible so we can plan accordingly and hire enough workers over the summer to be ready for school to start August 26th. Please click here to register for 2019-20 QUEST. Do you know anyone interested in working before- or after-school care with some of the best students in the nation? Please tell them to apply here!
We understand this is a concern for many parents. We are happy to offer three options for parents:
- You may drop your students off at their elementary school as early as 7:50 AM or 7:55 AM.** (Times are dependent on how long it takes for the car rider line and will be announced prior to next school year. Some schools take longer than others.) Students can enjoy a hot breakfast provided by our School Nutrition Department while they are waiting for school to begin at 8:15 AM.
- If you need to drop your student off earlier than 7:50 AM or 7:55 AM, then we invite your student to join our QUEST Family. Our awesome Before and After School Program offers before-school care from 6 AM until school starts and then again from the end of school until 6 PM. You can learn more about the Quest program, including the 2019-20 pricing by clicking here.
- Depending on your work schedule and your specific bus route, your student may be able to ride the bus allowing you to get to work earlier than if you dropped them off at school. Specific bus routes and times will be published closer to the start of next school year.
**As promised, our administration worked closely with our teachers and elementary school principals to determine whether we could open the doors earlier than 7:55 AM. We even looked at providing incentives or extra personnel at each school to open the doors earlier than 7:55 AM.
After a thorough analysis, we determined that unfortunately, we simply do not have enough personnel at our elementary schools to open the doors any earlier than the school needs for car rider line. Our elementary teachers need to be preparing to teach, and we don't have enough classified staff to fill our supervision needs.
If you need to use Quest and have financial constraints, please call the Quest office to discuss your particular situation: 828.464.8333.
Did you change the start times just so more students would have to pay for QUEST in the morning and the school district can make more money?
The short answer? Absolutely not. Our before- and after-school care program, QUEST, is a self-sustaining, non-profit organization under the umbrella of Catawba County Schools which is also a non-profit organization. By definition, neither organization can charge more than what something costs to run that organization. We are working hard to make sure that QUEST remains an affordable option for all of our families. We are happy to announce that we were able to keep the total cost of AM/PM care to remain the same from 2018-19 to 2019-20 ($55/week for a 5-day contract). Please click here to view the pricing information on Quest.
I’ve heard there is already a waiting list with some Quest programs. How will I know if my child gets into the before- or after-school program?
The best thing you can do is to sign up for Quest as early as possible so we can plan accordingly and hire enough workers over the summer to be ready for school to start August 26th. Please click here to register for 2019-20 QUEST. Do you know anyone interested in working before- or after-school care with some of the best students in the nation? Please tell them to apply here!