Rikke,

I would definitely try to call the school directly or send them an email. I have contacted a few schools myself and have spoken with the principals - so far the schools have said my children should have no problem being admitted. That being said, we are Catholic and the schools I have contacted are part of the NS system. Also, they are in smaller towns which probably has a lot to do with enrollment being a bit easier, opposed to schools in Dublin where it's highly populated.

I imagine there aren't many Jewish schools in Dublin, so it may be more difficult to get into. I would try calling the school directly if you can.

Also, you dont have to be Catholic to attend the national schools. However, from what I have gathered if it comes down to only one spot available and there is a Catholic family and a non-Catholic family on the list, it will go to the Catholic family.

There are some independent schools as well that are non-denominational you may want to look at.

Hope this helps!

After reading what you wrote, Kate, I took a look at my brother's school's admission policy. It's described as a 'Catholic school' and one which provides "religious education in accordance with the doctrines, beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church." They do ask the religion of your child, and ask for a Baptismal cert if Catholic, but do state that they "recognise that some children in our school have other beliefs, religions and ways of life of people of all faiths and of none."

Based on what my brother told me some time back, I can certainly see preferential treatment given to Catholics (most likely in cases like you mentioned above). It's kind of a weird setup for public schools, and I'm guessing it'll be challenged eventually. I could see it becoming more like the US school setup in time (separation of church), but I think that's way down the line.

One other thing, the Educate Together school network is a good place to start looking at non-denominational schools https://www.educatetogether.ie/

Yeah, the majority of the schools I looked at all state the Catholic education and request Baptismal records. It wasn't until I looked at the enrollment process that I found the wording about not having to be Catholic...

I attended Catholic schools in the US and even though they were based on Catholic values/teachings, there were always students of other religions.

It looks like there has been a push for the Educate Together network, so hopefully that will open more doors.

This is the wording I found on quite a few Enrolment Policy Forms for the National Schools...

"In the event of applications exceeding / expected to exceed the number of spaces
available, the Board of Management has determined that priority in the allocation of
places will be given to the following groups of children:
• Catholic children of the parish
• Brothers and sisters of children already enrolled in the school
• Non-Catholic children who live within the parish
• Catholic children who live outside the parish
• Non-Catholic children who live outside the parish."

Hopefully this helps clarify my earlier post about technically not having to be Catholic.

Kate - thanks! I think this is so important to know for people moving to Ireland. The Catholic way of life that was so deeply ingrained in Irish culture for so long still has a hold over the school system. Like it or not, it's a reality, and good to know in advance.

It's probably also good to know that you can't just check the 'Catholic' box to pass through. On the application forms I've seen they require proof in the form of a baptismal cert, which if you do have, you should have ready to show.

Thanks, Kate and Liam, for your thoughts on this! I have been in close and continual contact with the Jewish school in Dublin (there is just the one). I am still waiting to hear back because the Rabbi is away and needs to approve our application...

Meanwhile, I have sent applications to all Educate Together schools in Dublin! Casting a wide net and hoping that between all of that we will get something. I like the Educate Together ethos so I would be delighted to get both boys in to one of those schools too. We'll see!

Here in Denver where we live now, you are guaranteed a spot in the school that is designated your "neighborhood school" however, many of the schools here are not very good so it is sometimes not that helpful. Many people try to choice into better schools but there is so much demand that it is often unsuccessful.

From what I have heard and read, schools in Ireland are generally great so I feel confident that wherever the boys get in they will get an adequate education. It is just stressful to not know where that will be but I am sure it'll work out eventually. At least I hope so!!

Hey @rikkes & @katemreagan

There's a very relevant article in the Irish Independent and NYT's on this topic. Sad story, but thought I'd share it anyway.
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/irish-mothers-struggle-to-get-her-nonbaptised-son-into-statefunded-school-makes-headlines-in-the-us-34388801.html

It's good that this is being highlighted. I agree completely with the mother in this case. State funded schools should not discriminate against non-Catholic kids.

Wow, that is terrible! I agree with the mother as well - she has a very valid point that as a tax payer and as a citizen, her child has the right to attend a state-funded school.

I'm wondering if this is more of an issue in the larger cities, rather than the more rural areas where the schools need attendance numbers? Not that it makes it right whatsoever.

Hopefully with the multinational companies bringing in more employees from abroad (who may or may not be practicing Catholics), and with the number of Irish Catholics decreasing, this may start to change things? Probably not soon enough though.

Relevant news article...

Baptism barrier in schools here to stay www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/baptism-barrier-in-schools-here-to-stay-34775244.html