Book Purchasing FAQ

FAQs For Books

How do I order my books for the school year?
How do I pay for the books?
When can I pick up my books?
How do I determine what books I need?
When do I have to order so I can have my books for the first day of class?
What if I already have some of the books that will be used in class?
Are there any books or items not covered by this book fee?
Can I pay by personal check?
What if I missed the ordering deadline?
Under what name or number does my order get filed?
Can I buy the books elsewhere?
Can I buy other items, such as sweaters, turtlenecks, etc., at the same time as ordering books?
What do I do if the clothes I order do not fit?
How do I change or cancel an order once it has been placed?
Is the Shopping Cart receipt important and what is it used for?
What is not covered by the book fee?
Why did Prep go to a fee based system?
What happens if I don't place an order for books and just buy them as needed durring the year?
My son has siblings who took some of the same classes. We probably have some of the books that are required. Can we get credit and pay a lesser fee?
How can I determine which titles will be in each teacher's package?
I still have questions...who do I ask?

1. How do I order my books for the school year?

Saint Peter's Prep has implemented an online ordering system for all the books needed for every student in every year. You access the system by going to the Home Page of the Prep website (www.spprep.org) and selecting the "Campus Shop". Alternately, you can go directly to the Campus Shop website (http://campusshop.spprep.org). Once into the Campus Shop you select the appropriate "Incoming Year." Be sure to enter the student's name at the bottom of the form and proceed to the shopping cart for credit cart payments. Once you have paid your book fee, your son will receive all the books necessary for all the classes for which he is enrolled. This will include, textbooks, workbooks, paperback books, reference books, and in some cases binders and physics equipment. This is the ONLY way to order your books for the coming year at Prep.

2. How do I pay for the books?

You have two choices: The best alternative is that you can pay when you place the order online by using any valid credit card (this is a secured site and your card information is not retained). This is the preferred method and will ensure your son will receive his books as soon as school starts. The online system will allow you to print a copy of your order and save your proof of payment. You will also receive an email confirmation of your order. As an alternative, you can pay by check or cash by coming to the Campus Shop during normal school hours or by mail. However, you must do this in July or early August so your son can be assured of getting his books on time.

3. When can I pick up the books?

You don't have to pick them up. This year is totally different and hopefully easier on the student and parent. They will be distributed to your son in class. Therefore, there will be no need to come in during the summer to pick up books. However, as with any other Prep fee, it must be paid prior to starting school or the student may not be allowed to attend class. Additionally the order should be placed prior to August 15th or the books may not be available for distribution during the first day of school.

4. How do I determine what books I need?

You do not have to determine which books you need. The books will be ordered by each of your son's teachers for each individual course. Your son's enrollment in that course with that particular teacher will ensure he gets the proper books.

5. When do I have to order so I can have my books for the first day of class?

In order to be assured you will have your books ready for distribution during the beginning of classes, you must order them and pay your book fee before August 15. Any orders after that date will be filled to the best of our ability but may not be available when school starts. You may have to come to the Campus Shop at a later time to pick up your books.

6. What if I already have some of the books that will be used in class?

You still have to place the order and pay the book fee. The Prep has gone to this new fee based system for providing books as an overall cost savings to the students over the four year period. All the books will be provided to your son regardless of whether he is taking AP, Honors, Lab based, or a regular course. This will even include his textbooks.

7. Are there any books or items not covered by this book fee?

There are only a very few exceptions. If you are taking an AP course, you will be required to take the AP exam at the completion of the course. The College Board requires a fee for each test taken. Last year they charged $89 per test and the College Board has nominal annual increases. We anticipate this year's fee will be $93 per test. However if you order early you will be charged last year's lower fee. Prep will then pay the College Board fee on your behalf. Also not covered will be Musical Instrument lessons and these should be ordered at the same time you order the books. Juniors can also order their school ring and pay the initial deposit at this time. Measurement will take place in school and the rings will be provided at the Junior mass. Lastly, a Varsity jacket can be ordered and a deposit paid on this site.

8. Can I pay by personal check?

We can accept personal checks at the Campus Shop or by mail. However, the student's name and school id number must be on the check. The checks should be payable to "Saint Peter's Prep". Returned checks will incur a $50 bank fee.

9. What if I missed the ordering deadline?

If you have not ordered your required books and paid the required fee before school has started, then you must make arrangements with the Finance office before the student can attend class.

10. Under what name does my order get filed?

When you place your order through the Website, you will be asked for the student's name. This is required and will be the name under which the order is filed, regardless of the name on the credit card or check. Please make sure you have entered the student's name and student id after the name.

11. Can I buy the books elsewhere?

Regardless of where you buy the books you are required to pay the Prep book fee. If you should lose a book during the year you can buy a replacement at the Campus Shop or at any other vendor of your choice. However you must buy the same version and edition.

12. Can I buy other items, such as sweaters, turtlenecks, etc., at the same time as ordering books?

You can add anything from the Campus Shop to your order. Students may want to add sweaters, shirts, gym clothes, or sweat shirts to the order for pick up at the same time.

13. What do I do if the clothes I order do not fit?

Any clothes not worn can be returned to the Campus Shop within the first two weeks of school for either an exchange to the proper size or a full refund. You must bring in the Shopping Cart receipt along with the merchandise to be returned.

14. How do I change or cancel an order once it has been placed?

The easiest way to change an order will be to cancel the original order completely and issue a new order. To cancel the order, just send an email to hollywoodj@spprep.org and put "Book Order Cancel" in the subject line. In the email, please enclose the student's name and the order number issued by the Shopping Cart. You will be issued a refund as soon as possible.

15. Is the Shopping Cart receipt important and what is it used for?

The receipt you get from the website after you place your order is very important for several reasons. It is a proof of book fee payment and will act as a receipt for admittance to classes. It will also act as a receipt for any items other than books and will act as your pick up receipt for clothing at the Campus Shop.

16. What is not covered by the book fee?

Clothing, Junior Prep ring, AP Exam fees, and Musical Instrument lessons are not covered.

17. Why did Prep go to a fee based system?

Prior to this year there were many additional fees charged to students. There were fees for all the different arts classses, all the different computer classes, Museum visits, Arts day, and several others. Prep has decided to eliminate all these other fees and incorporate them into a single book fee which is less than all the other fees and books needed for each year.

18. What happens if I don't place an order for books and just buy them as needed durring the year?

This book order fee is considered a Prep annual fee and must be paid by each student prior to beginning class in September. If the fee is not paid it will be treated as any other unpaid fee, and the student will not be allowed to attend class.

19. My son has siblings who took some of the same classes. We probably have some of the books that are required. Can we get credit and pay a lesser fee?

Prep has implemented this new system which requires full payment before the school year starts. The teachers have the option to select new books or require additional books during the year. There will be no extra charge for any books required. This book fee will cover all course books.

20. How can I determine which titles will be in each teacher's package?

You can't. Each teacher reservesthe right to select the books and change them throughout the year. Many of the choices will be based upon class performance and the number of books may change as the curriculum dictates.

21. I still have questions...whom do I ask?

If you still have questions, either before or after placing an order, just email your question to hollywoodj@spprep.org and put "Book Order Question" in the subject line.. I will try my best to answer your questions as soon as possible.

Author: Mr. J. Hollywood Copyright © 2011 Saint Peter's Prep. All rights reserved. Revised: 06/27/10.

Author: Mr. J. Hollywood
Copyright © 2011 Saint Peter's Prep. All rights reserved.
Revised: 06/27/10.