THEMISSION
ChristAcademyexistsinordertoprovideclassical,Christianeducation thatformsstudentstodisplaythesurpassinggoodnessofJesusChrist throughthoughtful,articulate,beautiful,andvirtuouslives
STATEMENTOFFAITH
WeaimtoprovideourstudentswithaChristianeducationthatleadstoChristianbeliefandpractice tothegloryofGod.Whilewewelcomedenominationaldifferences,wealsocommittoaunifying statementoffaithbasedonthehistoric,orthodoxChristianityexpressedintheancient creeds–Apostles’,Nicene,andAthanasian.
Inshort,thesecreedspresent:
● TheunityandtrinityofGod–Father,SonandHolySpirit.
● ThebenevolentcreationoftheworldbyGod
● Thebrokennessofcreation,includinghumanity,isirremediableexceptbyGod.
● TheincarnationofGodtoremedycreation’sneed.
● ThecompletebutsinlesshumanityofJesus,Godincarnate.
● TheatoningdeathofJesusandhisphysicalresurrectionplushisphysicalascension
● ThecurrentworkofGodtheHolySpirittohealcreationthroughpeoplewhofollowJesusas baptizeddisciples,integratedintoworshipingcommunities,pursuingthesinlesshumanityof Jesusintheirownlives.
● ThefuturereturnofJesustofinalizethehealingofcreation
Moredetailedaccountsofthesetheologicalandethicalstandardsappearinthefollowing post-ReformationexpressionsofChristiantheology:TheThreeFormsofUnity,theWestminster Standards,theThirty-nineArticlesofReligion,andthe1689LondonBaptistConfessionofFaith, whichofferexcellentsummariesofthescriptures.
CULTURALISSUES
OnCreation
WithScripture,ChristAcademyaffirmsthatallthecosmosisGod’scherishedcreation:“‘AndGodsaw everythingthathehadmade,andbehold,itwasverygood”(Genesis1).Hemadeittoreflecthimself (Psalm19),andheinvestedhumanitywiththespecialprivilegeofstewardingtheearthonhisbehalf
(Psalm115) AtruncatedstudyofcreationomitsGod’sinvolvementanddesign,butatChrist Academy,sincewepursue“allthetreasuresofwisdomandknowledge,”ourstudyofscienceincludes consciousengagementwithScripture.WeteachstudentstoknowGod,andthusthemselves,more fullythroughhiscreation.Innowaydoesthisdiminishtheroleofrobustintellectualengagement.To thecontrary,mathematicsandthehardsciencescracklewithmorewonderandenergywhenseenas beautiful,fascinating,nearly-bottomlessexpressionsoftheCreator.
ChristAcademyrecognizesthatwiseChristiansacrossthecenturieshavedifferedonthesignificanceof keytermsandconceptsinthecreationnarrativesofGenesis1-2 Inkeepingwithboththeclassical modelandtheChristiantradition,wethereforeinvitestudentstograpplewitharangeofperspectives regardingtheageoftheearthandGod’sprocessofcreation.Atthesametime,wemaintainan unflinchingcommitmenttoScripture’sclearteachingaboutcreation:thisisGod’shandiwork,forhis abundantgloryandhumanity’simmensejoy,andoneday,whenChristreturnstomakeallthingsnew, wewillexperienceitwithpuredelight.Untilthen,wepursuefaithfulnessaccordingtoGod’sdesign.
OnGender,Marriage,andSexuality
ChristAcademyaffirmsthatGodreservesamarriageunionforonemanandonewoman,andhe reservessexualintimacyexclusivelywithinthatmarriage.Werecognizethatthisaffirmationis out-of-synchwiththemajorityopinionin21stcenturyAmerica However,wetakeourcuesnotfrom thepopulacebutfromholyScriptureinconjunctionwithGod’speopleacrosstheages.Our convictiononthismatterfallsfirmlywithinthemainstreamofhistoric,Christianorthodoxy.
Contrarytocaricaturesandmisperceptions,ourreasoningisnotbasedonfear,nordowedemeanthe fullhumandignityofpeopleinvolvedinsame-sexrelationships,orinanynon-Biblicalexpressionof sexuality.However,weseethatGod’sdesignformarriageisinfactastillgreateraffirmationofhuman dignity:justasGodisbothone-and-many(onebeingandthreepersons),soisman-womanmarriage Inthisway,Godencodessymbolsofhisownmysteriousunity-in-diversitywithinembodiedhumanity (Eph5).Ourbodiesarepartofhischerishedcreation,andGod’sgiftofsexualpleasurefindssanction onlyinthecomplementarityofmaleandfemalebodies.AsJesushimselfsaid,ithasbeensofromthe beginning(Matt19)
InaffirmingtheseBiblicalvalues,wealsoacknowledgethatsomeindividualsfacesignificant,unwanted hurdlestolivingwithinGod’sdesignforgender,marriageandsexuality.Genderdysphoria,for example,isagenuineafflictionwithacomplexetiology AswepursuefaithfulnesstoGod’sdesign,we alsoextendcompassiontothosewhosuffer,whileconcurrentlyseekingtoshepherdthosewithinour
orbit WeexpectthatallChristAcademystudents,aswellasaffiliatedpersonnel,willdothesame This isonesignificantwaythatweloveGodwithallourbeingandourneighborasourselves.
OnSanctityofHumanLife
WebelievethatallhumanlifeissacredandcreatedbyGodinhisimage.Wethereforehaveadivine mandatetodefend,protect,andvalueallhumanlife,ateverystageofdevelopmentordegradation. Sincewearehischerishedcreatures,taskedwithimitatinghisowncharacter,wemustdelightequally intheunbornandtheelderly,thegeniusandthepersonwithcognitivedisability,theathleteandthe physicallychallenged–andeveryotherpermutationofhumanlife.AllareequallyvaluableinGod’s eyes.
PHILOSOPHYOFEDUCATION
WedisciplestudentsthrougheducationthatisrobustlyChristianandpedagogicallyclassical
ChristianeducationidentifiesJesusChristasthecenterofhumanlife.SinceChrististhehub,thecore ofallwisdomandknowledge,educationwithChristatthecenterisintegratedandharmonious, offeringstudentsanencounterwiththeinterconnectednessofalltruth
Classicaleducationstemsfromthetraditionsoftheclassicalworld,thecivilizationsofancientGreece andRome Intheclassicalworld,educationemphasizedindependenceofmind,clarityofwriting, andwinsomenessofspeaking.Theaimwastoformcitizenswhowouldbuildafreesocietythrough excellenceofmindandsoul.Theoutcomewasthebackboneof Westernsocietytoday.Sinceavirtuous societydependsonavirtuouscitizenry,classicaleducationisformativeandliberating,engagingthe wholepersonforthepurposeofshapingindividualsandcommunitiesasoutpostsofgoodness,beauty andtruth.
AtChristAcademy,weaffirmthattheoldideasoftheclassicalworldremainvitalforanewgeneration. WealsoaffirmthatalltruthhasacommonsourceintheOnewhomadeitandlivedit,the God-human,JesusChrist.Whiletoday’sstandardeducationaltheoryfragmentstruthby compartmentalizingsubjects,theclassicalmodel,groundedinChrist,pursuesaunifiedapproach.
Admittedly,wedifferentiatebetweenhumanitiesandscienceforthesakeofeducationalexcellence; giventhevastnessoftheknowledgebaseandthelimitationsofthehumanmind,itwouldbe
unreasonabletoexpectcomprehensiveexpertise Nevertheless,evenacrossfields,weseektohighlight theinterconnections.Evenmore,withinthedisciplines,weemphasizetheintegral,thewhole,nature ofknowledge.
Inallthis,ouraimistodevelopstudentswhoare,asJesussaid,“wiseasserpentsandgentleasdoves” (Matt.10:16). Inpartnershipwithparents,weteachyoungpeopletoseeJesusChristastheirexample, tofollowtheHolySpiritastheirguide,torecognizethebeautiesofGod’screation,tolovethosegood things,toparticipateindiscoveringandcelebratingthemwithothers,andinallthingstodelightinthe TriuneGodwholovesthem
PhilosophyofHumanities
Inthestudyofthehumanities–literature,history,philosophy,theology–weexposestudentstothe goldenthreadsthatJesushaswoventhroughoutthegreatartifactsofhumanculture.Theydiscover boththeconceptsandcompellingpicturesofbeauty,wisdom,virtue,justice,andhonor.They encounterabreadthoftruth,andtheylearnexcellencethroughexperiencingitfirsthand
Notably,however,thisstudyofthehumanitiesisnotmerelyamatterofintellectualacquisition.Itis alsoamoralformation.Inkeepingwiththefundamentalvaluesofclassical,Christianeducation,the studyofthehumanitiesseekstodeveloptruehumanitywithinstudents Thisunderlyinggoalinforms oureducationalmethod.
Thecurriculumfocusesondeep,extendedinteractionwithalimitedselectionofkeytexts.Insteadof information-heavylectures,instructorssupplymimeticteachingandSocraticdiscussion Students listenkeenlyinordertounderstand,develop,andpracticecriticalthinking,judiciousdiscernment,and creative,clearcommunication,bothoralandwritten.Theirinterlocutorsarenotonlythegreat thinkersandcommunicatorsofthepastwhomtheyencounterinclassictexts;theyalsoengageone anotherandeventheirteachers Overtime,throughpatientguidance,studentsinternalizethe excellenceofthetradition.TheylearntonameandownGod’sprovidentialdirectionandcare throughouthistory,acrossthebreadthofhumanpursuits.Inthiswaytheygrowmorefullyintothe humanitythatGodhascreatedforthembecauseofJesusChrist,thesourceandmodelofalltruth
PhilosophyofBible
AtChristAcademy,aswiththestudyofallthings,weapproachtheBiblethroughthepersonofJesus Christ.Hewasbothdivineandhuman,andsowehavewarrantforaffirmingtheBibleasbothdivine
andhuman HewasGod’sWordinhumanflesh,andsowehavejustificationfornamingtheBibleas God’sWordinhumanwords.SinceJesusspoketruthineverythinghesaid,wemaylegitimatelyclaim theBible’struthinallthatitsays.
WhatitsaysaboveallisthatGodtheCreatorsodelightsinhiscreationthatheremainedcommittedto itwhenevilinvaded,thatheorchestrateditsredemptionsofullythatheenterediteveningreatpain, andthatonedayhewillrevealthefullnessofthisredemptionforallwhoreceivehisholistic,masterful, graciouskingship Insayingallthis,Scriptureisutterlyclear
However,Scripturesaysmorethanthis.InnarratingGod’sredemptivedrama,italsoinstructsGod’s peopleinthefullnessofGod’swisdom,andinthisexpansiveinstructionnotalldetailsareequally clear TheBibleistrueinallthatitsays,but,alongwithwiseChristiansacrossthecenturies,indeed witheventheapostlesandprophetsandJesushimself,weacknowledgethatidentifyingwhatScripture saysrequiresskillfulattentiontothepragmaticsofhumanlanguage.ScriptureisGod’sself-revelation writteninthecustomsofordinaryhumanity;itiseternaltruthconveyedthroughourconventions,or rather,throughtheconventionsofourforebearsinancientcultures
AtChristAcademy,weaimtoeducatestudentsinthefullnessofGod’swisdom,andinhandling Scripture,whilewestartwithwhatisclear,wecontinueintowhatislessclear.Inallthis,wemaintaina firmgraspupon JesusChrist,inwhomarefoundallthetreasuresofwisdomandknowledge
PhilosophyoftheArts
Sinceweaimtoformanexpansivehumanitywithinourstudents,weloadoureducationwithbroad exposuretothebeautyofvisual,musical,andperformativeart.BeautyisitselfanencounterwithGod; healoneisbeautyitself.ThefourthcenturytheologianGregoryofNazianzenlikenedGodtothe “beautyandgreatnessoftheheavens,”onlywithinfinitelymoresplendor.
Thearts,then,areagiftfromGod.Theypenetratebeneaththefabricofourcognitiontoprovideus withalived-experienceofGod’sbeing,butnotinawaythatreplacesGod.SinceonlyGodhimself fullysatisfiesthehumanheart,theartscanonlystiranappetiteforGod;theygiveatasteofhisbeauty, movingus,shapingustodiscoverthefullnessoflifeinhimthroughJesusChrist Aneducation withoutbeautyisthusincomplete.
AtChristAcademy,weteachmusicasthesoundandrhythmofbeauty Thevisualartsarethe appearanceofbeauty.Performativeartsengageearsandeyeswiththemovementofbeauty.We
recognizethatstudentsmaydifferintheirappreciationofthearts,butwealsoacknowledgethat appreciationofartrequirestrainingincommunity.Wehelpourstudentstodevelopaloveforbeauty byteachingthemitscomponentsthroughlingeringencounterwithitsmostcelebratedexpressions.We alsonurtureourstudentsintheirownartisticproductionsbecause,justasGodhasgiventheartsin ordertorevealsomethingofhimselfforourjoy,sohecallsus,inimitationofhimself,todevelopand deployourartisticabilitiesforthesakeofothers’delight.
PhilosophyofLanguage
Inthecontextofaschooleducation,theplaceoflanguagemayseemsoobviousasnottomerit commentorexplanation However, inthespiritofcriticalthinkingandclearcommunication,itis worthwhiletosaythreethingsabouthowChristAcademyviewslanguage.
(1) All languageisasmallparticipationinJesusChrist.Insayingthis,wedonotmeanthat languageofferssalvificencounterwithJesus,butwedomeanthat,likebeauty,languageisa windowontothedivinebeing.Godhimself,asFather,SonandHolySpirit,iseternally communicatinginwholerelationships;thethreepersonsareperpetuallyunifiedin understanding.IntheincarnationofJesus,GodtheSonembodiedthiseternal communication.AswereadinJohn’sgospel,“hemadeknown”theinvisibleGod.Jesuswas (andis)theWordmadeflesh.Whenwecommunicate,wearefaintlybutgenuinelyimitating thismystery
(2) Alllanguageislimited.WewillneverfullycapturethemysteryofGod.Wewillneverexhaust thewondersofthought Therewillalwaysbemoretosay Whenweacceptthislimitation,we liveinthetruth,andweopenourselvestoaworldofdiscoverywithincommunity
(3) Alllanguagehasaheritage.Thesoundsandstructuresofourcommunicationhavedeveloped overtimeasGod’sprovidencehasdirectedhumanculture WithintheWesternculturethatwe inhabit,theterm“trivium”referstotime-testedinstructionintheartandskilloflanguage. Classicaleducationtakesthetrivium initsdivisionsofgrammar,logic,andrhetoric tobe themostrefinedandusefulapproachtolanguagewithinourheritage.
AtChristAcademy,weseethevalueofthetriviumasfollows:
● Grammaristheproperpracticeofalanguage’srulesandrhythms.InteachingtheEnglish language,thestudyofLatinisespeciallyuseful;itilluminatesthegrammaticalstructuresand vocabularyofEnglish,anditconnectsustoourlinguisticheritage.
● Logicistheuseoflanguagetoconstructmeaningfulargument;itisalsotheartofthinking thatundergirdstheuseoflanguage.TheLatinlanguageplaysaroleinthisstudyaswell;its exactnessofsyntaxsupportstheformationoflogicalhabitsofthemind.Thestudyofformal logicexpandsthemind’scapacitytothinkandcommunicateclearly. Butthebenefitoflogicisnotonlycognitive:itisalsoaffective therearebenefitsfortheheart Learningtothinkcriticallyhelpstoguardagainstconfusingtheloveoftruthwiththeloveof beingright.Italsohelpstoproducehumility,empathy,andawillingnesstolistentotheother.
● Rhetoricistheartofdiscoursethatseekstoconvinceandtransformthroughgoodnessand life-givingpersuasion TraininginRhetoricbeginswithdelightinginwhatisbeautifullysaid, whetherliterature,poetry,Scriptureorotherwrittenorspokenword.Asourstudentscome intoalargestoreofwell-saidphrasesthroughencounterandevenmemorization,theybeginto learnandpracticethefiveclassicalcanonsofrhetoric:invention,style,arrangement,delivery, andmemory Theclarityoftheclassicallanguageshelpforminourstudentsthehabitsof fluencyandeloquenceinexpression.
PhilosophyofMathematicsandScience
AtChristAcademy,weplaceahighvalueonmathandsciencebecauseweplaceahighervalueonJesus Christ.Heisthemasterofthecreationwhosedetailandstructureweexplore,andheistheonein whom“allthingsholdtogether”(Col1) SincewewanttoknowChrist,weinvestigatehishandiwork
Further,sinceourgoalisrelationshipwithourcreator,notsimplyawarenessofhim,webeginthe studyofmathandsciencebycultivatinghappycuriosity.Jesushimselfdelightsinhiscreation,andwe learntoknowhimwellbyimitatinghisownappreciationforthemarvelsofbugsandstarsand algorithmsandformulae.Fromthisstartingpoint,studentswhoexcelinmathandsciencereceivea compellinginvitationtohumilityandgratitude,studentswithoutnaturalaptitudeformathand sciencemayfindencouragementandjoy,andallstudentshearthecalltostewardcreation,astheir studiesannouncetheprimacyofJesusChrist
Excellenceinmathandscienceundoubtedlyrequiresmemorizationofmanyfacts,butsinceourgoalis knowledgeofChrist,ourapproachheredoesnotenshrinedataacquisitionasthehighmarkof excellence Rather,weusethefactsasspringboardsintothedeepskillsofinquiry,observation, reasoning,documentation,andpersuasion.Acrossthecenturies,theseskillshavefedscientific enterpriseinserviceofthecommongood,whichwewantstudentstounderstand;asweexplore variousaxiomsandtheoremsandmethods,wealsocelebratetheconnectionstoournotable predecessors.
Inotherwords,studentsreceiveaneducationthatintegratesinformationwithincommunity.This leads,then,toaharmonioussenseofplacewithinavenerabletraditionofgreatscientistsand mathematicians.Evenmore,itushersstudentsalongthepathofsatisfying,genuinehumanity;they discoverthewayoflifethatprioritizestruthforthesakeofgoodnessandbeautyinrelationship And inthatwayoflife,studentsencounteryetanotherplaneofcoherence:theyimitateChrist,theonewho createdthetheaterformathandscienceinthefirstplace.
OURCULTURE
UniformPolicy
SEEUNIFORMPOLICY
DisciplinePolicy
Werecognizethatmaintainingawell-disciplinedclassroomiskeytolearning Webelievethat “Knowledgewithoutvirtueisdangerous.”Therefore,encouragingvirtuousbehaviorthatstemsfrom theheartisasimportantasencouragingexcellenceinmathandgrammar.Astudent’sbehavior, attitude,andphysicaldispositionshouldcontributepositivelytotheclassroomenvironmentand ChristAcademy’svalueofshapinggodlycharacter Ourruleissimpleformaintainingthisdisciplined atmosphere:“Loveyourneighborasyourself.”
ChristAcademyusesastructureddisciplineplanwhilevaryingtheconsequencesbasedontheframe ofthestudentandtheparent’sinput. Althoughourmethodofhelpingstudentsreachthestandard of“lovingGodandlovingourneighbor”maybedifferent,thestandardremains. Anydisciplinary actionmustbedoneinlovewiththehopeofrestoration.
CLASSROOMDISCIPLESHIP
WeloveGodbylovingoneanother,andmutualrespectisakeymarkofGod-honoringlove.Students areexpectedtobehaveinawaythatfostersrespectforboththeirteachersandtheirfellowstudents Teachershavetheresponsibilitytoguidestudentsinthispursuitofrespect.Generalbehaviorsthat willbehandledwithinaclassroomsettingareasfollows:
● Nuisancebehaviortoteacherorstudents
● Inappropriateuseofclassroommaterial
● Minorclassroomdisruptions
Infractionsofthisnaturewillbehandledwithverbalwarningsbyfaculty.Threeclassroominfractions inadaywillresultinanofficevisit.
OFFICEVISITS
OvertbehaviorswhichrequireofficeinvolvementnecessitateparentnotificationviaClassReach. Dependingontheseverityoftheinfraction,studentsmayneedtobepickedupimmediatelyfrom schooland/ormayneedtoattendadisciplinaryhearing. Fordisciplinetobeeffective,itisimperative forteachersandparentstoworkasateam.Ifthiscannotbeaccomplished,astudentmayneedtobe unenrolleduntilsuchatimeasanagreementcanbereached
Overtbehaviorsareasfollowsandwillconstituteanimmediateofficevisit:
● Flagrantdisrespectshowntostaff
● Dishonesty(eg,lying,cheating,stealing)
● Anyviolationofourelectronicdevicepolicy
● Defiance(e.g.,outrightdisobedience,consistentcorrection,orrebellion)
● Fighting(e.g.,strikingwiththeintentiontoharmanotherstudentinangerandnotforthe purposeofdefendinganother)
● Bullying(i.e.,whenastudentdeliberatelydesirestodoharmtoanotherstudentduringor outsideofschool,thisincludescyber-bullying)
● Actsthatendangerthelivesofanotherpersonoroneself
● Vandalism
● Theftonoroffcampus
● Intentionalmisuseuseofschoolpropertyorfacility
● Foullanguage(e.g.,obscene,vulgar,profane)
● Romanticdisplaysofaffection(eg,kissing,hugging,hand-holding)
● Inappropriatesexualconduct(e.g.,anysexualactivityoutsideofmarriage,inappropriate touching,useofpornography,etc.)
● Illegalsubstanceabuse(e.g.,drugoralcoholuse)
● Weaponsoncampus
● Engaginginbehaviorthatsuggestsawillfulviolationofthereligiousbeliefsandpracticesof theschool
DEGREESOFDISCIPLINEFOROFFICEVISITS
Thedegreeofdisciplinedependsontheseverityoftheoffenseandfallssomewherealong(butnot limitedto)thiscontinuum. Weholdthatpublicoffensewillneedapublicapologyandprivate offenseaprivateapology. Thegoalofdisciplineistobringastudentbackintofellowship. Afteran officevisitthestudentwillbeaskedtoseekforgivenessoftheindividualorgroupthatthestudenthas sinnedagainst
Potentialconsequencesforanofficevisit(parentswillbenotified):
● Removingofsomeprivilege(eg,recess)
● Awrittenreflectionregardingtheoffense
● Communityservice(e.g.,janitorialwork)
● Senthome(e.g.,earlypick-up)
● Disciplinehearingthatmayresultinthefollowing:
o Parentalattendanceduringtheschoolday
o Working,on-campussuspension
o Off-campussuspension
o Expulsion
RE-ADMITTANCE
Shouldastudentwhowasexpelled,orwhowithdrewtopreventexpulsion,desiretobereadmittedto ChristAcademyatalaterdate,theywouldneedtore-applyatthattime.
ELECTRONICDEVICEPOLICY
Useofpersonalelectronicdevices(i.e.phones,smartphones,portablegamingdevices,smartwatches etc.)bystudentsisprohibitedoncampus.
Studentswhowishtocarryaphonewiththemtoschoolwillsecuretheirphonesinalocking, school-issuedpouchforthedurationoftheschoolday.Ifthestudentneedstousethephoneduring thedayforanapproveduse,itmaybeunlockedbyofficepersonnelandusedforthatpurposeunder officesupervision Phoneswillbeunlockedatthegatewhenstudentsaredismissedattheendofthe schoolday.
Useoflaptopsispermissibleforsecondaryacademicpurposesonlyunderthepre-approveddirection andsupervisionofateacher.
Violations:
● Afirstviolationofthispolicywillresultinimmediateconfiscationofthedevice,tobereleased toaparentorguardian.
● AsecondviolationofthispolicywillresultinaparentconferencewiththeDean/Headof School.
● Athirdviolationofthispolicywillresultinadisciplinaryhearing ChristAcademyacceptsnoresponsibilityforuse,breakage,theft,orlossofphonesorotherpersonal items.Overridingallthesedetails,theschoolreservestherighttoactaswedeemnecessaryinany situation
ACADEMICDISCIPLINE
Studentsareexpectedtocompleteassignmentsinatimelymannerandtocommunicateinadvance withteachersinthecaseofextenuatingcircumstances Teacherswillinformstudentsifanassignment extensioniswarranted.
● Ifastudenthasnotcompletedhomeworkbytheassignedduedate,theteacherwillsubmita “missingassignmentform”throughClassReach Thiswillnotifybothparentsandthe Dean/HeadofSchoolthattheassignmenthasnotbeenturnedin
● Amissedassignmentwillbeenteredasa“0”inClassReachuntilsubmitted,andthefollowing latepercentageswillapply: 10%fornotbeingsubmitted,20%forthe2nddayandone percentagepointthereafter Astanding“0”willmeanthestudentneversubmittedthework
CHEATINGANDPLAGIARISM
Cheatingisdefinedasbreakingtherulesofanassignmentorassessment,forexample,copyingafellow student’sworkwithoutaninstructor’spermission,talkingduringanassessment, orunfairlyaccessing notesduringanexam.
Plagiarismisamajorsubsetofcheating,principallyinregardstowrittenassignments Itisdefinedas usinganotherperson’sideasorwordswithoutprovidingapropercitation.
Ifeithercheatingorplagiarismisnoticed,theassignmentorassessmentwillimmediatelyreceivea0. Parentswillbenotified. Asecondcheatingorplagiarisminfractionwillresultinareviewbythe educationcouncil
DRESSCODEVIOLATION
Ifadresscodeviolationisobservedbyfaculty,theywillinformofficestaffwhowillalertparents throughaClassReachdresscodeviolationform.Afterfourdresscodeviolations,anofficevisitand emailwillfollow. Afterthefifthviolationwithinasemesterthestudentwillbesenthome.
Subsequentdresscodeviolationswillresultinofficevisitsinaccordancewiththedisciplinepolicy Overridingallthesedetails,theschoolreservestherighttoactaswedeemnecessaryinanysituation.
*Auniformpolicyviolationissomethingthatcannotbecorrectedinclass.
OURPROGRAM
OnCurriculum
AtChristAcademy,webelievethatcurriculumisanessentialtool,butthatitistheteacherwhobrings educationtolifethroughuseofthattool.Assuch,inadditiontousingvariouscurriculaanda developedlistofskillsandobjectiveswewillobtainthemostqualifiedanddedicatedteacherspossible: teacherswhoexemplifyaloveoflearningandpointstudentstoJesusChristthroughimmersingtheir teachingingoodness,beauty,andtruth.
PHILOSOPHYOFGRADING GradingPolicy
GradesatChristAcademydonotinanywayreflecttheimmeasurableworthandvalueofeachchild madeinGod’simage,butrathertheyareareflectionofthequalityofworkinagivenfieldofstudyata giventime.AtChristAcademy,gradesservethreebasicpurposes:
● Tohelpstudentstoimprove
● Todeterminethebestplacementlevelconsideringacademicability
● Toprovideajustandlegitimatemeansofholdingstudentsaccountableforthequalityoftheir work
Gradesprovideawidelyunderstoodmeansofcommunicatingprogressandachievementtoparents andotherpartiessuchascollegeentranceboardsorotherschoolstowhichthestudentmaytransfer.
IndividualGrades
ChristAcademywilluseauniquemethodofgradingthatensuresstudentshavetimetopracticebefore theyreceiveagrade Thisgradingsystememploysthreegradedesignations:SoftGrades,PracticeWork Grades,andMagnumOpus(“greatwork”)Grades.SoftGradesarenotrecordedinthegradebook;
theirpurposeistoprovidestudentsregularfeedbackregardingnewconcepts PracticeWorkGradesare utilizedafterconceptshavebeenintroducedandattemptedbutbeforetheyareexpectedtohavebeen mastered.Theseare“dailyassignment”typeofgradesandarerecordedinthegradebookbutaregiven farlessweightthanMagnumOpusgrades.MagnumOpusassignmentsincludeworkthatisexpected tobemastered:tests,quizzes,recitationsofmemorizedmaterial,end-of-unitprojectsandpapers, in-classdebates,etc.Thesegradesmoregreatlyaffectoverallstandings.Consistentwitheducatingthe wholechild,bothattitudeandeffortwillbeconsideredwithinourgradingsystems.
GradingScale
Secondary Primary
A+ 99andabove
A 90-98
B 80-89
C 70-79
90+ExcellentUnderstanding
80+GoodUnderstanding
70+Strugglingtomaster
Below70-Willneedsomeassistance
Below70:Studentdoesnotknowmaterialwellenoughtocontinueinthisfieldofstudywithout assistance
FailingandRetakes
Retakeswillbelefttotheteacher’sdiscretion Astudentwhohassimplyfailedanassignmentfora lackofunderstandingmaybegivenanotheropportunitytoprovetheirunderstandingafterfurther practice. Astudentwhoneglectedtheirstudiesandthereforefailed,maynotbegivenaretake opportunity.
Ifastudentfailsanentirecourse,thestudent,parents,andteacherwillmeetwiththeDeanorHeadof Schooltodeterminethebestcourseofactionforthestudent. Circumstances,understandingof directionsandeffortwillallbetakenintoconsideration.
Parentswillbenotifiedatleastthreeweeksbeforetheendofthegradingperiodiftheirstudentisin jeopardyoffailing.
HONORCODES
ParentHonorCode
Thefollowingparagraphsarerepresentativeofcommitmentsthatweexpectfromparents
OnParentalInvolvement
IamplacingmychildasastudentatChristAcademybecauseIcareaboutmychildbeingeducated bothincharacterandinacademics. IunderstandthatmychildwillbeeducatedwithinaChristian worldview.IacceptthatlovingGodandlovingneighborarefundamentalvaluesofChristAcademy.I alsounderstandthatIhaveultimateresponsibilitytonurturemychild’sfaithbymodelingthelifeof Christthroughactsofhumilityanddevotion,incommunitywithhispeople,undertheguidanceof mychurch.
OntheImportanceofParticipationandPunctuality
Onewayweenactloveforoneanotherisbybeingontime,present,andrespectful. Theleadershipof ChristAcademyhasworkedtodevelopaschoolschedulethatallowsforsolidfamilytimeduring summers,holidaysandvariousbreaks. Forthisreason,Iunderstandthatschoolattendanceisawayof lovingteachersandclassmatesandIwillensurethatmychildispresentandontimeunlessan emergencyarises.Incasesofplannedabsencesorimportantfamilytime,Iunderstandthatitismy responsibilitytocommunicatewiththeteachersandmakeaplanfortheclasstimemychildwillmiss withoutputtinganexcessiveburdenontheteachers.Ialsounderstandthatpoorattendancemaycause mychildtofallbehind
OntheFunctionofUniforms
IunderstandthataUniformPolicyisawayoflovingthosearoundusbyrespectingaunifiedand meaningfulrepresentationofourschoolculture,includingprofessionalism,modestyandourdistinct values. Iwillmakesurethatmychildfollowstheuniformpolicysothatthiscultureismaintained.
OnAdherencetotheDisciplinaryProcess
Inkeepingwiththereligious(spirituallyformative)intentionsofChristAcademy’smission,I understandthatmychildneedstosubmittotheauthorityofChristAcademyfacultyandstaffduring schoolevents.Further,behavioroutsideofschoolhoursthatviolatesthishonorcodeisalsoamatterof interestandconcernfortheschoolaswell Ialsounderstandthatadesignationof“specialneeds”does notexcuseastudentfromcommittingbehaviorcategorizedasa“seriousdisciplinecase.” Ifurther
understandthatIwillbeultimatelyresponsibleformychild’sbehaviorwhileatChristAcademyand thereforewillfollowthedirectivesoftheschoolasoutlinedbelow.
(1) IfadisciplinenotecomeshomefromateacherorDean/HeadofSchool,IunderstandthatI needtoworkwithmychildonchangingbehaviorthroughtheheart Thiswillinclude encouragingthepursuitofforgivenessfromanyonewhohasbeenwronged.
(2) Ifmychildcontinuestoincurinfractions,he/shewillreceivedisciplineinkeepingwiththe policyoutlinedinthishandbook(above) Atschoolleadership’sdiscretion,Imayneedto developaplan,inconjunctionwithChristAcademypersonnel, designedtoremedymychild’s disruptivebehavior.
(3) Ifmychildremainsunresponsivetocorrection, Iunderstandthatmychildmaybesubjecttoa disciplinaryhearingasoutlinedbythedisciplinepolicyofthishandbook.Ialsoagreethatifmy childissubjecttoadisciplinaryhearingbeforetheschoolboard,Iwillabidebytheboard's decision Iftheschoolboarddecidestosuspendorexpelmychild,Iunderstandthattuition willnotbereimbursed.
Evenamidstthedisciplinaryprocess,teacherswillendeavortopromotetheeducationalsuccessofthe student.
StudentHonorCode
ThosewhoareledbytheSpiritofGodarethechildrenofGod.TheSpirityoureceiveddoesnotmakeyou slaves,sothatyouliveinfearagain;rather,theSpirityoureceivedbroughtaboutyouradoptiontosonship Andbyhimwecry,“Abba,Father.”TheSpiritHimselftestifieswithourspiritthatweareGod’schildren. Nowifwearechildren,thenweareheirs–heirsofGodandco-heirswithChrist,ifindeedweshareinHis sufferingsinorderthatwemayalsoshareinHisglory.
(fromRomans8:14-17)
AsachildofGod,co-heirwithChrist,andledbytheSpirit,IdesiretohonorGod,myfamily,my teachers,andChristAcademy.Iwillendeavortobehonorableincharacter,honestinwordanddeed, andrespectfulandlovingtoothers
Icommittodiligentstudy,patientreflection,andrespecttoallplacedinauthorityoverme Together withfellowstudents,IamastewardofChristAcademyandcommitmyselftothepursuitofTruth, theloveoftheGood,andthecultivationofBeautyasIembracethehighcallingofaliberalarts education
InternetUseandSocialMedia
Studentsareheldtothesamestandardofbehaviorwhethertheyareoncampusoronline.Students agreetousethesetechnologicaltoolshonorablyandresponsiblywiththeintenttoupholdthewitness andbeliefsofChristAcademy Inthatspiritofconsistency,thefollowingarenotpermitted:
● Sendingordisplayingoffensivemessagesorintimatepictures
● Usingobscene,vulgar,orprofanelanguage
● Harassing,tormenting,threatening,embarrassing,humiliating,insulting,orattackingothers
● Textingorsocialmediainteractionwithteachers (Werecognizethatsomestudentshave relationshipswithteachersoutsideofschoolandtheremaybenon-school-relatedreasonsto sendoccasionaltextmessages.)
ClassReachcommunicationispermittedforstudents,parents,andteachers.
HEALTHANDWELLNESS
Lunch
Studentswillbringpackedlunchestobeeatenintheschoollunchroom.Pleasealerttheofficeofany allergiesyourchildhassowecanaccommodateasneededandalertotherfamilies(iftheallergyisvery severe).Whenpackinglunches,pleasekeepthefollowinginmind:
● Lunchesshouldbenutritiousandwell-balancedtohelpprovideenergytofocusonlearning forthedurationoftheschoolday.
● Pleasepacklunchesthatdonotneedheatingorrefrigeration Thesearenotaccessibleto studentsduringtheday.
● Sugarydrinkslikepop/sodaarenotpermitted.
Snacks
Studentsarewelcometobringanutritious,easy-to-eatsnackformid-morning. Wateristheonly beverageallowedtoaccompanysnacks.
HealthRecords
AllstudentsattendingChristAcademymusthaveonrecordwiththeschooleitheracurrent immunizationrecordoranexemptionstatement,accordingtoOregonstatecode,beforestarting classesinthefall.ImmunizationrecordsarecollectedinClassReach.ChristAcademyshouldalsobe notifiedofanysevereallergiesorhealthconcerns.
AdministrationofMedicines
ChristAcademyofficestaffiswillingtoadministeranyover-the-countermedicationtothechildrenin theircareonlywithauthorizationfromthechild’sparentorguardian Prescriptionmedicationcanbe administeredonlywhenthefollowingconditionsaremet:
● ThemedicineisbroughttoChristAcademyinitsoriginalcontainerbytheparentandis delivereddirectlytothedesignatedadministrators.Undernocircumstancesshouldachild handlehisorhermedication.
● Anotefromtheprescribingdoctorisprovidedthatstatesdosage,frequency,andalistof possiblesideeffects Pharmacy-printedinformationmaybeacceptedinlieuofadoctor’s note.
● ChristAcademyreservestherighttorefusetheresponsibilityofprescription administrationforanyreason Ifthisoccurs,wewillbehappytoaccommodateparent visitsduringthedayforthepurposeofmedicationadministration.
IllnessPolicy
Inconsiderationofyourstudent’swellness,andtopreventthespreadofillnesstoyourchild’s classmatesandteachers,astudentshouldbesymptom-freeafull24hoursfromthefollowingbefore returningtoonsiteclasses:
● Fever-Temperatureof100degreesorabovewithouttheuseoffever-reducingmedication
● Vomiting/diarrhea
● Pleasedonotsendchildrenwithhighlycontagiousillnessessuchasstrep,hand/foot/mouth,or pinkeye(tonameafew).
ACADEMICSCHEDULE
TheAcademicCalendarislocatedhereonourwebsite
ArrivalandDismissal
Studentsareabletoarrivebetween7:50and8:00AM. Schoolendsat2:40PMandstudentsneedto bepickedupnolaterthan2:50PM. Ifyourchildisnotpickedupby2:50,youwillreceiveaphone callinquiringaboutyourstatus Tohonorourteachers,ifyoupickupafter2:50,youwillbecharged $5.00forevery5minutesyouarelate–arrivalsbetween2:51and2:55willbecharged$5,between2:56 and3:00willbecharged$10,etc.(thismoneywillgotothewillingteacherssittingwithyourchild).
Attendance
ChristAcademyhasintentionallysetitsvacations,schedule,andstructuretoallowimportanttimefor families. ByregisteringachildinChristAcademy,theparentorguardianisagreeingtothisschedule anditislovingtothecommunityofstudentstobeinattendance Emergenciesorimportantfamily timearisefromtimetotime;thereforestudentshave8academicdays*withineachsemesterforschool absenceswithoutconsequencetotheircreditsunlesspre-approvalsarearranged. Weaskthattheoffice staffandteachersbenotifiedassoonaspossibleforanyabsences.
● Forordinaryillness,appointmentsorvacations: pleasefillouttheStudentAbsenceRequest formonClassReach.Pleasealsosendanemailtoyourstudent’steacher(s)informingthemof theabsence.
● Forprolongedperiodsofabsence(toextendbeyondthe8academicdays): pleaseget pre-approvalfromtheDean/HeadofSchool.
*Emergencysituationswillobviouslybetakenintoconsideration.
Tardies
Atthebeginningoftheday,studentsareconsideredtardyiftheyarenotseatedinchapelat8AM. Fourunexcusedtardieswithinamonthwillconstituteaparentemail A5thtardywillresultina meetingbetweentheDean/HeadofSchoolandparentstoaddressthepersistenttardiness.
InclementWeather
Incasesofinclementweather,schedulechangeswillbecommunicatedviaClassReachnolaterthan 6:30AMonthedayinquestion.
ENROLLMENTPOLICY
Anti-DiscriminationandADAStatement
ChristAcademyadmitsstudentsandhiresemployeeswithoutregardtorace,color,nationalorigin,or ethnicorigin,ensuringequalaccesstoallrights,privileges,programs,andactivitiesgenerallyavailable toourschoolcommunity.Wearecommittedtoupholdingapplicablenondiscriminatorypoliciesinthe administrationofeducationalpolicies,admissions,scholarships,loanprograms,athletics,andother school-administeredactivities ChristAcademydoesnotacceptfederalfunds
ChildrendiagnosedwithalearningdisabilityarewelcometobeapartofChristAcademysolongas theycanmeet,orbeassistedtomeet,thedisciplinestandardsoftheclassroom,discussions,anddaily routine. Studentsapplyingforadmissionsshouldhaveadesiretoreceivethisformofeducation.Wedo notmindassistingparentsinfosteringthisdesire,butthestudentneedstoattheveryleastbe“willing tobemadewilling”tobediscipledthroughaClassicalChristianeducation.
GeneralAgreement:AllparentsandstudentswhoareenrollinginChristAcademyaffirm bytheirapplicationandenrollmenttheirintentionalwillingnesstoabidebytheChristian conduct(wordanddeed)presentedinthishandbookandallotherschooldocuments,both expressedandimplied. ThisincludestheStatementofFaith,CulturalIssues,andallpolicies statedherein.
EnrollmentProcess
TUITION
TuitionAssistance
FamiliesmayapplyforTuitionAssistance. PriortoseekingfinancialaidfromChristAcademy,they arestronglyurgedtoseekassistancefromtheirfamily,churches,andfriends.Wearepartneringin educationwithfamilies,andwearerunsolelyonprivatefunds Hence,everydollarnotcollectedin tuitionisadollarthatmustberaisedthroughdonations. Thebestadvocatesforachildaretheir parentsandfamily. However,wealsodonotwantfinancestobethereasonafamilydoesnotattend ChristAcademy;thereforefinancialaidmaybeofferedundercertaincircumstancesofextremeneed Multi-studentaidmaybeavailableunderspecifiedcircumstances
1. Applicantswillbecategorizedfromthegreatestfinancialneedtotheleastfinancialneed.
2 TuitionassistancerequestswillbehandledthroughBenefaq,ourthird-partyfinancialaid processingpartner Familiesmayrequestalinktotheapplicationfromtheschooloffice Financialaidapplicationswillbeassesseda$35fee.
EVALUATIONS
1. Teacherswillevaluatestudentsregularlyforthepurposeofassessingskillandknowledge.
2 Teachersareevaluatedunannouncedthroughouttheyear
3. Theadministrationwillbeassessedperiodicallybythestaff.
4. ParentswillhaveopportunitytoprovideconstructivefeedbackontheeducationChrist Academyoffers.
Disclaimer
Every effort is made toensuretheaccuracyoftheinformationprovidedherein,butChristAcademy reserves the right to make changes at any time without prior notice. Parents will be notified of any substantive changes to the handbook that occur during the current academic year Christ Academy providestheinformationhereinsolelyfortheconvenienceofthereaderand,totheextentpermissibleby law,expresslydisclaimsanyliabilitywhichmayotherwisebeincurred.