THE VISION
Our vision is to build a school so academically excellent, so Christ-saturated, and so financially available to all who desire to be a part that families choose to stay in the city of Chicago just to be a part of this mission.
THE MISSION
We exist to partner with parents in the discipleship of their children by providing academic instruction that is distinctly Christian, inspiring a wonder at God and a love of His creation; by equipping a generation of critical thinkers ready to engage the world using the proven classical education methods and liberal arts tradition; and by fostering a diverse fellowship of support and love through intentional and robust engagement with attending families
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
Christian education should be formative, not informative. Therefore, we partner with parents to provide education for mental, physical, and spiritual formation through a joyful culture that passionately seeks truth. The art of learning, as fostered through the *Trivium and Quadrivium, mentally equips the student for continued education throughout life. We employ rigor, not as an aim, but as a means for building strong work ethic in students Most importantly, this education, infused with God’s Word, equips the student to rightly order their love of God as the utmost, thereby laying a spiritual foundation for virtuous Christian living
*Liberal Arts: The Trivium is the art of words and the Quadrivium is the art of numbers.
Philosophy of Humanities (History & Literature)
To study humanity is to study the image-bearers of God The Humanities encompass history, literature, and theology, as well as a host of other fields of study. We live in a world of academic specialization, yet we can’t fully understand the entire story of humankind, and God’s redemption of it, when the study of history is disjointed from the people and the stories they told Our study of Humanities is therefore intentionally integrated so that students see the connections between literature and history through a Scriptural lens Students metaphorically travel through ancient, medieval, and modern societies on an annual rotation. For each era of time studied, literature is intentionally chosen to reveal truth, recognize virtue and vice, and develop biblical discernment. The reading of literature, with deep reflection and discussion, is tantamount to a Liberal Arts education and is at the heart of our Humanities course.
Diving into story provides a position of innocence for students as they train their skill of discernment to recognize that which is true, good, and beautiful
Philosophy of Bible
At Chicago Christian Academy Bible will be interwoven into the fabric of each class, but we also want to ensure that children have a deep understanding of Scripture. Therefore we will have a daily devotional as well as working through New City Catechism daily. Once a week we will hold a robust chapel where we join together in worship and learning Within each Humanities course we will discuss Christian worldview while also surveying the Bible for deeper understanding. Where secondary doctrinal discussion takes place we will default to orthodox beliefs as outlined within our Statement of Faith but will encourage teachers and children alike to come from a position of humility within those necessary discussions
Philosophy of Art
Beauty is a modern apologetic for the Christian faith, especially in a culture dominated by visuals. It is more important than ever to train our eyes to recognize that which is true, good, and beautiful The transcendentals are objective because God offers these standards throughout Scripture and they are reflected in the visible universe The complexities and intricacies revealed in God’s creation deserve our careful attention. As image-bearers observing God’s detailed creativity, we should become “sub-creators” who intentionally reflect God’s beauty back to Him Artistic expression is rhetorical and reveals what we believe. As Christians we should thereby be producers of good art, and not just consumers of the world’s art Accordingly, at Chicago Christian Academy we hold the recognition of beautiful art, as well as the skill of creating beautiful art, in high regard
Philosophy of Language
At Chicago Christian Academy we care about students loving language. We will begin developing the joy of language through Spanish, a fun and engaging language that is also practical. Beginning the study of multiple languages at an early age helps students with language pronunciation, fluency and memory Latin will begin in the Upper Primary years. Latin reinforces English grammar as students apply their knowledge to a well-ordered language and delivers a solid foundation to understanding language in general. Latin builds a vocabulary foundation and helps hone the skills of etymology, as it is the base of our legal and medical terminology as well as being the root of all Romantic languages.
Philosophy of The Quadrivium
The quadrivium is part of the seven Liberal Arts and lays the foundation for understanding the Cosmos and all that God has created We start with arithmetic and build a mastery in the language of numbers, we then move to numbers in space where we see geometry throughout creation, music is then numbers in time, and finally this gives us a deeper understanding of the cosmos which is numbers in space and time The more we understand the concepts in mathematics, and the more we understand the concepts in science, the better we understand our world and, most importantly, the Triune God who created it Ultimately, we study the quadrivium so that we are equipped to cultivate, innovate, and to glorify God.
Arithmetic
Mastery in the language of numbers is paramount to being able to interpret the world around us and this language reveals God himself as a God of order and truth We build skills in arithmetic and intentionally work to develop a rich sense of numbers so that they are a language the student can use fluently Mathematics teaches objective truth as we solve problems and come to a provable answer, it is therefore not a secular subject but by its very nature is gospel infused as it tells the story of how God ordered the universe. It is ultimately a creative endeavor, it should be a joy filled discovery of ordered things not laborious with an end of pragmatism. The intricacies of math reveal an infinite God of infinite detail
Geometry (Numbers in space)
Understanding numbers in space gives us a deeper understanding of our surroundings. Geometry applies to every object that we see and touch and, likened to all of math, is provable truth A deep application of geometric skills lays the foundation for building, for construction, for understanding dimensions and thereby understanding more of God’s creation
Science (Cosmos numbers in time and space)
We understand and know God’s design through studying the world around us, and this knowledge helps build our understanding of God Himself. Science reveals the supernatural complexity of God’s design and thereby faith cannot be separated from science. We want science to invigorate fascination, therefore we will employ pedagogy that cultivates a holy curiosity for God’s world We want students to master concepts that lay the foundation for further studies in science while building the skill of hypothesis, observation, and conclusion while deeply understanding that all truth
is God’s truth and we therefore can look at science with anticipation of truth being revealed
Music (Numbers in time)
Music is integral to the culture of Chicago Christian Academy As Christians we are called to sing “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19–21), and as part of the quadrivium, music is the intersection of numbers in time Therefore within the Christian Liberal Arts, music is both a spiritual and academic skill to be honed. At Chicago Christian Academy, we build music fluency through formal training and aim to lift our voices to glorify the Lord by weaving choral singing throughout the day. Students explore various genres of music to help develop an ear for what is true, good, and beautiful. By dedicating intentional time for learning rhythms and growing in musicality, and leaning into a robust choral program, students are equipped to worship the Lord with their voices
“The final aim and reason of all music is nothing other than the glorification of God and the refreshment of the spirit” –Johann Sebastian Bach
STATEMENT OF FAITH
The following nine beliefs are foundational truths Chicago Christian Academy holds as core convictions:
1. The Bible
We believe the sole basis of our beliefs is the Bible, composed of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments We believe Scripture originated entirely from God and that it was given through writers inspired by God. Scripture speaks with the authority of God and at the same time reflects the backgrounds, styles, and vocabulary of the human authors. Scripture is presented exactly as God intended and without error in the original manuscripts They are the unique, full, and final authority on all matters of faith and practice, and there are no other writings similarly inspired by God. Psalm 119:60; Matthew 5:17–18; 1 Corinthians 2:12–13; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 10:15–16; 2 Peter 1:20-21
2. God
We believe there is one infinite and personal God, who is the sovereign Creator and omnipotent Sustainer of all things, who is eternal and has perfectly existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Trinity equally possesses all the characteristics of personality and attributes of deity, and for eternity have existed, mutually giving and receiving love. Each person is equally deserving of worship and obedience By His providence, He operates throughout history to fulfill His redemptive
purposes. Isaiah 41:4, 45:5, 46:10; Matthew 28:19; Genesis 1:1; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Deuteronomy 6:4; Jeremiah 32:17; Psalm 139:1–10; John 1:18, 4:24
3. Humanity
We believe that God created mankind, male and female, in His image, meaning that each individual person has been created in the image of God, and therefore carries intrinsic value, worth, and dignity. Adam, the first man and representative of all humanity, fell into sin His sin and guilt has been transmitted to every person, both in a legal sense but also that every person is born with a sinful nature, a natural inclination towards sin The result of this Fall is that humanity has been separated from God, as each person is born into rebellion against God. We are completely unable to redeem ourselves, apart from the sacrificial, saving work of Jesus Christ. Also, the image of God in humanity has been marred or distorted by sin, although the image still remains in each person. Among followers of Christ, that image will one day be fully restored Genesis 1:27, 9:6; Romans 3:23, 5:12, 5:18-19, 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:49; Colossians 3:10–15
4. Salvation
We believe that mankind was originally created good and meant to enjoy a loving relationship with God. However, because of the Fall, sin separated humanity from God, creating a need for reconciliation with God that humanity could never meet The penalty we deserved for our sin is death and eternal separation from God. But God chose to send His son Jesus Christ, to live the perfect life, fulfilling all righteousness as a representative of humanity, and then die on the cross, taking the penalty for our sin upon Himself Then, on the third day, He rose from the grave defeating sin and death, and made the way for our salvation. Now, through the grace of God and the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and are united with Him In this union, we are declared legally righteous before God, we are adopted into the family of God as beloved sons and daughters, being brought back into a loving relationship with Him we were created for We are transformed into the image of Christ through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, and ultimately, we will be glorified when the image of God is once and for all fully restored in us Genesis 1:26–27; Romans 3:10, 23–28, 4:6, 5:9–10, 6:3–11, 6:23, 8:3, 10:3; Isaiah 64:6; Galatians 2:16, 20; Ephesians 1:3–7, 4:32; John 1:12, 3:3, 3:16, 10:28; Acts 4:12, 13:38–39; 2 Corinthians 5:1, 17–21; Colossians 3:9-10; 1 Peter 1:3–6
5. Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ was both fully God and fully man; therefore, His deity was total and His humanity was perfect He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary and, as the Son of God, He lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father. He voluntarily atoned for the sins of all by being crucified and dying on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind, thus satisfying divine justice and accomplishing
salvation of all who trust in Him and His work alone. He arose bodily from the dead and He ascended to the Father’s right hand There, as High Priest and Advocate, he intercedes for the believer before the Father. He will return personally and bodily to earth in power and glory to consummate history and fulfill the eternal plan of God Colossians 1:15–17; Philippians 2:5-8; John 1:1, 4:26, 8:58; Luke 24; Hebrews 2:14, 4:14–16, 9:24, 10:5; Acts 1:9–11; Matthew 1:18–25, 25:31–46; Mark 10:45; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18; Romans 5:18–19; 1 Corinthians 15:12-19; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 53:5; Revelation 11:15–17, 20:4–6, 11–15, 22:13
6. The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, whose present ministry is to glorify Jesus Christ, convict people of sin (awakening in them the recognition of their need of a Savior) and to be actively involved in the life of the believer. The Holy Spirit’s ministry in believers’ lives involves regenerating and permanently indwelling them at the moment of conversion, and guiding, instructing, and empowering them for Christ-like living The Holy Spirit applies the truths of redemption in the life of the believer, allowing us to find rest in our forgiveness and fullness of life in our adoption into the family of God The Holy Spirit’s power and control are appropriated by faith, making it possible for believers to live a life of holiness and obedience and to bear fruit to the glory of Christ John 14:16, 26, 16:8, 13, 3:5–8; Psalm 139:7–10; Genesis 1:27; Acts 5:3–4; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Ephesians 4:30; Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 12:13; Romans 8:9, 13; Galatians 5:16–17, 25
7. The Church
We believe the universal church is the body of Christ, of which He is the head, and it is composed of all who have acknowledged Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and are united to Him and to one another by the indwelling Holy Spirit. All individual believers are to be an active part of a local church body, devoting themselves to worship, prayer, the teaching of God’s Word, the observance of believers’ baptism and communion as the sacramental ordinances established by Jesus Christ, fellowship, service to the body and outreach to the world, thereby glorifying Christ and furthering His purposes.
Matthew 16:18, 28:19–20; Acts 2:41–47; Romans 12:4–9; 1 Corinthians 12:7, 12:12–13; Ephesians 4:12; Colossians 1:18; 1 Peter 4:10
8. Christian Living
We believe that God's justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose God has invited us into His mission of bringing forward the kingdom of God and commanded us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to
the gospel in word and deed. In these ways, we seek to join God in His mission to bring the kingdom of God to bear on this world These works flow naturally from a life of faith, and are evidence of genuine faith in a follower of Christ. 2 Timothy 3:16; John 14:15; John 15:4–6; Romans 8:5–6; Colossians 3:1–17; Acts 2:42–47; James 2:17
9. Eternal Destiny
We believe death seals the eternal destiny of each person. At the return of Christ, every human being will be bodily resurrected from the dead The believer will be resurrected and received into everlasting life and joy and communion with the Lord and will be rewarded according to works done in this life that glorify Christ The unbelievers will be resurrected to judgment and condemnation, as God will reveal His justice in consigning them to perpetuate, in eternal retribution, their own rejection of God These unbelievers will therefore be everlasting and consciously separated from Him. We believe that God will raise the dead, bodily, and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Isaiah 65; Matthew 20:1–16, 25:14–30, 46; John 5:24–29; 1 Corinthians 3:11–15, 9:25, 15:13; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Timothy 2:11; Romans 2:5–11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–10; Revelation 14:11, 20:11–15; 21–22
Additional Position Statements
1. Marriage and Sexuality
We believe that God created humanity male and female in his own image and that rejection of one's biological sex is therefore inconsistent with God's created order (Genesis 1:26) Further, we believe that marriage is a unique covenantal bond between one man and woman for life (Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:14–16, Matthew 19:5). We further affirm The Nashville Statement.
2. Spiritual Gift of Speaking in Tongues
We believe in the possibility of the present day existence of glossolalia (speaking in tongues) However, we also believe that the gift is not a necessary mark of a Christian 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:4–5; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 14:39b; 1 Corinthians 14:19; Ephesians 4:3
3. Statement on roles of men and women in the church
If you’d like to read a robust discussion on our view of men and women and their roles please click HERE
Uniform Policy
Please see our uniform policy HERE.
Discipline Policy
Classroom Discipleship: Habits of the Heart and The Seven Virtues
At Chicago Christian Academy we aim to shape and form students' souls, not just develop their intellect. We believe that this requires a healthy school culture of habit formation; habits that will benefit our students for life, not just for school Rather than behavior modification, we focus on the following character traits: attention, obedience, respect, and responsibility in the early elementary years When our students begin upper elementary we focus on the four cardinal virtues from church history: justice, prudence, temperance, and fortitude Ultimately we believe that all of these characteristics are grounded in the three theological virtues: faith in Jesus, hope for Jesus, and love from Jesus.
Prek, Primary Prep and Lower Primary: Habits of the Heart
● Attention Listening with eyes, ears and heart
○ My body is fixed on the matter at hand
○ My eyes are on the speaker
○ I will be able to retell what was said or read
Matthew 7:24 “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man that built his house on the rock”
● Obedience Responds to authority with a happy heart
○ I accept the consequences willingly
○ I respond right away, all the way
○ I will play by the rules
James 1:22 “But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
● Respect Valuing others more than self
○ I will be purposely polite
○ I will use the interrupt rule when an adult is speaking and I want to speak
○ I will use self control in my words and actions
○ I will raise my hand to speak in class
○ I will wait to raise my hand until the teacher is finished speaking
Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves”
● Responsibility Doing what I have been entrusted to do
○ I will take proper care of my personal belongings and school property
○ I will complete my tasks to the best of my ability
○ I will be a steward of my time and finish my given tasks in a timely manner
Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work heartily as to the Lord and not for men”
Upper Primary and Secondary Prep: Cardinal Virtues
● Justice Treating others fairly and handling matters rightly
○ I am both an active participant and and active listener in class discussions
○ My work is always 100% my own
○ I consider how my actions affect those around me
Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
● Prudence Using good discernment in all decision-making
○ I will think before I act rashly
○ I will consider the consequences of my actions
○ I will regard correction as a means for growing in wisdom
Proverbs 14:8 “The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving. ”
● Temperance Having self-control and only taking what I need
○ I will recognize when I have had enough and go no further
○ I will set proper boundaries for my physical, social, and spiritual health
○ I will grow in self-discipline to honor the life I have been called to
Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God this is your true and proper worship”
● Fortitude Persevering when things get hard
○ I will not give up and take the easy way out
○ I will always give my best effort
○ I will stand up boldly for what is right even if no one else does
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Pursuing the Theological Virtues as the Foundation for all Character
● Faith Clinging to the truth of Christian Doctrines against the sense, emotions, and moods that make unbelief easier or more comfortable.
● Hope A continual looking forward to the eternal world with God.
● Love Desiring the good or happiness of others as much as one’s own An act of the will that often precipitates the feeling or emotion.
School Discipline Policy
Chicago Christian Academy recognizes that discipline is necessary for discipleship and proper habit formation. To this end, discipline is not meant to simply modify outward behavior, but to train the heart to love Jesus and love others (Mark 12:30–31).
Hebrews 12:11 “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful Later, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
General Guidelines
Discipline is administered in light of severity, situation, and attitude of the individual student The kind of discipline may be determined by the teachers, and if necessary, Administration (e.g., Head of School) following the guidelines below. Any disciplinary action must be done in love with the hope of restoration
Classroom Discipline
God is a God of order and our teachers foster this order through classroom discipleship (1 Cor 14:33, 40). Students will be asked to behave in a way that fosters respect for their teacher especially as it relates to love for God and their neighbors in class General behaviors that will be handled within a classroom setting are as follows:
○ Nuisance behavior to teacher or students
○ Inappropriate use of classroom material
○ Minor classroom disruptions
Consequence for these are as follows:
1st Warning: name on board
2nd Warning: check mark
3rd Warning: office visit
Office Visits
Overt behaviors which require administrative involvement necessitates parent notification. Depending on the severity of the infraction, students may need to be picked up immediately from school and in some cases, receive suspension For discipline to be effective, it is imperative for teachers and parents to behave as a team. If this can’t be accomplished, a student may need to be unenrolled until such a time as an agreement can be reached
● Flagrant disrespect shown to staff
● Dishonesty (e.g., lying, cheating, stealing)
● Defiance (eg, outright disobedience, consistent correction, or rebellion)
● Fighting (e.g., striking with the intention to harm another student)
● Bullying (i.e., when a student deliberately harasses another student during or outside of school and includes cyber-bullying)
● Enabling another’s bad behavior
● Acts that endanger the lives of another person
● Vandalism
● Theft
● Inappropriate use of school property or facility
● Inappropriate language (eg, obscene, vulgar, profane)
● Romantic displays of affection (e.g., kissing, inappropriate hugging, hand-holding, etc )
● Sexual misconduct (e.g., inappropriate touching, use of pornography, etc.)
● Illegal substance abuse (eg, drug or alcohol use)
● Weapons on campus (e.g., guns, knives, etc.)
Degrees of Discipline
The degree of discipline depends on the severity of the offense and falls somewhere along (but not limited to) this continuum:
● Verbal warnings (eg, student’s opportunity to self-correct)
● Acknowledging offense and making apologies (public offenses prompt public apologies; private offenses prompt personal apologies)
● Making restitution
● Changing of location (e.g., desk/chair change)
● Sitting out of an activity
● Documentation for student/parent file
● Removing of some privilege (eg, field trip)
● Physical endurance (e.g., wall sits, laps)
● Community service (eg, janitorial work)
● Sent home (e.g., early pick-up)
● Parental attendance during the school day
● Suspension
● Expulsion
Re-Admittance
Should a student who was expelled, or who withdrew to prevent expulsion, desire to be readmitted to Chicago Christian Academy at a later date, they would require a discipline hearing involving the parents, teachers, and school Administration. The Head of School will make a decision based on the student's attitude and circumstances
Electronic Device Policy
Use of personal electronic devices (ie, phones, smart phones, portable gaming devices, smart watches, etc.) by students is prohibited on campus. Such devices may be brought to school, but they must be checked in at the school office during school hours Use of personal electronic devices is allowed for special circumstances, but must receive office approval
● Use of laptops is permissible for secondary academic purposes only under the pre-approved direction and supervision of a teacher
● A first violation of this policy will result in immediate confiscation of the device, to be released to a parent or guardian
● A second violation of this policy will result in a parent conference with Administration
● A third violation of this policy will result in a disciplinary hearing
● Chicago Christian Academy accepts no responsibility for use, breakage, theft, or loss of phone or other personal items
Cheating and Plagiarism
Cheating is defined as looking at another’s work without the teacher’s permission or
communicating with another during an exam without the teacher’s permission.
Plagiarism is defined as using another’s work without acknowledging and thanking them for the use
If either cheating or plagiarism is noticed, the assignment or exam will immediately receive a 0 Parents will be notified A second cheating or plagiarism infraction will result in an Education Council review.
Dress Code Violation
If faculty notices a dress code violation,* they will inform Administration, and Administration will notify parents through a Dress Code Violation Form (via ClassReach). After four dress code violations, an office visit will follow in addition to email notification
After the 5th violation within a semester, the student will be sent home. Subsequent dress code violations will require the Administration to treat the violations as office visits in accordance with the discipline policy.
*A dress code violation is something that cannot be corrected in class.
OUR PROGRAM
School Day Schedule
8:15 AM Morning Worship begins
8:30 AM Quadrivium Block
10:00 AM Linguistics Block
11:00 AM Lunch
12:00 PM Trivium & Specials Block
3:15 PM End of Day
On Curriculum
At Chicago Christian Academy, we believe that curriculum is a tool, which is essential, but the teacher brings education to life through use of that tool As such, in addition to using various curricula and a developed list of skills and objectives we will obtain the most qualified and dedicated teachers as possible: teachers who exemplify a love of learning and point young students to Jesus Christ through immersing their teaching in goodness, beauty, and truth
PHILOSOPHY OF GRADING
Grading Policy
Grading should tell a story of a child’s progress in learning, and because, as Christians, we believe that education of the whole man is essential, Chicago Christian Academy uses both academic and character grades so that parents can see whether a poor grade is a sin issue or an academic struggle Reciprocally parents can see that a good grade does not necessarily imply righteousness. For this reason Chicago Christian Academy will give both academic grades and conduct descriptions so that we can truly disciple the whole child.
Conduct Items
Conduct items will be taken from our “Habits of the Heart” and “Virtues” students will be assessed on whether they “always, usually, sometimes, rarely, or never” have these important character habits.
Lower Elementary
● Attention
● Obedience
● Respect
● Responsibility
Upper Elementary and Secondary Prep
● Justice
● Prudence
● Temperance
● Fortitude
Primary & Secondary Weighted Categories
● 30% Practice Work*
● 70% Magnum Opus†
● Soft Grading‡
*Practice work is where the student either practices in class or at home the concepts they have recently learned While this does count as a grade, it is used to reveal work ethic in learning material.
†Magnum Opus work is used to assess the skill level of the student on something they have practiced multiple times This will be writing assignments, tests, quizzes, debates and more.
‡Soft Grading is “coaching” that occurs through the practice process. The teacher will ask students to answer questions by way of white boards or oral answers and will “coach” the student through a new learning objective. This, alongside practice work is what leads to the Magnum Opus
Primary Grading
Assessment & Grading Protocol
Grades at Chicago Christian Academy do not in any way reflect the immeasurable worth and value of each child made in God’s image, but rather they are a reflection of the quality of work in a given field of study at a given time. At Chicago Christian Academy grades serve three basic purposes:
1. To help students to improve
2 To determine the best placement level considering academic ability
3. To provide a just and legitimate means of holding students accountable for the quality of their work
Grades provide a widely understood means of communicating progress and achievement to parents and other parties such as college entrance boards or other schools to which the young student may transfer
Individual Grades
Chicago Christian Academy will use a unique method of grading that ensures students have time to “practice” before they receive a grade. Therefore regular feedback within the scope of the class regarding new concepts will be given and “practice” grades will be recorded within the gradebook. Magnum Opus assignments (best work), which will more greatly affect overall standings, will also be recorded for transcript purposes. Consistent with educating the whole child, both attitude and effort will be considered within our grading systems
Group Project Grades
1 Thessalonians 5:14 “And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”
Group projects are a part of coursework and it should be expected that grading of these will not be individualized because we believe that character in community reveals the heart. Chicago Christian Academy cares even more about the heart than the academics; group projects allow teachers to see where character work is needed, and since we are preparing students for life, not just college, character in Christian community is integral to “Loving God and Loving Neighbor” (Matthew 22:36–40)
Humanities
● Soft grading throughout the week on various writing and speaking assignments
● Magnum Opus for each week that is graded in the gradebook (may be written or oral)
● Assessment at the end of each unit that includes:
○ Grammar section
○ Logic section
○ Rhetoric section
Mathematics
● 1 hard grade* per week of homework/practice work
● 1 assessment every other week as a hard grade*
Science
● 1 hard grade* per week of homework/practice work
● 1 assessment every other week as a hard grade*
Music & Art
● 1 hard grade* per week of practice work/assessment
Foreign Language
● 1 hard grade* per week of homework/practice work
● 1 assessment every other week as a hard grade*
*Hard grade: after practicing, the child will be assessed for mastery or improvement
Review week and finals week before Christmas and at the end of the year.
These are cumulative assessments that may take the form of written or oral exams, presentations, debates, or projects.
Humanities Grading Policy
Vocabulary terms, spelling, grammar, and direct character names or dates will be objectively graded and will be on a points-based system. With mastery as our goal, students will be asked to correct the wrong answers
Assignments that are more philosophical in nature will be graded on a scale Within each assignment, grammatical, and spelling mistakes will be clearly marked and students will be asked to review the word or grammatical rule and edit their writing This promotes mastery in writing assignments.
Mathematical Grading Policy
Because math problems are objectively right or wrong, grades will be determined using a simple calculation of the number correct out of the total number of problems For a student to receive 100% on an assignment it must also be neat and orderly.
● Math examinations are 70% of the final grade
● Math homework, practicums, and projects are 30% of the final grade (group or individual)
Science Grading Policy
Since science is taught through experiments, and discovery, this will be a participation and group project grade in the primary years and will move towards mastery grading through the various scientific fields of study in the secondary years.
Foreign Language Grading Policy
Latin is taught to build vocabulary and continue to grow language grammar skills. Assessments will be based on these concepts and points will be awarded for the purpose of demonstrating mastery.
Grading Communication
● Grades will be communicated through ClassReach
● Conduct items will be entered prior to the Fall and Spring Parent Partnership Meetings
● Teachers will contact parents if a student is struggling academically or socially
● Please use ClassReach as the best way to communicate important information with the staff
Expected Homework Load (Practice or Prepare)
Failing and Retakes
Retakes will be left to the teacher’s discretion A student who has simply failed for a lack of understanding may be given another opportunity to prove their understanding after further practice A student who neglected their studies and therefore failed may not be given a retake opportunity.
If a student fails an entire course, the student, parents, and teacher will meet with the Head of School to determine the best course of action for the student Circumstances, understanding of directions and effort will all be taken into consideration
Parents will be notified within three weeks of the end of the grading period if their student is in jeopardy of failing.
PARENT COMMUNICATION AND INVOLVEMENT
At Chicago Christian Academy, we recognize that parents are ultimately responsible for the education and flourishing of their children. We believe that educators are facilitators and advisors as parents pursue this important work
Parent Partnership Meetings are scheduled in the fall and spring We encourage teachers and parents to communicate regularly about how the student is doing and to schedule formal meetings as needed
Teachers may be contacted through ClassReach outside of regular working hours, but may not respond until the start of the following working day.
If you have a concern about curriculum content, Chicago Christian Academy policy, or philosophy, communicate with the Head of School. If you have questions about the weekly workings of a particular classroom (eg, homework load), contact the Lead Teacher through ClassReach At no time should an individual student’s problem be addressed to non-involved parties. In the great majority of cases, if you have worked patiently and in good faith, with the teacher and directors, you will find a satisfactory resolution.
Please follow Matthew 18:15 to determine the proper order of communication: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother”
HONOR CODE
Parent Honor Code
I am placing my child as a student at Chicago Christian Academy because I care about my child being educated both in character and in academics I understand that my child will be educated under a Christian worldview and that loving God and neighbor are primary tenants of Chicago Christian Academy I also understand that the responsibility of Christian nurture is ultimately the responsibility of parents (Ephesians 6:4; Deuteronomy 6:7-9)
Part of loving God and neighbor means being on time, present, and respectful Chicago Christian Academy has been very thoughtful in developing a school schedule that allows for extended family time during summers, holidays and various breaks For this reason, I understand that school attendance is a way of loving teachers and classmates and I will ensure that my child is present and on time unless an emergency arises. In cases of planned absences or important family time, I understand that it is my responsibility to communicate with the teachers and make a plan for the class time my child will miss without putting an excessive burden on the teachers I also understand that poor attendance may cause my child to fall behind
I understand that a Uniform Policy is a way of loving those around us by respecting a unified and meaningful representation of our school culture, including professionalism, modesty and our distinct values I will make sure that my child follows the uniform policy so that this culture is maintained.
I understand that my child will need to submit to the authority of Chicago Christian Academy faculty and staff during school events I also understand that I will be ultimately responsible for my child’s behavior while at Chicago Christian Academy and thereby will follow the directives of the school as outlined below
If a discipline note goes home from a teacher, I understand that I need to work with my child on changing their behavior through the heart, by encouraging them to seek forgiveness
If my child continues to incur infractions, I will need to work through a behavioral plan with the staff of Chicago Christian Academy. I also understand that my child will be dealt with in accordance with the discipline policy outlined in this handbook and that it may require additional meetings with the staff at Chicago Christian Academy in cases of excessive office visits to work out a plan designed to correct my child’s disruptive behavior.
If my child continues to remain unresponsive to correction, I understand that my child may be subject to a disciplinary hearing as outlined by the discipline policy of this handbook. I also agree that if my child is subject to a disciplinary hearing before the school board for excessive office visits or for any extreme ungodly behavior that impedes school culture, that I will abide by the board's decision. If the school board decides to suspend or expel my child, I understand that tuition will not be reimbursed.
I understand that the teachers at Chicago Christian Academy aim to educate the whole person and will keep the wellbeing of the student in mind Therefore, all efforts will be made to not impede grading as it may affect my child’s next steps.
Internet Use and Social Media
Students are held to the same standard of behavior whether they are on campus or online at home. Individuals agree to use these technological tools honorably and responsibly.
The following is not permitted:
● Sending or displaying offensive messages or intimate pictures
● Using obscene, vulgar, or profane language
● Harassing, tormenting, threatening, embarrassing, humiliating, insulting, or attacking others
● Texting or social media interaction with teachers
ClassReach communication is permitted for students, parents, and teachers
STAFF/STUDENT INTERACTION
Out of a desire to protect our students and staff from even the appearance of evil, Chicago Christian Academy has adopted the following guidelines to be strictly enforced:
1 Staff may not initiate social media interaction with students
2 Any intentional discipleship (outside of classroom interaction) between a faculty member and a student would need parent and Head of School approval
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Lunch
Packed Lunch:
Please pack lunches that do not have to be heated or refrigerated Please also alert us of any allergies your child has so we can accommodate as needed and alert other families At Chicago Christian Academy, we value health and wellness, so please keep this in mind when packing lunches, as your young students will be learning about nutrition, a balanced diet, etc.
Hot Lunch Program:
We are providing an optional hot lunch program through Healthy Organic Kids, a local school lunch catering company that intentionally provides low sugar, organic, locally produced meals for kids Meals will be delivered daily to the school You may opt your child into a dairy free, gluten free, or vegan meal program. This will be a fee in 5 week increments, $150 per installment. A one week trial for $30 will be offered at the start of each semester Registration and invoicing will be processed through ClassReach.
Snacks
Parents are encouraged to send an easy-to-eat snack (we recommend a nutritious snack) for mid-morning Water is the only beverage allowed to accompany snacks Please send your child to school with a water bottle.
Health Records
Chicago Christian Academy should be notified of any severe allergies or health concerns. Please upload immunization records or a state waiver to ClassReach.
The State of Illinois mandates certain health requirements of non-public schools. At all grade levels, students must provide up-to-date immunization records or an Illinois Certificate of Religious Exemption.
A physical/health examination must be completed for all primary students:
a) Within one year prior to entering Kindergarten or first (1st) grade
b) Upon entering sixth (6th) grade.
c) Upon first entry into an Illinois school
A vision examination must be completed for all primary students:
a) Upon entry into kindergarten
b) Upon first entry into an Illinois school.
A dental examination must be completed for all primary students in grades:
a) Kindergarten
b) Second (2nd) grade
c) Sixth (6th) grade
The State of Illinois requires that the school have current health and immunization records on file for all students. Parents or guardians are responsible to provide the required examinations and the health records to the school This information must be submitted before registration is considered complete.
On the first day of each school year, all students must have completed the physical examination and immunization requirements for their grade level The school may withhold educational services to students with incomplete health records. Students are to be excluded from school by October 15th if requirements for health examinations and immunizations have not been met. [105 ILCS 5/27-8.1(5)]
Student Records
Local, state and federal laws require that information in student records be held confidential Unless the parents/guardians have signed a release form or a court order the release, student records are not released to anyone other than parents/guardians and authorized school personnel A release form may be obtained from the school office.
A student record is any record maintained by the school that contains personally identifiable information or other information that would link the document to an individual student. It excludes the following types of record:
1. Records kept in a school staff member’s sole possession, destroyed no later than the student’s graduation or permanent withdrawal These records are not accessible or revealed to any other person except a temporary substitute teacher or school official
2 Records kept by law enforcement officials working in the school
Types of Student Records
1. Permanent Record: The Student Permanent Record includes basic identifying information, academic transcripts, attendance record, incident reports and health reports, honors and awards, school-sponsored activities, and the
information pertaining to the release of this record. The permanent record is sent to the receiving school upon graduation
2 Temporary Record: The Student Temporary Record may include information on family background, intelligence and aptitude scores, psychological reports, achievement results, participation in extracurricular activities, honors, and awards, anecdotal teacher records, disciplinary information, special education files, and information pertaining to the release of this record
Rights of Parents and Students
All school records, including permanent and temporary records, shall be available for inspection and duplication according to the provisions of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and the Illinois School Student Record Act, applicable regulations for the implementation of these acts
Parents/guardians have the right to inspect and copy the student’s education records (a nominal fee may be applied). Parents/guardians may challenge specific information, exclusive of grades and references to expulsions or out-of-school suspensions, on the basis of accuracy, relevance or propriety. Requests of this nature should be initiated with the principal The parents/guardians may request a hearing and may insert a written statement of reasonable length describing their position on disputed information. Where the parents/guardians are divorced or separated, both shall be permitted to inspect and copy the student’s school records unless a court orders otherwise. Parents/guardians also have the right to prohibit the release of directory information concerning their child
Except where legally specified otherwise, all release of information requires the prior written consent of the parents/guardians.
Transfer of Student Records
For students transferring to Chicago Christian Academy, the school will coordinate the transfer of student records from the student’s previous school once a parent or guardian signs an authorization form requesting the release of records from the previous school. Requests will be made within 14 days of enrollment as the State requires Final grade placement will be based upon verification from the previous school and CCA’s educational consultations. For students transferring from Chicago Christian Academy, the school will send the student records after receiving notification that the parent/guardian has approved the request Official records will be sent within 10 days of being requested unless a balance of tuition and fees remains. If a balance remains, basic communication of a child’s yearly academic progress will be provided to the school as required by law.
Administration of Medicines
Chicago Christian Academy Administration may administer over-the-counter medication to the children in their care but only with authorization from the child’s parent or guardian.
Chicago Christian Academy reserves the right to refuse the responsibility of prescription administration for any reason If this occurs, we will be happy to accommodate parent visits during the day for the purpose of medication administration
Illness Policy
In consideration of your young student’s wellness, in addition, preventing the spread of illness to your child’s classmates and teachers, a young student should be symptom-free a full 24 hours from the following before returning to onsite classes:
● Fever Temperature of 100 degrees or above without the use of fever-reducing medication
● Vomiting/diarrhea
● Please do not send children with a highly contagious illnesses such as strep, hand/foot/mouth, or pinkeye (to name a few)
These symptoms will also necessitate a call to parents for picking up the child.
School Safety
Authorized Pick-up
Student safety is our primary concern. Any authorized person picking up a student must be on the Authorized Pickup Form in ClassReach All authorized pick-up persons must be aged 18 or over. To ensure the safety of students, Chicago Christian Academy does not accept verbal authorization to change the names of pick-up persons. To change the name of any pick-up persons, the parents must add an individual to the Authorized Pickup Form through ClassReach
Leaving Before Regular Scheduled Dismissal Time
A situation may occur in which students must leave before the regularly scheduled dismissal time. For pre-scheduled situations (for example, doctor's appointments), parents or guardians must notify the office by the beginning of the day that the early
dismissal is to occur.
Firearms
Firearms are prohibited on the premises
DCFS
CCA is a DCFS license-exempt facility and is not licensed or regulated by DCFS This simply means that we only receive limited CCAP funding for several enrollees in our after-school program, who qualify under the specific requirements for funding If you have any questions regarding this or would like further details regarding CCAP funding, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us
Government Agency Requests
Chicago Christian Academy values our parent partnership and as such we will notify parents of any interaction with a government agency such as Child Protective Services, as it relates to your child Our policy is as follows:
● Parents will be notified and their presence requested prior to a government agency being allowed to interview a child during school hours
● Chicago Christian Academy will do its best to hold up this policy with any government agency but cannot be held liable if we are not able to get a hold of a family or if the government agency uses legal force to demand the interview
ACADEMIC SCHEDULE
Calendar
The Academic Calendar is located on our website.
Arrival and Dismissal
School will begin at 8:15 AM in the Sanctuary. Students will be allowed to arrive by 8am and take their seats in the sanctuary
The school day ends at 3:15 PM If students are not picked up by 3:30 then they will be sent to aftercare and parents will be assessed a “late pick up fee” of $5 in 10 minute increments
On time arrival is important so that our students do not miss the foundational practice of beginning the school day with worship to the Lord This is also the time that they learn and practice their catechism questions and answers that we use to intentionally form students’ hearts and minds
Prompt pickup is important to give our faculty and staff the time they need to perform important administrative duties to keep our school running smoothly
Consistent early arrival or late pick up will constitute a meeting with the Head of School.
Attendance
Chicago Christian Academy has intentionally set its vacations, schedule, and structure to allow important time for families By registering a child in Chicago Christian Academy, the parent or guardian is agreeing to this schedule and it is loving to the community of students to be in attendance Emergencies or important family time arise from time to time; therefore students have 8 academic days* within each semester for school absences without consequence to their credits unless pre-approvals are arranged. We ask that the Administration be notified as soon as possible for any absences A student that surpasses 16 days in a school year, or a total of 8 days in a semester, will be subject to a school board review which may result in retention, a paid tutoring supplement, or the student not being invited back
For sickness: please notify Administration through the Student Absence ClassReach form.
For prolonged periods of absence (to extend beyond the 8 academic days), please get pre-approval from the Head of School
*Emergency situations will be taken into consideration
Tardies
A student who arrives later than 8:15 is considered tardy Four unexcused tardies within a month will constitute a parent email. A 5th tardy will result in a student and parent meeting with the Head of School
ENROLLMENT POLICY
Anti-Discrimination and ADA Statement
Chicago Christian Academy admits students of any race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin in all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs
Children diagnosed with a learning disability are welcome to be a part of Chicago Christian Academy so long as they can meet, or be assisted to meet, the discipline standards of the classroom, discussions, and daily routine Additional fees may need to be incurred to the guardians as Chicago Christian Academy is not currently resourced with individual aids
Students applying for admissions should have a desire to receive this form of education. We do not mind assisting parents in fostering this desire, but the student needs to be “willing to be made willing” to be discipled through a classical, Christian education.
Enrollment Process
Tuition Assistance
We do not want finances to be a reason that a family cannot send their children to Chicago Christian Academy while we also want to be good stewards of donor funds We ask that families in need of tuition assistance ask grandparents, churches, and family before applying for financial aid If tuition assistance is still necessary, we use a third party financial aid processor called Benefaq. The application is $35 and Chicago Christian Academy receives a report related to what a family can feasibly afford based on their financial portfolio. With this information, taking into account the report and any extenuating circumstance, our committee makes a decision Our desire is that a family in need of tuition assistance is able to pay a minimum of 10% of their salary towards Christian education, but we also review the financial circumstances in making our determination.
Step 1: Ask for help from your church or family (some churches have education funds)
Step 2: Apply through Benefaq
Step 3: The committee will review and make a recommendation
Step 4: You will be notified of any aid to be awarded
Step 5: Pay your new tuition amount
EVALUATIONS
1. Teachers will evaluate students regularly for the purpose of assessing skill and knowledge
2 Teachers are evaluated unannounced throughout the year
3 The administration will be assessed periodically by the staff
4 Parents will evaluate the school annually
General Agreement
All parents and students who are enrolling in Chicago Christian Academy affirm by their application and enrollment their intentional willingness to abide by the expectations and rules presented in this handbook and all other school documents, both expressed and implied. This includes all policies stated herein.
Disclaimer
The reader should take notice that while every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided herein, Chicago Christian Academy reserves the right to make changes at any time without prior notice Parents will be notified of any
changes to the handbook that occur during the current academic year. Chicago Christian Academy provides the information herein solely for the convenience of the reader and, to the extent permissible by law, expressly disclaims any liability which may otherwise be incurred