Christ Academy - Handbook 2025-2026 by concordiseducationpartners

THEMISSION

ChristAcademyexistsinordertoprovideclassical,Christianeducation thatformsstudentstodisplaythesurpassinggoodnessofJesusChrist throughthoughtful,articulate,beautiful,andvirtuouslives

STATEMENTOFFAITH

WeaimtoprovideourstudentswithaChristianeducationthatleadstoChristianbeliefandpractice tothegloryofGod.Whilewewelcomedenominationaldierences,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.

● ThefuturereturnofJesustonalizethehealingofcreation

Moredetailedaccountsofthesetheologicalandethicalstandardsappearinthefollowing post-ReformationexpressionsofChristiantheology:TheThreeFormsofUnity,theWestminster Standards,theThirty-nineArticlesofReligion,andthe1689LondonBaptistConfessionofFaith, whichoerexcellentsummariesofthescriptures.

CULTURALISSUES

OnCreation

WithScripture,ChristAcademyarmsthatallthecosmosisGod’scherishedcreation:“‘AndGodsaw everythingthathehadmade,andbehold,itwasverygood”(Genesis1).Hemadeittoreecthimself (Psalm19),andheinvestedhumanitywiththespecialprivilegeofstewardingtheearthonhisbehalf

(Psalm115) AtruncatedstudyofcreationomitsGod’sinvolvementanddesign,butatChrist Academy,sincewepursue“allthetreasuresofwisdomandknowledge,”ourstudyofscienceincludes consciousengagementwithScripture.WeteachstudentstoknowGod,andthusthemselves,more fullythroughhiscreation.Innowaydoesthisdiminishtheroleofrobustintellectualengagement.To thecontrary,mathematicsandthehardsciencescracklewithmorewonderandenergywhenseenas beautiful,fascinating,nearly-bottomlessexpressionsoftheCreator.

ChristAcademyrecognizesthatwiseChristiansacrossthecenturieshavedieredonthesignicanceof keytermsandconceptsinthecreationnarrativesofGenesis1-2 Inkeepingwithboththeclassical modelandtheChristiantradition,wethereforeinvitestudentstograpplewitharangeofperspectives regardingtheageoftheearthandGod’sprocessofcreation.Atthesametime,wemaintainan uninchingcommitmenttoScripture’sclearteachingaboutcreation:thisisGod’shandiwork,forhis abundantgloryandhumanity’simmensejoy,andoneday,whenChristreturnstomakeallthingsnew, wewillexperienceitwithpuredelight.Untilthen,wepursuefaithfulnessaccordingtoGod’sdesign.

OnGender,Marriage,andSexuality

ChristAcademyarmsthatGodreservesamarriageunionforonemanandonewoman,andhe reservessexualintimacyexclusivelywithinthatmarriage.Werecognizethatthisarmationis out-of-synchwiththemajorityopinionin21stcenturyAmerica However,wetakeourcuesnotfrom thepopulacebutfromholyScriptureinconjunctionwithGod’speopleacrosstheages.Our convictiononthismatterfallsrmlywithinthemainstreamofhistoric,Christianorthodoxy.

Contrarytocaricaturesandmisperceptions,ourreasoningisnotbasedonfear,nordowedemeanthe fullhumandignityofpeopleinvolvedinsame-sexrelationships,orinanynon-Biblicalexpressionof sexuality.However,weseethatGod’sdesignformarriageisinfactastillgreaterarmationofhuman dignity:justasGodisbothone-and-many(onebeingandthreepersons),soisman-womanmarriage Inthisway,Godencodessymbolsofhisownmysteriousunity-in-diversitywithinembodiedhumanity (Eph5).Ourbodiesarepartofhischerishedcreation,andGod’sgiftofsexualpleasurendssanction onlyinthecomplementarityofmaleandfemalebodies.AsJesushimselfsaid,ithasbeensofromthe beginning(Matt19)

InarmingtheseBiblicalvalues,wealsoacknowledgethatsomeindividualsfacesignicant,unwanted hurdlestolivingwithinGod’sdesignforgender,marriageandsexuality.Genderdysphoria,for example,isagenuineaictionwithacomplexetiology AswepursuefaithfulnesstoGod’sdesign,we alsoextendcompassiontothosewhosuer,whileconcurrentlyseekingtoshepherdthosewithinour

orbit WeexpectthatallChristAcademystudents,aswellasaliatedpersonnel,willdothesame This isonesignicantwaythatweloveGodwithallourbeingandourneighborasourselves.

OnSanctityofHumanLife

WebelievethatallhumanlifeissacredandcreatedbyGodinhisimage.Wethereforehaveadivine mandatetodefend,protect,andvalueallhumanlife,ateverystageofdevelopmentordegradation. Sincewearehischerishedcreatures,taskedwithimitatinghisowncharacter,wemustdelightequally intheunbornandtheelderly,thegeniusandthepersonwithcognitivedisability,theathleteandthe physicallychallenged–andeveryotherpermutationofhumanlife.AllareequallyvaluableinGod’s eyes.

PHILOSOPHYOFEDUCATION

WedisciplestudentsthrougheducationthatisrobustlyChristianandpedagogicallyclassical

ChristianeducationidentiesJesusChristasthecenterofhumanlife.SinceChrististhehub,thecore ofallwisdomandknowledge,educationwithChristatthecenterisintegratedandharmonious, oeringstudentsanencounterwiththeinterconnectednessofalltruth

Classicaleducationstemsfromthetraditionsoftheclassicalworld,thecivilizationsofancientGreece andRome Intheclassicalworld,educationemphasizedindependenceofmind,clarityofwriting, andwinsomenessofspeaking.Theaimwastoformcitizenswhowouldbuildafreesocietythrough excellenceofmindandsoul.Theoutcomewasthebackboneof Westernsocietytoday.Sinceavirtuous societydependsonavirtuouscitizenry,classicaleducationisformativeandliberating,engagingthe wholepersonforthepurposeofshapingindividualsandcommunitiesasoutpostsofgoodness,beauty andtruth.

AtChristAcademy,wearmthattheoldideasoftheclassicalworldremainvitalforanewgeneration. WealsoarmthatalltruthhasacommonsourceintheOnewhomadeitandlivedit,the God-human,JesusChrist.Whiletoday’sstandardeducationaltheoryfragmentstruthby compartmentalizingsubjects,theclassicalmodel,groundedinChrist,pursuesauniedapproach.

Admittedly,wedierentiatebetweenhumanitiesandscienceforthesakeofeducationalexcellence; giventhevastnessoftheknowledgebaseandthelimitationsofthehumanmind,itwouldbe

unreasonabletoexpectcomprehensiveexpertise Nevertheless,evenacrosselds,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,andtheylearnexcellencethroughexperiencingitrsthand

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,andsowehavewarrantforarmingtheBibleasbothdivine

andhuman HewasGod’sWordinhumanesh,andsowehavejusticationfornamingtheBibleas 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 rmgraspupon JesusChrist,inwhomarefoundallthetreasuresofwisdomandknowledge

PhilosophyoftheArts

Sinceweaimtoformanexpansivehumanitywithinourstudents,weloadoureducationwithbroad exposuretothebeautyofvisual,musical,andperformativeart.BeautyisitselfanencounterwithGod; healoneisbeautyitself.ThefourthcenturytheologianGregoryofNazianzenlikenedGodtothe “beautyandgreatnessoftheheavens,”onlywithinnitelymoresplendor.

Thearts,then,areagiftfromGod.Theypenetratebeneaththefabricofourcognitiontoprovideus withalived-experienceofGod’sbeing,butnotinawaythatreplacesGod.SinceonlyGodhimself fullysatisesthehumanheart,theartscanonlystiranappetiteforGod;theygiveatasteofhisbeauty, movingus,shapingustodiscoverthefullnessoflifeinhimthroughJesusChrist Aneducation withoutbeautyisthusincomplete.

AtChristAcademy,weteachmusicasthesoundandrhythmofbeauty Thevisualartsarethe appearanceofbeauty.Performativeartsengageearsandeyeswiththemovementofbeauty.We

recognizethatstudentsmaydierintheirappreciationofthearts,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 languageoerssalvicencounterwithJesus,butwedomeanthat,likebeauty,languageisa windowontothedivinebeing.Godhimself,asFather,SonandHolySpirit,iseternally communicatinginwholerelationships;thethreepersonsareperpetuallyuniedin understanding.IntheincarnationofJesus,GodtheSonembodiedthiseternal communication.AswereadinJohn’sgospel,“hemadeknown”theinvisibleGod.Jesuswas (andis)theWordmadeesh.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 themostrenedandusefulapproachtolanguagewithinourheritage.

AtChristAcademy,weseethevalueofthetriviumasfollows:

● Grammaristheproperpracticeofalanguage’srulesandrhythms.InteachingtheEnglish language,thestudyofLatinisespeciallyuseful;itilluminatesthegrammaticalstructuresand vocabularyofEnglish,anditconnectsustoourlinguisticheritage.

● Logicistheuseoflanguagetoconstructmeaningfulargument;itisalsotheartofthinking thatundergirdstheuseoflanguage.TheLatinlanguageplaysaroleinthisstudyaswell;its exactnessofsyntaxsupportstheformationoflogicalhabitsofthemind.Thestudyofformal logicexpandsthemind’scapacitytothinkandcommunicateclearly.

Butthebenetoflogicisnotonlycognitive:itisalsoaective therearebenetsfortheheart Learningtothinkcriticallyhelpstoguardagainstconfusingtheloveoftruthwiththeloveof beingright.Italsohelpstoproducehumility,empathy,andawillingnesstolistentotheother.

● Rhetoricistheartofdiscoursethatseekstoconvinceandtransformthroughgoodnessand life-givingpersuasion TraininginRhetoricbeginswithdelightinginwhatisbeautifullysaid, whetherliterature,poetry,Scriptureorotherwrittenorspokenword.Asourstudentscome intoalargestoreofwell-saidphrasesthroughencounterandevenmemorization,theybeginto learnandpracticetheveclassicalcanonsofrhetoric:invention,style,arrangement,delivery, andmemory Theclarityoftheclassicallanguageshelpforminourstudentsthehabitsof uencyandeloquenceinexpression.

PhilosophyofMathematicsandScience

AtChristAcademy,weplaceahighvalueonmathandsciencebecauseweplaceahighervalueonJesus Christ.Heisthemasterofthecreationwhosedetailandstructureweexplore,andheistheonein whom“allthingsholdtogether”(Col1) SincewewanttoknowChrist,weinvestigatehishandiwork

Further,sinceourgoalisrelationshipwithourcreator,notsimplyawarenessofhim,webeginthe studyofmathandsciencebycultivatinghappycuriosity.Jesushimselfdelightsinhiscreation,andwe learntoknowhimwellbyimitatinghisownappreciationforthemarvelsofbugsandstarsand algorithmsandformulae.Fromthisstartingpoint,studentswhoexcelinmathandsciencereceivea compellinginvitationtohumilityandgratitude,studentswithoutnaturalaptitudeformathand sciencemayndencouragementandjoy,andallstudentshearthecalltostewardcreation,astheir studiesannouncetheprimacyofJesusChrist

Excellenceinmathandscienceundoubtedlyrequiresmemorizationofmanyfacts,butsinceourgoalis knowledgeofChrist,ourapproachheredoesnotenshrinedataacquisitionasthehighmarkof excellence Rather,weusethefactsasspringboardsintothedeepskillsofinquiry,observation, reasoning,documentation,andpersuasion.Acrossthecenturies,theseskillshavefedscientic enterpriseinserviceofthecommongood,whichwewantstudentstounderstand;asweexplore variousaxiomsandtheoremsandmethods,wealsocelebratetheconnectionstoournotable predecessors.

Inotherwords,studentsreceiveaneducationthatintegratesinformationwithincommunity.This leads,then,toaharmonioussenseofplacewithinavenerabletraditionofgreatscientistsand mathematicians.Evenmore,itushersstudentsalongthepathofsatisfying,genuinehumanity;they discoverthewayoflifethatprioritizestruthforthesakeofgoodnessandbeautyinrelationship And inthatwayoflife,studentsencounteryetanotherplaneofcoherence:theyimitateChrist,theonewho createdthetheaterformathandscienceintherstplace.

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”maybedierent,thestandardremains. Anydisciplinary actionmustbedoneinlovewiththehopeofrestoration.

CLASSROOMDISCIPLESHIP

WeloveGodbylovingoneanother,andmutualrespectisakeymarkofGod-honoringlove.Students areexpectedtobehaveinawaythatfostersrespectforboththeirteachersandtheirfellowstudents Teachershavetheresponsibilitytoguidestudentsinthispursuitofrespect.Generalbehaviorsthat willbehandledwithinaclassroomsettingareasfollows:

● Nuisancebehaviortoteacherorstudents

● Inappropriateuseofclassroommaterial

● Minorclassroomdisruptions

Infractionsofthisnaturewillbehandledwithverbalwarningsbyfaculty.Threeclassroominfractions inadaywillresultinanocevisit.

OFFICEVISITS

OvertbehaviorswhichrequireoceinvolvementnecessitateparentnoticationviaClassReach. Dependingontheseverityoftheinfraction,studentsmayneedtobepickedupimmediatelyfrom schooland/ormayneedtoattendadisciplinaryhearing. Fordisciplinetobeeective,itisimperative forteachersandparentstoworkasateam.Ifthiscannotbeaccomplished,astudentmayneedtobe unenrolleduntilsuchatimeasanagreementcanbereached

Overtbehaviorsareasfollowsandwillconstituteanimmediateocevisit:

● Flagrantdisrespectshowntosta

● Dishonesty(eg,lying,cheating,stealing)

● Anyviolationofourelectronicdevicepolicy

● Deance(e.g.,outrightdisobedience,consistentcorrection,orrebellion)

● Fighting(e.g.,strikingwiththeintentiontoharmanotherstudentinangerandnotforthe purposeofdefendinganother)

● Bullying(i.e.,whenastudentdeliberatelydesirestodoharmtoanotherstudentduringor outsideofschool,thisincludescyber-bullying)

● Actsthatendangerthelivesofanotherpersonoroneself

● Vandalism

● Theftonorocampus

● Intentionalmisuseuseofschoolpropertyorfacility

● Foullanguage(e.g.,obscene,vulgar,profane)

● Romanticdisplaysofaection(eg,kissing,hugging,hand-holding)

● Inappropriatesexualconduct(e.g.,anysexualactivityoutsideofmarriage,inappropriate touching,useofpornography,etc.)

● Illegalsubstanceabuse(e.g.,drugoralcoholuse)

● Weaponsoncampus

● Engaginginbehaviorthatsuggestsawillfulviolationofthereligiousbeliefsandpracticesof theschool

DEGREESOFDISCIPLINEFOROFFICEVISITS

Thedegreeofdisciplinedependsontheseverityoftheoenseandfallssomewherealong(butnot limitedto)thiscontinuum. Weholdthatpublicoensewillneedapublicapologyandprivate oenseaprivateapology. Thegoalofdisciplineistobringastudentbackintofellowship. Afteran ocevisitthestudentwillbeaskedtoseekforgivenessoftheindividualorgroupthatthestudenthas sinnedagainst

Potentialconsequencesforanocevisit(parentswillbenotied):

● Removingofsomeprivilege(eg,recess)

● Awrittenreectionregardingtheoense

● Communityservice(e.g.,janitorialwork)

● Senthome(e.g.,earlypick-up)

● Disciplinehearingthatmayresultinthefollowing:

o Parentalattendanceduringtheschoolday

o Working,on-campussuspension

o O-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,itmaybeunlockedbyocepersonnelandusedforthatpurposeunder ocesupervision Phoneswillbeunlockedatthegatewhenstudentsaredismissedattheendofthe schoolday.

Useoflaptopsispermissibleforsecondaryacademicpurposesonlyunderthepre-approveddirection andsupervisionofateacher.

Violations:

● Arstviolationofthispolicywillresultinimmediateconscationofthedevice,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

Cheatingisdenedasbreakingtherulesofanassignmentorassessment,forexample,copyingafellow student’sworkwithoutaninstructor’spermission,talkingduringanassessment, orunfairlyaccessing notesduringanexam.

Plagiarismisamajorsubsetofcheating,principallyinregardstowrittenassignments Itisdenedas usinganotherperson’sideasorwordswithoutprovidingapropercitation.

Ifeithercheatingorplagiarismisnoticed,theassignmentorassessmentwillimmediatelyreceivea0. Parentswillbenotied. Asecondcheatingorplagiarisminfractionwillresultinareviewbythe educationcouncil

DRESSCODEVIOLATION

Ifadresscodeviolationisobservedbyfaculty,theywillinformocestawhowillalertparents throughaClassReachdresscodeviolationform.Afterfourdresscodeviolations,anocevisitand emailwillfollow. Afterthefthviolationwithinasemesterthestudentwillbesenthome.

Subsequentdresscodeviolationswillresultinocevisitsinaccordancewiththedisciplinepolicy Overridingallthesedetails,theschoolreservestherighttoactaswedeemnecessaryinanysituation.

*Auniformpolicyviolationissomethingthatcannotbecorrectedinclass.

OURPROGRAM

OnCurriculum

AtChristAcademy,webelievethatcurriculumisanessentialtool,butthatitistheteacherwhobrings educationtolifethroughuseofthattool.Assuch,inadditiontousingvariouscurriculaanda developedlistofskillsandobjectiveswewillobtainthemostqualiedanddedicatedteacherspossible: teacherswhoexemplifyaloveoflearningandpointstudentstoJesusChristthroughimmersingtheir teachingingoodness,beauty,andtruth.

PHILOSOPHYOFGRADING GradingPolicy

GradesatChristAcademydonotinanywayreecttheimmeasurableworthandvalueofeachchild madeinGod’simage,butrathertheyareareectionofthequalityofworkinagiveneldofstudyata 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.Thesegradesmoregreatlyaectoverallstandings.Consistentwitheducatingthe wholechild,bothattitudeandeortwillbeconsideredwithinourgradingsystems.

GradingScale

Secondary Primary

A+ 99andabove

A 90-98

B 80-89

C 70-79

90+ExcellentUnderstanding

80+GoodUnderstanding

70+Strugglingtomaster

Below70-Willneedsomeassistance

Below70:Studentdoesnotknowmaterialwellenoughtocontinueinthiseldofstudywithout assistance

FailingandRetakes

Retakeswillbelefttotheteacher’sdiscretion Astudentwhohassimplyfailedanassignmentfora lackofunderstandingmaybegivenanotheropportunitytoprovetheirunderstandingafterfurther practice. Astudentwhoneglectedtheirstudiesandthereforefailed,maynotbegivenaretake opportunity.

Ifastudentfailsanentirecourse,thestudent,parents,andteacherwillmeetwiththeDeanorHeadof Schooltodeterminethebestcourseofactionforthestudent. Circumstances,understandingof directionsandeortwillallbetakenintoconsideration.

Parentswillbenotiedatleastthreeweeksbeforetheendofthegradingperiodiftheirstudentisin 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

IunderstandthataUniformPolicyisawayoflovingthosearoundusbyrespectingauniedand meaningfulrepresentationofourschoolculture,includingprofessionalism,modestyandourdistinct values. Iwillmakesurethatmychildfollowstheuniformpolicysothatthiscultureismaintained.

OnAdherencetotheDisciplinaryProcess

Inkeepingwiththereligious(spirituallyformative)intentionsofChristAcademy’smission,I understandthatmychildneedstosubmittotheauthorityofChristAcademyfacultyandstaduring 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,patientreection,andrespecttoallplacedinauthorityoverme Together withfellowstudents,IamastewardofChristAcademyandcommitmyselftothepursuitofTruth, theloveoftheGood,andthecultivationofBeautyasIembracethehighcallingofaliberalarts education

InternetUseandSocialMedia

Studentsareheldtothesamestandardofbehaviorwhethertheyareoncampusoronline.Students agreetousethesetechnologicaltoolshonorablyandresponsiblywiththeintenttoupholdthewitness andbeliefsofChristAcademy Inthatspiritofconsistency,thefollowingarenotpermitted:

● Sendingordisplayingoensivemessagesorintimatepictures

● Usingobscene,vulgar,orprofanelanguage

● Harassing,tormenting,threatening,embarrassing,humiliating,insulting,orattackingothers

● Textingorsocialmediainteractionwithteachers (Werecognizethatsomestudentshave relationshipswithteachersoutsideofschoolandtheremaybenon-school-relatedreasonsto sendoccasionaltextmessages.)

ClassReachcommunicationispermittedforstudents,parents,andteachers.

HEALTHANDWELLNESS

Lunch

Studentswillbringpackedlunchestobeeatenintheschoollunchroom.Pleasealerttheoceofany 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 notiedofanysevereallergiesorhealthconcerns.

AdministrationofMedicines

ChristAcademyocestaiswillingtoadministeranyover-the-countermedicationtothechildrenin theircareonlywithauthorizationfromthechild’sparentorguardian Prescriptionmedicationcanbe administeredonlywhenthefollowingconditionsaremet:

● ThemedicineisbroughttoChristAcademyinitsoriginalcontainerbytheparentandis delivereddirectlytothedesignatedadministrators.Undernocircumstancesshouldachild handlehisorhermedication.

● Anotefromtheprescribingdoctorisprovidedthatstatesdosage,frequency,andalistof possiblesideeects 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. Weaskthattheoce staandteachersbenotiedassoonaspossibleforanyabsences.

● Forordinaryillness,appointmentsorvacations: pleasellouttheStudentAbsenceRequest 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. PriortoseekingnancialaidfromChristAcademy,they arestronglyurgedtoseekassistancefromtheirfamily,churches,andfriends.Wearepartneringin educationwithfamilies,andwearerunsolelyonprivatefunds Hence,everydollarnotcollectedin tuitionisadollarthatmustberaisedthroughdonations. Thebestadvocatesforachildaretheir parentsandfamily. However,wealsodonotwantnancestobethereasonafamilydoesnotattend ChristAcademy;thereforenancialaidmaybeoeredundercertaincircumstancesofextremeneed Multi-studentaidmaybeavailableunderspeciedcircumstances

1. Applicantswillbecategorizedfromthegreatestnancialneedtotheleastnancialneed.

2 TuitionassistancerequestswillbehandledthroughBenefaq,ourthird-partynancialaid processingpartner Familiesmayrequestalinktotheapplicationfromtheschooloce Financialaidapplicationswillbeassesseda$35fee.

EVALUATIONS

1. Teacherswillevaluatestudentsregularlyforthepurposeofassessingskillandknowledge.

2 Teachersareevaluatedunannouncedthroughouttheyear

3. Theadministrationwillbeassessedperiodicallybythesta.

4. ParentswillhaveopportunitytoprovideconstructivefeedbackontheeducationChrist Academyoers.

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.