Christ Academy Handbook 2024-2025

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,irremediableexceptbyGod.

● 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

Overtbehaviorswhichrequireadministrativeinvolvementnecessitateparentnoticationvia ClassReach Dependingontheseverityoftheinfraction,studentsmayneedtobepickedup immediatelyfromschooland/ormayneedtoattendadisciplinaryhearing. Fordisciplinetobe eective,itisimperativeforteachersandparentstoworkasateam.Ifthiscannotbeaccomplished,a studentmayneedtobeunenrolleduntilsuchatimeasanagreementcanbereached

Overtbehaviorsareasfollowsandwillconstituteanimmediateocevisit:

● Flagrantdisrespectshowntosta

● Dishonesty(eg,lying,cheating,stealing)

● Deance(eg,outrightdisobedience,consistentcorrection,orrebellion)

● Fighting(e.g.,strikingwiththeintentiontoharmanotherstudentinangerandnotforthe purposeofdefendinganother)

● Bullying(ie,whenastudentdeliberatelydesirestodoharmtoanotherstudentduringor outsideofschool,thisincludescyber-bullying)

● Actsthatendangerthelivesofanotherpersonoroneself

● Vandalism

● Theftonorocampus

● Intentionalmisuseuseofschoolpropertyorfacility

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

● Romanticdisplaysofaection(e.g.,kissing,hugging,hand-holding)

● Inappropriatesexualconduct(eg,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(e.g.,recess)

● Awrittenreectionregardingtheoense

● Communityservice(eg,janitorialwork)

● Senthome(eg,earlypick-up)

● Disciplinehearingthatmayresultinthefollowing:

o Parentalattendanceduringtheschoolday

o Working,on-campussuspension

o O-campussuspension

o Expulsion

RE-ADMITTANCE

Shouldastudentwhowasexpelled,orwhowithdrewtopreventexpulsion,desiretobereadmittedto ChristAcademyatalaterdate,theywouldneedtore-applyatthattime.

ELECTRONICDEVICEPOLICY

Useofpersonalelectronicdevices(ie phones,smartphones,portablegamingdevices,smartwatches etc)bystudentsisprohibitedoncampus

Studentswhowishtocarryaphonewiththemtoschoolwillsecuretheirphonesinalocking, school-issuedpouchforthedurationoftheschoolday Ifthestudentneedstousethephoneduring thedayforanapproveduse,itmaybeunlockedbytheAdministratorandusedforthatpurposeunder ocesupervision.Studentsmayunlocktheirphonepouchintheoceattheendoftheschoolday.

Useoflaptopsispermissibleforsecondaryacademicpurposesonlyunderthepre-approveddirection andsupervisionofateacher

● Arstviolationofthispolicywillresultinimmediateconscationofthedevice,tobereleased toaparentorguardian.

● AsecondviolationofthispolicywillresultinaparentconferencewiththeAdministrator.

● Athirdviolationofthispolicywillresultinadisciplinaryhearing

ChristAcademyacceptsnoresponsibilityforuse,breakage,theft,orlossofphoneorotherpersonal items.Overridingallthesedetails,theschoolreservestherighttoactaswedeemnecessaryinany situation.

ACADEMICDISCIPLINE

Studentsareexpectedtocompleteassignmentsinatimelymannerandtocommunicateinadvance withteachersinthecaseofextenuatingcircumstances.Teacherswillinformstudentsifanassignment extensioniswarranted

● Ifastudenthasnotcompletedhomeworkbytheassignedduedate,theteacher(via ClassReach)willnotifytheparentsandtheAdministrator.

● 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,theywillinformadministrationwhowillalertparents 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, 15

in-classdebates,etc Thesegradesmoregreatlyaectoverallstandings Consistentwitheducatingthe wholechild,bothattitudeandeortwillbeconsideredwithinourgradingsystems.

GradingScale

Secondary

A+ 99andabove

A 90-98

B 80-89

C 70-79

Primary

90+ExcellentUnderstanding

80+GoodUnderstanding

70+Strugglingtomaster

Below70-Willneedsomeassistance

Below70:Studentdoesnotknowmaterialwellenoughtocontinueinthiseldofstudywithout assistance

FailingandRetakes

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

Ifastudentfailsanentirecourse,thestudent,parents,andteacherwillmeetwiththeEducation Counciltodeterminethebestcourseofactionforthestudent. 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) IfadisciplinenotegoeshomefromateacherortheAdministrator,IunderstandthatIneedto workwithmychildonchangingbehaviorthroughtheheart.Thiswillincludeencouragingthe pursuitofforgivenessfromanyonewhohasbeenwronged

(2) Ifmychildcontinuestoincurinfractions,he/shewillreceivedisciplineinkeepingwiththe policyoutlinedinthishandbook(above).AttheAdministrator’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

ClassReachcommunicationispermittedforstudents,parents,andteachers.

HEALTHANDWELLNESS

Lunch

Studentswillbringpackedlunchestobeeatenintheschoollunchroomoroutsideiftheweather permits.Pleasepacklunchesthatdonothavetobeheatedorrefrigerated.Pleasealsoalerttheoceof anyallergiesyourchildhassowecanaccommodateasneededandalertotherfamilies(iftheallergyis verysevere) AtChristAcademy,wevaluehealthandwellness,sopleasekeepthisinmindwhen packinglunches,asyourstudentswillbelearningaboutnutrition,abalanceddiet,etc.

Snacks

Studentsarewelcometobringaneasy-to-eatsnack(werecommendanutritioussnack)for mid-morning. Wateristheonlybeverageallowedtoaccompanysnacks.

HealthRecords

AllstudentsattendingChristAcademymusthaveonrecordwiththeschooleitheracurrent immunizationrecordoranexemptionstatement,accordingtoOregonstatecode,beforestarting classesinthefall.ImmunizationrecordsarecollectedinClassReach.ChristAcademyshouldalsobe notiedofanysevereallergiesorhealthconcerns.

AdministrationofMedicines

ChristAcademyAdministrationiswillingtoadministeranyover-the-countermedicationtothe childrenintheircareonlywithauthorizationfromthechild’sparentorguardian Prescription medicationcanbeadministeredonlywhenthefollowingconditionsaremet:

● ThemedicineisbroughttoChristAcademyinitsoriginalcontainerbytheparentandis delivereddirectlytothedesignatedadministrators.Undernocircumstancesshouldachild handlehisorhermedication.

● Anotefromtheprescribingdoctorisprovidedthatstatesdosage,frequency,andalistof possiblesideeects Pharmacy-printedinformationmaybeacceptedinlieuofadoctor’s note.

● ChristAcademyreservestherighttorefusetheresponsibilityofprescription administrationforanyreason.Ifthisoccurs,wewillbehappytoaccommodateparent visitsduringthedayforthepurposeofmedicationadministration.

IllnessPolicy

Inconsiderationofyourstudent’swellness,inaddition,preventingthespreadofillnesstoyourchild’s classmatesandteachers,astudentshouldbesymptom-freeafull24hoursfromthefollowingbefore returningtoonsiteclasses:

● Fever-Temperatureof100degreesorabovewithouttheuseoffever-reducingmedication

● Vomiting/diarrhea

● Pleasedonotsendchildrenwithhighlycontagiousillnessessuchasstrep,hand/foot/mouth,or pinkeye(tonameafew).

ACADEMICSCHEDULE

Calendar

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 Weaskthatthe Administrationbenotiedassoonaspossibleforanyabsences.

● Forsickness: pleasenotifytheAdministratorthroughtheClassReachformprovided.

● Forfamilytime(vacations,etc):pleaseuseourpre-scheduledabsenceformtonotifythe appropriateteacher.

● Forprolongedperiodsofabsence(toextendbeyondthe8academicdays): pleaseget pre-approvalfromtheAdministration.

*Emergencysituationswillobviouslybetakenintoconsideration.

Tardies

Studentsareconsideredtardyiftheyarenotseatedintheclassroomwithnecessarymaterialsat8AM. Fourunexcusedtardieswithinamonthwillconstituteaparentemail.A5thtardywillresultinan ocevisit Subsequentunexcusedtardieswillbetreatedasocevisitsinaccordancewiththe disciplinepolicy

InclementWeather

Incasesofinclementweather,schedulechangeswillbecommunicatedviaClassReachnolaterthan 6:30AMonthedayinquestion.

ENROLLMENTPOLICY

Anti-DiscriminationandADAStatement

ChristAcademyadmitsstudentsofanyrace,color,nationalorigin,andethnicorigininallrights, privileges,programs,andactivitiesgenerallyaccordedormadeavailabletostudentsattheschool.It doesnotdiscriminateonthebasisofrace,color,nationalorigin,andethnicorigininadministrationof itseducationalpolicies,admissionpolicies,scholarshipandloanprograms,andathleticandother school-administeredprograms

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

PleaseseeourTUITIONANDFEEPOLICY

TuitionAssistance

FamiliesmayapplyforTuitionAssistance. PriortoseekingnancialaidfromChristAcademy,they arestronglyurgedtoseekassistancefromtheirfamily,churches,andfriends.Wearepartneringin educationwithfamilies,andwearerunsolelyonprivatefunds Hence,everydollarnotcollectedin tuitionisadollarthatmustberaisedthroughdonations Thebestadvocatesforachildaretheir parentsandfamily. However,wealsodonotwantnancestobethereasonafamilydoesnotattend ChristAcademy;thereforenancialaidmaybeoeredundercertaincircumstancesofextremeneed. Multi-studentaidmaybeavailableunderspeciedcircumstances

1. Applicantswillbecategorizedfromthegreatestnancialneedtotheleastnancialneed. Financialneedwillbepre-designatedbasedonaratioofthenumberoffamilymembersto grossincome

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

1. GeneralInquiry

2. FamilyInterviewRequest

3 AdmissionsInterview

4. Application

5. Enrollment

6 TuitionAgreement

7. AssessmentofStudent

EVALUATIONS

1 Teacherswillevaluatestudentsregularlyforthepurposeofassessingskillandknowledge

2. Teachersareevaluatedunannouncedthroughouttheyear.

3. Theadministrationwillbeassessedperiodicallybythesta.

4 Parentswillevaluatetheschoolannually

Disclaimer

Thereadershouldtakenoticethatwhileeveryeffortismadetoensuretheaccuracyoftheinformation provided herein, Christ Academy reserves therighttomakechangesatanytimewithoutpriornotice. Parents will be notified of any changestothehandbookthatoccurduringthecurrentacademicyear ChristAcademyprovidestheinformationhereinsolelyfortheconvenienceofthereaderand,totheextent permissiblebylaw,expresslydisclaimsanyliabilitywhichmayotherwisebeincurred.