PHILOSOPHYOFEDUCATION
CoramDeoAcademytrains imagebearersandtherebyo ersexcellenceineducationthatservesallChristian students. Ourstructure,pedagogyand eldsofstudyaredesignedtohelpstudentstakethenaturalabilitiesthat Godhasgivenandinvestthemtoadvancethekingdom. Wedothisthroughintegrated eldsofstudy, integratedages,wholeschoollearning,andastructurethatfostersmastery. FoundedonaChristianworldview, wetrainstudentshowtothinkandnotwhattothink ThroughtheproperuseoftheTrivium,asatool, studentsmovefromconcreteconceptstophilosophicalconsiderations Eachsubjectisstudied –comprehensively–inlightofthetruthofScripture Byo eringathree-daycoremodel,wegivevaluabletime tofamilies,trulycreatingapartnershipindisciplingchildren.
● TRAININGIMAGEBEARERS
● FOSTERINGMASTERY
● ADVANCINGTHEKINGDOM
EDUCATIONFORTHOSEWITHSPECIALNEEDS
CoramDeoAcademyaimstoteachstudentsofallabilitylevelsthroughsolidChristianpedagogyandmaterials. Becauseweareabletotakebothconventionalanduniquelearners(eventhosediagnosedwithASD),our programisverydistinct. Weo erclassicalteachingasinputbutonlyexpectclassicaloutputbasedonthegifting ofeachindividualstudent Ourteachingisdoneinaone-roomstylesetting,whereweimplementtheTrivium andmovefromtheconcretetothephilosophicalasthestudentsareready
Webelievethatthosediagnosedwithalearningdisability,aswellasthosewithdevelopmentaldelaysortrauma, arenotde nedbytheircondition. Theyare rstandforemost“ImageBearersoftheLivingGod.” These uniquelygiftedandsometimeshurtingchildrenhaveamind,abody,andasoulandhavethesameneedsand desiresasotherchildren. Forsome,thedi erenceisintheirhyper-sensoryskills,whichcanoverloadtheirminds. Forothers,theyneedaddedassistanceinvariousbehaviorandacademicareas Becauseofthis,ourgoalistogive thesechildrenalearningenvironmentthathelpsthemorganizetheirsensorysystems,seethemselvesasan integralpartofGod’sworld,andinvestthetalentsthatGodhasgiventhem
Wedonotusethechild’sconditionasanexcuseforsin. However,wemaymakeacademicandbehavioral accommodationsforchildrenattherecommendationoftheEducationCounciluponreviewofdiagnostic informationandorcircumstances Thisdecisionwillnotbeautomatic Pertherequestofaparent,wewillseek professionaladvice,pray,andconsultwithinvestedpartiestocomeupwiththebestdecisionforthestudentand community
Whileourgoalisstraightforward,thewayweaccomplishthisforeachchildiscomplex. Becauseeachchildisan image-bearerofGodandiscreatedwithuniquegiftsandstruggles,webelieveitisimportanttoindividualize theirinstructionwithoutcompromisingthecommunity Weemployavarietyofmethodstohelpourstudents learntofocustheirmindsandcalmtheirbodies,sotheycangrowintheirloveforGodandneighbor
Ourambitionistoservealllearners,butonlytotheextentthatweareabletoservethatparticularstudent’s disabilitieswithinourstructureandfacility.
OURDISTINCTIVEINSERVINGTHOSEWITHSPECIALNEEDS
1. Verylowstudent/teacherratio,allowingtrueindividualizedlearningplans.
2. Integratedages,wherestudentsmovethroughmilestonesratherthanage-relatedgrades.
3. Fewersubjects.
4 Minimalhomeworkintheyoungeryears,withthisexpandingovertime
5 Theteacherprovidescurriculumindividualizededucation
OURCULTURE
STATEMENTOFFAITH
TheScriptures
WebelievetheHolyScripturesoftheOldandNewTestamentstobetheverballyinspiredWordofGod,the nalauthorityforfaithandlife,inerrantintheoriginalwritings,infallible,andGod-breathed.(2Tim3:16-17,2 Peter1:20-21,Matt5:18,John16:12-13)
TheGodhead
WebelieveinoneTriuneGod,eternallyexistinginthreepersons Father,Son,andHolySpirit coeternalin being,coeternalinnature,coequalinpowerandglory,andhavingthesameattributesandperfections.(Deut 6:4,2Cor13:14)
ThePersonandWorkofChrist
WebelievethattheLordJesusChrist,theeternalSonofGod,becamemanwithoutceasingtobeGod,having beenconceivedbytheHolySpirit,andbornoftheVirginMary,inorderthatHemightrevealGodandredeem sinfulman.(John1:1-2,14,Luke1:35) WebelievethattheLordJesusChristaccomplishedourredemption throughHisdeathonthecrossasarepresentative,vicarious,substitutionarysacri ce;andthatourjusti cation ismadesurebyHisliteral,physicalresurrectionfromthedead.(Rom3:24,1Peter2:24,Eph1:7,1Peter1:3-5)
WebelievethattheLordJesusChristascendedintoheavenandisnowexaltedattherighthandofGod,where,
asourHighPriest,Heful llstheministryofRepresentative,Intercessor,andAdvocate.(Acts1:9-10,Heb7:25; 9:24,Rom8:34,1John2:1-2)
ThePersonandWorkoftheHolySpirit
WebelievethattheHolySpiritisapersonwhoconvictstheworldofsin,ofrighteousness,andofjudgment;and thatHeistheSupernaturalagentinregeneration,baptizingallbelieversintotheBodyofChrist,indwellingand sealingthemuntothedayofredemption.(John16:8-11,2Cor3:6,1Cor12:12-14,Rom8:9,Eph5:18)
TheTotalDepravityofMan
WebelievethatmanwascreatedintheimageandlikenessofGod,butthatthroughAdam'ssintheracefell, inheritedasinfulnature,andbecamealienatedfromGod;andthatmanistotallydepraved,andofhimself utterlyunabletoremedyhislostcondition.(Gen1:26-27,Rom3:22-23;5:12,Eph2:1-3,12)
Salvation
WebelievethatsalvationisthegiftofGodbroughttomanbygraceandreceivedbypersonalfaithintheLord JesusChrist,whosepreciousbloodwasshedonCalvaryfortheforgivenessofoursins (Eph2:8-10,John1:12, Eph1:7,1Peter1:18-19)
EternalSecurityandAssuranceofBelievers
Webelievethatalltheredeemed,oncesaved,arekeptbyGod'spowerandarethussecureinChristforever. (John6:37-40;10:27-30,Rom8:1,38-39,1Cor1:4-8,1Peter1:5) Webelieveitistheprivilegeofbelieversto rejoiceintheassuranceoftheirsalvationthroughthetestimonyofGod'sWord,whichclearlyforbidstheuseof Christianlibertyasanoccasiontothe esh (Rom13:13-14,Gal5:13,Titus2:11-15)
TheMinistryandSpiritualGifts
WebelievethatGodissovereigninthebestowingofspiritualgifts.Itis,however,thebeliever'sresponsibilityto attempttodeveloptheirsovereignlygivenspiritualgift(s). ThebaptismoftheHolySpiritoccursatconversion andistheplacingofthebelieverintotheBodyofChrist Wealsobelievethatparticularspiritualgift(s)are neitheressential(provingthepresenceoftheHolySpirit)noranindicationofdeepspiritualexperience (1Cor 12:7,11,13,Eph4:7-8) WebelievethatGoddoeshearandanswertheprayersoffaith,inaccordwithHisown will,forthesickanda icted.(John15:7,1John5:14-15) Webelieveitistheprivilegeandresponsibilityof everybelievertoministeraccordingtothegift(s)andgraceofGodgiventohim.(Rom12:1-8,1Cor13,1Peter 4:10-11)
TheChurch
WebelievethattheChurch,whichistheBodyandespousedBrideofChrist,isaspiritualorganismmadeupof allborn-againpersons.(Eph1:22-23;5:25-27,1Cor12:12-14,2Cor11:2) Webelievethattheestablishment andcontinuanceoflocalchurchesisclearlytaughtandde nedintheNewTestamentScriptures.(Acts14:27;
18:22;20:17,1Tim3:1-3,Titus1:5-11) Webelieveintheautonomyofthelocalchurches,freeofanyexternal authorityandcontrol (Acts13:1-4,15:19-31&20:28,Rom16:1,4,1Cor3:9,16;5:4-7,13,1Peter5:1-4) We recognizebeliever'sbaptismandtheLord'sSupperasscripturalmeansoftestimonyforthechurch (Matt 28:19-20,Acts2:41-42&18:8,1Cor11:23-26)
CULTURALISSUES
CoramDeoAcademybelievesthatallhumanlifeissacredandthatwearecreatedintheimageofGodandcalled todefendandprotectthatlife. Webelievetherearetwodistinctgenders,maleandfemale,andtogetherthey re ecttheimageandnatureofGodandtheBiblicalmeaningof“marriage”describedinScripture.(Gen. 2:18-25).
CoramDeoAcademyiscommittedtoahealthydiscussionofthisissueinawaythatvaluesallthoseofother opinions,yetdoesnotcompromiseourvalues OurultimategoalisChristianunitywithintheparametersofthe Apostles’CreedandthetruthofScripture
OVERARCHINGCULTURE
WhenGodmadehumans,Hemadeusinhisownimage,acommunityre ectiveofHistriunenaturewiththe capacitytolove,asHehasloved. Inthelastcentury,schoolshaveassumedafragmentedviewthatreducesa persontoanindividualinneedofknowledge. AtCoramDeoAcademy,webelieveindisciplingthewhole persontoloveGodandloveandhonorallpeople
UNIFORMPOLICY
SeeourUniformPolicyhere
DISCIPLINEPOLICY
ThetwogreatestcommandmentsaretoloveGodandloveourneighbors;therefore,ourclassroomandschool discipleshipisfocusedwiththisinmind. Ourgoalwithdisciplineistobringastudentbackintofellowshipwith ourschoolbodywhentheyhavesinned Ourdiscipleshipplanembodiesthisunderstandingasweserve alongsideparentsintrainingchildreningodliness
ELECTRONICDEVICEPOLICY
Useofpersonalelectronicdevices(ie phones,smartphones,portablegamingdevices,smartwatches,etc)by studentsisprohibitedoncampus Suchdevicesmustbeputonsilentorturnedo andleftinbagsorbackpacks whileastudentisatschooloroncampus AnyuseofphonesmustbeapprovedbytheHeadofSchoolorthe Secretary.
● Useoflaptopsispermissibleforsecondaryacademicpurposesonlyunderthepre-approveddirection andsupervisionofateacher.
● A rstviolationofthispolicywillresultinimmediatecon scationofthedevice,tobereleasedtoa parentorguardian
● AsecondviolationofthispolicywillresultinaparentconferencewiththeHeadofSchool
● AthirdviolationofthispolicywillresultinaDisciplinaryHearing.
● CoramDeoAcademyacceptsnoresponsibilityforuse,breakage,theft,orlossofphoneorother personalitems.
CHEATINGANDPLAGIARISM
Cheatingisde nedaslookingatanother’sworkwithouttheteacher’spermission,orcommunicatingwith anotherduringanexamwithouttheteacher’spermission.
Plagiarismisde nedasusinganother’sworkwithoutthankingthemfortheuse.
Ifeithercheatingorplagiarismisnoticed,theassignmentorexamwillimmediatelyreceiveascoreof0and parentswillbenoti ed AsecondcheatingorplagiarisminfractionwillresultinaDisciplinaryHearing
UNIFORMVIOLATION
IfaUniformPolicyviolationisidenti ed,aClassReachformwillbecompletedbythefacultymember. This willnotifythedesignatedDressCodeMonitor IfaUniformPolicyinfractionhasoccurred,themonitorwill informparentsviaanautomatedClassReachnoti cation AfterfourDressCodeViolationshaveoccurred,an O ceVisitwillbescheduledfollowingtheO ceVisitprotocol Afterthe5thviolationwithinthesame schoolterm,thestudentwillbesenthome. SubsequentDressCodeViolationswillrequiretheHeadofSchool toinitiateO ceVisitsinaccordancewiththeapplicableDisciplinePlan.
PRIMARYSTUDENTDISCIPLINEPLAN
TheruleisloveGodandloveyourneighbor.
1. Ifastudentisovertlydisrespectfultoauthority,animmediateO ceVisitwillfollow.
2 Ifthereisunlovingbehaviorintheclassroom,duringbreaks,oratlunchtime,theteacherwho observedthesituationwillgiveawarningandcorrectthebehavior
3 Ifasecondinfractionoccurs,theinfractionwillbedocumentedthroughaClassReachform
4. Ifaninfractionoccursduringabreak,thestudent’sleadteacherwillbenoti edandtheinfractionwill bedocumentedaccordingly.
5. Ifathirdinfractionoccurs,theteacherwillsendthechildtotheHeadofSchoolforanO ceVisit, withinformationspecifyingtheissuebeingprovided
a TheHeadofSchoolwillnotifytheparentsthroughaClassReachemail,reportingwhat occurredandthedisciplinegiven
6. HOMEWORK
a. Anymissinghomework(forstudentswhoarepresent)willbeenteredasa“0”inClassReach sothatparentsarenoti ed. Thelateassignmentpolicyis10%gradereductionthe rstday, 20%reductionthesecondday,andastanding“0”willfollow.
SECONDARYSTUDENTDISCIPLINEPLAN
TheruleisloveGodandloveyourneighbor
1 Ifastudentisovertlydisrespectfultoauthority,animmediateO ceVisitwillfollow
2 Ifastudentisspeakinginappropriately,animmediateO ceVisitwillfollow
3 Ifastudenthasnotcompletedhomework,theparentswillbenoti edthroughClassReach
4. HOMEWORK
a. Anymissinghomework(forstudentswhoarepresent)willbeenteredasa“0”inClassReach sothatparentsarenoti ed. Thelateassignmentpolicyis10%gradereductionthe rstday, 20%reductionthesecondday,andastanding“0”willfollow.
OFFICEVISITPROTOCOL
1 TheHeadofSchoolmaydisciplineinoneofseveralways,pendingthestudent: a Cleaning
i. Pickinguptrash
ii. Cleaningbathrooms
iii. Vacuumingandorsweeping
iv. Cleaningdesks,walls,whiteboards,etc.
v Cleaningoutside
b Physicalendurance
i Wall-sit
ii. Runninglaps
iii. Push-ups
c. Writing
i Anoteonwhatthestudentdidwrong
ii Anoteaskingforgiveness
d Other
i. Lossofprivilege(s)
ii. Repetitionandpracticeofproperorexpectedbehaviors
iii. Beingsenthome
iv. Aconsequenceordisciplineplanparticularlysuitedtothestudentand situation,asagreeduponwiththeparent(s)
2 IfanO ceVisitoccurs,theHeadofSchoolwillsendadisciplinenotetotheparents
EXCESSIVEOFFICEVISITS
Asnotedabove,thepurposeoftheDisciplinePolicyistoshapegodlycharacterinthestudent. Ifitbecomes apparenttotheHeadofSchoolthatthestudent’scharacterisnotimprovingovertimeand/orisbecoming worsetothedetrimentoftheschoolculture,theHeadofSchoolwillmeetwiththeparentsandtheywillcome upwithaplantoresolvetheissue TheHeadofSchoolwillalsomeetwiththeparentsincaseswherethe studentexhibitsalackofrepentanceorlacks interestinattendingCoramDeoAcademy. TheHeadofSchool may,athisdiscretion,allowforadditionalmeetingswiththeparentsifthepreviousDisciplinePlantohelpthe studentwasunsuccessful. Tohelptheparentsunderstandtheirchild’sbehavior,theymayberequiredtosit withthestudentduringapartoralloftheschoolday. IftheHeadofSchooldeterminesthatthestudent’s behavioralissuestillcannotbecorrectedthroughtheDisciplinePlan(s)generatedbythemeeting(s)withthe parents,thenitwillbeconsidereda“SeriousDisciplineCase”
SERIOUSDISCIPLINECASES
ASeriousDisciplineCaseoccurswhenastudentexhibitsextremeungodlybehaviorthatimpedestheculture oftheschoolonoro campus Examplesinclude,butarenotlimitedto:
1. ExcessiveO ceVisits(seesectionofthesamenameabove)
2. Unrepentant,consistent,orseriousdisrespectofauthority
3. Unsafebehavior–endangermenttothemselvesorothers
4. Overtmoralissues,including,butnotlimitedto:
a Inappropriatetouching
b Substanceabuse
c Illegalactivity
IftheHeadofSchoolhasdeterminedthatthestudent’swordsorbehaviorconstituteaSeriousDisciplineCase, thestudentwillbesubjecttoaDisciplineHearingbeforeadesignatedDisciplineCouncilthatincludes,butis notlimitedto: theHeadofSchool,anEducationCouncilmember,andatleastoneElder(foraminimumof threemembers). Parentsandthestudent(ifageappropriate)willbepresentattheDisciplineHearing. Atthis point,theDisciplineCouncilwilldeterminethenecessarycourseofaction,whichmayincludesuspensionor expulsionofthestudent. Tuitionwillnotbereimbursedforsuspensionsorexpulsions.
OURPROGRAM&PHILOSOPHIES
EDUCATIONSCHEDULE
CoramDeoAcademyo ersa3-daycoreacademicstructure. Studentsareplacedinlearninggroupsbasedon theirreadingability. Studentsprogressthroughtheselearninggroupsastheygrowintheirskills. Becauseeach childisuniquelydesigned,somestudentsmayprogressmorequicklythanothers. Ourlearninggroupmodel a ordsbothdelaysandaccelerationsthroughthelearninglevels Fieldsofstudyareo eredacrosstheschoolat thesametimesothatstudentscangototheclassthat tstheirlearningneeds
LIMITINGSUBJECTS
“…thegreatestservicewecandotoeducationtodayistoteachfewersubjects. Noonehastimetodomorethan averyfewthingswellbeforeheistwenty,andwhenweforceaboytobeamediocrityinadozensubjects,we destroyhisstandards,perhapsforlife.”-CSLewis
OURPROGRAM
AtCoramDeoAcademy,webelievethatcurriculumisatool,whichisessential,buttheteacherbrings educationtolifethroughuseofthattool. Assuch,inadditiontousingvariouscurriculaandadevelopedlistof skillsandobjectives,wewillobtainthemostquali edanddedicatedteacherspossible,teacherswhoexemplifya loveoflearningandpointstudentstoJesusChristthroughimmersingtheirteachingingoodness,beauty,and truth
AssignmentswillbegivenanddirectedbyCoramDeoAcademyfaculty. Studentsthatneedassistancemayhave parentalaid,butassignmentsmustbecompletedasdirected.
Thefinalaimofeverysubjecttaught: TofallinlovewithGodisthegreatestromance;toseekhimthegreatest adventure;tofindhim,thegreatesthumanachievement -Augustine
HUMANITIES
TostudyHumanitiesistostudytheimagebearersofGod ThisisaquintessentialpartofChristianeducation, asstudentswatchtheepicstoryofGod’sworldunfolding. TostudyHistoryistogivethosethathavegone beforeusavoiceintothefuture. TostudyLiteratureistoanalyzeanddiscerncharactersandseetruthsorlies, goodnessorevil,andbeautyorugliness. TostudyTheologyistostudytheKingofKings. OurHumanities putstheteacherinthepositionofguideinordertoaidstudentsinnavigatingcontext,bias,originalsources,and stories Studentsthenusethatinformationtodiscerntruth
BIBLE
WestminsterConfessionofFaith,Chapter1:6 ThewholecounselofGodconcerningallthingsnecessaryfor Hisownglory,man’ssalvation,faithandlife,iseitherexpresslysetdowninScripture,orbygoodandnecessary consequencemaybededucedfromScripture:untowhichnothingatanytimeistobeadded,whetherbynew revelationsoftheSpiritortraditionsofmen.(2Tim.3:15–17,Gal.1:8–9,2Thess.2:2) Nevertheless,we acknowledgetheinwardilluminationoftheSpiritofGodtobenecessaryforthesavingunderstandingofsuch thingsasarerevealedintheWord:(John6:45,1Cor2:9–12)andthattherearesomecircumstancesconcerning theworshipofGod,andgovernmentoftheChurch,commontohumanactionsandsocieties,whicharetobe orderedbythelightofnature,andChristianprudence,accordingtothegeneralrulesoftheWord,whichare alwaystobeobserved (1Cor 11:13–14,1Cor 14:26,40)
PartnerwithparentstoteachBiblicalHistory,BiblicalLaw,BiblicalWisdom,andafoundationalhermeneutic forinterpretation. ThehermeneutictoolisJesustheChrist,thefullestrevelationofGod.
(TAKENFROM: https://westminsterstandards.org/westminster-confession-of-faith/)
Humansarecreativebecausetheyre ecttheCreator. Nurturingcreativeabilityandappreciationofthe beautifulisanecessaryapologeticforthegoodnessofChrist'skingdom. Beautyisanobjectiverealityunderthe goodnessofGod. GoodArtisanampli cationorre ectionofthebeautyGodhasgivenus. Therefore,Good
Artanditsappreciationisakeyaspectofworship. ThestudyofArtenablesustomaketheworldaroundus beautiful,whichcontinuesthecreativeactivityoftheLordGodinallareasoflife,fromdishestoskyscrapers.
MUSIC
Worshipiseternal Musicalityisthereforeaneternalskillthatweshoulddevelopandhone CoramDeo Academywillhavesinginginterwovenintothefabricofourschool,asGodinterweavesmusicintothefabricof creation. Wewilldothiswhilealsobuildingthetheoryandskillnecessaryforelevatingmusic. Thepursuitof Musicisaworthycalling,evenforthosenotnaturallygifted. Therefore,technique,worship,practice,and communitywillbeintegraltotheMusicProgramatCoramDeoAcademy.
SCIENCE
OurphilosophyofScienceisbestcapturedbyPsalm19:1-6:
TheheavensdeclarethegloryofGod, andtheskyabove[a]proclaimshishandiwork. Daytodaypoursoutspeech, andnighttonightrevealsknowledge Thereisnospeech,noraretherewords, whosevoiceisnotheard.
Theirvoice[b]goesoutthroughalltheearth, andtheirwordstotheendoftheworld.
Inthemhehassetatentforthesun, whichcomesoutlikeabridegroomleavinghischamber, and,likeastrongman,runsitscoursewithjoy Itsrisingisfromtheendoftheheavens, anditscircuittotheendofthem, andthereisnothinghiddenfromitsheat.
WebelievethatthestudyofGod’screationrevealsHishandiwork Scienceshouldinstillwonderandcuriosity atthe“how”ofnaturewhileunderstandingthemagicofcreation Ultimately,thepurposeofstudyingScience shouldhelpequipaChristiantoful lltheGenesismandateofdominion ThetruestudyofScienceinforms ourworldviewanddoesnotstandinoppositiontofaith,butdeclaresGod’spower.
MATHEMATICS
GodisaGodoforderandHisunchangingnatureisrevealedinthestudyofMathematics Bybuildingmastery, basedonachild'sskillratherthantheirage,weprogressthroughthecomplexityofconceptstodevelop reasoningskills. WetieMathematicsintoother eldsofstudysothatstudentsunderstandthatalllearningis integrated. Weallowtimeformastery,thereforeourMathprogressionmovessloweranddeeper. Wepose problemsforstudentstosolveandcoachtheminhowtopuzzletoaconclusion.This,integratedwithlogical reasoning,isaskillthatcanservethestudentindiscernment. Mathematicssolveforobjectivetruth,andthis purposetranslatestoalloflife. Rightlyunderstood,Mathematicsisabeautifulre ectionoftheCreator Himself.
PHYSICALEDUCATION
Weareeducatingthewholeperson,mind,body,andsoul Eachaspectofthewholepersonissharpenedbythe others Physical tnessisnotforglori cationofself,butitisdirectedatself-discipline,whichblessesthebodyof Christ Wearephysicalbeingsthatliveincommunity,andphysicalactivitiescreatefellowship Therefore,our goal“ ttobefestive”includes: gainingstrength,self-discipline,andultimatelyglorifyingGodwithourbody WeusePhysicalEducationforthispurpose,and trainthroughavarietyofmeans Theaim,therefore,istobless thecommunitywhilesimultaneouslyfosteringadisciplinedlife
PHILOSOPHYOFRECESS
Recessisforjoy. Recessisforpracticingpreviousskillstraining. Gamescombinebothjoyandpractice. Competitionbringscommunity,peace,andharmonyintotension. Theresolutionoftensionandrestorationof communalpeaceareskillsforlifeincommunity.
PHILOSOPHYOFGRADING
GRADINGPOLICY
GradesatCoramDeoAcademydonot,inanyway,re ecttheimmeasurableworthandvalueofeachchild madeinGod’simage,butratheranaccuratere ectionofthequalityofworkinagiven eldofstudyatagiven time AtCoramDeoAcademy,gradesservethreebasicpurposes:
1.Tohelpstudentsimprove.
2.Todeterminethebestplacementlevelforayoungstudent'sacademicability.
3.Toprovideajustandlegitimatemeansofholdingstudentsaccountableforthequalityoftheirwork. Gradesprovideawidelyunderstoodmeansofcommunicatingprogressandachievementtoparents andotherparties,suchascollegeentranceboardsorotherschoolstowhichtheyoungstudentmay transfer
Wehaveestablishedabalancedandobjectivegradingsystembasedonthesevalues
PRIMARYGRADINGSCALE
90%+ Mastery
80-89% WorkingUnderstandingandPro ciency
70-79% BasicCompetency
0-69% UnabletoProceed
60% MagnumOpus
40% PracticeWork
SECONDARYPREPGRADINGSCALE
98%+ Mastery
90-98% ApproachingMastery
80-89% WorkingUnderstandingandPro ciency
70-79% BasicCompetence
0-69% UnabletoProceed
10% FinalExam
60% MagnumOpus
30% PracticeWork
SECONDARYGRADINGSCALE
98%+ A+
90-97% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
0-69% NoCreditAwarded
20% FinalExam
50% MagnumOpus
30% PracticeWork
INDIVIDUALGRADES
CoramDeoAcademywilluseauniquemethodofgradingthatensuresstudentshavetimeto“practice”before theyreceiveagrade Therefore,regular“feedback”grades,or“softgrades”onnewconcepts,willbeinternally keptwhilegradesthata ectoverallstandingswillberecordedinoursoftwarefortranscripts. Consistentwith educatingthewholechild, bothattitudeande ortwillbeconsideredwithinourgradingsystems.
GROUPPROJECTGRADES
Groupprojectsareapartofcourseworkanditshouldbeexpectedthatgradingofthesewillnotbe individualizedbecausewebelievethatcharacterincommunityrevealstheheart: IThessalonians5:14 “Andwe urgeyou,brothersandsisters,warnthosewhoareidleanddisruptive,encouragethedisheartened,helpthe weak,bepatientwitheveryone” BecauseCoramDeoAcademycaresevenmoreabouttheheartthanthe academics,groupprojectsallowteacherstoseewherecharacterworkisneeded. Sincewearepreparingstudents forlife,notjustcollege,characterinChristiancommunityisintegralto“LovingGodandLovingNeighbor.”
MATHEMATICSGRADINGPOLICY
BecauseMathproblemsareobjectivelyrightorwrong,gradingwillfollowasimplenumbercorrectoutofthe numberofproblems,butthiswillalsobegradedalongsideorderlysubmissionsandpenmanship Exercisesthat arephilosophicallybasedwillfollowtheHumanitiesscale(seebelow)
SCIENCEGRADINGPOLICY
SinceScienceistaughtthroughexperimentsanddiscovery,thiswillbeaparticipationandgroupprojectgradein thePrimaryyearsandwillmovetowardsmasterygradingthroughthevariousscienti c eldsofstudyinthe Secondaryyears.
LATINGRADINGPOLICY
LatinistaughttobuildvocabularyandcontinuetogrowEnglish,aswellasLatingrammarskills. Assessments willbebasedontheseconceptsandpointsawardedforthepurposeofrevealingmastery.
HUMANITIESGRADINGPOLICY
Vocabularyterms,spelling,grammar,anddirectcharacternamesordateswillbeobjectivelygradedandwillbe onapoints-basedsystem. WithMasteryasourgoal,studentswillbeaskedtocorrectwronganswers.
Assignmentsthataremorephilosophicalinnaturewillbegradedonascale. Withineachassignment, grammaticalandspellingmistakeswillbeclearlymarkedandstudentswillbeaskedtoreviewthewordor grammaticalruleand“edit”theirwriting Thispromotesmasteryinwritingassignments
EXAMPLEHUMANITIESGRADINGSCALE
10
● Verybestworkindividually
● Zeromistakesgrammatically
● Meteverystandardgivenfortheworkandthendidmore
● Excellentcreativeuseofwords/delivery/writingstyle/persuasion
● SolidChristianworldview(eitherexplicitorimplicitBiblicalbacking)
● Christiancharacterwaspresentwhileworking
9
8
● Outstandingworkindividually
● Smallmistakesgrammatically
● Metthestandardfortheworkineveryway
● Soliduseofwords/delivery/writingstyle/persuasion
● SolidChristianworldview(eitherexplicitorimplicitBiblicalbacking)
● Christiancharacterwaspresentwhileworking
● Goodworkindividually
● Somegrammaticalmistakes
● Metthestandardfortheworkwelloverall
● Usedwords/delivery/writingstyle/persuasionappropriately
● AChristianworldviewwasimplicitlyorexplicitlybehindthework
● Christiancharacterwaspresentwhileworking
6
● Decentworkindividually
● Quiteafewgrammaticalmistakes,butcommunicationwasnotcompromised
● Metthemajorityofthestandardsforthework
● Usedwords/delivery/writingstyle/persuasioninasub-parway,butitwassensible
● AChristianworldviewwasnotaspresentasneeded,butitwasn’tun-Biblical
● Limitede ortindividually
● Grammaticalmistakescompromisedcommunication
● Standardsfortheworkwerenotmet
● Didnotusewords/delivery/writingstyle/persuasionwell
● AChristianworldviewwasnotpresent
5
Assignmentshouldbere-done
0 Theassignmentwasnotturnedin Cheatedonassignment Plagiarized
HOMEWORKLOAD
AgeGroup
LowerPrimary(K-B)
UpperPrimary(C-E)
SecondaryPrep
Secondary
Tuesday,Wednesday,&
Thursdaycorenights
*10-20mins
*20-45minutes
*45minutes-1hour
*1-2hours
HomeDayTotalHours(parents canchoosetodoallinonedayortwo differentdays,Holidayweekend homeworkloadswillbereduced)
*2hoursonaverage
*3hoursonaverage
*5hoursonaverage
*6hoursonaverage
*Homeworktimemayvarypendingtheabilityofthestudent Theseareroughestimatesfortheaveragestudent
FAILINGANDRETAKES
Astudentwhohassimplyfailedforalackofunderstandingmaybegivenanotheropportunitytoprovetheir understandingafterfurtherpractice. Astudentwhoneglectedtheirstudiesand,therefore,failed,maynotbe givenaretakeopportunity.
Ifastudentfailsanentirecourse,thestudent,parents,andteacherwillmeetwiththeEducationCouncilto determinethebestcourseofactionforthestudent Circumstances,understandingofdirections,ande ortwill allbetakenintoconsideration.
Parentswillbenoti edifastudentisrepeatedlyfailinginaskill.
LOANEDBOOKPOLICY
Westrivetoequipourstudentswiththeresourcestheyneedtosucceed,includingloanedbooksthatareintegral totheireducation Allloanedbooksremainthepropertyoftheschool
Intheeventthatabookislost,familieswillberesponsibleforreimbursingtheschoolforthefullreplacement costofthebook Paymentmustbemadepromptlytoensurethecontinuedavailabilityofresourcesforall students.
OURSECONDARYPROGRAM(HIGHSCHOOL)
StudentsatCoramDeoAcademyprepareforoursecondaryprograminourSecondaryPrepclass Whenready,a studentwillmovetoourSecondaryprograms Wewillholdanimportant“CreditObjectives”meetingtocreate arobusthighschoolprogramtailoredtothestudent
HIGHSCHOOLADMISSIONS
1. PetitiontobeginHighSchoolCredits
2. EducationCouncilapproval
3 UponacceptanceintoourHighSchoolProgram,wewillholdaCreditObjectivesMeetingwherewe willvisitwithparentsandstudentsandcreateacreditplanforthestudent’shighschoolcareer
4 InApril,asastudentiscompletinghis/herthirdyearofhighschoolcredit(traditionallyaJunior),heor shewillpresentaSENIORPROJECTtotheEducationCouncil.Thiswillbesubmittedandthen
eitherapproved,sentbackforrevision,ordeniedwithsubmissionguidelinessothestudentcanbegin theprojectoverthesummer(priortotheirSenioryear) TheSeniorProjectwillbedueinAprilofthe proposedgraduationyearandwillbepresentedtotheboardandEducationCouncil Thiswillbethe capstoneofourprogram
HUMANITIES(Recommend:12credits)4years
Studentswillreceivearobusthumanitiesinstructionthrougherasoftime:AncientWorld,MedievalWorld, ModernWorld,andAmericanHistory Asstudentsmovethroughtheseerasoftimeinhistorytheywillreada combinationoforiginalsources,historical ction,andgreatbooksthatembodytheseerasoftime.Aliterature, history,andtheologycreditwillbereceivedbythosewhomeettheir“CreditObjectives.”Rhetoricandlogic skillsareintertwinedinthiscourseandstudentswillreceivea.25creditinthese eldsofstudyannually.
MATHEMATICS(Recommend:4credits)4years
Studentstakingourregulartrackofhighschoolmathematicswillbegivenadeepunderstandingofalgebra, geometry,trigonometry,andcalculus.Thesewillbeattributedtothetranscriptastraditionalcredits.
SCIENCE(Recommend:4credits)4years
Studentswillreceiveadeepandrigorousstudyinphysicalscience,chemicalscience,andthebiologicalsciences Weuseexperimentsasfoundationaltothescienti cprocessofhypothesisandconclusion.Wewanttofoster curiosityintheworldGodcreated.
LATIN(Recommend:3credits)3years
WeprovideLatinlevelssostudentscanstartatLevelIandprogressthroughtoLevelIIIorasfarastheyareable Latinallowsourstudentspracticeingrammar,etymology,masteryoflanguageskillsandrichhistoricalcontext ofthelanguagethatisfoundationaltoourwesternworld.
LANGUAGE(Recommend:1credit)1year
ThiscanbetakenoutsideofCDA andmustbeapprovedbyEdCouncil
MUSIC(1credit)
Thiswillbeo eredat 25credithoursperyearthroughCDA
ART(1credit)
Thiswillbeo eredat.25credithoursperyearthroughCDA.
PHYSICALEDUCATION(1credit)
ThismustbetakenoutsideofCDAandmustbeapprovedbytheEdCouncil
ELECTIVES(1credit)
ThismustbetakenoutsideofCDAandmustbeapprovedbytheEdCouncil.
NOTES
1credit=180hours(classtimeplushomeworktime)
Humanities:
6hoursofclasstimeperweek 3hoursofreading Friday-3hoursofhumanitieswork =180hours
Music-.25all 4years
Art- .25all4years
PE-electiveoutsideofschool
HONORSDIPLOMA(Transfercreditsmustbepre-approvedbyEducationCouncil)
● 4CreditsofLiterature(throughintegratedhumanities:ancient,medieval,modern,AmericanHistory)
● 4CreditsofTheology(throughintegratedhumanities:ancient,medieval,modern,AmericanHistory)
● 4CreditsofHistory(throughintegratedhumanities:ancient,medieval,modern,AmericanHistory)
● 4CreditsofScience
○ Biology
○ Chemistry
○ PhysicsorHumanAnatomy
○ GeneralScienceorPhysicalScience
● 4CreditsofMathematics
○ AlgebraI
○ AlgebraII
○ Geometry
○ Trigonometry/Calculusorbusinessmathcourse
● 4CreditsofLanguage
○ Atleast3inLatin(additionalcreditmaybetakenoutsideofCDAwithapproval)
● 4CreditsElectives(1music,1art,1PE,1additional)
○ Music.25creditperyearthroughCoramDeoAcademy
○ Art.25creditperyearthroughCoramDeoAcademy
○ Othercredithourscanbeobtainedthroughprivatelessons,sportsetc.andmustbe pre-approvedbytheEducationCouncil
● SeniorProject
○ Projectsmusthavewrittencomponent
○ Musthaveanoraldefense
○ MustbeapprovedbytheEducationCouncil
DIPLOMA(Transfercreditsmustbepre-approvedbyEducationCouncil)
● 4CreditsofLiterature
● 4CreditsofTheology
● 4CreditsofHistory
● 4CreditsofApprovedScience(orCreditObjectivesDetermined)
● 4CreditsofMathematics(orCreditObjectivesDetermined)
● 2CreditsofLatin(orCreditObjectivesDetermined)
● 3CreditsElectives(1music,1art,1PE)
○ Music 25creditperyearthroughCoramDeoAcademy
○ Art 25creditperyearthroughCoramDeoAcademy
○ Other credit hours can be obtained through private lessons, sports etc and must be pre-approved by the Education Council
● SeniorProject
○ Projectsmusthavewrittencomponent
○ Musthaveanoraldefense
○ MustbeapprovedbytheEducationCouncil
CERTIFICATE
● 2CreditsofLiterature(orCreditObjectivesDetermined)
● 2CreditsofTheology(orCreditObjectivesDetermined)
● 2CreditsofHistory(orCreditObjectivesDetermined)
● 1CreditofRhetoric/logicorequivalent(orCreditObjectivesDetermined)
● 2CreditsofScience(orCreditObjectivesDetermined)
● 2CreditsofMathematics(orCreditObjectivesDetermined)
● 1CreditsofLanguage(orCreditObjectivesDetermined)
● 1CreditsElectives(orCreditObjectivesDetermined)
○ Othercredithourscanbeobtainedthroughprivatelessons,sportsetc.andmustbe pre-approvedbytheEducationCouncil
● SeniorProjectmustbepre-approvedbytheEducationCouncil
ARRIVALANDDISMISSAL
Schoolbeginsat8:00AM Studentsareabletoarrivebetween7:45and8:00AM Schoolendsat2:30PM Studentsneedtobepickedupnolaterthan2:45PM
Earlierarrivalorlaterpickupwillincuranadditionalfee.
STUDENTDRIVERPOLICY
Werecognizetheconvenienceandindependencethatcomeswithstudentdriving However,toensurethesafety andwell-beingofallstudents,thefollowingguidelinesmustbefollowed:
1 LeavingCampus:Studentdriversarenotpermittedtoleavecampusearlyorduringtheschoolday withoutpriorparentalapprovalandadvancednoticegiventotheacademy.
2. TransportingFamilyMembers:Studentdriversmaytransportimmediatefamilymembers,provided theydosoinaccordancewithWashingtonStatedrivinglaws
3 TransportingOtherStudents:
○ Astudentdrivermaytransportotherstudentsonlywithwrittenconsentfromboththe studentdriver'sparentandtheparentofthestudentbeingtransported.
○ Ifthestudentdriverwillbeprovidingregulartransportationforotherstudents,boththe studentdriver'sparentandthestudentriders'parentsmustprovidewrittenconsentspecifying thisarrangement
Werequireallstudentdriverstoadheretothesepoliciesandexercisecautionandresponsibilitywhendriving Thesemeasuresareinplacetoensuresafety,maintainaccountability,andsupportastrongschoolcommunity
ATTENDANCE
CoramDeoAcademyhasintentionallysetitsvacations,schedule,andstructuretoallowimportanttimefor families. ByregisteringachildinCoramDeoAcademy,theparentorguardianisagreeingtothisschedule,and itislovingtothecommunityofstudentstobeinattendance. Emergenciesorimportantfamilyeventsarise fromtimetotime Therefore,studentshavesixacademicdays(theequivalentoftwoweeks)withineachschool termforschoolabsenceswithoutconsequencetotheircredits,unlesspre-approvalsarearranged Weaskthat teachersbenoti edassoonaspossibleforanyabsences DuetothenatureofClassicaleducation,pre-workis noteasytodeliverand,therefore,willnotbegivenpriortoabsences. Thefamilyisresponsibleforcollectingany workmissed.
Incasesofsickness,pleasenotifytheschoolthroughtheClassReachformprovided Absencesthatarenotduetosicknessoremergenciesneedtobepre-approved
Forprolongedperiodsofabsence(toextendbeyondthesixacademicdays-theequivalentoftwoweeks),please getpre-approvalfromtheHeadofSchool
*Emergencysituationswillobviouslybetakenintoconsideration.
TARDIES
Astudentwhoarriveslaterthan8:00AMisconsideredTardy. FourunexcusedTardieswithinamonthwill resultinanemailtotheparents. A fthTardywillresultinanO ceVisit. SubsequentunexcusedTardieswill betreatedasO ceVisits,inaccordancewiththeDisciplinePolicy
PARENTCOMMUNICATIONANDINVOLVEMENT
AtCoramDeoAcademy,werecognizethatparentsareultimatelyresponsiblefortheeducationand ourishing oftheirchildren. Webelievethateducatorsarefacilitatorsandadvisorsasparentspursuethisimportantwork.
Wednesdayafternoons,from2:30to3:00,willbereservedforparentstoscheduleaParentTeacherConference ClassReachcommunicationwillbesu cientforregularcommunicationneeds
TeachersmaybecontactedthroughClassReachoutsideofregularworkinghours. Whenaddressingany concerns,parentsshouldcopytheHeadofSchooltokeeptheschoolinformedofclassroomcircumstances Teacherswilldothesamewhenaddressingconcernsviaemailswithparents
Ifyouhaveaconcernaboutcurriculumcontent,CoramDeoAcademypolicy,orphilosophy,communicate withtheHeadofschool. Ifyouhavequestionsabouttheweeklyworkingsofaparticularclassroom (homework,workload,etc.),contacttheteacherthroughClassReach. Atnotimeshouldanindividual student’sproblembeaddressedtonon-involvedparties Inthegreatmajorityofcases,ifyouhaveworked patientlyandingoodfaithwiththeteacheranddirectors,youwill ndasatisfactoryresolution
PleasefollowMatthew18:15todeterminetheproperorderofcommunication:“Ifyourbrothersinsagainst you,goandtellhimhisfault,betweenyouandhimalone.Ifhelistenstoyou,youhavegainedyourbrother.”
PARENTHONORCODE
(tobecompletedinClassReach)
IamplacingmychildasastudentatCoramDeoAcademybecauseIcareaboutmychildbeingeducatedbothin characterandinacademics. IunderstandthatmychildwillbeeducatedunderaChristianworldviewandthat lovingGodandneighborareprimarytenantsofCoramDeoAcademy.
PartoflovingGodandneighbormeansbeingontime,present,andrespectful CoramDeoAcademyhasbeen verythoughtfulindevelopingaschoolschedulethatallowsforsolidfamilytimeduringsummers,holidays,and variousbreaks. Forthisreason,Iunderstandthatschoolattendanceisawayoflovingteachersandclassmates, andIwillensurethatmychildispresentandontimeunlessanemergencyarises. Incasesofplannedabsencesor importantfamilytime,Iunderstandthatitismyresponsibilitytocommunicatewiththeteachersandmakea planfortheclasstimemychildwillmisswithoutputtinganexcessiveburdenontheteachers. Ialsounderstand thatpoorattendancemaycausemychildtofallbehind
IunderstandthataDressCodeisawayoflovingthosearoundusbyrespectingauni edandmeaningful representationofourschoolculture,includingprofessionalism,modesty,andourdistinctvalues. Iwillmake surethatmychildfollowstheuniformpolicysothatthiscultureismaintained.
IunderstandthatmychildwillneedtosubmittotheauthorityofCoramDeoAcademyfacultyandsta during schoolevents IalsounderstandthatIwillbeultimatelyresponsibleformychild’sbehaviorwhileatCoramDeo Academyand,thereby,willfollowthedirectivesoftheschoolasoutlinedbelow
IfadisciplinenotegoeshomefromateacherortheHeadofSchool,IunderstandthatIneedtoworkwithmy childonchangingtheirbehaviorthroughtheheart,byencouragingthemtoprayandseekforgiveness.
Ifmychildcontinuestoincurinfractions,itwillbecleartomethatIneedtodealmoreseriouslyand consistentlywithmychild IalsounderstandthatmychildwillbedealtwithinaccordancewiththeDiscipline PolicyoutlinedinthishandbookandthatIwillneedtomeetwiththeDisciplineCouncilincasesof“serious disciplineissues.”
IunderstandthattheteachersatCoramDeoAcademyaimtoeducatethewholepersonandwillkeepthe wellbeingofthestudentinmind Therefore,alle ortswillbemadetonotimpedegrading,asitmaya ectmy child’snextsteps
ByenrollingmychildinCoramDeoAcademy,Iunderstandtheimportantmissiontospecialneedschildren. I knowthatwiththismaycomeexposureformychildtouniquebehaviors,suchas ts,undressingin inappropriateplaces(typicalofautism),andoroutburstsnotcommontomostclassrooms. Iunderstandthat CoramDeoAcademywillnotifymeifmychildisexposedtosuchabehavior,orifmychildexhibitssucha behavior Ialsounderstandthat,nomatterthespecialneed,behaviorthatfallsintothecategoryof“serious disciplinecase,” includingunsafebehaviorthatendangersothers,orovertmoralissues,willbeaddressed throughaDisciplineHearingandnotexcusedduetothespecialneed
SECONDARYSTUDENTHONORCODE
(signedthe rstdayofclassbythestudent)
AsaSecondarystudentatCoramDeoAcademy,IcommittohonoringGodandlovingmyneighborinthe followingways:
1 Iwilldomybestinmyacademicsby
a Submittinghomeworkontime
b Preparingforexaminations
c. Beingpreparedforclass
d. Takingnotes
e. Keepinganorganizedbinder
2. Iwillbeanexampletoyoungerstudentsby
a Beingrespectfultothoseinauthority
b RespectingtheTechnologyPolicy
c LovingthosearoundmeinthewayIdress,act,andspeak
d. FollowingtheDressCodeanddressingmodestly
e. Aidingthosearoundmewhoarestruggling
f. Beingwiseinmyrelationshipswiththoseoftheoppositesex
3. IwillfurtherhonorGodby
a Notgossiping
b Notlying
c Beingagoodstewardofmytimeandtheschool’sresources
HEALTH&WELLNESS
LUNCH
Studentswillbringpackedlunchestobeeateninourmulti-purposeroom. Pleasepacklunchesthatdonot havetobeheatedorrefrigerated. Pleasealsoalertusofanyallergiesyourchildhassowecanaccommodate them,asneeded,andalertotherfamilies(iftheallergyisverysevere). AtCoramDeoAcademy,wevalue healthandwellness,sopleasekeepthisinmindwhenpackinglunches
SNACKS
Parentsarewelcometosendasnackformid-morningthatiseasytoeat. Wateristheonlybeverageallowedto accompanysnacks.
HEALTHINFORMATION
CoramDeoAcademyshouldbenoti edofanysevereallergiesorhealthconcerns.
ADMINISTRATIONOFMEDICINES
CoramDeoAcademyadministrationiswillingtoadministeranyover-the-countermedicationtothechildren intheircare,butonlywithauthorizationfromthechild’sparentorguardian
Prescriptionmedicationcanbeadministeredonlywhenthefollowingconditionsaremet:
1.ThemedicineisbroughttoCoramDeoAcademyinitsoriginalcontainerbytheparentandis delivereddirectlytothedesignatedadministrators. Undernocircumstancesshouldachildhandlehisor hermedication(exceptionswillbeassessedonacasebycasebasis).
2.Anotefromtheprescribingdoctorisprovidedthatstatesdosage,frequency,andalistofpossibleside e ects Pharmacy-printedinformationmaybeacceptedinlieuofadoctor’snote
CoramDeoAcademyreservestherighttorefusetheresponsibilityofprescriptionadministrationforany reason. Ifthisoccurs,wewillbehappytoaccommodateparentvisitsduringthedayforthepurposeof medicationadministration.
Basicpainmedicationwillbeonhandfordistributionbytheschoolsta ,ifapprovedbyaparentthroughthe ClassReachform.
ILLNESSPOLICY
Inconsiderationofyourstudent’swellness,inadditiontopreventingthespreadofillnesstoyourchild’s classmatesandteachers,astudentshouldbesymptom-freeforafull24hoursfromthefollowingbefore returningtoonsiteclasses:
● Fever-Temperatureof101degreesorabovewithouttheuseoffever-reducingmedication
● Vomiting/diarrhea
● Persistentcoughaccompaniedbydarkmucous
NOTE:Ifyourchildhasacontagiousillness,suchasstrepthroatorpinkeye,pleaseremainhomeuntil symptomsclear
CHILDSAFETYPOLICY
Allfacultyandsta receiveCriminalBackgroundCheckseverytwoyearsandarerequiredtocompleteaChild SafetyCourse
The“MoreThanTwoRule”ofstudent/facultygatherings isourstandardprotocol Duringone-on-one pullouts,clearvisibilitywillbemaintainedatalltimesthroughanopendoororwindow.
Faculty maynotinitiateorfacilitateanyprivateorisolatedtypesofcommunicationwithstudentsthatmightbe interpretedasunprofessional. Allfaculty communicationwithstudentsshallbethroughtheMessagessystem inClassReach,whereparentsareautomaticallycopied