Hastings AYE 2027 Handbook

MISSION...................................................................................................................................................................... 5 SCHOOL HISTORY AND GOVERNANCE......................................................................................................... 5 DEEP HOPE................................................................................................................................................................. 5 AESTHETIC VISION.................................................................................................................................................5 STATEMENT OF FAITH...........................................................................................................................................6 The Apostles’ Creed................................................................................................................................................6 The Scriptures......................................................................................................................................................... 6 The Triune God...................................................................................................................................................... 7 God’s Sovereign Purposes.......................................................................................................................................7 God’s Grace in Election.......................................................................................................................................... 7 Creation...................................................................................................................................................................7 The Origin of Sin.................................................................................................................................................... 7 The Person of Jesus Christ......................................................................................................................................8 The Death of Jesus Christ.......................................................................................................................................8 The Person of the Holy Spirit.................................................................................................................................8 The Gospel.............................................................................................................................................................. 8 Regeneration and Conversion................................................................................................................................9 Justification............................................................................................................................................................. 9 Sanctification...........................................................................................................................................................9 The Church.............................................................................................................................................................9 The Sacraments of the Church...............................................................................................................................9 Christ’s Return and Judgment.............................................................................................................................10 Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality.......................................................................................................................... 10 The Sanctity of Human Life................................................................................................................................ 11 Secondary Doctrine.............................................................................................................................................. 11 PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION..........................................................................................................................12 Philosophy Of Humanities...................................................................................................................................13 Philosophy of Language........................................................................................................................................14 Philosophy of Music............................................................................................................................................. 14 Philosophy of Science........................................................................................................................................... 14 Philosophy of Mathematics.................................................................................................................................. 14 Working with Struggling Learners....................................................................................................................... 15 PARENT PARTNERSHIP/ALLIANCE................................................................................................................ 16 Sex Education........................................................................................................................................................ 16 Parental Involvement............................................................................................................................................ 16 Sick Children.........................................................................................................................................................16 Student Health......................................................................................................................................................16 2

UNIFORM POLICY............................................................................................................................................................................................... 17

School Uniform Rationale................................................................................................................................... 17 GRADING & HOMEWORK POLICY..................................................................................................................18 Conduct Items...................................................................................................................................................... 18 Primary & Secondary Weighted Categories......................................................................................................... 18 Lower Primary Grading (K–3).............................................................................................................................18 Upper Primary Grading (4–6)..............................................................................................................................19 Secondary & Secondary Prep Grading.................................................................................................................19 Assessment & Grading Protocol.......................................................................................................................... 19 Parent Communication about Grades.................................................................................................................20 Expected Homework Load...................................................................................................................................20 Individual Grades..................................................................................................................................................21 Group Project Grades........................................................................................................................................... 21 Mathematical Grading Policy............................................................................................................................... 21 Science Grading Policy..........................................................................................................................................22 Latin Grading Policy............................................................................................................................................. 22 Humanities Grading Policy.................................................................................................................................. 22 Failing and Retakes............................................................................................................................................... 22 GRADUATION SECONDARY PROGRAM.......................................................................................................22 High School Admissions...................................................................................................................................... 23 Honors Diploma...................................................................................................................................................24 Diploma.................................................................................................................................................................25 Certificate.............................................................................................................................................................. 26 DISCIPLINE POLICY.............................................................................................................................................. 26 Electronic Device Policy....................................................................................................................................... 27 Cheating And Plagiarism......................................................................................................................................27 Dress Code Violation............................................................................................................................................27 Primary Student Discipline Plan..........................................................................................................................27 Secondary Student Discipline Plan...................................................................................................................... 28 Office Visit Protocol..............................................................................................................................................28 Excessive Office Visits............................................................................................................................................29 Serious Discipline Cases....................................................................................................................................... 30 Staff/Student Interaction..................................................................................................................................... 30 Student Etiquette..................................................................................................................................................30 Unexpected Government Agency Visits.............................................................................................................. 31 School Sponsored Events...................................................................................................................................... 31 Attendance............................................................................................................................................................ 32 3

Tardies................................................................................................................................................................... 32 Drop off and Pick Up Time................................................................................................................................. 32 ENROLLMENT POLICY........................................................................................................................................32 Anti-Discrimination and ADA Statement.......................................................................................................... 32 Enrollment Process............................................................................................................................................... 33 TUITION................................................................................................................................................................... 33 Tuition Assistance................................................................................................................................................ 33 EVALUATIONS.........................................................................................................................................................34

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MISSION Our mission is to disciple image bearers to love God, to train in true discernment, and to equip them to rightly order their loves.

SCHOOL HISTORY AND GOVERNANCE Hastings Christian School is governed primarily by the Word of God, as understood and applied by the school’s Board of Directors and administration. The board operates under the school’s adopted by-laws, vision and goals statements, and provides policies to the administration for implementation in the school. More details on the board’s operation and policies may be obtained from the school office.

DEEP HOPE Our deep hope at Hastings Christian School is for our students to develop into mature adults who faithfully live in submission to God. We aim to graduate lifelong learners who constantly seek truth, goodness, and beauty. We desire that they love their neighbors well, live lives of integrity, and work hard in all that the Lord gives them to do. We hope that graduates of HCS will disciple others and spread the gospel message until Jesus’ imminent return.

AESTHETIC VISION The apostle Paul instructs us to set our minds on that which is true, noble, just, pure, lovely; we are to meditate on those things which are of good report, virtuous, or praiseworthy. As a classical and Christian school, we have particular duties in this regard; we have been entrusted by our school parents with the responsibility to help train and discipline the minds of their children. We understand that the loveliness and nobility enjoined by the apostle involve more than just spiritual truths, and that our duty as a school includes the discipline of aesthetic education.

We therefore affirm that the triune God contains within Himself all ultimate loveliness and beauty. As His creatures, therefore, we are to serve and worship Him in all that we do in the beauty of holiness. He has created us in His own image, and requires us to strive to imitate Him in all that we do, which includes the duty of understanding our responsibilities of appreciating and creating objects of loveliness.

In the education we provide, we therefore deny all forms of aesthetic relativism. At the same time, we affirm our limitations as creatures. This means that in any work of art containing true beauty, only God knows exhaustively all that is beautiful about the work, while we see the beauty only partially. Because different human observers see different partialities, this creates an illusion of subjectivity. Because our vision of the beautiful must necessarily be partial, we seek to instruct our students to make all aesthetic judgments in 5

humility. At the same time, we want to train them on their responsibility to make grounded and informed aesthetic judgments, rejecting all forms of principled ugliness or aesthetic nihilism.

We seek to teach the importance of aesthetic standards in all activities associated with the school, striving for that form of excellence suitable to each activity. This obviously includes a strong emphasis throughout our curriculum on the fine arts—music, painting, drama, poetry—with the attendant responsibilities of the students including study, meditation, and memorization. But our emphasis on aesthetics also extends to more mundane matters—the cleanliness and decoration of classrooms, student dress, athletic competition, handwriting, etc. In all this, we aim to teach our students the reasons for what we require, and not just impose the bare requirement. As a Christian school we want to particularly avoid all forms of pious or traditional kitsch—aesthetic frauds which can evoke a sentimental and superficial aesthetic response.

The standards we use in determining what we consider to be aesthetically valuable include, but are not limited to, conformity to the standards of Scripture, historical durability and the approval of many minds over generations, a balance of complexity and simplicity, dignity, metaphorical strength, harmony, subtlety, the power to evoke love of truth and goodness, the art of concealing art, acuity or craftsmanship, an ability to work against standards while honoring and employing them, avoidance of formulaic cliches, and wisdom.

STATEMENT OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed We believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and was born of the virgin, Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hades. On the third day he rose again from the dead, ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he will come to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Scriptures We receive the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments as the perfect, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. With the fullness of revelation given in Christ and His completed redemptive work, no new normative revelation will or need be given until Christ returns. Scripture alone is our supreme and final authority and the rule of faith and life. The Scriptures must not be added to or taken away from, and all creeds, confessions, teachings are to be tested by the final authority of God’s Word.

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The Triune God The one true God eternally exists as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—infinitely excellent and all-glorious. Each person is fully God, sharing the same deity, attributes, and essential nature, yet there is but one God. Each person is distinct, yet God is not by this distinction divided into three parts, natures, or gods.

God’s Sovereign Purposes From all eternity, God sovereignly ordained all that exists and all that occurs in His creation, in order to display the fullness of His glory. These decrees are an exercise of His free, unchangeable, wise, and holy will. Yet God, in His foreordination, is not the author of sin, nor do His decrees negate the will of His creatures, who act with the power of willing choice in accord with their nature.

God’s Grace in Election God in His great love, before the foundation of the world, chose those whom He would save in Christ Jesus.

God’s election is entirely gracious and not at all conditioned upon foreseen faith, obedience, perseverance, or any merit in those whom God has chosen. His decision to set his saving love on the elect is based entirely on his sovereign will and good pleasure. The number of God’s elect is fixed for eternity, and no one who has been chosen by God will be lost.

Secondary doctrine: In the secondary years we will discuss the Arminian view of salvation alongside Calvinistic understanding of election. But our position is ultimately that genuine believers will not fall away (Philippians 1:6).

Creation In the beginning, the triune God freely created out of nothing the universe and everything in it by the word of His power, all for His own pleasure and the display of His glory. God declared the entirety of His creation to be very good, and even in its fallen state it tells of His greatness and is to be delighted in and stewarded for His glory.

Secondary doctrine: We read Genesis 1–3 from the framework of an orthodox Christian perspective. We will teach from the perspective of a literal 24-hour day, but will open the discussion in the secondary years to include other orthodox views and their interpretations.

The Origin of Sin God originally created man innocent and righteous, without stain or corruption. In this state, Adam and Eve enjoyed a fullness of life in communion with God, delighting in Him and His righteous will yet capable of 7

transgressing. Despite these privileges, they were led astray by Satan and willfully sinned against their Creator by doing what He had forbidden. In their rebellion they doubted His character, rejected His authority, and disobeyed His word. Man’s trespass of God’s command brought enmity with God and the curse of death.

Because God had established Adam as the representative head of the human race, his sin was imputed to all his descendants, bringing guilt, condemnation, and death to humanity. Therefore, we are all by nature corrupt and inclined to evil from conception.

The Person of Jesus Christ In the fullness of time God the Father sent His eternal Son, the second person of the Trinity, into the world as Jesus the Christ. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, taking on Himself a fully human nature with all its attributes and frailties, yet without sin. In this union, two whole, perfect, and distinct natures were inseparably joined together in the one person of the divine Son without confusion, mixture, or change. Thus our Lord Jesus Christ, God the Son incarnate, is fully God and fully man, able to be our all-sufficient savior and the only mediator between God and man.

The Death of Jesus Christ Having fully obeyed His Father in life, our Savior was also obedient unto death. He was crucified under Pontius Pilate, dying a substitutionary death for the sins of His people. He was buried and arose bodily from the dead on the third day, vindicating His identity and saving work as God’s Messiah and guaranteeing the defeat of death, our future resurrection, and the glorification of our physical bodies.

The Person of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, who proceeds eternally from the Father and the Son. He is equal in deity, attributes, and nature with the Father and the Son, and with them is to be worshiped and glorified. After Christ ascended to the Father’s right hand, the promised Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost and ushered in the new era of the Spirit’s fullness, indwelling believers and empowering them for life and service.

The Gospel The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ and all that He did in His life, death, resurrection, and ascension to accomplish salvation for humanity. The gospel stands as the core message of the Bible, which in all its parts testifies to God’s saving acts culminating in the person and work of Christ. This good news is the power of God for salvation for all who believe, providing hope for the lost and abiding comfort and strength for the believer. There is no salvation apart from Jesus Christ, for there is no other name given under heaven by which we must be saved.

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Regeneration and Conversion Through the proclamation of the gospel, the Holy Spirit regenerates the elect and brings them into a living union with Christ, bestowing new spiritual life, opening their eyes to see God’s glory in Christ, and enabling them to respond to the gospel in faith and repentance. Only those who respond to the gospel in this way will be saved, yet even this response is a gift of God’s merciful grace, ensuring that He alone receives the glory for our salvation.

Justification Those whom God effectually calls to himself, He justifies in Christ, forgiving all of their sins and declaring them righteous and acceptable in His sight. The sole ground of our justification is the righteousness of Christ, whose life of perfect obedience is imputed to us and whose substitutionary death on our behalf completely satisfies the demands of God’s justice toward our sins.

Sanctification All believers, by virtue of their union with Christ, are progressively transformed into His image. This lifelong process of growth takes place as the Spirit empowers us to abide in Christ and strive for holiness in every area of life. Among the many public and private means of grace, the Word of God, prayer, worship, and fellowship are primary instruments of our sanctification.

The Church The universal church is the true, worshiping community of God’s people, composed of all the elect from all time. As an expression of Christ’s universal church, the local church is the focal point of God’s plan to mature His people and save sinners. A true church is marked by the faithful preaching of the Word, the right administration of the sacraments, and the proper exercise of church discipline.

The Sacraments of the Church The sacraments or ordinances given by God and instituted by Christ, namely baptism and the Lord’s Supper, are visible signs and seals that we are bound together as a community of faith by His death and resurrection. By our use of them, the Holy Spirit more fully declares and seals the promises of the gospel to us.

Secondary doctrine: While we believe the sacraments are covenantal they are not salvific. We will discuss, in the secondary years, pedo-baptism and credo-baptism (see more under “Secondary Doctrine”).

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Christ’s Return and Judgment At the appointed time known only to God, Jesus Christ will return to the earth in power and glory as Judge and King to whom every knee will bow. On the last day all people will appear before Christ, who is the judge of all. Those who suppressed God’s truth in unrighteousness and did not obey the gospel of Christ will suffer the righteous wrath of God and be justly cast into the hell of fire with the devil and His angels. There they will experience eternal, conscious punishment according to their sins. Those saved by Christ, whose names are written in the book of life, will be welcomed into the joy of their master and richly rewarded for every good work done in His name.

Secondary doctrine: We will teach about the imminent return of Jesus and that the dead will be raised to eternal life or eternal judgment. This will expand, in the secondary years, to discussion of other held views of eschatology including premillennialism, amillennialism, and postmillennialism (see more under “Secondary Doctrine”).

Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality To preserve the function and integrity of Hastings Christian School, and to provide a Biblical role model to the students and other members of the Hastings Christian School community, as well as the community at large, it is imperative that all persons employed by the school, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by the following: A.​ God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Gen. 1:26–27). Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.

B.​ The term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Gen. 2:18–25). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Cor. 6:18; 7:25; Hebrews 13:4). We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.

C.​ Any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God (Matt. 15:18–20; 1 Cor. 6:9–10).

D.​ God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19–21; Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 6:9–11).

E.​ Every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28–31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Hastings Christian School.

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The Sanctity of Human Life We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including preborn babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore compelled to defend, protect, and value all human life (Psalm 139).

Secondary Doctrine Secondary doctrine is important to study; Hastings will approach secondary doctrine discussions from a protestant and orthodox perspective. In the primary years, these discussions will be limited to questions from the students (not intentionally discussed). In the secondary years, we will encourage robust discussion and debate so that students learn to interrogate Scripture, to seek truth, and to debate in a way that loves their neighbor.

The following list is not exhaustive but represents some of the secondary doctrine discussions that may occur (mainly) at the secondary level.

Age of the Earth We read Genesis 1–3 from the framework of an orthodox Christian perspective. We will teach from the perspective of a literal 24-hour day but will open the discussion up in secondary years, where we will discuss other orthodox views as viable interpretations.

Eschatology We will teach about the imminent return of Jesus and that the dead will be raised to eternal life or eternal judgment. This will expand, in the secondary years, to discussion of three held views of eschatology: historical premillennialism,* amillennialism,† and partial preterist postmillennialism.‡ *Historic Premillennialism: a non-literal interpretation of the trials described in Revelation, this view holds to the imminent return of Christ after a period of tribulation with a following age of peace where Satan is bound until right before the final judgment.

Amillennialism: the millennium is symbolic and represents the time of Church growth that is spiritual rather than physical. Jesus' imminent return will occur after a “millennium” of people coming to Christ. There are various aspects to timing held within this view.

†

Postmillennialism: Satan was bound at the cross, the millennial period is a period of time rather than a literal thousand years. During this millennium the gospel will spread “to the ends of the earth” until death is the last to be conquered and put under Jesus’ feet, when the earth will be transformed in the “blink of an eye” with Jesus’

‡

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imminent return. This view holds that many of the New Testament prophetic passages were fulfilled by the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

Baptism We hold that baptism is not salvific, and hold a credobaptist view of baptism (the idea that baptism occurs after coming to a saving faith). But, in the secondary years we will discuss non-salvific baptism of infants (paedobaptism) as a viable, orthodox belief and a part of covenant theology.

Tongues We do not hold that “tongues” is evidence of salvation, but is a gift given to a few for the purpose of sharing the gospel to the nations.

A Return to Judaism We hold that in the New Testament, reference to God’s chosen people is in regards to the Church (those saved, both Jews and Gentiles) and not referencing a return of Judaism. We hold that the Old Testament ceremonial law was fulfilled in Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.

At Hastings Christian School we celebrate the following Holidays: ●​ Christmas ●​ Thanksgiving ●​ Saint Valentine’s Day ●​ Jesus’ death—Good Friday ●​ Jesus’ resurrection—Easter Sunday

PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION Hastings Christian School utilizes the Trivium (grammar, logic, and rhetoric) to cultivate deep learning.

Rather than merely focusing on information, we are primarily focused on formation. Students will move from concrete knowledge (grammar) to puzzling towards truth (logic) to wisdom pouring out (rhetoric) in the various subjects and topics they study. In the primary years, our desire is to cultivate wonder and curiosity so that children seek truth as they interrogate the world around them. In the secondary years, we want students to deeply ponder and wrestle towards truth while studying a variety of engaging thoughts, ideas, and philosophies. Our ultimate academic aim is mastery, whereby students become deeply proficient in each field of study, so that they can apply masterful understanding to their future endeavors and ultimately discern the right from the almost right.

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Philosophy Of Humanities Philosophy of Literature At Hastings Christian School, students will read literature for the purpose of knowing and discerning truth, goodness, and beauty. Students will encounter literature steeped in the transcendentals, and be challenged by literature that reveals what is a lie, what is wrong, and what is ugly. Literature that reveals evil as evil affords students the opportunity to face what is ungodly from an innocent, though not naïve, vantage. This trains students in discernment of good and evil by allowing them to face “giants” through the pages they read and the discussions that follow, without ever being in the arena of danger.

Philosophy of History History reveals the sovereign orchestration of God and affords students the opportunity to understand their place in the world. We want students to interrogate history with questions of “why” so they see God’s story unfolding. We teach history through well-told stories and original source material, while giving anchor points on a visual timeline. Students will learn how to engage with history by deeply studying historical events and people, rather than simply memorizing facts or dates. Understanding history in correlation and context will lay the foundation for seeing God’s sovereign providence and point us towards His glory revealed.

Philosophy of Bible The Bible is the written revelation of God’s truth and holds authority for all of life. Scripture will therefore be infused throughout all that we study, with a targeted survey focus at the beginning of Humanities. During chapel we will work together on catechism, laying anchor points for doctrine. We will look at Scripture through an historical church lens and teach interpretation from a grammatico-historical exegesis. Students will be trained to interrogate Scripture as they gain a working understanding of biblical theology. Our aim is that students see the beautiful and complex story of redemption, that is cohesive throughout all of Scripture, so that it forms their lives.

Philosophy of Art The evidence of what is beautiful is interwoven throughout creation. Truth, goodness, and beauty are objective because God offers these standards throughout Scripture and we see His reflective beauty in creation.

As image bearers of the Living God we are “sub-creators” and our art should reflect God’s creation. Art reveals culture as much as it helps form culture, as Christians we should be producers of good art and not just consumers of the world’s art. Therefore we hold recognizing beautiful art as well as the skill of creating beautiful art in high regard. We understand art's transformative nature and the need to discern true beauty as integral to a Christian Liberal Arts foundation.

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Philosophy of Language Latin is a very ordered language with clear grammatical rules that cognitively equips for language as well as other fields of study. Latin is the source for much of our technical vocabulary, and the study of Latin reinforces English grammar skills and affords students the opportunity to hone these skills within the context of another language. To study Latin is to understand, more deeply, the Roman world in which Jesus was born. Latin is also the foundation of the Romantic languages, laying an important foundation to further foreign language study, and proficiency in Latin can equip a reader to navigate historical Christian text. Our aim at Hastings Christian School will be to hone the skill of language and provide a deeper understanding of linguistic context.

Philosophy of Music The Creator gave Christians a timeless song book, the Psalms, with 150 different songs to sing and praise His name, as well as songs scattered throughout the Old and New Testaments. Both vocal and instrumental music are to be used by man to point back to God. Music is not just a subject that we should teach, it is a way to express the goodness of God and the joy we have in living in His presence. Therefore, we not only teach students the basic knowledge and related benefits of music, but also how to distinguish good music from mediocre music. We want them to recognize that though we limit their exposure in truth, beauty and goodness in music, good music is not bound by a period of time or by a particular style, but that good and beautiful music is a gift from God to man throughout all ages.

Philosophy of Science Science is the investigation of God’s creative expression, as “the heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). We will equip students to keenly observe God’s creation and develop a holy curiosity about the world around them—a curiosity that aims at divine truth. Students will be taught concrete skills of observation within the context of how God spoke the world into existence and holds all things together (Colossians 1:17). At the secondary level, students will wrestle through the varying orthodox views of creation while engaging with secular interpretations of data. Students will be encouraged to enjoy, rather than fear, scientific discovery as they see the cohesion between Scripture and science.

Philosophy of Mathematics Math is the language of God’s created order, and is therefore a creative endeavor that Christians should engage in throughout life. Math is not something to simply “get through,” but something that we should master. The language of math, coupled with the skill of problem solving, equips students for faithful living and stewardship. Because of this, we will train students through a mastery approach that builds resilience as students aim at finding absolute truth. “God Himself has a numerical nature,” and math is a reflection of that

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nature. To understand math well is to understand more of the nature of our Creator. (For further reflection: https://frame-poythress.org/a-biblical-view-of-mathematics/)

Working with Struggling Learners Hastings Christian School aims to teach students of all ability levels through solid Christian pedagogy and materials. Because we are able to accept both conventional and unique learners, our program is very distinct.

We offer classical teaching as input, but only expect classical output based on the gifting of each student. We want to see students individually growing in their abilities and we want success to be qualified by progress—not by arbitrary time-bound grades. We are uncoupling from structures that assume all children learn at the same rate, as we want to maximize a child’s abilities; not define their ability by age. We aim to help each child invest their God-given talent and progress as far as he or she is able. Therefore, our program will hire teachers who will maximize the use of curated curriculum and create a structure to advance individual learners at an appropriate pace.

Where learning within the classroom is difficult, we may recommend an intentional intervention with a targeted goal. This would be thoroughly vetted by our Education Council and then brought to the parents for consideration. Interventions such as this may require an additional fee, but would be discussed prior to implementation.

Please understand that we do not use the child’s condition as an excuse for sin, but we may make academic and behavioral accommodations for children at the recommendation of the Education Council, upon review of diagnostic information and/or circumstances. This decision will not be automatic, as per the request of a parent; we will seek professional advice, pray, and consult with invested parties to come up with the best decision for the student and community.

We desire to: 1.​ Provide our students with a well-ordered, consistent environment 2.​ Help our students see who they are in the context of God’s world 3.​ Teach our students clear communication and use clear communication in training 4.​ Coach our students in loving their neighbors through structured actions 5.​ Guide our students through as much academic material as they are capable

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PARENT PARTNERSHIP/ALLIANCE Sex Education Due to the extremely sensitive and intimate nature of human sexual relations, discussion and instruction on this topic generally will be limited to human reproduction in biology, and biblical principles and references, as they arise in appropriate class contexts. All other instruction on this topic will take place at home.

Parental Involvement As a support and extension of the family unit, Hastings Christian School considers the family to be of first importance to a child. Therefore, we are continually seeking ways to actively involve parents in the school.

Parents are welcome to join us for chapel and lunch. If you would like a classroom visit please call ahead and we will arrange this for a time that is not disruptive to class time.

Sick Children Colds Please keep your child at home if he has a fever of 100 degrees. The child may return to school after he has been fever-free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medicines).

Conjunctivitis (Pink-eye) Follow your doctor’s advice for returning to school.

Diarrhea/vomiting A child with diarrhea and/or vomiting should stay at home and return to school only after being symptom-free for 24 hours.

Fever The child should remain at home with a fever greater than 100 degrees. The child may return to school after he has been fever-free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medicines).

Student Health Please notify us of any allergies so that we can be aware and help the student navigate this at lunch time.

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UNIFORM POLICY Please CLICK HERE to see our Uniform Policy.

Students are expected to be in uniform while on campus unless specified otherwise by the administration. The administration is responsible for the interpretation of the policy, and the enforcement of the policy is the responsibility of parents, administration, and staff. If a student comes to school out of uniform five times in a year, it will result in an office visit.

School Uniform Rationale Our development of a uniform policy is driven by a desire to create and promote an environment of learning where dress is not a distraction to the educational process based on the following principles: 1.​ Our goal is to honor God in all we do, acknowledging the Lordship of Jesus Christ in our choices 2.​ All human actions, including outward manifestations such as clothing, reveal and communicate the disposition of the heart at some level. It is our desire to address these heart issues in one uniform policy rather than seeking to anticipate and curb the numerous manifestations of it that surface throughout the year with a looser dress code 3.​ Clothing represents the vocational calling of a person, and inherent in the uniform policy is a desire to create an environment where undue attention is not drawn to specific students. The neat appearance created by a uniform enhances a ready-to-learn atmosphere 4.​ Uniforms help engender a cohesive presentation of the students in our school. When our students are in uniform, it communicates, aesthetically, that they are part of the same team, working toward the same goals. The student is part of a group identity that strives for excellence, and the code establishes a tradition toward that end 5.​ The uniform code should save parents money. The uniform code de-emphasizes the social impact of dress and helps focus the students on character and academic issues 6.​ The uniform code addresses security. On field trips, students in uniform aid the teachers in keeping track of everyone. On the playground or in the school, teachers and staff can clearly identify students from outsiders.

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GRADING & HOMEWORK POLICY Grading should tell a story of a child’s progress in learning, and because, as Christians, we believe that education of the whole man is essential, Hastings Christian School uses both academic and character grades so that parents can see whether a poor grade is a sin issue or an academic struggle. Reciprocally, parents can see that a good grade does not necessarily imply righteousness. For this reason Hastings Christian School will give both academic grades and conduct descriptions so that we can truly disciple the whole child.

Conduct Items 1.​ Excellence a.​ Excellence in diligence b.​ Excellence in selflessness 2.​ Gratitude a.​ Excellence in thanking others b.​ Excellence in a heart of gratitude 3.​ Service a.​ Excellence in service to others b.​ Excellence in service to the school

Primary & Secondary Weighted Categories ●​ 30% Practice Work ●​ 70% Magnum Opus

Lower Primary Grading (K–3) Mastery

90+

Good Understanding

80–89

Beginning to Understand

70–79

Not Understanding

0–69 18

Upper Primary Grading (4–6) Mastery

90+

Good Understanding

80–89

Beginning to Understand

70–79

Not Understanding

0–69

Secondary & Secondary Prep Grading Percentage

Letter Grade

GPA

98+

A+

4.0

90-98

A

3.9

80-89

B

3.0

70-79

C

2.0

0-69

F

0

Assessment & Grading Protocol Humanities ●​ Soft grading throughout the week on various writing and speaking assignments ●​ Magnum Opus for each week that is graded in the gradebook (may be written or oral) ●​ Assessment at the end of each book that includes: ○​ Grammar section ○​ Logic section ○​ Rhetoric section

Mathematics ●​ 1 hard grade* per week of homework/practice work ●​ 1 assessment every other week as a hard grade*

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Science ●​ 1 hard grade* per week of homework/practice work ●​ 1 assessment every other week as a hard grade*

Music & Art ●​ 1 hard grade* per week of homework/practice work ●​ 1 assessment every other week as a hard grade*

Latin ●​ 1 hard grade* per week of homework/practice work ●​ 1 assessment every other week as a hard grade* *Hard grade: after practicing the child will be assessed on mastery or improvement.

Review week and finals week before Christmas.

Review week and finals week at the end of the year.

Parent Communication about Grades ●​ Grades will be communicated through ClassReach ●​ Conduct items will be entered prior to the Fall and Spring Parent Partnership Meetings ●​ Teachers will contact parents on a regular basis in the successes or failures of their child ●​ Please use ClassReach as the best way to communicate important information with the staff

Expected Homework Load Age Group

School Nights

Monday or Friday Homework (parents can choose which day)

Lower Primary

10–20 mins

1 hour

Upper Primary

20–45 minutes

1–2 hours

Lower Secondary

45 minutes–1 hour

2–3 hours

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Upper Secondary (High School)

1–2 hours

3–4 hours

Grades at Hastings Christian School do not in any way reflect the immeasurable worth and value of each child made in God’s image, but rather they are a reflection of the quality of work in a given field of study at a given time. At Hastings Christian School, grades serve three basic purposes: 1.​ To help students to improve 2.​ To determine the best placement level considering academic ability 3.​ To provide a just and legitimate means of holding students accountable for the quality of their work Grades provide a widely understood means of communicating progress and achievement to parents and other parties such as college entrance boards or other schools to which the young student may transfer.

Individual Grades Hastings Christian School will use a unique method of grading that ensures students have time to “practice” before they receive a grade. Therefore regular feedback within the scope of the class regarding new concepts will be given and “practice” grades will be recorded within the gradebook. Magnum Opus assignments (best work), that will more greatly affect overall standings, will also be recorded for transcript purposes. Consistent with educating the whole child, both attitude and effort will be considered within our grading systems.

Group Project Grades “And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” –1 Thessalonians 5:14 Group projects are a part of coursework and it should be expected that grading of these will not be individualized because we believe that character in community reveals the heart. Hastings Christian School cares even more about the heart than the academics, group projects allow teachers to see where character work is needed, and since we are preparing students for life, not just college, character in Christian community is integral to “loving God and loving neighbor” (Matt. 22:36–40).

Mathematical Grading Policy Because math problems are objectively right or wrong, grading will follow a simple number correct out of the number of problems, in addition to this, teachers will require excellent penmanship for 100%.

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Science Grading Policy Since science is taught through experiments, and discovery, this will involve a lot of participation, skill building in knowledge, and group work in the primary years. This will move towards mastery grading throughout the various scientific fields of study in the secondary years.

Latin Grading Policy Latin is taught to build vocabulary and continue to grow English as well as Latin grammar skills. Assessments will be based on these concepts and points will be awarded for the purpose of demonstrating mastery.

Humanities Grading Policy Vocabulary terms, spelling, grammar, and direct character names or dates will be objectively graded and will be on a points-based system. With mastery as our goal, students will be asked to correct the wrong answers.

Assignments that are more philosophical in nature will be graded with a unique rubric created for each assignment. Within each assignment, grammatical, and spelling mistakes will be clearly marked and students will be asked to review the word or grammatical rule and edit their writing. This promotes mastery in writing assignments.

Failing and Retakes Retakes will be left to the teacher’s discretion. A student who has simply failed for a lack of understanding may be given another opportunity to prove their understanding after further practice. A student who neglected their studies and therefore failed, may not be given a retake opportunity.

If a student fails an entire course, the student, parents, and teacher will meet with the Education Council to determine the best course of action for the student. Circumstances, understanding of directions and effort will all be taken into consideration.

Parents will be notified within three weeks of the end of the grading period if their student is in jeopardy of failing.

GRADUATION SECONDARY PROGRAM Students at Hastings Christian School prepare for our secondary program in our Secondary Prep class. When ready, a student will move to our Secondary programs. We will hold an important “Credit Objectives” meeting to create a robust high school program tailored to the student. In April, as a student is completing his/her third year of high school credit (traditionally a junior), he or she will present a SENIOR PROJECT PROPOSAL to 22

the Education Council. This will be submitted and then either approved, sent back for revision, or denied with resubmission guidelines so the student can begin the project over the summer (prior to their Senior year). The Senior Project will be due in April of the proposed graduation year and will be presented to the board and the Education Council. This will be the capstone of our program.

High School Admissions 1.​ Petition to begin High School Credits 2.​ Education Council approval 3.​ Upon acceptance into our High School Program, we will hold a Credit Objectives Meeting where we will visit with parents and students and create a credit plan for the student’s high school career

Humanities (Recommendation: 12 credits) 4 years Students will receive a robust humanities instruction through eras of time: Ancient World, Medieval World, Modern World, and PostModern World. As students move through these eras of time in history they will read a combination of original sources, historical fiction, and great books that embody these eras of time. A literature, history, and theology credit will be received by those who meet their “Credit Objectives.” Rhetoric and logic skills are intertwined in this course and students will receive a 0.25 credit in these fields of study annually.

Mathematics (Recommendation: 4 credits) 4 years Students taking our regular track of high school mathematics will be given a deep understanding of algebra, geometry, and advanced math. These will be attributed to the transcript as traditional credits.

Science (Recommendation: 4 credits) 4 years Students will receive a deep and rigorous study in physical science, chemical science, and the biological sciences.

We use experiments as foundational to the scientific process of hypothesis and conclusion. We want to foster curiosity in the world God created.

Latin (Recommendation: 3 credits) 3 years We provide Latin levels so students can start at Level I and progress through to Level III or as far as they are able. Latin allows our students practice in grammar, etymology, mastery of language skills and rich historical context of the language that is foundational to our western world.

Language (Recommendation: 1 credit) 1 year This can be taken outside of Hastings Christian School and must be approved by the Education Council.

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Music (1 credit) This will be offered at 0.25 credit hours per year through Hastings Christian School.

Art (1 credit) This must be taken outside of Hastings Christian School and must be approved by the Education Council.

Physical Education (1 credit) This will be offered at 0.25 credit hours per year through Hastings Christian School.

Electives (1 credit) This must be taken outside of Hastings Christian School and must be approved by the Education Council.

Honors Diploma (Transfer credits must be pre-approved by the Education Council) ●​ 4 Credits of Literature (through integrated humanities: ancient, medieval, modern, post-modern) ●​ 4 Credits of Theology (through integrated humanities: ancient, medieval, modern, post-modern) ●​ 4 Credits of History (through integrated humanities: ancient, medieval, modern, post-modern) ●​ 4 Credits of Science ○​ Biology ○​ Chemistry ○​ Physics or Human Anatomy ○​ General Science or Physical Science ●​ 4 Credits of Math ○​ Algebra I ○​ Algebra II ○​ Geometry ○​ Trigonometry/Calculus or business math course ●​ 4 Credits of Language 24

○​ At least 3 in Latin (additional credit may be taken outside of Hastings Christian School with approval) ●​ 4 Credits Electives (1 music, 1 art, 1 PE, 1 additional) ○​ Music 0.25 credit per year through Hastings Christian School ○​ Art 0.25 credit per year through Hastings Christian School ○​ Other credit hours can be obtained through private lessons, sports etc. and must be pre-approved by the Education Council ●​ Senior Project ○​ Projects must have written component ○​ Must have an oral defense ○​ Must be approved by the Education Council

Diploma (Transfer credits must be pre-approved by the Education Council) ●​ 4 Credits of Literature ●​ 4 Credits of Theology ●​ 4 Credits of History ●​ 4 Credits of Approved Science (or Credit Objectives determination) ●​ 4 Credits Math (or Credit Objectives determination) ●​ 2 Credits of Latin (or Credit Objectives determination) ●​ 3 Credits Electives (1 music, 1 art, 1 PE) ○​ Music 0.25 credit per year through Hastings Christian School ○​ Art 0.25 credit per year through Hastings Christian School ○​ Other credit hours can be obtained through private lessons, sports, etc. and must be pre-approved by the Education Council ●​ Senior Project 25

○​ Projects must have written component ○​ Must have an oral component ○​ Must be approved by the Education Council

Certificate ●​ 2 Credits of Literature or equivalent (or Credit Objectives determination) ●​ 2 Credits of Theology or equivalent (or Credit Objectives determination) ●​ 2 Credits of History or equivalent (or Credit Objectives determination) ●​ 1 Credit of Rhetoric/Logic or equivalent (or Credit Objectives determination) ●​ 2 Credits of Science (or Credit Objectives determination) ●​ 2 Credits of Math (or Credit Objectives determination) ●​ 1 Credit of Language (or Credit Objectives determination) ●​ 1 Credit of Elective (or Credit Objectives determination) ○​ Other credit hours can be obtained through private lessons, sports, etc. and must be pre-approved by the Education Council ●​ Senior project must be pre-approved by the Education Council

DISCIPLINE POLICY We recognize that maintaining a well-disciplined classroom is key to learning. We believe that “knowledge without virtue is dangerous.” Therefore, encouraging virtuous behavior that stems from the heart is as important as encouraging excellence in math and grammar. A young student’s behavior, attitude, and physical disposition should contribute positively to the classroom environment and Hastings Christian School’s value of shaping godly character. Our rule is simple for maintaining this disciplined atmosphere: “love your neighbor as yourself.”

Hastings Christian School uses a structured discipline plan for the classroom while varying the consequences based on the frame of the child and the parent’s input. Although our method of helping them reach the standard of “loving God and loving our neighbor” may be different, the standard remains.

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Electronic Device Policy Use of personal electronic devices (i.e., phones, smart phones, portable gaming devices, smart watches, etc.) by students is prohibited on campus. Such devices may be put on silent or turned off and left in bags or backpacks while a student is at school or on campus. Any use of phones must be approved by the Administrator. ●​ Use of laptops is permissible for secondary academic purposes only under the pre-approved direction and supervision of a teacher ●​ A first violation of this policy will result in immediate confiscation of the device, to be released to a parent or guardian ●​ A second violation of this policy will result in a parent conference with the Administration ●​ A third violation of this policy will result in a disciplinary hearing ●​ Hastings Christian School accepts no responsibility for use, breakage, theft, or loss of phone or other personal items

Cheating And Plagiarism Cheating is defined as looking at another’s work without the teacher’s permission, or communicating with another during an exam without the teacher’s permission.

Plagiarism is defined as using another’s work without thanking them for the use.

If either cheating or plagiarism is noticed, the assignment or exam will immediately receive a 0. Parents will be notified. A second cheating or plagiarism infraction will result in an Education Council review.

Dress Code Violation If faculty notices a dress code violation,* they will inform Administration, who will notify parents through a Dress Code Violation Form (via ClassReach). After four dress code violations, an office visit will follow in addition to email notification. After the fifth violation within a semester, the student will be sent home.

Subsequent dress code violations will require the Administration to treat the violations as office visits in accordance with the discipline policy. *A dress code violation is something that cannot be corrected in class.

Primary Student Discipline Plan The rule is love God and love your neighbor.

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1.​ If a student is overtly disrespectful to authority an immediate office visit will follow 2.​ If there is unloving behavior in the classroom, during breaks or lunchtime the teacher who observed the situation will give a warning and correct the behavior 3.​ If a second infraction occurs the infraction will be documented 4.​ If an infraction occurs during a break the student’s lead teacher will be notified and documented accordingly 5.​ If a third infraction occurs the teacher will send the child to the Administration for an office visit with information specifying the issue a.​ The Administration will notify the parents through email of what occurred and the discipline given 6.​ Homework: Any missing homework will be entered as a “0” in ClassReach. After the third “0” or third poor grade, the parents will be notified. The late assignment policy is 10% grade reduction the first day, 20% reduction the second day, and 1 percentage point for any day thereafter. A standing “0” will mean the assignment was never submitted

Secondary Student Discipline Plan The rule is love God and love your neighbor.

1.​ If a student is overtly disrespectful there will be an immediate office visit 2.​ If a student is speaking inappropriately there will be an immediate office visit 3.​ If a student has not completed homework the teacher will notify the parents and the Administrator 4.​ Homework: A missed assignment will be entered as a “0” until submitted, and the late percentages will apply: 10% for not being submitted, 20% for the 2nd day and “1” thereafter. A standing “0” will mean the student never submitted the work

Office Visit Protocol 1.​ The Administration may discipline in one of several ways pending the student: a.​ Cleaning i.​

Picking up trash

ii.​

Cleaning bathrooms 28

iii.​

Vacuuming and or sweeping

iv.​

Cleaning desks, walls, white boards, etc.

v.​

Cleaning outside

b.​ Physical endurance i.​

Wall sit

ii.​

Running laps

iii.​

Push ups

c.​ Writing i.​

A note on what the student did wrong

ii.​

A note asking forgiveness

d.​ Other i.​

Loss of privilege(s)

ii.​

Repetition and practice of proper or expected behaviors

iii.​

Being sent home

iv.​

A consequence or discipline plan particularly suited to the student and situation as agreed upon with the parent(s)

2.​ If an office visit occurs a discipline note will go home from the Administration to the parents

Excessive Office Visits As noted above, the purpose of the discipline policy is to shape godly character in the student. If it becomes apparent to the Administration that the student’s character is not improving over time and/or is becoming worse to the detriment of the school culture, the Administration will meet with the parents and they will come up with a plan to resolve the issue. The Administration will also meet with the parents in cases where the student exhibits a lack of repentance or lacks interest in attending Hastings Christian School. The Administration may, at their discretion, allow for additional meetings with the parents if the previous discipline plan to help the student was unsuccessful. To help the parents understand their child’s behavior, they may be required to sit with the student during a part or all of the school day. If the Administrator determines that the student’s behavioral issue still cannot be corrected through the discipline plan(s) generated by the meeting(s) with the parents, then it will be considered a “Serious Discipline Case”.

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Serious Discipline Cases A Serious Discipline Case occurs when a student exhibits extreme ungodly behavior that impedes the culture of the school. Examples include (but are not limited to): 1.​ Excessive Office Visits (see section of the same name above) 2.​ Unrepentant, consistent, or serious disrespect of authority 3.​ Unsafe behavior—endangerment to themselves or others 4.​ Overt moral issues including (but not limited to): a.​ Inappropriate touching b.​ Substance abuse c.​ Illegal activity If the Administrator has determined that the student’s words or behavior constitute a Serious Discipline Case, the student will be subject to a discipline hearing before the school board. The discipline hearing will include the student, the parent(s), the teacher (if applicable), the Administration, and school board members. At this point the school board will determine the necessary course of action which may include suspension or expulsion of the student. Tuition will not be reimbursed for suspensions or expulsions.

Staff/Student Interaction Out of a desire to protect our students and staff from even the appearance of evil, Hastings Christian School has adopted the following guidelines to be strictly enforced: 1.​ Staff may not initiate social media interaction with students 2.​ Any intentional discipleship (outside of classroom interaction) between a faculty member and a student would need parent and Administration approval

Student Etiquette There are numerous ways that students are encouraged and expected to show kindness to one another, and to their teachers, during their hours at Hastings Christian School. Periodically, students will receive teaching and reminders about these expectations. It is our hope that these actions will become part of the daily fabric at the school.

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We train our young men to show consideration and respect for the ladies in the school. We want to train our young ladies to accept the sacrifice of the young men with humility and thankfulness. As some applications of this truth, we want the young men to do the following: 1.​ Open doors for all ladies, whether parents, teachers or students. Always allow ladies to exit a room first.

In the hallways, men are courteous and defer to ladies by giving them space. In all events where food is served, the women are to be served and seated first.

2.​ We want to train our students to show proper respect to their teachers and administrators. Students please address teachers by Mr., Miss, or Mrs. Students please respond by saying “yes” or “no”, rather than “yeah.” “Sir” and “ma’am” are also appropriate ways to address adults 3.​ We desire that students show hospitality to visiting guests as they greet them in the hallways and common areas. We would like the school to be a place where visitors sense the aroma of Christian love.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death, to the other, the fragrance of life” (2 Corinthians 2:14–15)

Unexpected Government Agency Visits Hastings Christian School values our parent partnership and as such, if a government agency shows up unexpectedly we will notify parents of any interaction with a government agency, such as child protective services, as it relates to your child. Our policy is as follows: ●​ Parents will be notified and their presence requested prior to a government agency being allowed to interview a child during school hours ●​ Hastings Christian School will do its best to uphold this policy with any government agency but cannot be held liable if we are not able to get a hold of a family or if the government agency uses legal force to demand the interview

School Sponsored Events School-sponsored events are events approved by the Administration, published on the yearly calendar, and/or which receive financial support from Hastings Christian School. School-sponsored events require the attendance of a staff member from Hastings Christian School. Attendance at school-sponsored activities is limited to students who are currently enrolled at the school. Hastings Christian School does not sponsor a senior class trip. Students are encouraged to work with their parents to plan this activity if they so choose.

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Attendance Hastings Christian School has intentionally set its vacations, schedule, and structure to allow important time for families. By registering a child in Hastings Christian School, the parent or guardian is agreeing to this schedule and it is loving to the community of students to be in attendance. Emergencies or important family time arise from time to time; therefore students have 6 academic days* within each semester for school absences without consequence to their credits unless pre-approvals are arranged. We ask that the Administration be notified as soon as possible for any absences. A student that surpasses 12 days, or a total of 6 days in a semester will be subject to an Education Council review which may result in retention, a paid tutoring supplement, or the student not being invited back.

For sickness: please notify administration through the ClassReach form provided.

For prolonged periods of absence (to extend beyond the 6 academic days): please get pre-approval from the Administration. *Emergency situations will obviously be taken into consideration.

Snow Days Snow days may be added to the calendar pending weather conditions during the academic year.

Tardies A student who arrives later than 8:30 AM is considered tardy. Four unexcused tardies within a month will constitute a parent email. A 5th tardy will result in an office visit. Subsequent unexcused tardies will be treated as office visits in accordance with the discipline policy.

Drop off and Pick Up Time Students may be dropped off between 8:15–8:30 AM and picked up between 3:00–3:15 PM. Students that are picked up later than 3:15 PM may be charged a fee for late pick up.

ENROLLMENT POLICY Anti-Discrimination and ADA Statement Hastings Christian School admits students and hires employees without regard to race, color, national origin, or ethnic origin, ensuring equal access to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally available to our school community. We are committed to upholding applicable nondiscriminatory policies in the 32

administration of educational policies, admissions, scholarships, loan programs, athletics, and other school-administered activities. Hastings Christian School does not accept federal funds.

Children diagnosed with a learning disability are welcome to be a part of Hastings Christian School so long as they can meet, or be assisted to meet, the discipline standards of the classroom, discussions, and daily routine.

Students applying for admissions should have a desire to receive this form of education. We do not mind assisting parents in fostering this desire, but the student needs to at the very least be “willing to be made willing” to be discipled through a Classical Christian education.

Enrollment Process Regarding candidates for admission, we are a Classical Christian school committed to partnering with Christian parents who share our mission and are intentionally nurturing a Christ-formed paideia in their homes.

1.​ General Inquiry 2.​ Family Interview Request 3.​ Admissions Interview 4.​ Assessment of student 5.​ Application 6.​ Enrollment 7.​ Tuition Agreement

TUITION For more information, please see the Tuition Guide.

Tuition Assistance We do not want finances to be a reason that a family cannot send their children to Hastings Christian School while we also want to be good stewards of donor funds. We ask that families in need of tuition assistance ask grandparents, churches, and family before applying for financial aid. If tuition assistance is still necessary we use a third party financial aid processor called Benefaq. The application is $35 and Hastings Christian School receives a report related to what a family can feasibly afford based on their financial portfolio. With this information, our committee makes a decision taking into account the report and any extenuating circumstance. Our desire is that a family in need of tuition assistance is able to pay a minimum of 10% of their

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salary towards Christian education, but we also review the financial circumstances in making our determination.

Step 1: Ask for help from your church (many churches have education funds) Step 2: Apply through Benefaq Step 3: The committee will review and make a recommendation Step 4: You will be notified of any aid to be awarded Step 5: Pay your new tuition amount through monthly tuition

EVALUATIONS 1.​ Teachers will evaluate students regularly for the purpose of assessing skill and knowledge 2.​ Teachers are evaluated unannounced throughout the year 3.​ The administration will be assessed periodically by the staff 4.​ Parents will evaluate the school annually

General Agreement: All parents and students who are enrolling in Hastings Christian School affirm by their application and enrollment their intentional willingness to abide by the Christian conduct (word and deed) presented in this handbook and all other school documents, both expressed and implied. This includes the Statement of Faith, Cultural Issues, and all policies stated herein.

Disclaimer: The reader should take notice that while every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided herein, Hastings Christian School reserves the right to make changes at any time without prior notice. Parents will be notified of any changes to the handbook that occur during the current academic year. Hastings Christian School provides the information herein solely for the convenience of the reader and, to the extent permissible by law, expressly disclaims any liability which may otherwise be incurred.

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