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THEMISSION

RivendellAcademy’smissionistotrainstudents,intheliberalarts,torecognizeandupholdthat whichistrue,good,andbeautifulthroughjoyfullearningthatequipsstudentstointeractwiththe worldthroughgodlydiscernment.

Thatwhichistrue:God’struthasilluminatedbywhatScripturesaysistrue thatwhichupholdsthe truthofGod.

Thatwhichisgood:God’sgoodnessasilluminatedbywhatScripturesaysisgood thatwhich glorifiesGod.

Thatwhichisbeautiful:God’sbeautyasilluminatedbywhatScripturesaysisbeautiful thatwhich pleasesGod.

OurDeepHope

AtRivendellAcademy,ourhopeisthatstudentswillknowandloveJesusandbethoughtful Christianswhorelentlesslypursuetruthandwisdom.Wedesireforourstudentstobeequippedfor Kingdomworkandpreparedtodisciplethenations,glorifyingGodwherevertheyarecalled.We ultimatelyhopethatourstudentswillhaverightlyorderedlovesandthatthewholefamilywillbe discipledthrougheducationatRivendell.

PHILOSOPHYOFEDUCATION

EducationisObediencetoScripture

InMatthew22:37,Christsays“YoushalllovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheartandwithallyour soulandwithallyourmind.”Thisservesasthefoundationforalleducation,thatScripturecommands ustoloveGodwithourminds.Thiscommandistobetaughttofuturegenerations.Deuteronomy6:7 says,“AndthesewordsthatIcommandyoutodayshallbeonyourheart Youshallteachthem diligentlytoyourchildren.”Wepursueeducationourselvesandeducateourchildrenprimarilyoutof obediencetoGod.

EducationisWorthyofHumanity

HumanitywasmadeintheimageofGodandreflectsHimandHischaracter Itisfittingthathumans fulfillthis,notonlyinamoralsense,butinawaythatreflectsGod’srationality,order,creativity,and goodness.Theabilitytobecomeeducatedisuniquetohumans,andisthereforefittingforanimage bearer.Educationisnotmerelyameanstoanend,butisgoodinandofitself.

WhyLiberalArts?

Ourphilosophyofeducationdependsonthefactthatothershavecomebeforeusandwestandonthe shouldersofgiants.IntheWest,theprojectofeducationhastakenplaceoverthecourseofthousands ofyears.Weshouldstandwithinthisgreattraditionandrecognizethewisdomthathasbeenhanded downtous Thispreventsusfrombecomingchronologicalsnobsandbeingblindedbythezeitgeistof ourage

WeholdtheLiberalArtsunderstandingofthequadriviumastheartofnumbersandthetriviumasthe artofwords Wetherebymovefromtheconcreteideasofnumbersandwordstothemore philosophicalideasineach“subject”thatwestudy.Thegoalofthisistomasterunderstandingineach fieldofstudy.TheLiberalArts,atime-testedviewofthequadriviumandtrivium,providesthe pedagogicalapproachthatsupportsdiscernmenttrainingforChristianstudents.

AtRivendellAcademy

Ourteachersarefocusedonthechildmorethanjustthecontent Ourpurposeineducationsupersedes knowledgealone,wewantthetelosofeducationtobetheinculcationofwisdomandvirtue.Weare educatingthe“wholechild”inpartnershipwithparents.

PhilosophyofHumanities

HumanitiesisfundamentallythestudyofGod’simagebearersthroughhistoryandliterature.Astudy ofthecollectiveworkofhumanityisrevelatorytoGod’sstoryunfolding Thisstudyisinfusedwith Scriptureforstudentstolearnhowtointerprethumanactionsandtodiscerntruth,goodness,and beauty.Westartwithapieceofliteratureforstudentstocarefullyreadandinterrogate,andthen discussthevariousfieldsofstudythatemerge.Historyisseenmoreclearlythroughthelensofstory, andliteraturerevealscharacterandgivesusaquasi-omniscientperspectiveofchoicesandhowthey impactlives.Studentsaregiventheopportunitytobeinnocent,butnotnaïvetotheworld.Througha deepstudyofliterature,studentswillseethebrokennessofoursinfulworldwhilealsoseeingthestory ofRedemptionunfolding.

PhilosophyofLanguage

AtRivendellAcademy,studentswillstudyLatinafterdevelopingfoundationalEnglishgrammarskills LatinreinforcesEnglishgrammarbyapplyinggrammaticalskillstoanewlanguage BecauseLatinisa well-orderedlanguage,itsstudentsdevelopalogicoflanguagethatdeepenstheirunderstandingof languageingeneral.ThestudyofLatinanditsetymologybuildsastrongvocabularyfoundation,asit

isthebasisofourlegalandmedicaltermsandtherootofallRomancelanguages.Latinisalsothe languageofRome,thecultureinwhichChristcame,somanyfoundationaldocumentsforthe ChristianChurchwerewritteninLatin NotonlydoesthecleargrammaticalstructureofLatinmake itbeneficialtostudytoformthelogicalmindsofstudents,butitisalsoanexcellentlanguagetobeable totranslateandinterpretfordeeperunderstanding.

PhilosophyofBible

ScripturewillinformallthatwestudyatRivendellAcademy,andwewillalsohaveadistinctportionof eachdayspecificallyallottedforBibletraining Wewillcultivateanacademicunderstandingof Scripturethroughcatechism,Biblesurvey,andlearningskillsofinterpretation Theskillofnavigating Scripturewillbehonedduringthisdesignatedtime,whiletheentiredaywillbeinfusedwithGod’s WordandfilteredthroughthelensofScripture.Studentswillpracticediscernmentinthatwhichis true,good,andbeautifulasdefinedbyGodthroughHisWord

Quadrivium

TheQuadriviumispartofthesevenLiberalArtsandlaysthefoundationforunderstandingthe cosmosandallthatGodhascreated.Westartwitharithmetictobuildmasteryinthelanguageof numbersandthenmovetostudyingnumbersinspace,whereweseegeometrythroughoutcreation. Musicisthestudyofnumbersintime,andfinallythisleadstoadeeperunderstandingofthecosmos, whichisthestudyofnumbersinspaceandtime

Masteryinthelanguageofnumbersisparamounttobeingabletointerprettheworldaroundus.

Mathematicsteachesobjectivetruthaswesolveproblemsandcometoaprovableanswer Webuild skillsinarithmeticandintentionallyworktodeveloparichsenseofnumbers,sothattheyarea languagethestudentcanusefluently.

WeunderstandandknowGod’sdesignbystudyingtheworldaroundus,andthisknowledgehelps buildourunderstandingofGodHimself.Wewantsciencetoinvigorateasenseofwonder;therefore wewillusehands-onexperimentsaswellastheobservationofnaturetoinstillthisholycuriosityfor God’sworld Wedesireforstudentstomasterfoundationalscientificconceptsanddeveloptheskillsof hypothesis,observation,andconclusionwhiledeeplyunderstandingthatalltruthisGod’struth.We thereforecanlookatsciencewithanticipationoftruthbeingrevealed.

PhilosophyofArt

BeautyisamodernapologeticsfortheChristianfaith,especiallyinaculturedominatedbyvisuals, thereforeitismoreimportantthaneverthatoureyesaretrainedtorecognizethatwhichistrue,good andbeautiful.ThetranscendentalsareobjectivebecauseGodoffersthesestandardsthroughout Scriptureandtheyarereflectedinthevisibleuniverse.Thecomplexitiesandintricaciesrevealedin God’screationdeserveourcarefulattention Asimagebearers,observingGod’sdetails,weshould become“sub-creators”andourartshouldreflectGod’sbeauty.AsChristiansweshouldbeproducers ofgoodartandnotjustconsumersoftheworld’sart.Thereforeweholdrecognizingbeautifulartas wellastheskillofcreatingbeautifulartinhighregard.

PhilosophyofMusic

“ThefinalaimandreasonofallmusicisnothingotherthantheglorificationofGodandthe refreshmentofthespirit”–JohannSebastianBach

AsChristians,wearecalledtosing“psalms,hymns,andspiritualsongs”(Ephesians5:19–21).Weare calledtobeasingingpeople,liftingourvoicestotheLord AspartoftheQuadrivium,musicisthe intersectionofnumbersintime.WithintheChristianLiberalArts,musicisthereforebothan academicandaspiritualskilltobehoned.Wewilltrainstudentsinthelanguageofmusic(theory)as wellascultivatealoveofmusicthatlinesupwiththetranscendentals thatwhichisgood,true,and beautiful TheaimsaretodevelopbothskillinsingingtoglorifytheLordanddeepdiscernmentinthe transcendentals.

CULTURALISSUES

OnGender,Marriage,&Sexuality

RivendellAcademyiscommittedtotheinfallibilityoftheChristianScripturesinallmattersoffaith andlife.OuraimistobealignedwiththetruthoftheBibleevenwhenthatmeansbeingoutof alignmentwithwhatisconsideredpopularorculturally-acceptable.Moreover,especiallyasitpertains tothestatementsbelow,RivendellAcademystandsincontinuitywithwhattheChurchhastaught, believed,andconfessedforover2000years.Inthesematters,weseektobebothclearand compassionate.

Webelievethateveryperson regardlessofsinfulbeliefsoractions mustbeshownlove,kindness, respect,anddignity(Mark12:28-31;Luke6:31).Werepudiatehatefulandharassingwordsorbehavior

aboutortowardanyoneasoutofaccordwiththeteachingsoftheBible,thecharacterofourLord,and themissionofRivendellAcademy.WebelievethatGodoffersredemptionandrestorationtoallwho confessandforsaketheirsin,sexualorotherwise,seekinghismercyandforgivenessthroughfaithin JesusChrist(Acts3:19–21;Rom.10:9–10;1Cor.6:9–11).

WebelievethatinordertopreserveRivendellAcademy’sintegrityandeffectiveness,asabiblically faithfulinstitutionofChristianeducationandasamodeltoourcommunity,itisimperativethatall personsemployedbyRivendellAcademyinanycapacity,orwhoserveasvolunteers,affirmandabide bythisstatement(Matt.5:16;Phil.2:14–16;1Thess.5:22).Wealsoexpectstudentstoupholdthese biblicalvaluesregardingsex,gender,andsexualactivityintheirspeech,dress,andconduct

OnGender

WebelievethatGodwonderfullyandimmutablycreateseachpersonaseithermaleorfemale,bothin biologicalsexandingender.Thesetwodistinct,complementarygenderstogetherreflecttheimageof God(Gen.1:26–27).Torejectone'sbiologicalgenderisanactofrebellionagainstGod'sdesign.

OnMarriage

WebelievethataccordingtotheBible,marriagehasonlyoneappropriatemeaning:theunionofone manandonewomaninaholyrelationshipintendedtobeexclusiveandlifelong(Gen.2:18–25).We believethatGodintendssexualintimacytooccuronlybetweenmenandwomenjoinedinmarriage(1 Cor.6:18and7:2-5;Heb.13:4).

OnSexuality

WebelievethatparticipatinginorapprovingofanyformofsexualactivityforbiddenintheBible (includingunmarriedsex,adultery,homosexualorbisexualbehavior,andpornography)issinfuland offensivetoGod(Matt.15:18–20;Rom.1:24–32;1Cor.6:9–10).

OnSanctityofHumanLife

WebelievethatallhumanlifeissacredandcreatedbyGodinhisimage.Humanlifeisofinestimable worthinallitsdimensions,includingpre-bornbabies,theaged,thephysicallyormentallychallenged, andeveryotherstageorconditionfromconceptionthroughnaturaldeath Wearethereforecalledto defend,protect,andvalueallhumanlife(Ps.139). Webelievethisisthestartingpointforall discussionsrelatedtothesanctityoflife(e.g.,abortion,euthanasia,war).

STATEMENTOFFAITH

Apostles’Creed

IbelieveinGod,theFatheralmighty, creatorofheavenandearth

IbelieveinJesusChrist,hisonlySon,ourLord, whowasconceivedbytheHolySpirit andbornofthevirginMary. HesufferedunderPontiusPilate, wascrucified,died,andwasburied; hedescendedtohell

Thethirddayheroseagainfromthedead. Heascendedtoheaven andisseatedattherighthandofGodtheFatheralmighty. Fromtherehewillcometojudgethelivingandthedead

IbelieveintheHolySpirit, theholycatholic*church, thecommunionofsaints, theforgivenessofsins, theresurrectionofthebody, andthelifeeverlasting Amen

*thatis,thetrueChristianchurchofalltimesandallplaces

TheSolas

WeholdtoandteachthefiveSolasoftheReformation.

SolaScriptura

TheologymustbeScripturallygrounded God’slife-givingspeechrevealstousHissalvationandcalls ustofaithandrepentance.Wewereoncedarkness,butnowwearelightintheLord(Eph.5:8).Satan blindsthemindsofunbelievers,lesttheyseethelightofthegospelofthegloryofChrist(2Cor.4:4). YettheGodwhocommandslighttoshineoutofdarknessshinesinourhearts,givingusthelight“of thegloryofGodinthefaceofJesusChrist”(2Cor 4:6) GodalwaysdoesthisbytheSpiritworking throughtheWord TheHolySpiritistheAuthorofScripture,andHespeaksthroughScripture(Heb

3:7).TheScripturesteachuseverythingthatweneedtomakeuswiseforsalvationthroughfaithin Christandtobethoroughlyequippedforeverygoodwork(2Tim.3:15–17).Thisiswhythosewho donotspeakaccordingtotheruleofScripturehavenolightinthem(Isa 8:20) YetwithouttheSpirit, eventheScripturescannothelpus Wearedeadintrespassesandsins(Eph 2:1–2),ourmindsand heartsaredarkened(Eph.4:18;Rom.1:21),andweneedsomeonetoraiseusfromthedeadandturn onthelights(Eph.5:14).IfScriptureissufficienttomakeuswiseforfaithandlifeinChrist,then ScripturealonecanbeourguidetowalkingwithGod OnlythroughtheSpiritworkingbyandwith theScripturesinourheartscanwewalkinthelightwiththeGodwhoislight(1John1:7)

SolusChristus

TheologymustbeChristfocused.WeshouldbelieveeverythingScriptureteachesusbecauseitisGod’s Word(John8:47).ChrististhemainpointoftheBible,andthewholeBibletestifiestoHim(John 5:39;Luke24:27;1Peter1:10–12).WithouttheSpirit,wecouldnotreceiveGod’stestimonyin Scripture;withoutChrist,evenGod’swordscannotsaveus TheologyisChrist-focusedbecauseno onecomestotheFatherapartfromHim(John14:6)andbecausetheSpiritseekstoglorifyHimfor oursalvation(John16:8–14).JesusistrulyGodandtrulyman.HealonecanreconcileGodandman, killinganimosityandcreatingfriendship(Gen.3:15).TheFatheriswellpleasedwithHisSon(Mark 1:11),andHeiswellpleasedwithusonlywhenweareintheSon(Eph 1:6) JesusalonecansaveHis peoplefromtheirsins(Matt 1:21)becauseHealoneistheirProphetrevealingtothembyHisWord andSpiritthewillofGodfortheirsalvation;HealoneistheirPriestwhoofferedHimselfasasacrifice tosatisfydivinejusticeforthem;andHealoneistheirKingwhosubduesthemtoHimself,rulesand defendsthem,andrestrainsandconquersallHisandtheirenemies(WSC24–26).Thereisno fellowshipwithGodapartfromChrist,andwecountallthingslosscomparedtotheexcellenceofthe knowledgeofChristJesusourLord(Phil.3:8).

SolaFide

Theologymustbefaithdriven.Withoutfaith,itisimpossibletopleaseGod(Heb.11:6).Likethe emptyhandofabeggar,faithreachesouttoreceiveChrist.Byfaith,webelievethatHewhohas promisedisabletoperformthatwhichHepromises(Rom 4:21) GodwillfulfillHispurposes,butif wedonotbelieve,thenwewillnotbeestablished(Isa 7:9;45:17) FaithhasnomeritbeforeGod We arejustifiedbyfaithwithouttheworksofthelaw(Rom.3:28).Wearenotsavedbygoodworksbutare savedforgoodworks(Eph.2:8–10).KnowledgeofChristthroughScripture,assenttothesetruthsin ourminds,andSpirit–wroughttrustfromourheartscharacterizesavingfaith.Welivebyfaithinthe SonofGodwholovedusandgaveHimselfforus(Gal 2:20)

SolaGratia

Theologymustbegrace-saturated.Ifwearesavedbyfaith,thenwearesavednotbyworksbutbygrace alone(Rom.11:6).GraceisGod’sgenerousdispositionbywhichHelavishesuswithgoodthingsthat wedonotdeserve.EverythingwereceivefromGodisbygrace,fromourdailybreadtothefinal resurrectionofourbodies(Ps 145:8) ThegraceofGodisvestedinChristandHealonegivessaving

gracetothosewhomtheFatherpitiesinHismercy(Ps.103:13).ThisiswhytheApostlePaul’sletters begin,“GraceandpeacetoyoufromGodtheFatherandfromtheLordJesusChrist”(2Cor.1:2;Gal. 1:3;Eph 1:2;Phil 1:2) TheHolySpiritteachesusthroughScripturethatsalvationisbygracealone becausesalvationisbyfaithinChristalone.Graceisnotasentimentalidealeadingustoignoreour sins,notcaringhowwelive.“ForthegraceofGodhasappeared,bringingsalvationforallpeople, trainingustorenounceungodlinessandworldlypassions,andtoliveself-controlled,upright,and godlylivesinthepresentage,waitingforourblessedhope,theappearingofthegloryofourgreatGod andSaviorJesusChrist,whogavehimselfforustoredeemusfromalllawlessnessandtopurifyfor himselfapeopleforhisownpossessionwhoarezealousforgoodworks”(Titus2:11–14).

SoliDeoGloria

TheologymustbeGod-dominated.EachofthethreepersonsoftheTrinitysavesusinharmonious unityinawaythatleadstoworshipofallthreedivinepersons WehavefellowshipwiththeSonin grace,withtheFatherinlove,andwiththeHolySpiritinstrengthandcomfort(2Cor.13:14;Acts 9:31).Becausewehavenothingthatwehavenotreceived(1Cor.4:7),weshoulddoallthingsinthe nameoftheLordJesusChrist,givingthankstoGodtheFatherthroughHim(Col 3:17) Weliveby theSpiritandkeepinstepwiththeSpirit(Gal 5:25) IfweshouldlivetoGod’sglory,thenshouldwe notlistentotheSpiritspeakinginHisWord,receivingGod’sgracethroughfaithaloneinChrist,allto God’sgloryalone?

Affirmation&Agreeance

● AllfacultymustaffirmTheWestminsterConfessionofFaith(approvedexceptionswillbe allowedonsecondarydoctrineissues)

● Studentswillbetaughtwithintheframeworkofthishistoricdocumentasaplumblinefor ChristianTheologyandsecondarydoctrinesdiscussionswillbebuiltfromthisframework (pleaseseesecondarydoctrinestatements).Parentsmustagreetohavingtheirchildrentaught withintheparametersofthisChristiantheologicalunderstanding

ThegeneralpositionofthefacultyandstaffmustbetheWestminsterConfessionofFaith(certain exceptionsmaybeapproved).

CulturalIssues

ScripturalClarityonCulturalIssues

1. WebelievethatGodwonderfullyandimmutablycreatedeachpersonasdistinctlymaleor female(Gen.1:26-31;2:18-25;5:1,2).Thesetwodistinctandcomplementarygenderstogether reflecttheimageandnatureofGod Torejectone’sbiologicalgenderisarejectionoftheimage ofGodwithinthatpersonandisasinagainstGod

2 WebelievethatmarriagewascreatedandsanctionedbyGodinwhichGodjoinsonemanand onewomaninasingleandexclusiveunion(Gen.2:24;Matt.19:4-6)

3 WebelievethatGodintendssexualintimacytooccuronlybetweenamanandawomanwho aremarriedtoeachother Anyformofsexualintimacyoutsideofmarriageisimmoralandisa sinagainstGod(1Cor.6:15-7:6;Eph.5:3-7).Sexualimmoralityincludes,butisnotlimitedto adultery,fornication,homosexualconduct,andpornography

4. WebelievethatallhumanlifeissacredandcreatedbyGodinHisimage.Humanlifeisof inestimableworthinallitsdimensions,includingpre-bornbabies,theaged,thephysicallyor mentallychallenged,andeveryotherstageorconditionfromconceptionthroughnatural death Wearethereforecalledtodefend,protect,andvalueallhumanlife(Ps 139)

RivendellAcademyiscommittedtoahealthydiscussionofthisissueinawaythatvaluesallthoseof otheropinions,yetdoesnotcompromiseourvalues OurultimategoalisChristianunitywithinthe parametersofOrthodoxChristianity

OverarchingCulture

WhenGodmadehumans,HemadeusinHisownimage,acommunityreflectiveofHistriunenature withthecapacitytolove,asHehasloved.Inthelastcentury,schoolshaveassumedafragmentedview thatreducesapersontoanindividualinneedofknowledge.AtRivendellAcademy,webelievein disciplingthewholepersontoloveGodandloveandhonorallpeople

SecondaryDoctrine

Inmattersofsecondarydoctrine,Rivendelladministratorsandteacherswill:

1. Encourageandchallengestudentstothinkandbediscerningonallmattersaccordingtothe truthofGod’sWord

2. Fosteraclassroomenvironment,especiallyatthesecondarylevel,oflove,respectandcharity amongstudents

3. Beencouragedtocharitablypresentthevarioussidesofasecondaryissue

4 SeektomaintainunityamongourstudentsandfamiliesaccordingtoourStatementofFaith andtheWestminsterShorterCatechismandbynotteachingsecondarydoctrinesasprimary andnotdisparagingsecondarydoctrinalbeliefsthatarecontrarytotheirpersonalconvictions

5. Encouragestudentstoseekthesupportandinstructionoftheirparentsandtheirlocalchurch

Thefollowinglistisnotexhaustivebutrepresentssomeofthesecondarydoctrinediscussionsthatmay occur(mainly)atthesecondarylevel:

1 Ageoftheearth

WereadGenesis1–3fromtheframeworkofanorthodoxChristianperspective.Wewill teachfromtheperspectiveofaliteral24-hourdaybutwillopenthediscussionupin secondaryyears,wherewewilldiscussotherorthodoxviewsasviableinterpretations

2. Eschatology

WewillteachabouttheimminentreturnofJesusandthatthedeadwillberaisedtoeternallife oreternaljudgment.Thiswillexpand,inthesecondaryyears,todiscussionofthreeheldviews ofeschatology:historicalpremillennialism,*amillennialism,†andpartialpreterist postmillennialism ‡

*HistoricPremillennialism:anon-literalinterpretationofthetrialsdescribedinRevelation,this viewholdstotheimminentreturnofChristafteraperiodoftribulationwithafollowingageof peacewhereSatanisbounduntilrightbeforetheﬁnaljudgment.

†Amillennialism:themillenniumissymbolicandrepresentsthetimeofChurchgrowththatis spiritualratherthanphysical Jesus'imminentreturnwilloccuraftera“millennium”ofpeople comingtoChrist.Therearevariousaspectstotimingheldwithinthisview.

‡Postmillennialism:Satanwasboundatthecross,themillennialperiodisaperiodoftimerather thanaliteralthousandyears.Duringthismillenniumthegospelwillspread“totheendsofthe earth”untildeathisthelasttobeconqueredandputunderJesus’feet,whentheearthwillbe transformedinthe“blinkofaneye”withJesus’imminentreturn.Thisviewholdsthatmanyof theNewTestamentpropheticpassageswerefulﬁlledbythefallofJerusalemin70AD

Weholdthatbaptismisnotsalvific ItisthewashingwithwaterinthenameoftheFather,the Son,andtheHolySpirit;itsignifiesandsealsouradoptionintoChrist,ourcleansingfromsin, andourcommitmenttobelongtotheLordandtohischurch.Inthesecondaryyearswewill discussthetwomainpositions,credobaptism§andpaedobaptism,**asaviable,orthodoxbelief

§Credobaptism:Thispositionteachesthatbaptismisasignofabeliever’sfellowshipwithChristin hisdeathandresurrectionandshouldbeadministeredtothosewhoprofessrepentancetoward GodandfaithinandobediencetoourLordJesusChrist Believersaretobebaptizedinthename oftheTriuneGodbyimmersioninwater.

**Paedobaptism:Thispositionteachesthatbaptismisasignandsealofthecovenantofgrace Immersionintowaterisnotnecessary,butisrightlyadministeredbypouringorsprinklingwater uponthepersoninthenameoftheTriuneGod.Infantsofoneorbothbelievingparentsaretobe baptized,notforsalvation,butsothatthepromisedgraceofGodisexhibitedandconferredbythe HolySpirittosuchasthatgracebelongsto,accordingtoGod’sownwillandinHisappointed time.

4 Cessationism&Non-cessationism

WewillteachthattheHolySpiritisGod,coeternalwiththeFatherandtheSon,andthatGod grantsHimtoallwhobelieve.Inthesecondaryyearswewilldiscussthevariedpositions concerningthegiftsoftheSpirit,betweencessationism††andnon-cessationism ‡‡

††Cessationism:Cessationismistheviewthatthe“miraclegifts”oftonguesandhealinghave ceased thattheendoftheapostolicagebroughtaboutacessationofthemiraclesassociatedwith thatage.Mostcessationistsbelievethat,whileGodcanandstilldoesperformmiraclestoday,the HolySpiritnolongerusesindividualstoperformmiraculoussigns.1

‡‡Non-cessationism:Continuationismisthebeliefthatallthespiritualgifts,includinghealings, tongues,andmiracles,arestillinoperationtoday,justastheywereinthedaysoftheearlychurch. Acontinuationistbelievesthatthespiritualgiftshave“continued”unabatedsincetheDayof Pentecostandthattoday’schurchhasaccesstoallthespiritualgiftsmentionedintheBible.2

1Taken from: https://www gotquestions org/cessationism html

2Taken from: https://www gotquestions org/continuationism html

Wewillnotinstructin,norholdto,thecharismaticpositionoftonguesasagiftforall Christians,signsandwonders,prosperitygospel,faithasfoundationalhealingorother non-orthodoxviewsoftheworkoftheHolySpirit

TheStatementofFaithdoesnotexhausttheextentofourbeliefs.TheBibleitself,astheinspiredand infallibleWordofGodthatspeakswithfinalauthorityconcerningtruth,morality,andtheproper conductofmankind,isthefinalsourceofallthatwebelieve TheRivendellBoardofDirectorswill defineimplementationoftheStatementofFaith.AnychangestotheStatementofFaithmustbe approvedbyunanimousboardvoteandwillbesubmittedtoparentsandfaculty.

UNIFORMPOLICY

PleaseseeouruniformpolicyHERE

DressUpDays

TuesdayisdesignatedDressUpDay Onthisdaystudentsshouldexpecttowearthemostformal renditionoftheuniform.Thismeansboysshouldwearpants,withabuttondown,tie(Pleasedonot weartieswithpoloshirts),andblazer.Girlsshouldwearskirtsorpantswithabuttondowntopand blazer PleasenotethatonWednesdayandThursdaystudentsarefreetoweartheiruniforminany combinationtheychoose.

DISCIPLINEPOLICY

DisciplinePolicy

“Nodisciplineseemspleasantatthetime,butpainful Later,however,itproducesaharvestof righteousnessandpeaceforthosewhohavebeentrainedbyit.”–Hebrews12:11

Werecognizethatmaintainingawell-disciplinedclassroomiskeytolearning Webelievethat “Knowledgewithoutvirtueisdangerous.”Therefore,encouragingvirtuousbehaviorthatstemsfrom theheartisasimportantasencouragingexcellenceinmathandgrammar.Ayoungstudent’sbehavior, attitude,andphysicaldispositionshouldcontributepositivelytotheclassroomenvironmentand RivendellAcademy’svalueofshapinggodlycharacter Ourruleissimpleformaintainingthis disciplinedatmosphere:“loveyourneighborasyourself.”

RivendellAcademyrecognizesthatthepurposeofdisciplineistodevelopourfellowshipandlovefor Godandneighbor(Mark12:30–31).Disciplineisnecessaryfordiscipleship.Tothisend,disciplineis notmeanttosimplymodifyoutwardbehavior,buttotrainthehearttoloveJesus

GeneralGuidelines

Disciplineisadministeredinlightofseverity,situation,andattitudeoftheindividualstudent.The kindofdisciplinemaybedeterminedbytheteachers,andifnecessary,administration(e.g.,Headof School)followingtheguidelinesbelow.Anydisciplinaryactionmustbedoneinlovewiththehopeof restoration

ClassroomDiscipline

GodisaGodoforderandourteachersfosterthisorderthroughclassroommanagement(1Cor.14:33, 40).Studentswillbeaskedtobehaveinawaythatfostersrespectfortheirteacherespeciallyasitrelates toloveforGodandtheirneighborsinclass.Generalbehaviorsthatcanbecorrectedin-classinclude:

● Minorclassroomdisruption

● Nuisancebehaviortoteacherorstudents

● Inappropriateuseofclassroommaterial

Multipleopportunitiesmaybeofferedtohelpstudentscourse-correct.Ifateacherneedsassistance,a studentmaybesenttotheoffice.

OfficeVisits

Overtbehaviorswhichrequireadministrativeinvolvementnecessitatesparentnotification.Depending ontheseverityoftheinfraction,studentsmayneedtobepickedupimmediatelyfromschoolandin somecases,receivesuspension.Fordisciplinetobeeffective,itisimperativeforteachersandparentsto behaveasateam.Ifthiscan’tbeaccomplished,astudentmayneedtobeunenrolleduntilsuchatime asanagreementcanbereached

● Flagrantdisrespectshowntostaff

● Dishonesty(e.g.,lying,cheating,stealing)

● Defiance(eg,outrightdisobedience,consistentcorrection,orrebellion)

● Fighting(e.g.,strikingwiththeintentiontoharmanotherstudent)

● Bullying(i.e.,whenastudentdeliberatelyharassesanotherstudentduringoroutsideofschool andincludescyber-bullying)

● Enablingothersbadbehavior

● Actsthatendangerthelivesofanotherperson

● Vandalism

● Theft

● Inappropriateuseofschoolpropertyorfacility

● Inappropriatelanguage(eg,obscene,vulgar,profane)

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

● Sexualmisconduct(e.g.,inappropriatetouching,useofpornography,etc.)

● Illegalsubstanceabuse(eg,drugoralcoholuse)

● Weaponsoncampus(e.g.,guns,knives,etc.)

Degreesofdiscipline

Thedegreeofdisciplinedependsontheseverityoftheoffenseandfallssomewherealong(butnot limitedto)thiscontinuum:

● Verbalwarnings(e.g.,student’sopportunitytoself-correct)

● Acknowledgingoffenseandmakingapologies(publicoffensespromptpublicapologies, privateoffensespromptpersonalapologies)

● Makingrestitution

● Changingoflocation(eg,desk/chairchange)

● Sittingoutofanactivity

● Documentationforstudent/parentfile

● Removingofsomeprivilege(eg,fieldtrip)

● Senthome(e.g.,earlypick-up)

● Parentalattendanceduringtheschoolday

● Cleaning

a Pickinguptrash

b. Cleaningbathrooms

c. Vacuumingandorsweeping

d. Cleaningdesks,walls,whiteboards,etc.

e Cleaningoutside

● Physicalendurance

a. Wallsit

b. Runninglaps

c Pushups

● Writing

a. Anoteonwhatthestudentdidwrong

b Anoteaskingforgiveness

● Other

a. Lossofprivilege(s)

b Repetitionandpracticeofproperorexpectedbehaviors

c. Beingsenthome

d. Aconsequenceordisciplineplanparticularlysuitedtothestudentandsituationas agreeduponwiththeparent(s)

ElectronicDevicePolicy

Useofpersonalelectronicdevices(i.e.,phones,smartphones,portablegamingdevices,smartwatches, etc)bystudentsisprohibitedoncampus Suchdevicesmaybebroughttoschoolbuttheymustbe checkedinattheschoolofficeduringschoolhours.

● Useoflaptopsispermissibleforsecondaryacademicpurposesonlyunderthepre-approved directionandsupervisionofateacher(seetheComputerUseSection)

● Afirstviolationofthispolicywillresultinimmediateconfiscationofthedevice,tobereleased toaparentorguardian

● Asecondviolationofthispolicywillresultinaparentconferencewithadministration

● Athirdviolationofthispolicywillresultinadisciplinaryhearing

● RivendellAcademyacceptsnoresponsibilityforuse,breakage,theft,orlossofphoneorother personalitems

Cheating&Plagiarism

Cheatingisdefinedaslookingatanother’sworkwithouttheteacher’spermissionorcommunicating withanotherduringanexamwithouttheteacher’spermission.

Plagiarismisdefinedasusinganother’sworkwithoutacknowledgingandthankingthemfortheuse

Ifeithercheatingorplagiarismisnoticed,theassignmentorexamwillimmediatelyreceivea0.Parents willbenotified AsecondcheatingorplagiarisminfractionwillresultinanEducationCouncilreview

DressCodeViolation

Iffacultynoticesadresscodeviolation,*theywillinformadministration(HeadofSchool),and administrationwillnotifyparentsthroughaDressCodeViolationForm(viaClassReach).After4 dresscodeviolations,anofficevisitwillfollowinadditiontoemailnotification.Afterthe5thviolation withinasemester,thestudentwillbesenthome Subsequentdresscodeviolationswillrequirethe HeadofSchooltotreattheviolationsasofficevisitsinaccordancewiththedisciplinepolicy

*Adresscodeviolationissomethingthatcannotbecorrectedinclass.

PrimaryStudentDisciplinePlan

TheruleisloveGodandloveyourneighbor

1. Ifastudentisovertlydisrespectfultoauthorityanimmediateofficevisitwillfollow

2. Ifthereisunlovingbehaviorintheclassroom,duringbreaksorlunchtimetheteacherwho observedthesituationwillgiveawarningandcorrectthebehavior

3. Ifasecondinfractionoccurstheinfractionwillbedocumented

4 Ifaninfractionoccursduringabreakthestudent’sleadteacherwillbenotifiedand documentedaccordingly

5 IfathirdinfractionoccurstheteacherwillsendthechildtotheHeadofSchoolforanoffice visitwithinformationspecifyingtheissue

a TheHeadofSchoolwillnotifytheparentsthroughemailofwhatoccurredandthe disciplinegiven

6. Homework:Anymissinghomeworkwillbeenteredasa“0”inClassReach.Afterthethird“0” orthirdpoorgrade,theparentswillbenotified Thelateassignmentpolicyis10%grade reductionthefirstday,20%reductionthesecondday,and1percentagepointforanyday thereafter.Astanding“0”willmeantheassignmentwasneversubmitted

SecondaryStudentDisciplinePlan

TheruleisloveGodandloveyourneighbor

1. Ifastudentisovertlydisrespectfultherewillbeanimmediateofficevisit

2. Ifastudentisspeakinginappropriatelytherewillbeanimmediateofficevisit

3 IfastudenthasnotcompletedhomeworktheteacherwillnotifytheparentsandtheHeadof School

4 Homework:Amissedassignmentwillbeenteredasa“0”untilsubmitted,andthelate percentageswillapply:10%fornotbeingsubmitted,20%forthe2nddayand1%daily thereafter.Astanding“0”willmeanthestudentneversubmittedthework

ExcessiveOfficeVisits

Asnotedabove,thepurposeofthedisciplinepolicyistoshapegodlycharacterinthestudent.Ifit becomesapparenttotheHeadofSchoolthatthestudent’scharacterisnotimprovingovertimeand/or isbecomingworsetothedetrimentoftheschoolculture,theHeadofSchoolwillmeetwiththe parentsandtheywillcomeupwithaplantoresolvetheissue.TheHeadofSchoolwillalsomeetwith theparentsincaseswherethestudentexhibitsalackofrepentanceorlacks interestinattending RivendellAcademy TheHeadofSchoolmay,athisdiscretion,allowforadditionalmeetingswiththe parentsifthepreviousdisciplineplantohelpthestudentwasunsuccessful.Tohelptheparents understandtheirchild’sbehavior,theymayberequiredtositwiththestudentduringapartorallof theschoolday IftheHeadofSchooldeterminesthatthestudent’sbehavioralissuestillcannotbe correctedthroughthedisciplineplan(s)generatedbythemeeting(s)withtheparents,thenitwillbe considereda“SeriousDisciplineCase.”

SeriousDisciplineCases

ASeriousDisciplineCaseoccurswhenastudentexhibitsextremeungodlybehaviorthatimpedesthe cultureoftheschool Examplesinclude(butarenotlimitedto):

1. ExcessiveOfficeVisits(seesectionofthesamenameabove)

2. Unrepentant,consistent,orseriousdisrespectofauthority

3 Unsafebehavior–endangermenttothemselvesorothers

4. Overtmoralissuesincluding(butnotlimitedto):

a. Inappropriatetouching

b. Substanceabuse

c Illegalactivity

IftheHeadofSchoolhasdeterminedthatthestudent’swordsorbehaviorconstituteaSerious DisciplineCase,thestudentwillbesubjecttoadisciplinehearingbeforeaselectcommittee The disciplinehearingwillincludethestudent,theparent(s),theteacher(ifapplicable),theHeadof School,andschoolboardmembers.Atthispointtheschoolboardwilldeterminethenecessary courseofactionwhichmayincludesuspensionorexpulsionofthestudent Tuitionwillnotbe reimbursedforsuspensionsorexpulsions.

Re-Admittance

Shouldastudentwhowasexpelled,orwhowithdrewtopreventexpulsion,desiretobereadmittedto RivendellAcademyatalaterdate,theywouldrequireadisciplinehearinginvolvingtheparents, teachers,andschoolAdministration TheEducationCouncil,inconsultationwiththeHeadof School,willmakeadecisionbasedonthestudent'sattitudeandcircumstances.

OURPROGRAM

Enrollment

EnrollmentinRivendellAcademyisacommitmenttoparticipateinourfullprogram Thusall enrolledstudentsareexpectedtoattendallcoursesandclassofferingsonregularlyscheduledacademic days(Tuesday-Thursday)outlinedbytheacademiccalendar.

OnCurriculum

AtRivendellAcademy,webelievethatcurriculumisatool,whichisessential,buttheteacherbrings educationtolifethroughuseofthattool Assuch,inadditiontousingvariouscurriculaanda developedlistofskillsandobjectiveswewillobtainthemostqualifiedanddedicatedteachersas possible:teacherswhoexemplifyaloveoflearningandpointyoungstudentstoJesusChristthrough immersingtheirteachingingoodness,beauty,andtruth.

GradingPolicy

Gradingshouldtellastoryofachild’sprogressinlearning,andbecause,asChristians,webelievethat educationofthewholemanisessential,Rivendellusesbothacademicandcharactergradessothat

parentscanseewhetherapoorgradeisasinissueoranacademicstruggle.Reciprocallyparentscansee thatagoodgradedoesnotnecessarilyimplyrighteousness.ForthisreasonRivendellwillgiveboth academicgradesandconductdescriptionssothatwecantrulydisciplethewholechild

ConductItems

● Diligenceintheclassroomandintheirwork

● Respectforauthority

● Kindnessfortheirpeers

● Joyfulattitude

● Initiative

● Livingcourageously

Primary&SecondaryWeightedCategories

● 30%PracticeWork

● 70%MagnumOpus PrimaryGrading

Secondary&SecondaryPrepGrading

Assessment&GradingProtocol

Humanities

● Softgradingthroughouttheweekonvariouswritingandspeakingassignments

● MagnumOpusforeachweekthatisgradedinthegradebook(maybewrittenororal)

● Assessmentattheendofeachbookthatincludes:

○ Grammarsection

○ Logicsection

○ RhetoricSection

Mathematics

● 1hardgrade*perweekofhomework/practicework

● 1assessmenteveryotherweekasahardgrade*

Science

● 1hardgrade*perweekofhomework/practicework

● 1assessmenteveryotherweekasahardgrade*

Music&Art

● 1hardgrade*perweekofhomework/practicework

● 1assessmenteveryotherweekasahardgrade*

Latin

● 1hardgrade*perweekofhomework/practicework

● 1assessmenteveryotherweekasahardgrade*

*Hardgrade:afterpracticingthechildwillbeassessedonmasteryorimprovement

ReviewweekandfinalsweekbeforeChristmas.

Reviewweekandfinalsweekattheendoftheyear

ParentCommunication

● GradeswillbecommunicatedthroughClassReach

● ConductitemswillbeenteredpriortotheFallandSpringParentPartnershipMeetings

● Teacherswillcontactparentsifastudentisstrugglingacademicallyorsocially

● PleaseuseClassReachasthebestwaytocommunicateimportantinformationwiththestaff

ExpectedHomeworkLoad

HolidayHomework

Whenholidaysoccurwithoutaffectingtheregularschoolhours,familiesshouldexpectteacherstostill assignhomeworktobecompletedovertheholidayaccordingtoregularlyexpectedhomeworkloads. Whenholidaysoccurthatincludedaysofffromschool(e.g.,ThanksgivingandChristmas),families shouldexpectthatstudentswillbeassignedhomeworkwhichcanbeuptothehomeworkassignedfor oneregularweekend Anyindividualassignmentoveraholidayshouldbeassignedwiththeideathatit canbecompletedinonesitting.Thisallowsforstudents/familieswhosochoosetoschedulewhen theywillsetsometimeforhomeworkcompletion.

Toillustrate:OveroneweekofThanksgivingbreak,UpperSecondarystudentsshouldexpect3-4 cumulativehoursofhomeworkfortheentirebreak.WhileUpperPrimarystudentsshouldexpectto spend1-2cumulativehoursonhomework.

GradesatRivendellAcademydonotinanywayreflecttheimmeasurableworthandvalueofeachchild madeinGod’simage,butrathertheyareareflectionofthequalityofworkinagivenfieldofstudyata giventime AtRivendellAcademy,gradesservethreebasicpurposes:

1. Tohelpstudentstoimprove

2 Todeterminethebestplacementlevelconsideringacademicability

3. Toprovideajustandlegitimatemeansofholdingstudentsaccountableforthequalityoftheir work

Gradesprovideawidelyunderstoodmeansofcommunicatingprogressandachievementtoparents andotherpartiessuchascollegeentranceboardsorotherschoolstowhichtheyoungstudentmay transfer

IndividualGrades

RivendellAcademywilluseauniquemethodofgradingthatensuresstudentshavetimeto“practice” beforetheyreceiveagrade.Thereforeregularfeedbackwithinthescopeoftheclassregarding new conceptswillbegivenand“practice”gradeswillberecordedwithinthegradebook.MagnumOpus assignments(bestwork),thatwillmoregreatlyaffectoverallstandings,willalsoberecordedfor transcriptpurposes.Consistentwitheducatingthewholechild,bothattitudeandeffortwillbe consideredwithinourgradingsystems.

GroupProjectGrades

1Thessalonians5:14“Andweurgeyou,brothersandsisters,warnthosewhoareidleanddisruptive, encouragethedisheartened,helptheweak,bepatientwitheveryone”

Groupprojectsareapartofcourseworkanditshouldbeexpectedthatgradingofthesewillnotbe individualizedbecausewebelievethatcharacterincommunityrevealstheheart RivendellAcademy caresevenmoreabouttheheartthantheacademics,groupprojectsallowteacherstoseewhere characterworkisneeded,andsincewearepreparingstudentsforlife,notjustcollege,characterin Christiancommunityisintegralto“LovingGodandLovingNeighbor”(Matt.22:36–40).

MathematicalGradingPolicy

Becausemathproblemsareobjectivelyrightorwrong,gradingwillfollowasimplenumbercorrectout ofthenumberofproblems

● Mathexaminationsare70%ofthefinalgrade

● Mathhomework,practicums,andprojectsare30%ofthefinalgrade(grouporindividual)

ScienceGradingPolicy

Sincescienceistaughtthroughexperiments,anddiscovery,thiswillbeaparticipationandgroup projectgradeintheprimaryyearsandwillmovetowardsmasterygradingthroughthevariousscientific fieldsofstudyinthesecondaryyears.

LatinGradingPolicy

LatinistaughttobuildvocabularyandcontinuetogrowEnglishaswellasLatingrammarskills. Assessmentswillbebasedontheseconceptsandpointswillbeawardedforthepurposeof demonstratingmastery

HumanitiesGradingPolicy

Vocabularyterms,spelling,grammar,anddirectcharacternamesordateswillbeobjectivelygradedand willbeonapoints-basedsystem.Withmasteryasourgoal,studentswillbeaskedtocorrectthewrong answers.

Assignmentsthataremorephilosophicalinnaturewillbegradedonascale.Withineachassignment, grammaticalandspellingmistakeswillbeclearlymarkedandstudentswillbeaskedtoreviewtheword orgrammaticalruleandedittheirwriting Thispromotesmasteryinwritingassignments

Failing&Retakes

Retakeswillbelefttotheteacher’sdiscretion Astudentwhohassimplyfailedforalackof understandingmaybegivenanotheropportunitytoprovetheirunderstandingafterfurtherpractice. Astudentwhoneglectedtheirstudiesandthereforefailed,maynotbegivenaretakeopportunity.

Ifastudentfailsanentirecourse,thestudent,parents,andteacherwillmeetwiththeEducation Counciltodeterminethebestcourseofactionforthestudent.Circumstances,understandingof directionsandeffortwillallbetakenintoconsideration.

Parentswillbenotifiedwithinthreeweeksoftheendofthegradingperiodiftheirstudentisin jeopardyoffailing.

SECONDARYPROGRAM

TheRivendellAcademySecondaryProgram

StudentsatRivendellAcademyprepareforoursecondaryprograminourSecondaryPrepclass.When ready,astudentwillmovetooursecondaryprograms Wewillholdanimportant“CreditObjectives” meetingtocreatearobusthighschoolprogramtailoredtothestudent InApril,asastudentis completinghis/herthirdyearofhighschoolcredit(traditionallyajunior),heorshewillpresenta SENIORTHESIS PROPOSALtotheEducationCouncil.Thiswillbesubmittedandtheneither approved,sentbackforrevision,ordeniedwithresubmissionguidelines sothestudentcanbeginthe projectoverthesummer(priortotheirSenioryear).TheSENIORTHESISwillbedueinAprilofthe proposedgraduationyearandwillbepresentedtotheboardandtheEducationCouncil.Thiswillbe thecapstoneofourprogram.

HighSchoolAdmissions

1 PetitiontobeginHighSchoolCredits

2. EducationCouncilapproval

3. UponacceptanceintoourHighSchoolProgram,wewillholdaCreditObjectivesMeeting wherewewillvisitwithparentsandstudentsandcreateacreditplanforthestudent’shigh schoolcareer

4. InApril,asastudentiscompletinghis/herthirdyearofhighschoolcredit(traditionallya Junior),heorshewillpresentaSENIORTHESIStotheEducationCouncil.Thiswillbe submittedandtheneitherapproved,sentbackforrevision,ordeniedwithresubmission guidelines sothestudentcanbegintheprojectoverthesummer(priortotheirSenioryear).

TheSENIORTHESISwillbedueinApriloftheproposedgraduationyearandwillbe presentedtotheboardandtheEducationCouncil.Thiswillbethecapstoneofourprogram

Humanities(Recommendation:12credits)4years

Studentswillreceivearobusthumanitiesinstructionthrougherasoftime:AncientWorld,Medieval World,ModernWorld,andPostModernWorld.Asstudentsmovethroughtheseerasoftimeinhistory theywillreadacombinationoforiginalsources,historicalfiction,andgreatbooksthatembodythese erasoftime.Aliterature,history,&theologycreditwillbereceivedbythosewhomeettheir“Credit

Objectives.”Rhetoricandlogicskillsareintertwinedinthiscourseandstudentswillreceivea0.25 creditinthesefieldsofstudyannually.

Mathematics(Recommendation:4credits)4years

Studentstakingourregulartrackofhighschoolmathematicswillbegivenadeepunderstandingof algebra,geometry,trigonometry,andcalculus.Thesewillbeattributedtothetranscriptastraditional credits

Science(Recommendation:4credits)4years

Studentswillreceiveadeepandrigorousstudyinphysicalscience,chemicalscience,andthebiological sciences WewanttofostercuriosityintheworldGodcreated

Latin(Recommendation:3credits)3years

WeprovideLatinlevelssostudentscanstartatLevelIandprogressthroughtoLevelIIIorasfaras theyareable.Latinallowsourstudentspracticeingrammar,etymology,masteryoflanguageskillsand richhistoricalcontextofthelanguagethatisfoundationaltoourwesternworld

Language(Recommendation:1credit)1year

ThiscanbetakenoutsideofRivendellAcademyandmustbeapprovedbytheEducationCouncil.

Music(1credit)

Thiswillbeofferedat0.25credithoursperyearthroughRivendellAcademy.

Art(1credit)

Thiswillbeofferedat025credithoursperyearthroughRivendellAcademy

PhysicalEducation (1credit)

ThismustbetakenoutsideofRivendellAcademyandmustbeapprovedbytheEducationCouncil.**

Electives(1credit)

ThismustbetakenoutsideofRivendellAcademyandmustbeapprovedbytheEducationCouncil.**

SEETABLEFORCREDITS

HonorsDiploma

(Transfercreditsmustbepre-approvedbytheEducationCouncil)

● 4CreditsofLiterature(throughintegratedhumanities:ancient,medieval,modern, post-modern)

● 4CreditsofTheology(throughintegratedhumanities:ancient,medieval,modern, post-modern)

● 4CreditsofHistory(throughintegratedhumanities:ancient,medieval,modern, post-modern)

● 4CreditsofScience

○ Biology

○ Chemistry

○ PhysicsorHumanAnatomy

○ GeneralScienceorPhysicalScience

● 4CreditsofMath

○ AlgebraI

○ AlgebraII

○ Geometry

○ Trigonometry/Calculusorbusinessmathcourse

● 4CreditsofLanguage

○ Atleast3inLatin(additionalcreditmaybetakenoutsideofRivendellwith approval)**

● 4CreditsElectives(1music,1art,1PE,1additional)

○ Music025creditperyearthroughRivendellAcademy

○ Art0.25creditperyearthroughRivendellAcademy

○ Othercredithourscanbeobtainedthroughprivatelessons,sports,etc andmustbe pre-approvedbytheEducationCouncil**

● SeniorThesis

○ Projectsmusthavewrittencomponent

○ Musthaveanoraldefense

○ MustbeapprovedbytheEducationCouncil

Diploma

(Transfercreditsmustbepre-approvedbytheEducationCouncil)

● 4CreditsofLiterature

● 4CreditsofTheology

● 4CreditsofHistory

● 4CreditsofApprovedScience(orCreditObjectivesdetermination)

● 4CreditsMath(orCreditObjectivesdetermination)

● 2CreditsofLatin(orCreditObjectivesdetermination)

● 3CreditsElectives(1music,1art,1PE)

○ Music0.25creditperyearthroughRivendellAcademy

○ Art025creditperyearthroughRivendellAcademy

○ Othercredithourscanbeobtainedthroughprivatelessons,sports,etc.andmustbe pre-approvedbytheEducationCouncil**

● SeniorThesis

○ Projectsmusthavewrittencomponent

○ Musthaveanoralcomponent

○ MustbeapprovedbytheEducationCouncil

Certificate

● 2CreditsofLiteratureorequivalent(orCreditObjectivesdetermination)

● 2CreditsofTheologyorequivalent(orCreditObjectivesdetermination)

● 2CreditsofHistoryorequivalent(orCreditObjectivesdetermination)

● 1CreditofRhetoric/Logicorequivalent(orCreditObjectivesdetermination)

● 2CreditsofScience(orCreditObjectivesdetermination)

● 2CreditsofMath(orCreditObjectivesdetermination)

● 1CreditofLanguage(orCreditObjectivesdetermination)

● 1CreditofElective(orCreditObjectivesdetermination)

○ Othercredithourscanbeobtainedthroughprivatelessons,sports,etc andmustbe pre-approvedbytheEducationCouncil**

● SENIORTHESISmustbepre-approvedbytheEducationCouncil

DualEnrollment

RivendellStudentsareallowedtotakedualenrollmentcourses ForhelpwithDualEnrollment,the EducationCouncilandHeadofSchoolcanprovideguidance.However,in-linewiththecommitment totheentireRivendellAcademyofferedprogram,studentswillnotbeabletoreplaceRivendell AcademycoursewithDualEnrollmentcredits.

**CreditsearnedoutsideofRivendellrequire120hoursofinstruction(assignedpracticetimecancount asinstruction).

PARENTCOMMUNICATION& INVOLVEMENT

AtRivendellAcademy,werecognizethatparentsareultimatelyresponsiblefortheeducationand flourishingoftheirchildren.Webelievethateducatorsarefacilitatorsandadvisorsasparentspursue thisimportantwork

Parent-Teacherconferencesarescheduledasneeded.Weencourageteachersandparentsto communicateregularlyabouthowthestudentisdoingandtoscheduleformalmeetingsasneeded.

TeachersmaybecontactedthroughClassReachoutsideofregularworkinghours.Whenaddressing anyconcerns,parentsshouldcopytheHeadofSchooltokeeptheschoolinformedofclassroom circumstances Teacherswilldothesamewhenaddressingconcernsviaemailswithparents

Ifyouhaveaconcernaboutcurriculumcontent,RivendellAcademypolicy,orphilosophy, communicatewiththeHeadofSchool.Ifyouhavequestionsabouttheweeklyworkingsofa particularclassroom(eg,homeworkload),contacttheLeadTeacherthroughClassReach Atnotime shouldanindividualstudent’sproblembeaddressedtonon-involvedparties.Inthegreatmajorityof cases,ifyouhaveworkedpatientlyandingoodfaith,withtheteacheranddirectors,youwillfinda satisfactoryresolution.

PleasefollowMatthew18:15todeterminetheproperorderofcommunication:“Ifyourbrothersins againstyou,goandtellhimhisfault,betweenyouandhimalone.Ifhelistenstoyou,youhavegained yourbrother.”

InternetUse&SocialMedia

Studentsareheldtothesamestandardofbehaviorwhethertheyareoncampusoronlineathome Individualsagreetousethesetechnologicaltoolshonorablyandresponsibly.

Thefollowingisnotpermitted:

● Sendingordisplayingoffensivemessagesorintimatepictures

● Usingobscene,vulgar,orprofanelanguage

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

● Textingorsocialmediainteractionwithteachers

ClassReachcommunicationispermittedforstudents,parents,andteachers

ComputerUseinClass

ThegeneralstanceofRivendellAcademyisthatcomputersandtheinternetaregood,andthattheyare excellentexamplesoftheresultofmankindapplyingGod-givenskills,talents,andunderstandingsto solveproblems.However,wealsobelievethegoodnessofsuchthingsisonlyrealizedwhentheyare

usedastoolsandmustbeguardedcarefully,asthesetechnologiesarealsoagravedangerwhenuseis unrestricted.

Forthesereasons,Primarystudentsarerestrictedtonotusinganysuchdevices phones,tablets, smartwatches,etc. fromthetimetheyaredroppedoffatschooluntilthetimetheyarepickedupor formallydismissedoncepick-uphasended Thereareonlythreeexceptionstothis:1)CLTtesting,2) thestudenthasadiscipleshipplan,wherebothteachersandparentsareinagreement,forallowableuse whichoverridesthispolicy,3)Teacherdirectlyasksastudenttousitforonespecifictask e.g.,toclick thecorrectanswertoaLatinquestioninPictaDictaprogram.

SecondaryPrepstudentswillabidebythesamepolicyasPrimarystudents,withoneexception. SecondaryPrepstudentsareallowedtoformallyrequestandreceivepreemptiveapprovalfromteacher, incoordinationwithadministrationandparents,thataspecificlengthywritingassignmentisallowed tobecompletedusingawordprocessorprogramonacomputer.Sucharrangementsstandforonly oneassignment.SuchrequestscanbesubmittedtotheclassroomteacherinaClassreachmessage,and approvalofsuchwillrequiresignedconsentofparents.Anyapproveduseofcomputersmustabideby theinternet,typingproficiency,andlengthguidelinesoutlinedbelowforSecondarystudents

Secondarystudentsareallowedtousecomputersforlongerwritingassignmentswithoutanyformal preemptiverequestingprocess However,theymustreceiveverbalapprovalfromtheclassroomteacher presidingoverthecurrentclasstousethecomputer.Suchuseofcomputersmustconformtothe followingguidelinesandparameterswhichareintendedtosafeguardfrompotentialdangersaswellas fromafalseunderstandingthattypingisalwaysfaster.Thetimerequiredtotakecomputersout,turn themon,etc issimplynotovercomeifastudenthasinsufficienttypingproficiencies

ComputeruseGuidelinesandParameters:

● InternetUse:Theonlyacceptableuseisforwordprocessing.Computersusedinlinewith theseparametersshouldnotevenbeconnectedtointernet.Nootherprogramsshouldbe openedoraccessedduringregularschoolhours Ifateachernoticesinternetconnectionthatis consideredinternetuse

● TypingProficiency:Studentsmusthavetheabilitytotypeproficientlywithoutconstantly lookingatkeyboardtosearchforletters.Ifateachernoticesastudentusing“hunt-and-peck” methodoftyping,thestudentwillbeaskedtoclosecomputerandcontinueassignmentusing pen/pencilandpaper.Aftersuchaninfraction,studentswillneedtoprovetypingproficiency toHeadofSchoolpriortohavingcomputeruseprivilegesrestored.

○ Studentswhowouldliketolearntotypeproficientlyshouldaskparents/teachersfor recommendationsforhowtolearn Learningtotypeprogramsabound,someareeven

free,and30-40wpmproficiencycanusuallybegainedwithinamonthorsoof concertedeffort.

● LengthGuidelines:Computeruseforwritingassignmentsisonlyallowedforwritten assignmentswhichexceed300wordsorareexpectedtobelongerthanonefull-lengthpageof handwritingassumingcollege-ruledpaper.

Anyinternetusebreachofpolicywillalsoresultinconfiscationofcomputerandnoticetoparents Parentscanpickupconfiscatedcomputersatendofschooldayfromfrontoffice.

HEALTH&WELLNESS

Lunch

Studentswillbringpackedlunchestobeeatenintheirclassroomoroutsideiftheweatherpermits Pleasepacklunchesthatdonothavetobeheatedorrefrigerated.Pleasealsoalertusofanyallergies yourchildhassowecanaccommodateasneededandalertotherfamilies(iftheallergyisverysevere).

AtRivendellAcademy,wevaluehealthandwellness,sopleasekeepthisinmindwhenpacking lunches,asyouryoungstudentswillbelearningaboutnutrition,abalanceddiet,etc

Snacks

Parentsarewelcometosendaneasytoeatsnack(werecommendanutritioussnack)formid-morning. Wateristheonlybeverageallowedtoaccompanysnacks.

HealthRecords

RivendellAcademyshouldbenotifiedofanysevereallergiesorhealthconcerns.

AdministrationofMedicines

RivendellAcademyAdministrationmayadministerover-the-countermedicationtothechildrenin theircarebutonlywithauthorizationfromthechild’sparentorguardianthroughtheClassReach releaseform.

RivendellAcademyreservestherighttorefusetheresponsibilityofprescriptionadministrationfor anyreason Ifthisoccurs,wewillbehappytoaccommodateparentvisitsduringthedayforthe

purposeofmedicationadministration.

IllnessPolicy

Inconsiderationofyouryoungstudent’swellness,inaddition,preventingthespreadofillnesstoyour child’sclassmatesandteachers,ayoungstudentshouldbesymptom-freeafull24hoursfromthe followingbeforereturningtoonsiteclasses:

● Fever Temperatureof100degreesorabovewithouttheuseoffever-reducingmedication

● Vomiting/diarrhea

● Pleasedonotsendchildrenwithahighlycontagiousillnessessuchasstrep,hand/foot/mouth, orpinkeye(tonameafew)

GovernmentAgencyRequests

RivendellAcademyvaluesourparentpartnershipandassuchwewillnotifyparentsofanyinteraction withagovernmentagencysuchaschildprotectiveservices,asitrelatestoyourchild.Ourpolicyisas follows:

● Parentswillbenotifiedandtheirpresencerequestedpriortoagovernmentagencybeing allowedtointerviewachildduringschoolhours.

● RivendellAcademywilldoitsbesttoholdupthispolicywithanygovernmentagencybut cannotbeheldliableifwearenotabletogetaholdofafamilyorifthegovernmentagency useslegalforcetodemandtheinterview

ACADEMICSCHEDULE

Calendar

TheAcademicCalendarislocatedonourwebsite.

DailySchedule

TuesdaythroughThursdayarecoreacademicdaysonsite MondayorFridaywillbeadayforreviewat homeand“MagnumOpus,”orgreatestwork,projectswillbeassignedforthesedays.Afteralotof practicestudentswilltrytheirhandatproducingtheirbestwork.

ArrivalandDismissal

Schoolbeginsat8:30AMandendsat3:20PM Studentsmayarrivebetween8:15–8:30AMandmust bepickedupbetween3:20and3:35PMoralatepickupfeewillbeassessedtocompensatethefaculty membersthatstaylate.

Attendance

RivendellAcademyhasintentionallysetitsvacations,schedule,andstructuretoallowimportanttime forfamilies ByregisteringachildinRivendellAcademy,theparentorguardianisagreeingtothis scheduleanditislovingtothecommunityofstudentstobeinattendance Emergenciesorimportant familytimearisefromtimetotime;thereforestudentshave6academicdays*withineachsemesterfor schoolabsenceswithoutconsequencetotheircreditsunlesspre-approvalsarearranged.Weaskthatthe administrationbenotifiedassoonaspossibleforanyabsences Astudentthatsurpasses12days,ora totalof6daysinasemester,willbesubjecttoanEducationCouncilreviewwhichmayresultin retainment,apaidtutoringsupplement,orthestudentnotbeinginvitedback.

Forsickness:pleasenotifyadministrationthroughtheClassReachformprovided Forprolongedperiodsofabsence(toextendbeyondthe8academicdays):pleasegetpre-approvalfrom theHeadofSchool

MakeupWork

RegularSchoolDays:

Studentswhomissacademicinstructionshouldseektomakeuptheirwork,withhaste,upon returningtotheclassroom.Thismeansitisthedutyofthestudent(orparentinPrimaryaged students)toproactivelycommunicatewiththeteacheraboutworkneeded.Saidcommunicationcan beginpriortotheabsence,orcanbedoneinretrospect

Rivendellhasdesignatedspecifictimelines(notedbelow)toallowforworktobecompletedand turnedinbeforeitisconsideredlate Workturnedinafterthesedesignatedtimelineswillbeconsidered lateandmarkedaccordingly.

● Forabsencesthatarelessthanthreeacademicdays(thisincludespartialdays),thestudentwill havetwoacademicdaystoturnintheirmakeupwork Thetimingofthesetwodaysbegins uponreturningtoschool.

○ Forinstance:AstudentwhomissesaTuesday,shouldaskformakeupworkupon returningonWednesday.TheworkwouldthenbeduethefollowingTuesday (consideringThursdayandthefollowingTuesdaywouldbetheirtwomakeupdays)

● Forabsencesthatarethreeacademicdaysormore,thestudentwillhaveonefullweektoreturn theirwork.Thetimingofthisweekbeginswhenthestudentreturnstoschool.

○ Forinstance:AstudentwhomissesTuesday,Wednesday,andThursday(onefull academicweek),shouldaskformakeupworkuponreturningonthefollowing Tuesday.TheworkwouldthenbeduethenextTuesday(thisistwoTuesdays followingthefirstdaytheymissed).

Ifastudentweretomissmorethan8consecutiveacademicdays,pre-approvalfromtheHeadof Schoolshouldbeobtainedbeforetheabsenceoccurs.Duringtheprocessofobtainingthis pre-approvalauniquemakeupworkplanwillbeestablishedforthisuniquesituation.*

ExamDays:

Exceptforemergencycircumstances,nomake-upworkwillbeofferedformissedsemesterandfinal exams.EnrolledstudentsareexpectedtoparticipateinthefullacademicprogramatRivendell Academy.Cumulativeexamsplacedattheendofeachsemesterarepartofouracademicprogram. Missedexamswilldirectlyberecordedas0%inthegradebook.*

Theseexamsareimportanttoourprograming,butnotbecausetheydefineastudent.Whilesuch rigorousexamsdoprovideanassessmentweviewtheseexamsassomeofthemostimportantformative assessmentsintheclassroom Theyareformativeacademically Butperhapsevenmoreimportantly, theyarealsoformativeemotionallyandspiritually Studentsdoingdifficultthingsandthetenacityand properviewofsuccessandfailurethatisborninthesemomentsareextremelyvaluable.

Inlinewithourgoalofteachingformastery,ourexamsarealwayscumulativeineverycohort Semester examsarecumulativeacrossthefirstsemesterandfinalexamsarecumulativeacrosstheschoolyear.

*Emergencysituationswillobviouslybetakenintoconsideration

Tardies

Astudentwhoarriveslaterthan8:30AMisconsideredtardy Fourunexcusedtardieswithinamonth willconstituteaparentemail.A5thtardywillresultinanofficevisit.Subsequentunexcusedtardies willbetreatedasofficevisitsinaccordancewiththedisciplinepolicy.

ENROLLMENTPOLICY

SpecialNeeds

RivendellAcademyaimstoteachstudentsofallabilitylevelsthroughsolidChristianpedagogyand materials Becauseweareabletotakebothconventionalanduniquelearners,ourprogramisvery distinct.Weofferclassicalteachingasinputbutonlyexpectclassicaloutputbasedonthegiftingof eachindividualstudent.Ourteachingisdoneina“roundtable”setting,wherewemovefromthe concretetothephilosophicalasthestudentsareready.Aslongasweareabletoservethestudentwell, weareopenforenrollmentwithstudentswhostruggle Astudentneedstobeabletokeepthe disciplinepolicyandwhilewemaybeabletosupportadiagnosisandassistwithtoolsachildmayneed wedonotallowadiagnosistobeanexcuseforsin.

Anti-Discrimination&ADAStatement

RivendellAcademyadmitsstudentsandhiresemployeeswithoutregardtorace,color,nationalorigin, orethnicorigin,ensuringequalaccesstoallrights,privileges,programs,andactivitiesgenerally availabletoourschoolcommunity Wearecommittedtoupholdingapplicablenondiscriminatory policiesintheadministrationofeducationalpolicies,admissions,scholarships,loanprograms, athletics,andotherschool-administeredactivities.RivendellAcademydoesnotacceptfederalfunds.

ChildrendiagnosedwithalearningdisabilityarewelcometobeapartofRivendellAcademysolongas theycanmeet,orbeassistedtomeet,thedisciplinestandardsoftheclassroom,discussions,anddaily routine.

Studentsapplyingforadmissionsshouldhaveadesiretoreceivethisformofeducation.Wedonot mindassistingparentsinfosteringthisdesire,butthestudentneedstoattheveryleastbe“willingtobe madewilling”tobediscipledthroughaClassicalChristianeducation

5. Application

6 Enrollment

7 TuitionAgreement

TUITION

PleaseseeourtuitionpolicyHERE.

TuitionAssistance

WedonotwantfinancestobeareasonthatafamilycannotsendtheirchildrentoRivendellAcademy, whilewealsowanttobegoodstewardsofdonorfunds.Weaskthatfamiliesinneedoftuition assistanceaskgrandparents,churches,andfamilybeforeapplyingforfinancialaid Iftuitionassistance isstillnecessaryweuseathirdpartyfinancialaidprocessorcalledBenefaq Theapplicationis$35and RivendellAcademyreceivesareportrelatedtowhatafamilycanfeasiblyaffordbasedontheirfinancial portfolio.Withthisinformation,ourcommitteemakesadecisiontakingintoaccountthereportand anyextenuatingcircumstance Ourdesireisthatafamilyinneedoftuitionassistanceisabletopaya minimumof10%oftheirsalarytowardsChristianeducation,butwealsoreviewthefinancial circumstancesinmakingourdetermination.

Step1:Askforhelpfromyourchurch(manychurcheshaveeducationfunds)

Step2:ApplythroughBenefaq

Step3:Thecommitteewillreviewandmakearecommendation

Step4:Youwillbenotifiedofanyaidtobeawarded

Step5:Payyournewtuitionamountthroughmonthlytuition

1 Teacherswillevaluatestudentsregularlyforthepurposeofassessingskillandknowledge

2. Teachersareevaluatedunannouncedthroughouttheyear

3. Theadministrationwillbeassessedperiodicallybythestaff

4 Parentswillevaluatetheschoolannually

GeneralAgreement:AllparentsandstudentswhoareenrollinginRivendellAcademyaﬃrmbytheir applicationandenrollmenttheirintentionalwillingnesstoabidebytheexpectationsandrulespresentedin thishandbookandallotherschooldocuments,bothexpressedandimplied Thisincludesallpoliciesstated herein.

Disclaimer:Thereadershouldtakenoticethatwhileeveryeﬀortismadetoensuretheaccuracyofthe informationprovidedherein,RivendellAcademyreservestherighttomakechangesatanytimewithout priornotice.Parentswillbenotiﬁedofanychangestothehandbookthatoccurduringthecurrent academicyear.RivendellAcademyprovidestheinformationhereinsolelyfortheconvenienceofthereader and,totheextentpermissiblebylaw,expresslydisclaimsanyliabilitywhichmayotherwisebeincurred.