THEMISSION
ChristAcademyexistsinordertoprovideclassical,Christianeducation thatformsstudentstodisplaythesurpassinggoodnessofJesusChrist throughthoughtful,articulate,beautiful,andvirtuouslives
STATEMENTOFFAITH
WeaimtoprovideourstudentswithaChristianeducationthatleadstoChristianbeliefandpractice tothegloryofGod.Whilewewelcomedenominationaldifferences,wealsocommittoaunifying statementoffaithbasedonthehistoric,orthodoxChristianityexpressedintheancient creeds–Apostles’,Nicene,andAthanasian.
Inshort,thesecreedspresent:
● TheunityandtrinityofGod–Father,SonandHolySpirit.
● ThebenevolentcreationoftheworldbyGod
● Thebrokennessofcreation,includinghumanity,isirremediableexceptbyGod.
● TheincarnationofGodtoremedycreation’sneed.
● ThecompletebutsinlesshumanityofJesus,Godincarnate.
● TheatoningdeathofJesusandhisphysicalresurrectionplushisphysicalascension
● ThecurrentworkofGodtheHolySpirittohealcreationthroughpeoplewhofollowJesusas baptizeddisciples,integratedintoworshipingcommunities,pursuingthesinlesshumanityof Jesusintheirownlives.
● ThefuturereturnofJesustofinalizethehealingofcreation
Moredetailedaccountsofthesetheologicalandethicalstandardsappearinthefollowing post-ReformationexpressionsofChristiantheology:TheThreeFormsofUnity,theWestminster Standards,theThirty-nineArticlesofReligion,andthe1689LondonBaptistConfessionofFaith, whichofferexcellentsummariesofthescriptures.
CULTURALISSUES
OnCreation
WithScripture,ChristAcademyaffirmsthatallthecosmosisGod’scherishedcreation:“‘AndGodsaw everythingthathehadmade,andbehold,itwasverygood”(Genesis1).Hemadeittoreflecthimself (Psalm19),andheinvestedhumanitywiththespecialprivilegeofstewardingtheearthonhisbehalf
(Psalm115) AtruncatedstudyofcreationomitsGod’sinvolvementanddesign,butatChrist Academy,sincewepursue“allthetreasuresofwisdomandknowledge,”ourstudyofscienceincludes consciousengagementwithScripture.WeteachstudentstoknowGod,andthusthemselves,more fullythroughhiscreation.Innowaydoesthisdiminishtheroleofrobustintellectualengagement.To thecontrary,mathematicsandthehardsciencescracklewithmorewonderandenergywhenseenas beautiful,fascinating,nearly-bottomlessexpressionsoftheCreator.
ChristAcademyrecognizesthatwiseChristiansacrossthecenturieshavedifferedonthesignificanceof keytermsandconceptsinthecreationnarrativesofGenesis1-2 Inkeepingwithboththeclassical modelandtheChristiantradition,wethereforeinvitestudentstograpplewitharangeofperspectives regardingtheageoftheearthandGod’sprocessofcreation.Atthesametime,wemaintainan unflinchingcommitmenttoScripture’sclearteachingaboutcreation:thisisGod’shandiwork,forhis abundantgloryandhumanity’simmensejoy,andoneday,whenChristreturnstomakeallthingsnew, wewillexperienceitwithpuredelight.Untilthen,wepursuefaithfulnessaccordingtoGod’sdesign.
OnGender,Marriage,andSexuality
ChristAcademyaffirmsthatGodreservesamarriageunionforonemanandonewoman,andhe reservessexualintimacyexclusivelywithinthatmarriage.Werecognizethatthisaffirmationis out-of-synchwiththemajorityopinionin21stcenturyAmerica However,wetakeourcuesnotfrom thepopulacebutfromholyScriptureinconjunctionwithGod’speopleacrosstheages.Our convictiononthismatterfallsfirmlywithinthemainstreamofhistoric,Christianorthodoxy.
Contrarytocaricaturesandmisperceptions,ourreasoningisnotbasedonfear,nordowedemeanthe fullhumandignityofpeopleinvolvedinsame-sexrelationships,orinanynon-Biblicalexpressionof sexuality.However,weseethatGod’sdesignformarriageisinfactastillgreateraffirmationofhuman dignity:justasGodisbothone-and-many(onebeingandthreepersons),soisman-womanmarriage Inthisway,Godencodessymbolsofhisownmysteriousunity-in-diversitywithinembodiedhumanity (Eph5).Ourbodiesarepartofhischerishedcreation,andGod’sgiftofsexualpleasurefindssanction onlyinthecomplementarityofmaleandfemalebodies.AsJesushimselfsaid,ithasbeensofromthe beginning(Matt19)
InaffirmingtheseBiblicalvalues,wealsoacknowledgethatsomeindividualsfacesignificant,unwanted hurdlestolivingwithinGod’sdesignforgender,marriageandsexuality.Genderdysphoria,for example,isagenuineafflictionwithacomplexetiology AswepursuefaithfulnesstoGod’sdesign,we alsoextendcompassiontothosewhosuffer,whileconcurrentlyseekingtoshepherdthosewithinour
orbit WeexpectthatallChristAcademystudents,aswellasaffiliatedpersonnel,willdothesame This isonesignificantwaythatweloveGodwithallourbeingandourneighborasourselves.
OnSanctityofHumanLife
WebelievethatallhumanlifeissacredandcreatedbyGodinhisimage.Wethereforehaveadivine mandatetodefend,protect,andvalueallhumanlife,ateverystageofdevelopmentordegradation. Sincewearehischerishedcreatures,taskedwithimitatinghisowncharacter,wemustdelightequally intheunbornandtheelderly,thegeniusandthepersonwithcognitivedisability,theathleteandthe physicallychallenged–andeveryotherpermutationofhumanlife.AllareequallyvaluableinGod’s eyes.
PHILOSOPHYOFEDUCATION
WedisciplestudentsthrougheducationthatisrobustlyChristianandpedagogicallyclassical
ChristianeducationidentifiesJesusChristasthecenterofhumanlife.SinceChrististhehub,thecore ofallwisdomandknowledge,educationwithChristatthecenterisintegratedandharmonious, offeringstudentsanencounterwiththeinterconnectednessofalltruth
Classicaleducationstemsfromthetraditionsoftheclassicalworld,thecivilizationsofancientGreece andRome Intheclassicalworld,educationemphasizedindependenceofmind,clarityofwriting, andwinsomenessofspeaking.Theaimwastoformcitizenswhowouldbuildafreesocietythrough excellenceofmindandsoul.Theoutcomewasthebackboneof Westernsocietytoday.Sinceavirtuous societydependsonavirtuouscitizenry,classicaleducationisformativeandliberating,engagingthe wholepersonforthepurposeofshapingindividualsandcommunitiesasoutpostsofgoodness,beauty andtruth.
AtChristAcademy,weaffirmthattheoldideasoftheclassicalworldremainvitalforanewgeneration. WealsoaffirmthatalltruthhasacommonsourceintheOnewhomadeitandlivedit,the God-human,JesusChrist.Whiletoday’sstandardeducationaltheoryfragmentstruthby compartmentalizingsubjects,theclassicalmodel,groundedinChrist,pursuesaunifiedapproach.
Admittedly,wedifferentiatebetweenhumanitiesandscienceforthesakeofeducationalexcellence; giventhevastnessoftheknowledgebaseandthelimitationsofthehumanmind,itwouldbe
unreasonabletoexpectcomprehensiveexpertise Nevertheless,evenacrossfields,weseektohighlight theinterconnections.Evenmore,withinthedisciplines,weemphasizetheintegral,thewhole,nature ofknowledge.
Inallthis,ouraimistodevelopstudentswhoare,asJesussaid,“wiseasserpentsandgentleasdoves” (Matt.10:16). Inpartnershipwithparents,weteachyoungpeopletoseeJesusChristastheirexample, tofollowtheHolySpiritastheirguide,torecognizethebeautiesofGod’screation,tolovethosegood things,toparticipateindiscoveringandcelebratingthemwithothers,andinallthingstodelightinthe TriuneGodwholovesthem
PhilosophyofHumanities
Inthestudyofthehumanities–literature,history,philosophy,theology–weexposestudentstothe goldenthreadsthatJesushaswoventhroughoutthegreatartifactsofhumanculture.Theydiscover boththeconceptsandcompellingpicturesofbeauty,wisdom,virtue,justice,andhonor.They encounterabreadthoftruth,andtheylearnexcellencethroughexperiencingitfirsthand
Notably,however,thisstudyofthehumanitiesisnotmerelyamatterofintellectualacquisition.Itis alsoamoralformation.Inkeepingwiththefundamentalvaluesofclassical,Christianeducation,the studyofthehumanitiesseekstodeveloptruehumanitywithinstudents Thisunderlyinggoalinforms oureducationalmethod.
Thecurriculumfocusesondeep,extendedinteractionwithalimitedselectionofkeytexts.Insteadof information-heavylectures,instructorssupplymimeticteachingandSocraticdiscussion Students listenkeenlyinordertounderstand,develop,andpracticecriticalthinking,judiciousdiscernment,and creative,clearcommunication,bothoralandwritten.Theirinterlocutorsarenotonlythegreat thinkersandcommunicatorsofthepastwhomtheyencounterinclassictexts;theyalsoengageone anotherandeventheirteachers Overtime,throughpatientguidance,studentsinternalizethe excellenceofthetradition.TheylearntonameandownGod’sprovidentialdirectionandcare throughouthistory,acrossthebreadthofhumanpursuits.Inthiswaytheygrowmorefullyintothe humanitythatGodhascreatedforthembecauseofJesusChrist,thesourceandmodelofalltruth
PhilosophyofBible
AtChristAcademy,aswiththestudyofallthings,weapproachtheBiblethroughthepersonofJesus Christ.Hewasbothdivineandhuman,andsowehavewarrantforaffirmingtheBibleasbothdivine
andhuman HewasGod’sWordinhumanflesh,andsowehavejustificationfornamingtheBibleas God’sWordinhumanwords.SinceJesusspoketruthineverythinghesaid,wemaylegitimatelyclaim theBible’struthinallthatitsays.
WhatitsaysaboveallisthatGodtheCreatorsodelightsinhiscreationthatheremainedcommittedto itwhenevilinvaded,thatheorchestrateditsredemptionsofullythatheenterediteveningreatpain, andthatonedayhewillrevealthefullnessofthisredemptionforallwhoreceivehisholistic,masterful, graciouskingship Insayingallthis,Scriptureisutterlyclear
However,Scripturesaysmorethanthis.InnarratingGod’sredemptivedrama,italsoinstructsGod’s peopleinthefullnessofGod’swisdom,andinthisexpansiveinstructionnotalldetailsareequally clear TheBibleistrueinallthatitsays,but,alongwithwiseChristiansacrossthecenturies,indeed witheventheapostlesandprophetsandJesushimself,weacknowledgethatidentifyingwhatScripture saysrequiresskillfulattentiontothepragmaticsofhumanlanguage.ScriptureisGod’sself-revelation writteninthecustomsofordinaryhumanity;itiseternaltruthconveyedthroughourconventions,or rather,throughtheconventionsofourforebearsinancientcultures
AtChristAcademy,weaimtoeducatestudentsinthefullnessofGod’swisdom,andinhandling Scripture,whilewestartwithwhatisclear,wecontinueintowhatislessclear.Inallthis,wemaintaina firmgraspupon JesusChrist,inwhomarefoundallthetreasuresofwisdomandknowledge
PhilosophyoftheArts
Sinceweaimtoformanexpansivehumanitywithinourstudents,weloadoureducationwithbroad exposuretothebeautyofvisual,musical,andperformativeart.BeautyisitselfanencounterwithGod; healoneisbeautyitself.ThefourthcenturytheologianGregoryofNazianzenlikenedGodtothe “beautyandgreatnessoftheheavens,”onlywithinfinitelymoresplendor.
Thearts,then,areagiftfromGod.Theypenetratebeneaththefabricofourcognitiontoprovideus withalived-experienceofGod’sbeing,butnotinawaythatreplacesGod.SinceonlyGodhimself fullysatisfiesthehumanheart,theartscanonlystiranappetiteforGod;theygiveatasteofhisbeauty, movingus,shapingustodiscoverthefullnessoflifeinhimthroughJesusChrist Aneducation withoutbeautyisthusincomplete.
AtChristAcademy,weteachmusicasthesoundandrhythmofbeauty Thevisualartsarethe appearanceofbeauty.Performativeartsengageearsandeyeswiththemovementofbeauty.We
recognizethatstudentsmaydifferintheirappreciationofthearts,butwealsoacknowledgethat appreciationofartrequirestrainingincommunity.Wehelpourstudentstodevelopaloveforbeauty byteachingthemitscomponentsthroughlingeringencounterwithitsmostcelebratedexpressions.We alsonurtureourstudentsintheirownartisticproductionsbecause,justasGodhasgiventheartsin ordertorevealsomethingofhimselfforourjoy,sohecallsus,inimitationofhimself,todevelopand deployourartisticabilitiesforthesakeofothers’delight.
PhilosophyofLanguage
Inthecontextofaschooleducation,theplaceoflanguagemayseemsoobviousasnottomerit commentorexplanation However, inthespiritofcriticalthinkingandclearcommunication,itis worthwhiletosaythreethingsabouthowChristAcademyviewslanguage.
(1) All languageisasmallparticipationinJesusChrist.Insayingthis,wedonotmeanthat languageofferssalvificencounterwithJesus,butwedomeanthat,likebeauty,languageisa windowontothedivinebeing.Godhimself,asFather,SonandHolySpirit,iseternally communicatinginwholerelationships;thethreepersonsareperpetuallyunifiedin understanding.IntheincarnationofJesus,GodtheSonembodiedthiseternal communication.AswereadinJohn’sgospel,“hemadeknown”theinvisibleGod.Jesuswas (andis)theWordmadeflesh.Whenwecommunicate,wearefaintlybutgenuinelyimitating thismystery
(2) Alllanguageislimited.WewillneverfullycapturethemysteryofGod.Wewillneverexhaust thewondersofthought Therewillalwaysbemoretosay Whenweacceptthislimitation,we liveinthetruth,andweopenourselvestoaworldofdiscoverywithincommunity
(3) Alllanguagehasaheritage.Thesoundsandstructuresofourcommunicationhavedeveloped overtimeasGod’sprovidencehasdirectedhumanculture WithintheWesternculturethatwe inhabit,theterm“trivium”referstotime-testedinstructionintheartandskilloflanguage. Classicaleducationtakesthetrivium initsdivisionsofgrammar,logic,andrhetoric tobe themostrefinedandusefulapproachtolanguagewithinourheritage.
AtChristAcademy,weseethevalueofthetriviumasfollows:
● Grammaristheproperpracticeofalanguage’srulesandrhythms.InteachingtheEnglish language,thestudyofLatinisespeciallyuseful;itilluminatesthegrammaticalstructuresand vocabularyofEnglish,anditconnectsustoourlinguisticheritage.
● Logicistheuseoflanguagetoconstructmeaningfulargument;itisalsotheartofthinking thatundergirdstheuseoflanguage.TheLatinlanguageplaysaroleinthisstudyaswell;its exactnessofsyntaxsupportstheformationoflogicalhabitsofthemind.Thestudyofformal logicexpandsthemind’scapacitytothinkandcommunicateclearly. Butthebenefitoflogicisnotonlycognitive:itisalsoaffective therearebenefitsfortheheart Learningtothinkcriticallyhelpstoguardagainstconfusingtheloveoftruthwiththeloveof beingright.Italsohelpstoproducehumility,empathy,andawillingnesstolistentotheother.
● Rhetoricistheartofdiscoursethatseekstoconvinceandtransformthroughgoodnessand life-givingpersuasion TraininginRhetoricbeginswithdelightinginwhatisbeautifullysaid, whetherliterature,poetry,Scriptureorotherwrittenorspokenword.Asourstudentscome intoalargestoreofwell-saidphrasesthroughencounterandevenmemorization,theybeginto learnandpracticethefiveclassicalcanonsofrhetoric:invention,style,arrangement,delivery, andmemory Theclarityoftheclassicallanguageshelpforminourstudentsthehabitsof fluencyandeloquenceinexpression.
PhilosophyofMathematicsandScience
AtChristAcademy,weplaceahighvalueonmathandsciencebecauseweplaceahighervalueonJesus Christ.Heisthemasterofthecreationwhosedetailandstructureweexplore,andheistheonein whom“allthingsholdtogether”(Col1) SincewewanttoknowChrist,weinvestigatehishandiwork
Further,sinceourgoalisrelationshipwithourcreator,notsimplyawarenessofhim,webeginthe studyofmathandsciencebycultivatinghappycuriosity.Jesushimselfdelightsinhiscreation,andwe learntoknowhimwellbyimitatinghisownappreciationforthemarvelsofbugsandstarsand algorithmsandformulae.Fromthisstartingpoint,studentswhoexcelinmathandsciencereceivea compellinginvitationtohumilityandgratitude,studentswithoutnaturalaptitudeformathand sciencemayfindencouragementandjoy,andallstudentshearthecalltostewardcreation,astheir studiesannouncetheprimacyofJesusChrist
Excellenceinmathandscienceundoubtedlyrequiresmemorizationofmanyfacts,butsinceourgoalis knowledgeofChrist,ourapproachheredoesnotenshrinedataacquisitionasthehighmarkof excellence Rather,weusethefactsasspringboardsintothedeepskillsofinquiry,observation, reasoning,documentation,andpersuasion.Acrossthecenturies,theseskillshavefedscientific enterpriseinserviceofthecommongood,whichwewantstudentstounderstand;asweexplore variousaxiomsandtheoremsandmethods,wealsocelebratetheconnectionstoournotable predecessors.
Inotherwords,studentsreceiveaneducationthatintegratesinformationwithincommunity.This leads,then,toaharmonioussenseofplacewithinavenerabletraditionofgreatscientistsand mathematicians.Evenmore,itushersstudentsalongthepathofsatisfying,genuinehumanity;they discoverthewayoflifethatprioritizestruthforthesakeofgoodnessandbeautyinrelationship And inthatwayoflife,studentsencounteryetanotherplaneofcoherence:theyimitateChrist,theonewho createdthetheaterformathandscienceinthefirstplace.
OURCULTURE
UniformPolicy
SEEUNIFORMPOLICY
DisciplinePolicy
Werecognizethatmaintainingawell-disciplinedclassroomiskeytolearning Webelievethat “Knowledgewithoutvirtueisdangerous.”Therefore,encouragingvirtuousbehaviorthatstemsfrom theheartisasimportantasencouragingexcellenceinmathandgrammar.Astudent’sbehavior, attitude,andphysicaldispositionshouldcontributepositivelytotheclassroomenvironmentand ChristAcademy’svalueofshapinggodlycharacter Ourruleissimpleformaintainingthisdisciplined atmosphere:“Loveyourneighborasyourself.”
ChristAcademyusesastructureddisciplineplanwhilevaryingtheconsequencesbasedontheframe ofthestudentandtheparent’sinput. Althoughourmethodofhelpingstudentsreachthestandard of“lovingGodandlovingourneighbor”maybedifferent,thestandardremains. Anydisciplinary actionmustbedoneinlovewiththehopeofrestoration.
CLASSROOMDISCIPLESHIP
WeloveGodbylovingoneanother,andmutualrespectisakeymarkofGod-honoringlove.Students areexpectedtobehaveinawaythatfostersrespectforboththeirteachersandtheirfellowstudents Teachershavetheresponsibilitytoguidestudentsinthispursuitofrespect.Generalbehaviorsthat willbehandledwithinaclassroomsettingareasfollows:
● Nuisancebehaviortoteacherorstudents
● Inappropriateuseofclassroommaterial
● Minorclassroomdisruptions
Infractionsofthisnaturewillbehandledwithverbalwarningsbyfaculty.Threeclassroominfractions inadaywillresultinanofficevisit.
OFFICEVISITS
OvertbehaviorswhichrequireofficeinvolvementnecessitateparentnotificationviaClassReach. Dependingontheseverityoftheinfraction,studentsmayneedtobepickedupimmediatelyfrom schooland/ormayneedtoattendadisciplinaryhearing. Fordisciplinetobeeffective,itisimperative forteachersandparentstoworkasateam.Ifthiscannotbeaccomplished,astudentmayneedtobe unenrolleduntilsuchatimeasanagreementcanbereached
Overtbehaviorsareasfollowsandwillconstituteanimmediateofficevisit:
● Flagrantdisrespectshowntostaff
● Dishonesty(eg,lying,cheating,stealing)
● Disruptive,angryoutbursts
● Anyviolationofourelectronicdevicepolicy
● Defiance(e.g.,outrightdisobedience,consistentcorrection,orrebellion)
● Fighting(eg,strikingwiththeintentiontoharmanotherstudentinangerandnotforthe purposeofself-defense)
● Bullying(i.e.,whenastudentdeliberatelydesirestodoharmtoanotherstudentduringor outsideofschool,thisincludescyber-bullying)
● Actsthatendangerthelivesofanotherpersonoroneself
● Threatsofviolence,verbalorwritten
● Vandalism
● Theftonoroffcampus
● Intentionalmisuseuseofschoolpropertyorfacility
● Foullanguage(e.g.,obscene,vulgar,profane)
● Romanticdisplaysofaffection(e.g.,kissing,hugging,hand-holding)
● Inappropriatesexualconduct(e.g.,anysexualactivityoutsideofmarriage,inappropriate touching,useofpornography,etc)
● Illegalsubstanceabuse(e.g.,drugoralcoholuse)
● Weaponsoncampus
● Engaginginbehaviorthatsuggestsawillfulviolationofthereligiousbeliefsandpracticesof theschool
DEGREESOFDISCIPLINEFOROFFICEVISITS
Thedegreeofdisciplinedependsontheseverityoftheoffenseandfallssomewherealong(butnot limitedto)thiscontinuum. Weholdthatpublicoffensewillneedapublicapologyandprivate offenseaprivateapology Thegoalofdisciplineistobringastudentbackintofellowship Afteran officevisitthestudentwillbeaskedtoseekforgivenessoftheindividualorgroupthatthestudenthas sinnedagainst.
Potentialconsequencesforanofficevisit(parentswillbenotified):
● Removingofsomeprivilege(e.g.,recess)
● Awrittenreflectionregardingtheoffense
● Communityservice(e.g.,janitorialwork)
● Senthome(eg,earlypick-up)
● Disciplinehearingthatmayresultinthefollowing:
o Parentalattendanceduringtheschoolday
o Working,on-campussuspension
o Off-campussuspension
o Expulsion
RE-ADMITTANCE
Shouldastudentwhowasexpelled,orwhowithdrewtopreventexpulsion,desiretobereadmittedto ChristAcademyatalaterdate,theywouldneedtore-applyatthattime.
ELECTRONICDEVICEPOLICY
Useofpersonalelectronicdevices(i.e.phones,smartphones,portablegamingdevices,smartwatches etc)bystudentsisprohibitedoncampus
Studentswhowishtocarryaphonewiththemtoschoolwillsecuretheirphonesinalocking, school-issuedpouchforthedurationoftheschoolday Ifthestudentneedstousethephoneduring thedayforanapproveduse,itmaybeunlockedbyofficepersonnelandusedforthatpurposeunder officesupervision.Phoneswillbeunlockedatthegatewhenstudentsaredismissedattheendofthe schoolday.
Useoflaptopsispermissibleforsecondaryacademicpurposesonlyunderthepre-approveddirection andsupervisionofateacher.
Violations:
● Afirstviolationofthispolicywillresultinimmediateconfiscationofthedevice,tobereleased toaparentorguardian.
● AsecondviolationofthispolicywillresultinaparentconferencewiththeHeadofSchool
● Athirdviolationofthispolicywillresultinadisciplinaryhearing ChristAcademyacceptsnoresponsibilityforuse,breakage,theft,orlossofphonesorotherpersonal items.Overridingallthesedetails,theschoolreservestherighttoactaswedeemnecessaryinany situation
ACADEMICDISCIPLINE
Studentsareexpectedtocompleteassignmentsinatimelymannerandtocommunicateinadvance withteachersinthecaseofextenuatingcircumstances Teacherswillinformstudentsifanassignment extensioniswarranted.
● Amissedassignmentwillbeenteredasa“0”inClassReachuntilsubmitted,andthefollowing latepercentageswillapply: 10%fornotbeingsubmitted,20%forthe2nddayandone percentagepointthereafter. Astanding“0”willmeanthestudentneversubmittedthework.
● RepeatedlateormissingassignmentswillresultinateachernotifyingparentsandtheHeadof School.
● Patternsofnotturninginassignmentsontimewillnecessitateaparentmeeting andstudents may havetostayafterschoolfordetention.
CHEATINGANDPLAGIARISM
Cheatingisdefinedasbreakingtherulesofanassignmentorassessment,forexample,copyingafellow student’sworkwithoutaninstructor’spermission,talkingduringanassessment, orunfairlyaccessing notesduringanexam
Plagiarismisamajorsubsetofcheating,principallyinregardstowrittenassignments.Itisdefinedas usinganotherperson’sideasorwordswithoutprovidingapropercitation.
Ifeithercheatingorplagiarismisnoticed,theassignmentorassessmentwillimmediatelyreceivea0 ParentsandHeadofSchoolwillbenotifiedandaformalDisciplineFormwillbeenteredinto ClassReach.. Asecondcheatingorplagiarisminfractionwillresultinadisciplinaryhearing.
DRESSCODE VIOLATION
Ifadresscodeviolationisobservedbyfaculty,theywillinformofficestaffwhowillalertparents throughaClassReachdresscodeviolationform Afterfourdresscodeviolations,anofficevisitand emailwillfollow. Afterthefifthviolationwithinasemesterthestudentwillbesenthome.
Subsequentdresscodeviolationswillresultinofficevisitsinaccordancewiththedisciplinepolicy. Overridingallthesedetails,theschoolreservestherighttoactaswedeemnecessaryinanysituation
*Adresscodepolicyviolationissomethingthatcannotbecorrectedimmediatelyinclass.
OURPROGRAM
OnCurriculum
AtChristAcademy,webelievethatcurriculumisanessentialtool,butthatitistheteacherwhobrings educationtolifethroughuseofthattool Assuch,inadditiontousingvariouscurriculaanda developedlistofskillsandobjectiveswewillobtainthemostqualifiedanddedicatedteacherspossible: teacherswhoexemplifyaloveoflearningandpointstudentstoJesusChristthroughimmersingtheir teachingingoodness,beauty,andtruth
PHILOSOPHYOFGRADING
GradingPolicy
GradesatChristAcademydonotinanywayreflecttheimmeasurableworthandvalueofeachchild madeinGod’simage,butrathertheyareareflectionofthequalityofworkinagivenfieldofstudyata giventime.AtChristAcademy,gradesservethreebasicpurposes:
● Tohelpstudentstoimprove
● Todeterminethebestplacementlevelconsideringacademicability
● Toprovideajustandlegitimatemeansofholdingstudentsaccountableforthequalityoftheir work
Gradesprovideawidelyunderstoodmeansofcommunicatingprogressandachievementtoparents andotherpartiessuchascollegeentranceboardsorotherschoolstowhichthestudentmaytransfer.
IndividualGrades
ChristAcademywilluseauniquemethodofgradingthatensuresstudentshavetimetopracticebefore theyreceiveagrade.Thisgradingsystememploysthreegradedesignations:SoftGrades,PracticeWork Grades,andMagnumOpus(“greatwork”)Grades.SoftGradesarenotrecordedinthegradebook; theirpurposeistoprovidestudentsregularfeedbackregardingnewconcepts PracticeWorkGradesare utilizedafterconceptshavebeenintroducedandattemptedbutbeforetheyareexpectedtohavebeen mastered.Theseare“dailyassignment”typeofgradesandarerecordedinthegradebookbutaregiven farlessweightthanMagnumOpusgrades.MagnumOpusassignmentsincludeworkthatisexpected tobemastered:tests,quizzes,recitationsofmemorizedmaterial,end-of-unitprojectsandpapers, in-classdebates,etc.Thesegradesmoregreatlyaffectoverallstandings.Consistentwitheducatingthe wholechild,bothattitudeandeffortwillbeconsideredwithinourgradingsystems.
GradingScale
Secondary Primary
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
Below70:Studentdoesnotknowmaterialwell enoughtocontinueinthisfieldofstudywithout assistance*
90+ExcellentUnderstanding
80+GoodUnderstanding
70+Strugglingtomaster
Below70-Willneedsomeassistance
*Below70:Parentswillbeaskedtoprovideassistanceathomeand/ortutoring.Studentmay beplacedon AcademicProbationforthenextsemester
FailingandRetakes
Retakeswillbelefttotheteacher’sdiscretion. Astudentwhohassimplyfailedanassignmentfora lackofunderstandingmaybegivenanotheropportunitytoprovetheirunderstandingafterfurther practice Astudentwhoneglectedtheirstudiesandthereforefailed,maynotbegivenaretake opportunity.
Ifastudentfailsanentirecourse,thestudent,parents,andteacherwillmeetwiththeHeadofSchool todeterminethebestcourseofactionforthestudent Circumstances,understandingofdirections andeffortwillallbetakenintoconsideration.
Parentswillbenotifiedatleastthreeweeksbeforetheendofthegradingperiodiftheirstudentisin jeopardyoffailing
ParentHonorCode
Thefollowingparagraphsarerepresentativeofcommitmentsthatweexpectfromparents
OnParentalInvolvement
IamplacingmychildasastudentatChristAcademybecauseIcareaboutmychildbeingeducated bothincharacterandinacademics. IunderstandthatmychildwillbeeducatedwithinaChristian worldview.IacceptthatlovingGodandlovingneighborarefundamentalvaluesofChristAcademy.I alsounderstandthatIhaveultimateresponsibilitytonurturemychild’sfaithbymodelingthelifeof Christthroughactsofhumilityanddevotion,incommunitywithhispeople,undertheguidanceof mychurch.
OntheImportanceofParticipationandPunctuality
Onewayweenactloveforoneanotherisbybeingontime,present,andrespectful Theleadershipof ChristAcademyhasworkedtodevelopaschoolschedulethatallowsforsolidfamilytimeduring summers,holidaysandvariousbreaks. Forthisreason,Iunderstandthatschoolattendanceisawayof lovingteachersandclassmatesandIwillensurethatmychildispresentandontimeunlessan emergencyarises.Incasesofplannedabsencesorimportantfamilytime,Iunderstandthatitismy
responsibilitytocommunicatewiththeteachersandmakeaplanfortheclasstimemychildwillmiss withoutputtinganexcessiveburdenontheteachers.Ialsounderstandthatpoorattendancemaycause mychildtofallbehind.
OntheFunctionofUniforms
IunderstandthataUniformPolicyisawayoflovingthosearoundusbyrespectingaunifiedand meaningfulrepresentationofourschoolculture,includingprofessionalism,modestyandourdistinct values Iwillmakesurethatmychildfollowstheuniformpolicysothatthiscultureismaintained
OnAdherencetotheDisciplinaryProcess
Inkeepingwiththereligious(spirituallyformative)intentionsofChristAcademy’smission,I understandthatmychildneedstosubmittotheauthorityofChristAcademyfacultyandstaffduring schoolevents Further,behavioroutsideofschoolhoursthatviolatesthishonorcodeisalsoamatterof interestandconcernfortheschoolaswell.Ialsounderstandthatadesignationof“specialneeds”does notexcuseastudentfromcommittingbehaviorcategorizedasa“seriousdisciplinecase.” Ifurther understandthatIwillbeultimatelyresponsibleformychild’sbehaviorwhileatChristAcademyand thereforewillfollowthedirectivesoftheschoolasoutlinedbelow.
(1) IfadisciplinenotecomeshomefromateacherorDean/HeadofSchool,IunderstandthatI needtoworkwithmychildonchangingbehaviorthroughtheheart Thiswillinclude encouragingthepursuitofforgivenessfromanyonewhohasbeenwronged.
(2) Ifmychildcontinuestoincurinfractions,he/shewillreceivedisciplineinkeepingwiththe policyoutlinedinthishandbook(above) Atschoolleadership’sdiscretion,Imayneedto developaplan,inconjunctionwithChristAcademypersonnel, designedtoremedymychild’s disruptivebehavior.
(3) Ifmychildremainsunresponsivetocorrection, Iunderstandthatmychildmaybesubjecttoa disciplinaryhearingasoutlinedbythedisciplinepolicyofthishandbook.Ialsoagreethatifmy childissubjecttoadisciplinaryhearingbeforetheschoolboard,Iwillabidebytheboard's decision Iftheschoolboarddecidestosuspendorexpelmychild,Iunderstandthattuition willnotbereimbursed
Evenamidstthedisciplinaryprocess,teacherswillendeavortopromotetheeducationalsuccessofthe student.
StudentHonorCode
ThosewhoareledbytheSpiritofGodarethechildrenofGod.TheSpirityoureceiveddoesnotmakeyou slaves,sothatyouliveinfearagain;rather,theSpirityoureceivedbroughtaboutyouradoptiontosonship. Andbyhimwecry,“Abba,Father”TheSpiritHimselftestifieswithourspiritthatweareGod’schildren Nowifwearechildren,thenweareheirs–heirsofGodandco-heirswithChrist,ifindeedweshareinHis sufferingsinorderthatwemayalsoshareinHisglory.
(fromRomans8:14-17)
AsachildofGod,co-heirwithChrist,andledbytheSpirit,IdesiretohonorGod,myfamily,my teachers,andChristAcademy.Iwillendeavortobehonorableincharacter,honestinwordanddeed, andrespectfulandlovingtoothers.
Icommittodiligentstudy,patientreflection,andrespecttoallplacedinauthorityoverme Together withfellowstudents,IamastewardofChristAcademyandcommitmyselftothepursuitofTruth, theloveoftheGood,andthecultivationofBeautyasIembracethehighcallingofaliberalarts education.
InternetUseandSocialMedia
Studentsareheldtothesamestandardofbehaviorwhethertheyareoncampusoronline.Students agreetousethesetechnologicaltoolshonorablyandresponsiblywiththeintenttoupholdthewitness andbeliefsofChristAcademy.Inthatspiritofconsistency,thefollowingarenotpermitted:
● Sendingordisplayingoffensivemessagesorintimatepictures
● Usingobscene,vulgar,orprofanelanguage
● Harassing,tormenting,threatening,embarrassing,humiliating,insulting,orattackingothers
● Textingorsocialmediainteractionwithteachers (Werecognizethatsomestudentshave relationshipswithteachersoutsideofschoolandtheremaybenon-school-relatedreasonsto sendoccasionaltextmessages.)
ClassReachcommunicationispermittedforstudents,parents,andteachers
HEALTHANDWELLNESS
Lunch
Studentswillbringpackedlunchestobeeatenintheschoollunchroom Pleasealerttheofficeofany allergiesyourchildhassowecanaccommodateasneededandalertotherfamilies(iftheallergyisvery severe).Whenpackinglunches,pleasekeepthefollowinginmind:
● Lunchesshouldbenutritiousandwell-balancedtohelpprovideenergytofocusonlearning forthedurationoftheschoolday.
● Pleasepacklunchesthatdonotneedheatingorrefrigeration.Thesearenotaccessibleto studentsduringtheday
● Sugarydrinkslikepop/sodaandthosewithfooddyesarenotpermitted.
Snacks
Studentsarewelcometobringanutritious,easy-to-eatsnackformid-morning Wateristheonly beverageallowedtoaccompanysnacks.
HealthRecords
AllstudentsattendingChristAcademymusthaveonrecordwiththeschooleitheracurrent immunizationrecordoranexemptionstatement,accordingtoOregonstatecode,beforestarting classesinthefall.ImmunizationrecordsarecollectedinClassReach.ChristAcademyshouldalsobe notifiedofanysevereallergiesorhealthconcerns
AdministrationofMedicines
ChristAcademyofficestaffiswillingtoadministeranyover-the-countermedicationtothechildrenin theircareonlywithauthorizationfromthechild’sparentorguardian.Prescriptionmedicationcanbe administeredonlywhenthefollowingconditionsaremet:
● ThemedicineisbroughttoChristAcademyinitsoriginalcontainerbytheparentandis delivereddirectlytothedesignatedadministrators.Undernocircumstancesshouldachild handlehisorhermedication.
● Anotefromtheprescribingdoctorisprovidedthatstatesdosage,frequency,andalistof
possiblesideeffects Pharmacy-printedinformationmaybeacceptedinlieuofadoctor’s note.
● ChristAcademyreservestherighttorefusetheresponsibilityofprescription administrationforanyreason.Ifthisoccurs,wewillbehappytoaccommodateparent visitsduringthedayforthepurposeofmedicationadministration
IllnessPolicy
Inconsiderationofyourstudent’swellness,andtopreventthespreadofillnesstoyourchild’s classmatesandteachers,astudentshouldbesymptom-freeafull24hoursfromthefollowingbefore returningtoonsiteclasses:
● Fever-Temperatureof100.4degreesorabovewithouttheuseoffever-reducingmedication
● Vomiting/diarrhea
● Pleasedonotsendchildrenwithhighlycontagiousillnessessuchasstrep,hand/foot/mouth,or pinkeye(tonameafew)
ACADEMICSCHEDULE
Calendar
TheAcademicCalendarislocatedhereonourwebsite
ArrivalandDismissal
Studentsareabletoarrivebetween7:50and8:00AM. Studentswhoarrivepriorto7:50mustwaitin theircarsuntilthegateopens.Schoolendsat3:00PMandstudentsneedtobepickedupnolaterthan 3:10PM. Ifyourchildisnotpickedupby3:10,youwillreceiveaphonecallinquiringaboutyour status Tohonorourteachers,ifyoupickupafter3:10,youwillbecharged$500forevery5minutes youarelate–arrivalsbetween3:11and3:15willbecharged$5,between3:16and3:20willbecharged $10,etc.(thismoneywillgotothewillingteacherssittingwithyourchild).
Attendance
ChristAcademyhasintentionallysetitsvacations,schedule,andstructuretoallowimportanttimefor families. ByregisteringachildinChristAcademy,theparentorguardianisagreeingtothisschedule anditislovingtothecommunityofstudentsandfacultytobeinattendance Emergenciesor importantfamilytimearisefromtimetotime;thereforestudentshaveupto8academicdays*for unforeseenschoolabsenceswithoutconsequencetotheircreditsunlesspre-approvalsarearranged. We askthattheofficestaff,teachersandHeadofSchool benotifiedassoonaspossibleforanyabsences
● Forordinaryillness,appointmentsorvacations: pleasefillouttheStudentAbsenceRequest formonClassReach.Pleasealsosendanemailtoyourstudent’steacher(s)informingthemof theabsence.
● Forprolongedperiodsofabsence-plannedoremergencywhichwillextendbeyondthe8 academicdays: pleasegetpre-approvalfromtheHeadofSchool.
*Emergencysituationswillobviouslybetakenintoconsideration
Tardies
Atthebeginningoftheday,studentsareconsideredtardyiftheyarenotseatedinthechapelat8AM Fourunexcusedtardieswithinamonthwillconstituteaparentemail A5thtardywillresultina meetingbetweentheHeadofSchoolandparentstoaddressthepersistenttardiness.
InclementWeather
Incasesofinclementweather,schedulechangeswillbecommunicatedviaClassReachnolaterthan 6:30AMonthedayinquestion.
ENROLLMENTPOLICY
Anti-DiscriminationandADAStatement
ChristAcademyadmitsstudentsandhiresemployeeswithoutregardtorace,color,nationalorigin,or ethnicorigin,ensuringequalaccesstoallrights,privileges,programs,andactivitiesgenerallyavailable toourschoolcommunity.Wearecommittedtoupholdingapplicablenondiscriminatorypoliciesinthe
administrationofeducationalpolicies,admissions,scholarships,loanprograms,athletics,andother school-administeredactivities.ChristAcademydoesnotacceptfederalfunds.
ChildrendiagnosedwithalearningdisabilityarewelcometobeapartofChristAcademysolongas theycanmeet,orbeassistedtomeet,thedisciplinestandardsoftheclassroom,discussions,anddaily routine Studentsapplyingforadmissionsshouldhaveadesiretoreceivethisformofeducation Wedo notmindassistingparentsinfosteringthisdesire,butthestudentneedstoattheveryleastbe“willing tobemadewilling”tobediscipledthroughaClassicalChristianeducation.
GeneralAgreement:AllparentsandstudentswhoareenrollinginChristAcademyaffirm bytheirapplicationandenrollmenttheirintentionalwillingnesstoabidebytheChristian conduct(wordanddeed)presentedinthishandbookandallotherschooldocuments,both expressedandimplied. ThisincludestheStatementofFaith,CulturalIssues,andallpolicies statedherein.
OrdinaryEnrollmentProcess
1. GeneralInquiry
2 FamilyInterviewRequest
3. AdmissionsInterview
4. AcademicTesting
5. AssessmentofStudentApplication
6 AcceptanceApplication
7. Enrollment
8. TuitionAgreement
TuitionAssistance
FamiliesmayapplyforTuitionAssistance. PriortoseekingfinancialaidfromChristAcademy,they arestronglyurgedtoseekassistancefromtheirfamily,churches,andfriends Wearepartneringin educationwithfamilies,andwearerunsolelyonprivatefunds.Hence,everydollarnotcollectedin tuitionisadollarthatmustberaisedthroughdonations. Thebestadvocatesforachildaretheir parentsandfamily. However,wealsodonotwantfinancestobethereasonafamilydoesnotattend ChristAcademy;thereforefinancialaidmaybeofferedundercertaincircumstancesofextremeneed Multi-studentaidmaybeavailableunderspecifiedcircumstances.
1 Applicantswillbecategorizedfromthegreatestfinancialneedtotheleastfinancialneed
2. TuitionassistancerequestswillbehandledthroughBenefaq,ourthird-partyfinancialaid processingpartner.Familiesmayrequestalinktotheapplicationfromtheschooloffice. Financialaidapplicationswillbeassesseda$35fee.
EVALUATIONS
1. Teacherswillevaluatestudentsregularlyforthepurposeofassessingskillandknowledge.
2 Teachersareevaluatedunannouncedthroughouttheyear
3 Theadministrationwillbeassessedperiodicallybythestaff
4. ParentswillhaveopportunitytoprovideconstructivefeedbackontheeducationChrist Academyoffers.
Disclaimer
Every effort is made toensuretheaccuracyoftheinformationprovidedherein,butChristAcademy reserves the right to make changes at any time without prior notice. Parents will be notified of any substantive changes to the handbook that occur during the current academic year Christ Academy providestheinformationhereinsolelyfortheconvenienceofthereaderand,totheextentpermissibleby law,expresslydisclaimsanyliabilitywhichmayotherwisebeincurred.