School Handbook
2016-2017
Cornerstone Christian Academy Parent/Student Handbook
Page 1
Policy Interpretation·Relationship with the Church·Mission
Page 2
Statement of Faith
Page 3
Statement of Nondiscrimination · About Us · Accreditation
Page 4
Faculty · Curriculum
Page 5
Entry Testing · Tuition
Page 6
Fees · Grading
Page 7
Daily Schedule · Lunch
Page 8
Homework · Field Trips · Pictures
Page 9
Report Cards · Safety Preparedness Plan
Page 10
Attendance Policy · Tardies
Page 11
Defacing Property · Bible Memory
Page 12
Reading Requirements · Withdrawal Procedures
Page 13
Dress Code
Page 14
Dress Code
Page 15
Cell Phones · Discipline Policy
Page 16
Acceptable Use Policies for Technology
School Calendar
Policy Interpretation
All written policies and areas of concern either specifically or not specifically covered in the School Handbook are subject to clarification and/or change by the school leadership. Policies dealing with appropriate behavior will transcend the school boundaries and apply both in and out of school.
Relationship with the Church
CCA is a ministry of Cornerstone Christian Church and is therefore subject to the church. We will operate in unison with their beliefs and under their guidance. Final decisions regarding ANY matter will be at the sole discretion of the pastor and board of trustees.
Our Mission
The mission of Cornerstone Christian Academy is to provide our students with an exceptional education steeped in Biblical truths. Furthermore, we desire to guide our pupils in a manner so that they develop spiritually, mentally, physically and socially in a way that will empower them to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
Statement of Faith
We believe the Bible to be the only inspired, infallible, authoritative Word of God. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent, in the persons of Father, Son and Holy Spirit who created man in His image. We believe in the virgin birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His deity, His miracles, and His sacrificial and atoning death. We believe that He resurrected, ascended into Heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and that He will return in power and glory to gather His bride, the church. We believe that salvation is the only way that man can commune with God. We believe both the saved and the lost will be resurrected; the saved unto the resurrection of life and the lost unto the resurrection of damnation. We believe in the Holy Spirit, and that it lives in the hearts of the children of God enabling them to live Godly lives. We believe that Christians should grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ through regular church attendance, frequent Bible reading and fellowship with other believers. We believe in the eternal plan of God and that we are called according to his purpose, not our own. We believe in the God-given command to be obedient to the Great Commission by proclaiming the Gospel to all nations.
Statement of Nondiscrimination
The church and school shall have a racially nondiscriminatory policy and, therefore, shall not discriminate against members, applicants, students, and others on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin.
About Us
In the fall of 2011, Cornerstone Christian Academy opened its doors for the first time. We started with six students and one teacher. That August a journey began with hopes to change the hearts, minds and lives of the students that attended CCA forever through an individualized, Biblical, mastery based education. God has equipped and enabled us to guide children in an educational path that glorifies Him. This is the Cornerstone to our existence. To God be all glory for what He has done and what we know He will continue to do.
Accreditation
CCA is accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission. For more information please visit their website at www.coe.edu.uga/gac/
Faculty
All lead teachers at Cornerstone Christian Academy will hold certificates from the state of Georgia or possess degrees from 4 year colleges, preferably in Education. This is not mandatory for private Christian schools, but it is something that sets our school apart from others in the area. An education in the field of expertise and countless hours of experience in the classroom prepare and enable our teachers to offer our students a better quality education. Our support staff and volunteers are selected with the highest standards to ensure the best possible learning environment.
Curriculum
Cornerstone Christian Academy uses curriculum materials from Accelerated Christian Education. A.C.E. is a Biblical, individualized, mastery-based program which leads students through units called Paces. Each PACE will review previously learned concepts and teaches new material that must be mastered before moving on to the next PACE. Curriculum for grades K-8 is based on 6 core subjects, Math, English, Literature, Spelling/Vocabulary Building, Social Studies and Science.
Curriculum for grades 9-12 is based on 4 core subjects, Math, English, Social Studies, and Science. Electives such as Art, Music, Computer, Foreign Languages, Health and P.E. are offered to enrich the core educational subjects.
Student progress will be tracked continuously to ensure each child is on target with what they are learning. Students will also be required to model understanding for the teacher in various forms of assessment before moving on to the next concept. Students use a computer based records system that tracks comprehension. The system is setup in game form and is enjoyable for the student.
Entry Testing
To determine where your child is in each subject we administer diagnostic testing to accurately place them on the correct levels. This is the advantage of an individualized curriculum; it caters to the learning needs of the child and builds on strengths that have already been established. Students will not be placed above the level where they scored on the diagnostic test. It is not beneficial for the child and inhibits acquisition of new concepts.
Tuition
Yearly tuition for one child is $3400. This amount can be paid in full or divided into 10 monthly payments of $340. If more than one child is enrolled a discount will be applied for each additional child. Tuition is due on the first school day of each month. If accounts are late more than 7 days following the first school day of the month a fee of $25.00 will be added to the outstanding balance.
Fees
Registration fee and Supplies $150
Tuition for regular education students $3,400
Tuition for special education students $9,000
Students receiving special education services are subject to additional tuition fees above that of those receiving regular education services due to the supplementary services they require.
Grading
1. Students must make at least 80% on each PACE test, or they will be required to repeat the PACE and re-take the test. This process will continue until the student masters the PACE.
2. Grading scale
A – 94-100
B – 87-93
C – 80-86
Inc. – 79 and below
3. An "Incomplete” (Inc.) grade is given when requirements have not been met. Students will be given ample time to make up an incomplete grade.
Daily Schedule
8:00-8:10am Prayer and Pledges
8:10-10:00am Academic Time
10:00-10:15am Snack
10:15-11:00am Electives
11:00-12:00pm Academic Time
12:00-12:30pm Lunch
12:30-1:00pm Recess
1:00-2:00pm Academic Time
2:00-2:45pm Electives
3:00pm Dismissal
Lunch
At this time we will not offer lunch services. Students should bring their snacks and lunch daily. There is a refrigerator available for student use. If your child will be using the refrigerator be sure to label ALL items with their name. The same goes for snack items. The refrigerator will be emptied on a weekly basis. Please send disposable items such as juice boxes or pouches. NO 2 LITER or ENERGY DRINKS (including Kickstart) are allowed. Any dishes that are brought by students will be taken home for cleaning on a daily basis. No dishes will be stored or washed at school for any reason.
We encourage you to send BALANCED and NUTRITIOUS snacks and lunches for your child. Studies have proven that food has a direct impact on behaviors and learning and to provide balanced meals gives your student a step forward in their academics.
Homework
We believe that students have sufficient time to complete their required work at school. Therefore, we will not issue homework unless there are special circumstances.
Field Trips
Local trips will be taken as often as weekly.
Upon occasion, and at the discretion of the administration, all students will have an opportunity to participate in local field trips upon completion of their goals. However, the administration does reserve the right to withhold this privilege if a student has not shown themselves deserving of such an occasion.
Out of town trips will be taken once each semester.
The same rules apply as above stated. Any funds required for out of town trips will be collected before departure.
Pictures
School pictures will be taken in the fall and spring by a professional photographer selected by the school. Pictures will be available to purchase. If you have multiple children and wish to have them photographed together this is an option. Pictures will be paid for before they are received.
Report Cards
Report cards are issued every nine weeks. These reports should be signed by the parent and returned to school THE FOLLOWING DAY. Conferences are scheduled on an as needed basis. If you would like to set up a conference please call and let the school know.
*Please do not enter the school building during instructional time to confer with your student’s teacher. If you have any questions please call to set up a conference.
Safety Preparedness Plan
Several times throughout the year we will have safety preparedness sessions. We will go over different types of emergencies with the students so they will know what we expect during drills and in the event of a real emergency. These sessions are not meant to frighten the students, but to inform them of what to do during these events. Emergencies covered will be: fire, tornado, and local emergencies in which the school may be placed on “lock down”. Our goal is to keep your child safe while they are at school.
Attendance Policy
The state of Georgia requires that all private schools be in operation for 180 days a year. Cornerstone Christian Academy will adhere to this law. Private schools are obligated to report any students with compulsory absences to the local school superintendent. The maximum number of days that a student can be absent is 10 total days in a school year, 5 per semester.
In the event that a student is absent one or two days, parents may send a personal note the following day asking for excusal. Absences of three or more days due to illness require a doctor’s excuse. If the absence is planned, a note should be sent in advance. If, in the opinion of the administration, absences have been excessive and/or unnecessary the student will be considered unexcused. All excuses will be kept in the student’s file. Doctor, dental, music, and other appointments are to be scheduled after school hours. Excessive absences shall be reported to the local school superintendent. Students must be in school between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. (5 hours) to be considered present.
Tardies
Students should arrive between 7:45 - 8:00 a.m. Students entering the school building after 8:00 a.m. will be marked as tardy. After 5 tardies have been marked students will receive a detention the next afternoon. Students may read or work during this time. For the safety of our students, parents delivering late students must park their cars in a parking space, enter the building, and sign-in the late student. Parents may NOT drop late students off at the door. If students arrive at school before 7:45 a.m. they may not enter the school building. Parents will be responsible for waiting with their student until the school building opens at exactly 7:45 a.m.
Defacing Property
A monetary fee will be charged to any student responsible for defacing school owned materials, peer’s materials or school/church property.
Bible Memory Requirements
Bible knowledge and memory is important to build the character of a person. We seek to aid the parent in establishing a strong foundation of faith in their child(ren). Scriptures and Bible reading are included in each Pace and as well in the Bible curriculum. Weekly/monthly scripture memory is part of the grade they will receive for Bible class.
Reading Requirements
Each student will be required to read 20 books on their diagnosed reading level each school year. Reading levels are determined by what PACE books students are placed on in Science and Social Studies. For students in 4th grade and up these books are normally chapter books. For younger students picture books are included.
Withdrawal Procedures
We ask that when first considering withdrawal from school, the parent contact a member of the administration before a final decision is reached. After meeting, if the final decision is made to withdraw the student, the appropriate paperwork must be completed and all materials returned before a student can be withdrawn.
*Transcripts and other records cannot be released to another school until ALL bills are paid and all school-owned textbooks and materials have been returned. If your child will be entering a homeschool program their records will be held by CCA. Cumulative records folders are only transferred from school to school.
Dress Code
Student dress should display modesty at all times. This includes clothing, jewelry, hair and accessories. Clothing or accessories that display symbols not of a good Christian witness are not permitted. Dress code infractions will result in earning demerits. Parents will be contacted to pick up the student if the problem cannot be remedied.
Shirts
No low cut, skin tight, sleeveless, or tank top type shirts. If a sleeveless or tank top shirt is worn under a cardigan, the cardigan is not to be removed. It is often wise for girls to wear a camisole under shirts for coverage.
Pants
The pants of both boys and girls will be placed at the waistline. No holes, rips or tears should be visible. For girls who wish to wear leggings or skinny jeans, the buttocks and front will remain covered when arms are raised above the head. Shorts will be of a length that is not shorter than the student’s fingertips when shoulders are relaxed and hands are hanging at sides. At no time should the undergarments of girls or boys be visible when standing up or bending over.