2017-18 Student Handbook

www.highpointchristianacademy.com

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WELCOME

HighPoint Christian Academy (HPCA) proudly welcomes you to another year in a structured, caring and creative learning environment that prepares students for college, life and ministry. Our mission is for students to know Jesus Christ and make Him known. We accomplish this by helping students discover their God-given talents and purpose for their lives through a stimulating academic and spiritual experience.

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

Our educational philosophy at HPCA is based on a God-centered view that the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God. Our desire is that the Word of God permeate all areas of our curriculum and activities. It is from a concern for the spiritual needs of our students that we approach the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical aspects of the whole student. This philosophy is reflected in our goals:

1. To proclaim the Bible as the inspired, true and authoritative Word of God, the guide for faith and practice. (II Timothy 3: 14-17, II Peter 2:20-21)

2. To understand that all of us are sinners, none deserve God’s grace (Romans 3: 10-12), and that faith in Jesus Christ is the way to have fellowship with God and be assured of salvation. (John 6:40)

3. To encourage students to have Christ-like character traits. (Matthew 12:35)4. To help students become transformed by developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. (Matthew 22:37,

Romans 12:2)5. To teach students to articulate and defend their faith, considering contrasting worldviews. (Colossians 2:8 and

I Timothy 6:20)6. To foster cooperation and develop good relationships. (Romans 14:19, Romans 12:17-18, I Peter 2:13-17)7. To instill a heart for the world and for service. (John 15:12, Galatians 5:14)8. To prepare students for higher learning and the pursuit of knowledge, truth, and wisdom. (Proverbs 4:1-9)

MISSIONOur mission is for students to know Jesus Christ and make Him known. We accomplish this by helping students discover

their God-given talents and purpose for their lives through a stimulating academic and spiritual experience.

VISIONPreparing students today for college, life, ministry for tomorrow.

SCRIPTURE11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you

hope and a future. ~Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

SCHOOL COLORSGold & Gray

MASCOTLion

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ACCREDITATIONHighPoint Christian Academy is dedicated to maintaining high academic standards. Our teachers are carefully selected as Christian leaders and only teach within areas that they have credentials and/or appropriate experience. HPCA is recognized by the State of Florida as a private school, a member of the Coalition of McKay Scholarship Schools and recipient of the Step Up for Students scholarship. We are fully accredited through AdvancED or Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), Christian Schools of Florida (CSF), and National Council of Private School Accreditation (NCPA).

ACTIVITIESHPCA uses a variety of activities to further enhance the educational experience which may include but are not limited to educational field trips, recreational activities, seasonal parties, movies, mission trips, community service activities, Christian entertainment, and speakers. Some of these activities will be considered an extension of the classroom and an expectation for your child’s academics, while others are optional. As such, there may be programs that will require small fees for admission and/or transportation or may have other behavioral criteria associated, since they represent our Academy. In the event, your child does not attend an off-campus activity, they will be required to attend school as usual.

ADMISSION POLICIESHPCA does not discriminate against any student or family due to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin. Students are individually interviewed to determine if a student would benefit from our Christian, college preparatory program. HPCA reserves the right, within its sole discretion, to refuse admission to an applicant or discontinue enrollment of a student whose family or parent does not concur with the mission of our school or respect the rules and/or policies of HighPoint Christian Academy.

ALCOHOL/DRUG USEAny student who is suspected of alcohol or drug use may be required to submit to an independent drug test. If a student brings drugs, drug paraphernalia, or alcohol to school or to a school sponsored activity, parents will be notified. The student may be suspended, expelled and/or required to enroll in an alternative program and/or submit to counseling. Smoking is not permitted on campus.

ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE Supervision of the parent drop-off lane begins at 7:00 a.m. by an employee of HPCA. Students should not be

dropped off prior to 7:00 a.m. School hours are 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. For the safety of all children, we cannot permit unsupervised siblings to wait for the dismissal of clubs for family

pickup. We do welcome siblings to join a club together. Parent pick-up areas are designated and explained at Orientation. To ensure the safety of all students, all cars

must load/unload in the designated areas. Parents are encouraged to park in the grassy area of the parking lot to alleviate the long line backing up onto Knight Boxx.

Students who drive themselves to school must provide proof of insurance and a copy of their driver’s license. They are required to depart school property immediately after being dismissed.

ATTENDANCE (*NEW)To fully accomplish their individual academic goals, students must attend each class, each day, for the full class period. Early dismissal days, days leading up to and after an extended break and the last week of school are just as important as other instructional days! We will follow the Florida's Compulsory School Attendance laws, found in Florida State Statute 1003.26. The office will verify absences. Students who are late should report to the office to get an admit slip for class.

Following an absence, a handwritten note must be received from the guardian within 3 days of returning to school. It is the discretion of the Head of School whether absences for family emergencies or extended absences are considered excused or unexcused. Notes from medical offices will be excused. All notes should include the date written, date of

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absence(s), reason for absence and authorizing signature.

Sometimes, families want to collect assignments for their child to complete while recovering at home to minimize falling behind in studies. We applaud your dedications. Parents wishing to collect work for students on extended absence must give the school written notice and at least 24 hours’ preparation to collect assignments. Please email Mrs. Boyd at dboyd@highpointccop.com and she will contact teachers to collect assignments on your behalf.

At other times, parents need to take students on planned trips. Incidents when a student knows that they will be out of school for an extended period of 3 or more days, require approval from the Principal/Head of School prior to leaving. Teachers are to be notified a week in advance to prepare assignments during the absence and all classwork is due upon the student’s return.

It is the student’s responsibility to gather work missed when they return. We cannot interrupt class time to gather their missed work while they are absent. Students who are late to school are responsible to turn in their work at the same time as other students. Students who are absent from school have 3 days to make up assignments. **1st and 6 th periods are just as important as all other classes. Therefore, parents should make every effort to get their student to school on time and not check them out early unless it is an important reason.

HPCA recognize that instructional minutes matter! We protect the instructional setting to maximize the learning within the classroom to prepare your child(ren) for the best future possible. Know that the Head of School will review attendance records monthly looking at each student’s absences and tardy records. When a student has accumulated 3 absences/tardy a letter will be sent to parents notifying of the absences. For the remainder of the school year, the student’s attendance will be closely monitored and sanctions such as requiring a doctor’s note may be required for each absence, a student may be placed on academic probation or excessive absenteeism may be grounds to non-renew a student’s attendance at HPCA.

BULLYING:HighPoint Christian Academy is designed to be an environment that promotes unity, equality and acceptance through the love of Christ Jesus. All should feel welcomed and have the opportunity and the right to feel valued, appreciated, needed, loved, and that they belong. Personal safety and freedom from demeaning behavior on the part of others is to be expected. Sexual harassment of students by other students or by employees of HighPoint Christian Academy is unlawful and contrary to our commitment to provide a safe learning and working environment.

There is a ZERO tolerance policy for any type or form of sexual harassment, abuse or bullying here at HPCA.

Harassment includes, but is not limited to, slurs, jokes, and other verbal, graphic, or offensive conduct relating to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, or disability. Bullying includes, but is not limited to, physical or verbal aggression (hitting, kicking, taunting, teasing, threatening, ridiculing, etc.) relational aggression (harming or threatening to harm relationships or acceptance, friendship, or group inclusion), emotional aggression (teasing, threatening, intimidating others). The school also prohibits cyber-bullying (creating websites, instant messaging, e-mails, using camera phones, or other forms of technology to engage in harassment or bullying).

All students and school employees are expected to conduct themselves with respect for the dignity of others. All concerns relating to harassment, abuse or bullying should be reported upon the knowledge of such event to the administration and it will be immediately investigated. Anyone found to have violated this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the school if they are a student or termination from employment if they are an employee. Criminal charges will be handled by civil authorities. Students and employees are encouraged to report any conduct that makes them feel uncomfortable, is bothersome, or is contrary to a stable learning environment.

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BUS BEHAVIORThe church bus/van is a logical extension of the school campus. The school reserves the right to remove students from the bus/van either temporarily or permanently if their behavior warrants such action. Any act that impairs the safety of the bus/van riders, students, other motorists, or in any way defaces or damages a bus/van is unacceptable.

Students are expected to: Enter and leave the bus/van in an orderly manner Obey all the rules of the bus/van and bus/van driver Select a seat and once seated, stay in that seat for the entire trip with seatbelt buckled Avoid standing on a moving bus/van Deposit all trash in a proper receptacle and assist with cleaning bus interior at the end of all events.

Students may not: Put arms, head, or legs out of a window Use any abusive or profane language or gestures Strike, push, tease, or otherwise abuse another student Throw any objects inside or out of the bus/van Leave their seat while the bus/van is in motion or without permission

*Signing the permission form in the application packet indicates you are aware that your student may ride with a pre-approved parent or HPCA employee.

CARS/VEHICLES Driving is a privilege and requires parent's written permission. Students who drive must observe safe driving

practices and rules of courtesy. Students who disregard rules of the road or who are uncooperative with school traffic may be prohibited from driving to school.

Parents of the driver and the passengers must notify the school in writing if they allow a student driver to transport other students. Carpooling between parents is highly encouraged.

Students are not allowed to leave for lunch except with their parents.

Students are not permitted to sit or loiter in parking areas. Students who drive will not be permitted to go to their cars during the school day, NO EXCEPTIONS. Car keys may be collected during school hours should this become a problem. Students who refuse to turn in keys will not be permitted to drive to school. Cars may be searched by school officials. (See Search & Seizure.) Driving is a privilege; and, if this privilege is abused, it may be revoked.

CHAPEL Our chapel program is designed to give students a weekly worship and inspirational experience, encouraging students to lead where appropriate. The chapel program is under the direction of the Pastors of HPCC and HPCA staff.

Assemblies for character education are also held from time to time. A variety of programs will be scheduled, often involving speakers from the community (including members of the clergy or youth ministers), videos, activities, student presentations, and discussion. Students are expected to participate in a respectful manner always.

Parents/families are welcome to attend Chapel on a space available basis!

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CLASSWORK/HOMEWORK (*NEW)

Students are expected to work for the entire period and to complete all assigned work. Although we do not assign excessive amounts of nightly homework, students may have work to complete at home. This may include make-up or extra credit work finishing assignments, studying for tests, reading, or special projects. Parents are expected to encourage students in the completion of these assignments, aiding as necessary.

Parents are encouraged to go to our www.Gradelink.com site daily to access grades, current assignments, upcoming assignments, and tests/quizzes. Parents are also encouraged to check their email accounts for messages from school staff daily.

Each course content differs from one another just as each teacher’s style and rule vary from classroom to classroom. See each individual teacher’s syllabus at the end of this handbook for their policy on homework, grading and late work. However, please note there are some school-wide policies that span all classroom settings:

Assignments with an assigned date that occurs during an absence are due upon return to school Make-up work for excused absences are due within 3 school days of returning, unless the teacher has offered an

extended due date in email to parent and Principal. Make-up work for unexcused absence is due upon student returning to school. Student is subject to late work

penalty deduction.

CLUBSHPCA strives to develop the whole student through the creative arts. Performing arts, culinary arts, photography, and art are a few of the choices available through after-school clubs. There may be an additional fee for these clubs. Only students in after-school activities are permitted to remain on campus after school hours. For the safety of all students, siblings who are not enrolled in the club may not wait for shared transportation; separate transportation plans will need to be made.

COMMUNITY SERVICE (*NEW)Following the model and command of Jesus of serving one another, each HPCA student is required to log 25 hours of community service per academic year. Spread over a course of a typical 36-week academic year, this is less than one hour of service per week. HPCA will provide families with a list of organizations seeking extra hands/feet in the community. Organizations on the list will qualify for both the HPCA student requirement and NHS. Any organizations not listed will need to have the advance approval of the Principal. As community service hours are earned, submit letters of verification of hours to Mrs. Pleasant, Principal/Head of School for documentation.

At the end of the first semester, students should have logged at least 12 hours to be on track to meet this goal. If they have not acquired 12 hours, they will be placed on academic probation. If a student does not log 25 hours of service by the last day of school, students could forfeit their invitation to return the following school year.

CONFERENCES (*NEW)At any time, you feel the need to meet with a teacher, please reach out to the teacher via email to schedule a conference. Students are encouraged to be present at the conference as they are key stakeholders. If a conference must be cancelled, a 3-hour notice will be given to all parties.

COUNSELINGStudents may counsel with their teachers or any administrator. Students wishing to see an administrator during class should prearrange for an appointment. On occasion, outside professional counseling may be recommended to the parents.

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COURSES/CREDITS

Elementary (5-6)1. Bible (Integrated throughout the subject content curriculum)2. Reading (Emphasis on reading comprehension of multiple genres)3. Language Arts (Emphasis on grammar, composition, vocabulary and literature)4. Math (Emphasis on individualized basic math skills)5. Science (General Science topics from life, physical, and earth science from a biblical standpoint)6. Social Studies (Geography, World History, or US History with emphasis on God’s sovereignty)7. Electives (P.E., Health, Life Skills, etc.)

Middle (7-8)1. Bible (Learning about the heroes of the faith, especially, Jesus Christ and his teachings and participating in worship arts such as drama, music, and technology)2. Language Arts (Emphasis on grammar, composition, vocabulary and literature)3. Math (Emphasis on individualized basic math skills)4. Science (General Science topics from life, physical, and earth science from a biblical standpoint)5. Social Studies (Civics, Geography) 6. Electives (P.E., Health, Life Skills, etc.)

High (9-12)

1. Bible (Learning about the Christian life through Old and New Testament teachings; required every year)2. English/Literature (emphasis on grammar, composition, reading for information, and literature; required

every year)3. Math (individualized courses in either basic math or college prep math, two of which should be Algebra 1,

Geometry or their equivalent and the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace during the student’s senior year; math is required every year)

4. Science (3 credits in science, one of which must be Biology)5. Social Studies (3-year rotation of courses: American Govt./Economics, World History, and American History.

Geography also may be taken if extra credits are needed.)6. PE/Health (personal fitness/recreation, sports offered each year; 1 year or its equivalent is required) 7. Electives (The school, with the student, chooses the electives, which are offered on a rotating basis. 8. World Languages (2 credits are required for universities and Bright Futures in the same language.)

Extra course credits may be requested on an individual basis and earned after regular school hours through independent study, work credits, virtual classes (FLVS), or dual enrollment at SJRSC.

DISCIPLINE (*NEW)Teachers are trained and equipped to manage behaviors within their classroom. If a situation is too disruptive, or a student is not positively responding to the teacher’s redirection, Administration may need to become involved.

When a referral is written by a teacher it is after they have made multiple attempts to resolve the situation, or because the situation was disruptive to the learning environment due to a student’s behavior or a classroom incident. The responding administrator will collect information from all involved parties (teacher, witness(es), and involved student(s), investigate the incident and impart corrective action (conferencing, counseling, reflective time, parent contact, etc.). Disciplinary actions are recorded in GradeLink by 4:00 p.m. each school day.

Seeing the need for spiritual growth in the light of Biblical principles has led HPCA to adopt standards of conduct which are believed to be conducive to the environment that will best promote the spiritual, physical, and academic welfare of Revised 7/12/17 8

the student. Mutual respect for teachers and fellow students reduces the need for disciplinary action. Should misconduct occur and consequences become necessary, it will be accomplished as follows:

Warning Student conferencing / student redirection Counseling Contacting Parents Parent Conference Temporary or permanent removal from the class/campus/school **Although our goal always is

to keep the student at school and in class, at times it may be necessary to remove a disruptive student from class and work in independent study or to send the student home. If a parent conference is required to resolve the actions, the student may be asked to stay home until parents can come in to develop a plan of action. **

Actions that threaten or harm a student's ability to function within a classroom or impede other student’s education will require further corrective measures. Therefore, a parent conference must be held before a student can return to school with an action plan that ensures the safety of all other student’s for stealing, cursing, cheating, vandalism, bullying (anything that is perceived as intimidation), sexual harassment, or other serious misconduct. Although this list of infractions is not exhaustive, it represents behavior that is not acceptable. HPCA has a “zero tolerance” policy for violence, weapons (knives, fireworks, lighters, heavy chains, metal objects, etc.), fighting, and threats (including jokes which could be interpreted as a threat) from students or parents. Bringing any weapon may result in immediate dismissal and/or police action.

HPCA has adopted Standards of Conduct and students are expected to abide by these standards whether at home, school, or elsewhere.

All disciplinary infractions and correlating actions are logged into Gradelink. Parents are encouraged to set up alerts accordingly or to visit the site daily to check on academics and behavior.

DRESS CODE (*NEW)Students are required to dress appropriately always. All attire should be modest and clean.

Attire Policy: BOTTOMS :

Solid color slacks (no prints or plaids), Jeans, shorts, skirts, or capris without holes or rips worn at the waist with button and a zipper Sagging pants below the waist are not permitted (no elastic-waist athletic wear unless permitted

due to specific accommodations from an IEP). Skirts, shorts, and capris must be of an appropriately modest length (no more than 2” above the

top of the kneecap). No leggings, jeggings, or yoga pants unless worn under an appropriate length skirt.

TOPS : Polo style uniform shirts are required and can be purchased through (1) Logo Express 904-278-

7774 (2) TLC Enterprises 904-861-8170 or order online at www.tlc-ent.com or (3) Neptune Embroidery 904-707-6074 are to be stitched with the school logo worn Monday through Thursdays.

Each year, a designated ‘off-campus’ shirt is declared and given to students at the start of the year. This shirt is to be worn on all off-campus events such as field trips, community service, etc.

If a student has complied with dress code Monday – Thursday, they can “dress down” on Friday. OUTERWEAR: All outerwear must have the school logo. Hoodies are NOT permitted. SHOES:

Closed toe and closed heel shoes. Shoes designed for shoelaces must be properly laced and tied.

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Any shoe, which is considered to have safety concerns, such as house slippers, may not be worn.

HAIR & PIERCINGS : Hair must be neatly groomed always. Dyed hair must be a traditional, natural color. Facial hair on boys must also be neatly groomed. Hair must be styled to prevent covering of the eyes. Facial or tongue piercings are not permitted

DRESS DOWN FRIDAY : Shirts: appropriate decoration/language, no midriff showing, straps must be 2” wide Pants: fit at the waist, solid in color, have a button & zipper Shoes: closed toe, closed heel

Students should be neatly groomed and maintain proper hygiene. They should remain in dress code until they leave the premises.

Students in school, at school functions, or wearing the school logo after school hours are representatives of the school and are expected to conduct themselves appropriately.

EMERGENCY DRILLSIn the interest of student safety, it is necessary to conduct periodic fire and emergency drills. All fire exits are clearly marked. When a drill is in progress, students are expected to follow these rules:

Leave as quickly and quietly as possible. No talking is permitted except through teacher’s communication. Follow your teacher to the parking lot or other designated area and remain in line. When all-clear signal is announced, return quickly and quietly to class. Tampering with any fire safety equipment (alarms, sprinkler system, etc.) is a federal offense.

FINANCES Application should be made at the time of enrollment. The non-refundable, non-transferrable registration fee of $150 is due at the time of registration. Tuition payment plans are available from the administrative office. We participate in the McKay

Scholarship, Gardiner/PLSA Scholarship program and Step-Up for Students private corporate scholarships. Other partial scholarships are sometimes available on a need basis.

Monthly payments are due on the 1st of the month. If payment is not received after 15 days, a $35 late fee will be charged. If a student's tuition becomes seriously in arrears, we may not be able to continue classes until the

tuition is paid.

GRADING SYSTEMReport cards are issued quarterly. The quarter grade for each subject is determined by averaging grades for participation/effort, classwork, and tests/projects. Grades “A-F” are assigned based on individual academic progress. See “Attendance” for making up assignments.

In a few cases, if students are working below grade level expectations; this will be noted on their report cards.

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The school grading scale is: A...90 - 100%B...80 - 89%

C...70 - 79%D...60 - 69%F... below 59%I... Incomplete

**All classes are weighted on the 4.0 grading scale except dual enrollment classes which are weighted at 5.0.

GRADUATION (*NEW)For a student to graduate from HPCA, the student must have completed 24 units in grades 9-12. The 24 units must be fulfilled as follows:

English 4Mathematics 4Science 3Social Science 3P.E./Health 1Bible* 1Foreign Language** 2Electives 6

Total: 24

*Bible is required every year; however, the number of credits varies according to what grade a student first enrolled.** HPCA graduates are required to take a minimum of 2 years of Foreign Language.

HALL PASSES (*NEW)Students should leave class as seldom as possible and should always obtain the teacher’s permission and a hall pass before leaving class. This year, the hall pass is within the student’s planner for teachers and parents alike to see the ‘entire day at a glance’ for out-of-class needs. Students must always be accompanied, by HPCA staff, when leaving the building during school hours.

HEALTH RECORDSFlorida law requires all students attending school in Florida for the FIRST TIME to have a physical examination within the 12-month period prior to entering a Florida school. NO STUDENT WILL BE ADMITTED TO CLASS UNTIL THIS IS COMPLETED AS REQUIRED BY LAW. Below is the checklist of requirements that must be presented to the school office by the first day of attendance:

1. Documentation of physical examination2. Florida Certificate of Immunization (if entering from out of state, the student’s immunization record must be

verified by a Florida physical or the Clay County Health Department. Either the physician or health department will issue the certificate or issue a temporary certificate.

3. Every Florida student entering 7th grade or higher must have proof of these vaccinations:a. Diphtheria-tetanus-acellular-pertussis [DtaP] (4 or 5 doses)b. Inactivated polio vaccine [IPV] (4or 5 doses)c. Measles -mumps-rubella [MMR] (2 doses) d. Hepatitis B [HepB] (3 doses over 6 months)

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It is the parent’s responsibility to monitor their student’s grades/assignments via GradeLink

(www.gradelink.com), or via the school webpage at: www.highpointchristianacademy.com . If you

misplace your username/password, call the academy office.

e. Varicella (2 doses)HONORS/AWARDSStudents with a 3.75 weighted are eligible to join the HighPoint Honor Society or the National Honor Society. Students with 1 or more “Incompletes” on a report card may be disqualified from participation in Honor Roll activities.

HOURSThe school day is from 8:00 a.m. -2:30 p.m. Should students require additional assistance, please note that teacher’s hours vary and appointments should be scheduled in advance.

INTERNET USE:Highpoint Christian Academy (HPCA) has formulated this Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) to encourage the responsible use of HPCA's network and web site.

In General. Users shall not use the HPCA Network and Internet to transmit, distribute or store material: (a) in violation of any applicable law or regulation, including export or encryption laws or regulations; (b) that may adversely affect the HPCA Network and Internet or other HPCA use; (c) of a personal nature, including, but not limited to photographs, videos, or personal documents; or (d) that may expose HPCA to criminal or civil liability. Users are prohibited from facilitating the violation of any part of this AUP or another provider's AUP, including, but not limited to transmitting, distributing, or otherwise making available any product or service that violates this AUP or another provider's AUP.

Inappropriate Content. Users shall not use the HPCA Network and Internet to transmit, distribute or store material that is inappropriate, as reasonably determined by HPCA, or material that is obscene (including child pornography), defamatory, libelous, threatening, abusive, hateful, or excessively violent.

Intellectual Property. Material accessible through the HPCA Network and Internet may be subject to protection under privacy, publicity, or other personal rights and Intellectual Property rights, or other proprietary information. Users shall not use the HPCA Network and Internet in any manner that would infringe, dilute, misappropriate, or otherwise violate any such rights. If you use a domain name about any of the HPCA Network and Internet, you must not use that domain name in violation of the trademark, service mark, or other rights of any third party.

Harmful Content. Users shall not use the HPCA Network and Internet to transmit, distribute or store material that may be harmful to or interfere with the HPCA Network and Internet or any third party's networks, systems, Internet, or web sites. Such prohibited harmful content includes, but is not limited to, viruses, worms, or Trojan horses.

Email and Unsolicited Messages. Users shall not use the HPCA Network and Internet to transmit unsolicited e-mail messages, including, without limitation, unsolicited bulk email, where such emails could reasonably be expected to provoke complaints ("spam"). Further, Users are prohibited from using the service of another provider to send spam to promote a site hosted on or connected to the HPCA Network and Internet. In addition, Users shall not use the HPCA Network and Internet in order to (a) send e-mail messages which are excessive and/or intended to harass or annoy others, (b) continue to send e-mail messages to a recipient that has indicated that he/she does not wish to receive them, (c) send e-mail with forged TCP/IP packet header information, (d) send malicious e-mail, including, without limitation, "mail-bombing", (e) send or receive e-mail messages in a manner that violates the use policies of any other Internet service provider, or (f) use an e-mail box exclusively as a storage space for data.

Inappropriate Actions. Users are prohibited from violating or attempting to violate the security of the HPCA Network and Internet or the computers, accounts, or networks of another party. Users are also prohibited

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from any activity considered a precursor to attempted security violations, including, but not limited to, any form of scanning, probing, or other testing or information gathering activity.

Responsibility for Content. HPCA takes no responsibility for any material created or accessible on or through the HPCA Network and Internet. HPCA is not obligated to monitor such material, but reserves the right to do so. HPCA will not exercise any editorial control over such material. If HPCA becomes aware that any such material may violate this AUP and/or expose HPCA to civil or criminal liability, HPCA reserves the right to block access to such material and suspend or terminate any User creating, storing or disseminating such material. HPCA further reserves the right to cooperate with legal authorities and third parties in the investigation of alleged wrongdoing, including disclosing the identity of the User that HPCA deems responsible for the wrongdoing.

Students may not access social pages such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. while on campus. In addition, students may not refer to the school on these sites which are deemed inappropriate or present a negative connotation about the school or themselves. Appropriateness will be judged by the school administration and appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken as necessary for all violations of the Appropriate Use Policy.

LEAVING CAMPUSStudents are not permitted to leave campus at lunchtime, except on special occasions with adult supervision. If students must leave early for doctor appointments or illness, they must be checked out from the office where confirmation from a parent/guardian/pre-approved designee will be obtained.

LOST OR DAMAGED PROPERTY (*NEW)Students who have misplaced any personal items may claim ‘found’ items at the end of day assembly in the Sanctuary. At the end of each semester, any unclaimed items shall be donated to local charity.

Damages to the building, fire sprinkler system or any other property will be assessed to the student(s) responsible. Students, who lean back in chairs bending or breaking them, will be required to pay for them. Payment will be required for continued enrollment and/or the release of records.

LUNCH (*NEW) Students may bring their lunch to school or order through vendors via our monthly calendar. We are called to be good stewards of our property, therefore, eating and drinking should be limited to the

Fellowship Hall. We do not provide paper products/plastic ware. Students are permitted to have a see-through, spill-proof container for water only in the classrooms. No other

drinks are allowed. We are a closed campus for lunch, meaning students are not permitted to leave campus during their lunch

break. Family members may be an honorary lunch guest on occasion, following the protocol for visitors properly

checking in at the office and obtaining proper identification; Head of School reserves the right to limit visits if they are distracting to the student or others.

MEDICATION (*NEW)The school does not provide medication for students. If a student requires medication for a specific illness, the medication will be dispensed by office personnel. Approval of all medication is required by the office and must be requested by the parents through use of our “Dispense OTC Medication” form. All medication (both prescription and over-the-counter) must be in the original container with instructions and the student’s name clearly labeled. Basic first aid supplies are provided. At the end of the school year, parents will be contacted to pick up any unused prescription or over-the-counter medications specific to your child.

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PROHIBITED ITEMS / CONTRABAND Certain specified items are not permitted on campus due to the distraction they cause. The following

items are not permitted to be used without express permission from the administration: CONTRABAND : weapons, knives, drugs, alcohol, tobacco PROHIBITED ITEMS :

o electronic equipment (including radios/CD players, tablets, ipods/MP3 players, gaming devices cameras, cell phones)

o gum/candyo Any item that is a distraction to the learning environment

These items will be confiscated and returned at the discretion of the administration. Other items that are not permitted are inappropriate reading materials or cards, trading cards or games cards that do not reflect Christian values.

Please note, that HPCA is not financially responsible for any contraband brought to school that is lost, damaged or stolen.

RESTROOMSStudent restrooms are located on the 1st floor, convenient to classrooms. Since there is no break between classes, teachers will give students time at the beginning and/or end of class to use the restroom. It is the responsibility of each student for the upkeep of their restroom facilities and may on occasion be called upon to do a quick clean up and the emptying of the trash bins.

SCHEDULEStudents will receive their daily schedule at orientation before the first day of school. Most classes count as one credit for high school students. Two .5 credit classes, taught on a semester basis, may substitute for one of the classes. High school students earn a minimum of 6 credits per year with the opportunity to earn extra credits through independent study, virtual classes, or dual enrollment outside regularly scheduled school hours.

SCHOOL CLOSUREWhen Clay County schools are closed or evacuated because of inclement weather, such as hurricanes, HPCA will also close. However, our campus will resume classes when it is determined to be safe for our location. This may be at a different time than the public schools. Please listen to your local TV/radio stations, check our website, check your email, or call the school at (904) 272-7949 for such information.

SEARCH & SEIZUREAll items brought onto campus (such as book bags, purses, pockets, notebooks), are subject to search by school officials. This includes vehicles driven to school. Items that are deemed inappropriate, offensive, or illegal may be confiscated. Return of these items will be made at the discretion of the administration. If such items are found in a vehicle driven to school by a student, that student may lose the privilege of driving to school.

SMOKING/TOBACCOParents, teachers, visitors, and students are not permitted to smoke or use smokeless tobacco on school grounds or during school functions, which are held off-campus. Effective June 1, 2017, HPCA staff may not follow students in any form of social media.

SOCIAL MEDIA (*NEW)HPCA partners with parents in spiritual and academic growth of the students. Recognizing that we can achieve both through relationships with our students and families, we must balance our inter-changing role as teacher, mentor and

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accountability partner with integrity. As such, it is the responsibility of parents to monitor students’ social media account closely.

The school will not monitor the accounts and alert you to any posts that are inappropriate. We will ask that most of the issues that arise from social media be resolved by the parents through preventive and monitoring efforts. On occasion, as incidents occur the school may be pulled into a scenario that involves social media. At such a time, we appreciate your cooperation and swift response.

SUPPLIES (*NEW)Students are expected to bring the proper supplies to class and to provide supplies needed for assigned projects. Teachers have pens, pencils, and paper for students should they run out during school.

TELEPHONE Telephones are for business use only. We cannot guarantee that messages left by you, for your child will be delivered by the end of the day. Therefore,

we encourage that, all arrangements for transportation should be made before school. STUDENT CELL PHONES: We encourage leaving cell phones at home.

o Students must have their cell phones turned off and stowed in a designated area which is determined by HPCA administrators and using a ticket exchange system.

o Cell phones may not be on their person during school hours. If a student is found with their cell phone on their person or caught using their cell phone

without prior approval, they will have their phone taken from them and returned to them at the end of the day.

Second offense, phone confiscated and returned to the parent at the end of the day. Third offense, the phone is confiscated and the parent must come to the Administrative office to

retrieve the phone. After the third offense, the student is not allowed to have a phone at school.

TESTING/ASSESSMENTStandardized testing is required for our accreditation. A nationally recognized standardized test is given to students 3 times a year to measure their academic growth throughout the year. Assessments are typically conducted in the fall as a baseline and late spring to measure overall growth for the year.

They are assessed on their grade level, to gain a more realistic understanding of their functioning level compared to national norms. Results are kept on file and made part of each student’s permanent record. Copies are made available to parents after each assessment window closes.

In the classrooms, teachers will regularly assess students through quizzes and chapter/unit tests. Other means of assessment (oral quizzes, open book tests, projects, written & oral reports, teacher observation) will also be used. Both Interim Progress Reports and Report Cards are available online through www. Gradelink.com. TEXTBOOK SELECTIONHPCA uses a variety of Christian curriculum and other nationally recognized curriculum for all grade levels and supplemental materials such as the Dave Ramsey Personal Finance Curriculum. In addition, we utilize some virtual courses and dual enrollment coursework at St. John’s River State College. (These are sometimes offered at an additional cost). We take great care in the selection of textbooks and books assigned for reading.

It is not the aim of HPCA to isolate our students from materialism, violence, racial intolerance, war, hatred, etc., but rather to confront these issues within the truth of the Biblical perspective.

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TRANSCRIPTS/RECORDSRecords are sent free of charge for the first request when a student transfers to a new school, second request is at a cost of $5. Graduates’ transcripts will be sent out free of charge for the first request, second request is at a cost of $5.

TUITIONHighPoint Christian Academy offers a 0% financing program to our families that permits 10 monthly payments beginning in September and ending in June. Effective the 2017-2018 school year, tuition statements will be made available online through GradeLink, allowing parents continuous access to monitor their account. Due to the switch to online recordkeeping, statements will no longer be sent home or mailed to parents; instead you will receive a monthly email reminder to check your account with a reminder that a payment is due. All payments are due the 1st of the month. Payments received after the 15th are subject to a $35.00 late fee.

Tuition discounts are available for members of HighPoint Community Church, siblings, active military and first responders!

TUITION SCHEDULE2017 – 2018

FeesApplication Fee (Non-refundable) $ 150.00Testing Fee $ 75.00Textbooks (Returning students) $ 175.00Textbooks (New students) $ 350.00Graduation Fee $ 250.00Speech/Language Services $ 75.00/hourIndividual Counseling $ 100.00/hourTutoring $ 25.00/hourCertain electives (Culinary Arts, Performance Arts, etc.) may require additional fees.

Standard College Preparatory

Grades Tuition Payments5th-6th $5700 10 months @ $5707th-8th $6000 10 months @ $6009th-10th $6600 10 months @ $66011th-12th $7200 10 months @ $720

Our readiness program is for those students who plan to go to college but need additional help to succeed in our Standard College Preparatory Program. Those services vary from individual to individual, but may include additional accommodations, tutoring, counseling, behavioral guidance and/or management, personal assistance, etc.

Readiness Program for College Preparatory

Grades Tuition Payments5th-12th $8100 10 months @ $810

VISITORS Visitors are at the discretion of the Head of School. If the visit will be a disruption to the learning environment,

as deemed by the Head of school, the visitor may be redirected to an alternate time to visit with staff/students. All visitors must sign in at the school office upon arrival and check out from the office upon departure. Visitor badge must be worn always.

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No pets are permitted.

WITHDRAWALSStudents attending one day of any 9-week grading period will owe the full grading quarter’s tuition. No school records will be released for any student when there is a balance owed on the student’s account.

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HPCA PARENT RESPONSIBILITIESRevised 7/12/17 18

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Ephesians 6:4 Bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Parents/guardians hold the primary responsibility for the education of their children. Although they have delegated a portion of that task to the school, teamwork is necessary.

PARENTAL ROLESWe expect and encourage parents/guardians to cooperate with the school in the following ways:Please initial each line item

Support the decisions of the teachers and the administration. We are not only here to develop your child academically, but emotionally, physically, socially, and spiritually as well. Many of our activities are designed to build character. We adhere to the Biblical principle of Matthew 18: 15-17 for conflict resolution.

Enforce all school policies stated in the student handbook, such as dress code, prohibited items, etc.

Encourage student success by working with students at home, especially in areas where repetitive practice will be helpful (e.g., drilling math facts and reading orally).

Oversee the timely completion of nightly homework and projects. Attendance matters. Ensure that students come to school on a regular basis, well-rested and

nourished so that they will be productive and that they are in school for the full day. Arrange transportation so that students will be dropped off and picked up on time each day. Notify the school office if the student will be absent or tardy and provide any necessary

documentation within three days. Maintain an awareness of school calendar and schedules. Schedule a conference with teachers and/or administration to limit unscheduled “visits” . Communicate with administration regarding changes in medication or other circumstances that

may affect a student’s performance at school. Attend special events at the school, such as open house, awards ceremonies, etc. Volunteer time, talents, and/or resources to support the school community. Fulfill all financial obligations in a timely manner as stated in the tuition agreement. Furnish current information for school records. Provide students with the proper supplies needed to complete their school work. Maintain a diligent awareness of student grades by frequently accessing Gradelink, checking email.

for messages, and keeping an open line of communication with staff.

I have read and understand the contents of the 2017-18 Parent/Student Handbook

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__________________________________________________________STUDENT SIGNATURE

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