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CCA MISSION STATEMENT AND CORE VALUES
OUR MISSION
The mission of Covenant Christian Academy is to provide students with a classical education that:
• Imparts an excellent academic foundation and a love for learning,
• Trains them to see and submit to the Lordship of Christ in every sphere of life, and
• Prepares them to effectively serve God and thoughtfully engage the world with a distinctly Christian worldview
Classical education belongs to the authoritative, traditional and enduring stream of education begun by the Greeks and Romans, developed by the Church through the centuries and renewed by contemporary educators. Infused with the liberal arts and sciences, classical education includes the language arts of the trivium (grammar, logic and rhetoric) and the quantitative arts of the quadrivium (mathematics, science, music and visual arts). Students study great works of art and literature, both old and new, by methods best suited to their developmental stages. As participants in the great conversation of history’s finest thinkers, students acquire more than vocational skills; they prepare for their roles as informed citizens, thinking Christians and virtuous shapers of culture.
In the pursuit of our mission, we hold to the following core values:
1. We embrace historic Christianity as represented in the tradition of the Protestant Reformation with the major tenets of
a. Sola Scriptura: We reaffirm the inerrant Scripture to be the sole source of written divine revelation, which alone can bind the conscience. The Bible alone teaches all that is necessary for our salvation from sin and is the standard by which all Christian behavior must be measured.1
b. Solus Christus: We reaffirm that our salvation is accomplished by the mediatorial work of the historical Christ alone. His sinless life and substitutionary atonement alone are sufficient for our justification and reconciliation to the Father.1
c. Sola Gratia: We reaffirm that in salvation we are rescued from God's wrath by his grace alone. It is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit that brings us to Christ by releasing us from our bondage to sin and raising us from spiritual death to spiritual life.1
d. Sola Fida: We reaffirm that justification is by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. In justification Christ's righteousness is imputed to us as the only possible satisfaction of God's perfect justice.1
e. Soli Deo Gloria: We reaffirm that because salvation is of God and has been accomplished by God, it is for God's glory and that we must glorify him always. We must live our entire lives before the face of God, under the authority of God and for his glory alone.1
2. While we hold to a distinctly Reformed doctrinal tradition, we welcome and respect other Christian perspectives in the CCA community.
3. The responsibility to train and educate children belongs to parents. CCA serves "in loco parentis" to assist parents in fulfilling this biblical charge.
4. A home life that embodies biblical principles and lifelong learning provides a strong foundation for a CCA education. Active parental involvement, in age-appropriate ways, is important to a child’s education. Parents are welcome in the classroom and are encouraged to participate in the overall life of the school.
5. In our common pursuit of lives that please God and honor one another, we value mutual respect, edifying speech, humble behavior, gentlemanly conduct, modest appearance, and biblical conflict resolution. We hold high expectations for the conduct and behavior of the entire school community -- students, parents, faculty and staff.
6. A warm and well-ordered atmosphere facilitates the education of our students. We continually strive for an environment that is joyful, peaceful and disciplined.
7. Gifted teachers with a passion for learning and a love for students are essential. They must model careful thinking while evaluating ideas and philosophies, both historical and contemporary, in light of God’s word. Our teachers should cultivate wisdom in our students while building a solid academic foundation.
1 The Cambridge Declaration of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals
2008-2009 Two-Hour Delay Schedule
Upper
Acquisition Virtues:
Passion for Truth |
Application virtues:
Passion for Holiness |
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Inquisitiveness/Curiosity |
Desire to apply what is learned |
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Teachableness |
Love for God and others |
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Persistence |
Fortitude |
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Humility |
Integrity |
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Humility |
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Maintenance virtues:
Passion for Consistency |
Communication virtues: Compassion for Others |
Perseverance |
Clarity of expression |
Courage |
Orderliness of presentation |
Patience |
Aptness of illustration |
Tenacity |
Humility |
Humility |
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The Acquisition Virtues govern how and why people learn new things, emphasizing that truth is the goal of learning. One who exhibits these qualities will ask questions and will continue asking questions until he understands. He will not act as if he cannot learn anything from certain people or as if all his assumptions must be correct. Learning will not be limited to school hours or to academic settings. All of life is this person’s classroom.
The Maintenance Virtues remind us that effort is required not only to acquire knowledge but to retain it. When remembering or recalling information is a struggle, these characteristics cause a person to press on. This person won’t be found cramming for exams or only working hard when report card time comes close.
The Application Virtues demand that the learner do something with his knowledge. We are not to be simply collectors of information and insight; we must apply our knowledge to life. Having integrity leads people to hold themselves to the same standard to which they hold others. They practice what they preach, even when it is hard. These students are not those of which James would say that they look in the mirror but go away without fixing anything.
The Communication Virtues concern how we express our knowledge to others. Do we talk over their heads, or do we find ways to make sure that what we are saying is clear to our audience? Taking time to carefully present information, either in writing or orally, in a way that considers the audience is one way that we honor others—even when those others are teachers!
Humility dominates the lists as it speaks to the motivation behind all the other virtues. Is chasing the truth only for the purpose of dominating others? Does one put together a carefully constructed presentation only to look better than one’s classmates? Or, are one’s academic abilities and hard work offered with the recognition that all good things have come from God and are to be used for the good of others and the glory of God? The humble student refrains from flaunting either his mistakes or his successes in ways that belittle others. The humble student can celebrate others’ success and will help others in their weaknesses. The humble student measures neither himself nor others by their academic accomplishments.
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HOMEWORK FORMAT
In order to encourage careful work, teachers will not accept homework papers in the following conditions:
· Wrinkled or crumpled
· Perforated edges
· Math not done in pencil
· Any other work not completed in blue or black ink
· Scribbled out errors or excessive White Out
· Missing staple
· Incomplete heading
Papers arriving in such condition must be re-done and will receive a ten percent deduction.
Homework assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. Any assignment turned in after the papers are collected is late. You are not permitted to complete assignments during class and turn them in that period for full credit. Homework handed in later that same day or the second day will receive a 35% reduction. A perfect paper would, therefore, be graded with a 65% rather than a 100%. Work will not be accepted the third day, and a zero will be recorded in the grade book.
Large assignments, such as papers and projects, will be penalized ten percent per day late. Assignments may not be turned in for credit more than five days past the due date.
GUIDELINES FOR
You are expected to complete all assignments given to your class during your absences. You should plan to make up work within the number of days following your return equal to the number of days you were absent. If you will need more time for make-up work, you should make arrangements with each teacher prior to the due dates of the work.
The first day that you return from an absence, you should turn in homework that was due the first day of your absence, and you should be ready to take tests given on the first day you were absent. If you think that is there reason to put off handing in homework or taking a test, you should initiate a conversation with the teacher prior to class.
These guidelines are in place so that homework and studying does not pile up after an absence; we do not want you to feel overwhelmed and behind for an extended time. If you are absent but not too ill to do reading and studying, we encourage you to get homework assignments during your absence so that the work is not daunting upon your return.
In cases of extended or serious illness or a death in the family, you and/or your parents should make special arrangements with Mrs. Burlew and each of your teachers to come up with a plan for make-up work.
STUDY HALLS
Study halls are to be silent, individual work periods for students. You must come prepared with enough school work or reading to fill the study hall period; locker trips mid-period are not allowed. Students working on group projects must have a note from the course teacher for permission to work in the hallway or in another classroom.
GRADE RECORDING
Grades are available through RenWeb during the trimester. Your parents will receive weekly email progress reports containing your grades; they may also check the RenWeb website at any time.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Students are expected to do their own work on both homework assignments and tests. Unless a teacher indicates that a particular assignment is to be done collaboratively, students are expected to work alone. Teachers will be glad to clarify what constitutes appropriate ways to give and receive help from peers or parents in a class or for a specific assignment.
Cheating includes both the giving and receiving of answers on assignments and tests, and both the giver and the receiver will receive disciplinary action, as per the Discipline Policy. The receiver of answers will, in addition to disciplinary action, receive zeros for the academic work involved. Students found to have plagiarized work will be expected to re-do the assignment and will receive a maximum of a 65% on the re-done work (a 35% reduction) and will be subject to disciplinary action as per Policy 10.1.B. Students unsure of how to properly reference the ideas and/or words of another author should consult with the teacher overseeing the assignment.
Students are expected to do their own typing or word processing on all assignments unless arrangements have been made with the teacher due to extenuating circumstances. This includes the expectation that parents will not type a student’s assignment.
ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY
Students are eligible to participate in CCA extra-curricular activities (sport, drama, clubs, yearbook, newspaper, etc.) according to the following guidelines.
1. Eligibility will be evaluated at the midpoint of each trimester and at the end of each trimester. Students will be ineligible for the following reasons:
a. A grade of D in more than one subject.
b. A grade of F in any subject.
2. A student’s eligibility may be re-instated as soon as the grades shown in RenWeb are raised to acceptable levels. This may happen at any point during the trimester.
3. Summary of #1 and #2: Students may become ineligible only twice in each trimester cycle but may be reinstated at any point.
4. Ineligibility is not meant as punishment for past academic work; it provides the student with both the incentive and the time to give extra effort to academic work.
5. The student is expected to maintain the academic standard on normally assigned coursework. Extra-credit work for the purpose of raising a grade may not be given by teachers to a student on academic suspension, unless the entire class is receiving the same optional assignment.
6. Curricular goals and lesson plans made by the teacher will determine how often assessments are given. Teachers are not expected to increase the frequency of assessments in response to a student’s ineligibility.
7. All students will be considered eligible at the beginning of each school year.
Dates: Revised 10/21/08
Revised 5/8/07
Revised 8/15/06
Revised 10/8/02
Revised 6/9/98
Approved 6/3/97
Objective: To ensure consistent biblical discipline at Covenant Christian Academy.
Scope: This policy applies to all students in grades 7 to 12 at Covenant Christian Academy during school hours and during school-sponsored events before and/or after normal school hours.
Definitions: N/A
Guidelines:
1. The kind and amount of discipline (punishment) will be determined by the teachers, and if necessary, the Principal or Headmaster. The discipline will be administered in light of the individual student’s problem and attitude.
2. All discipline will be timely and according to parental consensual agreement. All discipline will be based on biblical principles; e.g. restitution, apologies (public and private), swift/painful punishment, restoration of fellowship, no lingering attitudes, etc.
3. The vast majority of discipline problems are to be dealt with at the classroom level.
4. Love and forgiveness will be an integral part of the discipline of a student.
5. There are six basic behaviors that will automatically necessitate discipline from the Principal or Headmaster (versus the teacher). Those behaviors are:
a. Disrespect shown to any staff member. The staff member will be the judge of whether or not disrespect has been shown.
b. Dishonesty in any situation while at school, including lying, cheating, and
stealing.
c. Rebellion, i.e. outright disobedience in response to instructions; extended
and unrepentant display of a negative attitude towards a teacher, CCA, or
work required, etc.
d. Fighting, i.e. striking in anger with the intention to harm the other student(s).
e. Obscene, vulgar, or profane language, images or gestures, as well as taking
the name of the Lord in vain.
f. Repeated disruption of class; i.e., interruption of a teacher or fellow student
inappropriately timed stories, jokes, or comments; etc.
g. Mistreatment of school, church, or other’s property.
h. Improper use of a school-owned computer or any computer being operated
within the school.
6. If for any of the above, or other reasons, a student receives discipline from the
Principal or Headmaster within a given school year, the following accounting will be
observed:
a. The first time a student is sent to the Principal or Headmaster for discipline, a
loss of privilege, work detail, detention, one-day suspension or physical
exercise assignment will be given. The parents will be notified and will be
given the details of both the offense and the discipline given. The
parents’ assistance and support in averting further problems will
be sought.
b. The second time a student is sent to the Principal or Headmaster for
discipline a two-day suspension will be imposed on the student. A meeting
will be requested with the parents.
c. The third time a student is sent to the Principal or Headmaster for discipline a
minimum of a two-day suspension will be imposed. A meeting with the
parents is required before the student’s re-entry will be allowed.
d. If a fourth office visit is required, the student will be expelled from the school.
7. If a student commits an act with such serious consequences that the Principal or Headmaster deems it necessary, the office visit process may be by-passed and suspension or expulsion imposed immediately. Examples of such serious misconduct could include: acts endangering the lives of other students or staff members, gross violence, vandalism of school property, violations of civil law, or any flagrant act in clear contradiction to scriptural commands. Students may be subject to school discipline for serious misconduct that occurs after school hours.
8. Should an expelled student desire to be readmitted to Covenant Christian Academy at a later date, the Covenant Christian Academy Board, or its delegated committee, will make a decision based on the student’s attitude and circumstances at the time of reapplication.
CCA staff members will encourage students to form healthy relationships that honor God and edify others. You may not flaunt tight-knit friendships that exclude others, whether those relationships are between members of the opposite or the same sex. Sensual or romantic displays of affection are not acceptable at any school-related activity.
CCA LAPTOP PROGRAM FOR 9TH TO 12TH GRADES
CCA provides each 9th to 12th grade student with a laptop that may be used until graduation or a student’s leaving of CCA, including summer breaks. Specific guidelines for the laptop program are contained in the agreement form signed upon the issuing of the computer. Students may not opt out of the laptop program to use their own laptops; our IT support will manage only CCA-owned laptops.
At graduation the computer becomes the property of the student; if a student leaves CCA prior to graduation the computer is returned to CCA. Students are expected to take proper care of the computers and are expected to follow the guidelines given for their use.
USE OF LAPTOPS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
2. Students using a CCA-owned laptop for a non-school related activity during the school day will be subject to the following consequences, in addition to the Office Visit consequence as found in Policy 10.1.B
a. 1st Offense: Loss of computer for a minimum of one night plus an Office Visit
b. 2nd Offense: Loss of computer for a minimum of three nights plus an Office Visit
c. 3rd Offense: Loss of computer for a minimum of a week plus an Office Visit
d. 4th Offense: Loss of computer plus an Office Visit
3. Upon losing use of a computer, the student may retrieve files using a USB drive so that necessary work can be continued on another computer at home.
4. Students may not use the internet, wireless or wired, during the school day without specific permission of a teacher. Students are not allowed to plug computers into the internet access points unless a teacher is physically present with them.
5. Students may not work on any non-class related activity on a computer during study halls. This includes photo work of any type. Students in a photography class or in yearbook club must have specific permission from the teacher to work on photos and must do so in another room to avoid distracting others around them; a pass should be brought to the study hall monitor.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Students may not use any electronic games, listening devices or cell phones in the school building between 7:30 and 3:30. These items must be turned off and be kept out of sight in a backpack or locker. Phone calls must be made from the school office. At dismissal time, permission to make a phone call to a parent from a classroom may be granted by the teacher. An electronic device seen by a staff member will be kept in the school office until a parent retrieves it.
When a teacher allows the use of calculators for class work, the calculators used must meet the standards set for use of calculators in SAT testing—no QWERTY keyboards, no PDA-type devices, no cell phone calculators, etc.
CCA UNIFORMS
See specific age/gender listings on the school website.
LOCKERS
Each student will be assigned a locker and a CCA-owned lock at the beginning of the school year. Mrs. Geer, Mrs. Burlew and the CCA office have a list of lockers, lock numbers and combinations to assist when a combination is forgotten or when a student is absent and books must be obtained for a parent or sibling.
Lockers should be locked at the end of each day and may be locked throughout the school day if the student wishes.
Students having trouble operating their locks should see Mrs. Geer. If the lock has become faulty, CCA will issue a new lock. Any lost lock must be replaced at the student’s expense.
Food is allowed in the lockers only if it is still in an unopened package from the store. All lunchboxes and other containers of food must be put on the shelves in the north stairwell. The tops of the lockers are to remain clear of all items.
Coats and empty backpacks may be hung on the hooks during the day. Larger items (athletic bags, guitar cases, etc) may be stored in the south stairwell.
LOST
Belongings found will be stored in the school office where they may be retrieved for the following fees:
Student-owned item: 25 cents
CCA-owned paperback: $1
CCA-owned textbook: $3
CCA doors will be opened at 7:30 for students. Between 7:30 and 7:55 Upper School students may gather in their homerooms or the first floor hallways. Students may also visit Grammar School students in the upstairs.
Students should be in their homerooms by 7:55. Students entering homeroom after 8:00 will be considered tardy, no matter what time they entered the building.
For scheduled gym classes, all students must wear the CCA approved gym uniform. Students should use the basement level restrooms to change clothes and must leave their belongings in an orderly fashion when they leave.
Gym is graded on a pass/fail basis and is not used to calculate a student’s grade point average. Students will pass gym each quarter unless one of the following is true:
1. Consistent lack of participation or lack of sportsman-like behavior
2. Four classes “out of uniform” in the trimester
If a student is not to participate in gym class for any reason, a note must be sent by the parent to the teacher responsible for the gym class (not the lead teacher).
Students may remain in their gym uniforms for dismissal.
Upper School students may use the microwave ovens found in the Lunchroom except on Wednesdays. Each student is responsible to clean-up their own spills, crumbs and wrappers from the microwave area. Failure to do so will result in a week of being unable to use the microwaves. No popcorn is allowed as it takes too much time in the microwave and burns too easily.
Each student must clean-up his or her own trash.
Students on clean-up assignment around the school building are dismissed from the lunchroom at 12:25. All other students will be dismissed at 12:37 so that the lunchroom may be cleaned.
Upper school students should use the kitchen restroom during the lunch hour rather than leaving the lunchroom.
Please sign and return just this top sheet to Mrs. Geer.