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COVENANT ACADEMY PARENT-STUDENT HANDBOOK . PAGE 1

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Table of ContentsPURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY . 7HISTORY . 7ORGANIZATION . 7VISION STATEMENT . 7MISSION STATEMENT . 7COVENANT ACADEMY GOALS . 8Christ-Centered . 8Classical . 8Definitions . 8EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY . 8Covenantal Education . 9Teaching to Mastery . 9The Ministry of Education of the Faculty and Staff . 9In Loco Parentis – (In the place of parents) . 10The Ministry of Parental Involvement . 10Classical Methodology . 10The Seven Laws of Teaching . 11Primary Doctrine . 12Secondary Doctrine Policy . 12GENERAL INFORMATION . 13Hours of Operation . 13Late Pick-up policy and Fees . 13Field Trips and Service Projects. 13School Sponsored Events . 13Visitor Policy . 14Release of Students . 14Emergency Closing . 14Car Line . 14Emergency Drills . 15Lost and Found. 15Lunch Program . 15Ice Cream . 15Snacks . 15Birthdays . 15Textbooks . 16Printed Material. 16ORGANIZATION CHART OF COVENANT ACADEMY . 17Whom shall I call? . 17COMMUNICATION POLICY . 18Parent to Parent . 18Parents to Teacher . 18Parents to Head of School . 18Parents to Board of Trustees . 18Blogs, Forums and Social Networking Sites . 19Media Contact . 19Sexual Harassment . 19In General . 19COVENANT ACADEMY PARENT-STUDENT HANDBOOK . PAGE 3

ADMISSIONS POLICY . 20Admissions Statement . 20Admissions Process . 20Admission Requirements for the Parents . 21Admission Requirements for the Student . 21Probationary Enrollment . 21Tuition . 21Financial Aid . 21Re-enrollment . 22FINANCIAL POLICY. 23General . 23Fee Schedule . 23Financial Contract for Enrollment . 23Late Enrollment . 23Financial Obligation upon Withdrawal . 23HEALTH POLICY . 24General Policy . 24Immunization Requirements . 24Medications . 24Medical Screenings . 25Communicable Disease. 25Food Allergies . 25ACADEMIC PROGRAM . 27CURRICULUM . 27GRADING SCALES . 27Kindergarten . 27Incomplete Grades. 27Character Training . 28PROGRESS REPORTS . 28PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES . 28REPORT CARDS . 28LEARNING DISABILITIES POLICY . 28Definitions . 28Policy . 28Expectations. 29PROMOTION POLICY . 29HONORS & AWARDS . 29Grades K-9 . 29Grades 4 – 9 Only . 30Graduating Kindergarteners . 30HOMEWORK POLICY . 31Grammar School Guidelines . 31Logic School Guidelines . 31Make-Up Work . 32PARTIES AND FEASTS. 32EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES . 32Eligibility . 32Clubs and After School Sports . 32STANDARDIZED TESTING . 32CODE OF CONDUCT . 33Authority of the School . 33Student Etiquette . 33COVENANT ACADEMY PARENT-STUDENT HANDBOOK . PAGE 4

Care of School Property . 34SCHOOL RULES . 34DISCIPLINE POLICY . 35Office Visits . 35Suspension . 36Expulsion . 36Serious Misconduct . 36Re-admittance . 36Drug and Alcohol Use . 36Sexual Misconduct. 37Pornography . 37Cell Phones . 37ATTENDANCE POLICY . 38Absentee Procedure . 38Excused Absence . 38Unexcused Absence . 39Family Vacations . 39Tardy Procedure at the Start of School (K-6) . 39Tardy Procedure between Classes (Logic School Only) . 39Leaving School Prior To Regular Dismissal . 39WITHDRAWAL POLICY . 40DRESS CODE. 40Philosophy . 40COMPUTER NETWORK AND INTERNET USE POLICY . 41APPENDICES . 43APPENDIX I – FEE SCHEDULE . 45APPENDIX II – FINANCIAL CONTRACT . 46APPENDIX III – IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS. 47APPENDIX IV – COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CHART . 49APPENDIX V – MEDICINE AUTHORIZATION . 50APPENDIX VI – COMPUTER NETWORK AND INTERNET TERMS AND CONDITIONSOF USE . 51APPENDIX VII – DRESS CODE . 53K – 8th Grade Girls . 53K – 8th Grade Boys . 549th Grade Girls . 559th Grade Boys . 56Jewelry and Other Additional Guidelines . 57Field Trip/Service Project Dress Code . 57New Students . 57Logo References . 57APPENDIX VIII – PARENTSWEB . 59What is ParentsWeb? . 59What can I find on ParentsWeb? . 59How do I log on to ParentsWeb . 59How can I get a user id and password to access ParentsWeb? . 59How can I access ParentsWeb once I have my log in information? . 59Who do I contact if I have a problem? . 59ParentsWeb Frequently Asked Questions . 60General Questions . 60COVENANT ACADEMY PARENT-STUDENT HANDBOOK . PAGE 5

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COVENANT ACADEMYA CHRISTIAN, CLASSICAL SCHOOLPURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHYHISTORYCovenant Academy was established by a group of parents committed to providing a biblically basededucation to students utilizing proven classical instruction. Although both the vision for the schooland the preparation of these parents has been many years in the making, Covenant Academy wasofficially incorporated in March 2003 with classes for kindergarten through eighth grade. OnSeptember 2, 2003, Covenant Academy began its first school year with 33 families and 18 teachers.By 2008, we had outgrown the space we were utilizing at our church home. In that year, CovenantAcademy merged with Cy-Fair Christian Academy (CFCA). In June 2008, Covenant Academyrelocated to CFCA’s nine acre tract of land and beautiful 24,000 square foot facility located on TelgeRoad. In August 2012, Covenant Academy became a K-9th grade school.ORGANIZATIONCovenant Academy is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation and is organized for the purpose of the“establishment, operation and maintenance of Bible-based, Christian private schools.”TheCovenant Academy By-laws charge our Board of Trustees with the responsibility and duty toadminister the affairs of the corporation. Covenant Academy is governed primarily by the Word ofGod, as understood and applied by the school’s Board of Trustees and administration. The Boardoperates under the school’s adopted by-laws, vision and mission statements. The Board isresponsible for setting policies for implementation in the school. For more details on the Board’soperation, the Covenant Academy By-laws may be obtained from the school office. The Head ofSchool is the academic and administrative leader of the school and is charged with ensuring that theCovenant Academy’s Mission and Vision are upheld and that policies are implemented. The Head ofSchool is responsible for the training and supervision of teachers to ensure the orderlyimplementation of Covenant Academy policies. The Director of Accounting, the Director of BusinessInformation and Technology, and the Director of School Operations are responsible for the orderlyoperation of the school. The Director of Accounting and the Director of Business Information &Technology report directly to the Head of School, and the Director of School Operations reportsdirectly to the Board.VISION STATEMENTCovenant Academy exists to cultivate leaders equipped to honor and defend truth, goodness, andbeauty.MISSION STATEMENTCovenant Academy partners with parents to train students by way of Scripture and the classicalliberal arts to be discerning, articulate followers of Jesus Christ.COVENANT ACADEMY PARENT-STUDENT HANDBOOK . PAGE 7

COVENANT ACADEMY GOALSA Christ-Centered and Classical EducationChrist-CenteredTo understand more fully what is meant by Christ-centered education, please refer to the bookRecovering the Lost Tools of Learning by Douglas Wilson. Copies are available for purchase or loanin the school office.In all its levels, programs, and teaching, Covenant Academy seeks to:a. Teach all subjects as parts of an integrated whole with the Scriptures at the center andpursue academic excellence that is defined and measurable to equip students to stand firm intheir belief of a Christian worldview when confronted with other worldviews;b. Provide a clear model of biblical Christian life through our staff and board (Matt. 22:37-40);andc. Encourage each student to begin and develop his relationship with God the Father throughJesus Christ (Matt. 28:18-20, Matt. 19:13-15).ClassicalFor a more in depth definition of classical teaching methods, please refer to Dorothy Sayers’ article“The Lost Tools of Learning.” Copies are available in the school office or on the Internet.In all its levels, programs, and teaching, Covenant Academy seeks to:a. Emphasize grammar, logic and rhetoric in all subjects (see definitions below);b. Encourage every student to develop a love for learning and seek the Lord’s glory in his schoolwork and academic achievements.c. Provide an orderly atmosphere where communication honors biblical standards and isconducive to the attainment of the above goals.DefinitionsGrammar: the meaning of words used in each subject of the curriculum.Logic: the ordered relationship of particulars of each subject and application of a logical and biblicalworldview to each subject.Rhetoric: the grammar and logic of each subject clearly expressed.EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHYAlthough most Christian schools would agree on certain fundamentals, it is imperative that parentsscrutinize the foundational beliefs of any school in which they may enroll their child(ren). Therefore,below are the most important elements that we at Covenant Academy believe distinguish our uniqueapproach to education.1. We believe that the Bible clearly instructs parents, not the Church or State, to "bringchildren up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." The Church’s commission isessentially to spread the Gospel and train believers (Matt. 28:18-20). The State has beendirected to enforce God’s laws and protect the innocent (Rom. 13). The Church trainsparents and the State is to protect families. The Family trains and educates children(Eph. 6:1-4). Therefore, under the delegation of the family, we seek to teach and discipline ina manner consistent with the Bible and a godly home environment.2. We believe that God's character is revealed not only in His Word but also in every facet ofcreation (Rom. 1:19-20). Therefore, we teach that all knowledge is interrelated (integrated)and can instruct us about God himself.COVENANT ACADEMY PARENT-STUDENT HANDBOOK . PAGE 8