Student Handbook (Revised 2009)
Mount Pisgah Christian Academy
Established 1976
Developing Hearts and Minds for Christ
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…”
- Philippians 2:5
Alma Mater
Sound the battle cry! See, the foe is nigh;
Raise the standard high for the Lord;
Gird your armor on, stand firm, everyone;
Rest your cause upon His Holy Word.
O we thank Thee, Lord, for our Christian school;
Where as youth we’re taught from God’s Word;
Truth and righteousness, purity and love;
Going forth to share our faith in God.
As our lives go on, when we leave our school,
Help us to do right day and night –
Not for our own pride, but for Christ Who died;
Use our lives to see Christ glorified.
Chorus:
Rouse then, Patriots, learn the Word of God now!
Ready, steady, pass the Word along.
Onward, forward, praise the Lord in all things!
Christ is Captain of our Christian school.
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Mount Pisgah Baptist Church elects a committee of seven men to oversee the school’s progress and doings. These seven men are the deacons of the church. The school board has adopted many guidelines and rules, which are presented in this handbook, for your guidance and information.
I. Mount Pisgah Christian Academy’s Beliefs
Philosophy and Purpose
Mount Pisgah Christian Academy (MPCA) operates as a ministry of the Mount Pisgah Baptist Church. MPCA operates with a statement of faith consisting of Bible doctrines that will be taught and maintained. The Academy will assist parents in their responsibility (Deut. 6:6-7) in conforming their children into “the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29). As the home, Church, and Academy work together, God’s plan for each child will be discovered. Our entire Academy program is designed to help parents fulfill this command of God and to lead their children to a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and continual growth in Him. The Bible is the basis for our education and is the foundation of the ministry of this Academy. Without God’s Word, there can be no true learning.
Our desire is to give the maximum knowledge of Christian living in light of God’s Word, “that in all things He might have the preeminence” (Col. 1:18). Even though knowledge is factually the same for the believer and unbeliever, no subject can be taught in its truth if its Originator is ignored. Our teachers are determined to help each parent “train up a child in the way he should go…” as they are instructed in Proverbs 22:6. Our standards and regulations are in effect to help us do things decently and for our school to be pleasing to God.
Baptist Distinctives
B- The Bible Is the Sole Authority for Faith and Practice.
A- Autonomy of the Local Church
P- Priesthood of Every Believer
T- Two Church Ordinances – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
I- Immersion Is the Only Mode of Believer’s Baptism
S- Saved Church Membership
T- Two Offices – Pastor and Deacon
S- Separation of Church and State
Doctrinal Beliefs
We Believe:
1. The Bible to be verbal, plenary inspired and the only inspired, infallible, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God. Also, that the King James Version of the Bible, because of its attributes of flawlessness, preservation, and correct translation from the inspired Massorectic and Textus Receptus texts, is the only version to be used for English-speaking people. II Tim. 3:16; II Pet. 1:19-21.
2. In one God eternally existing in three persons: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Matt. 28:18-19; II Cor. 13:14; I John 5:7, 11.
3. That Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit and was born of the virgin Mary; and that He is the God-man: fully God and fully Man. Matt 1:18-22; Luke 1:35.
4. Man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s sin the race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became separated from God; and that man is totally corrupt, and of himself utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. Rom. 3:22-23; 5:12.
5. The Lord Jesus Christ died for the sins of everyone according to the Scripture, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who believe in Him are totally justified on the grounds of his shed blood. Eph. 1:7; I Pet. 2:24.
6. In the resurrection of His physical body and His ascension into Heaven; and in His present life there for us, as High Priest and Advocate. Rom. 8:34; I John 2:12.
7. The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, Who convicts the world of sin, and regenerates, indwells, enlightens, and guides the believers. John 3:18; 14:16-17.
8. All who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God. Luke 13:3; John 3:3, 18, 36.
9. The Church is composed of all true believers and is the body of Christ through regeneration and baptism by the Holy Spirit. I Cor. 12:12; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:24, 25, 30.
10. The imminent return of the Lord, which is the Blessed Hope of the Church, is to be followed by the Tribulation, Second Coming of Christ to establish His Kingdom for one thousand years, the eternal state of punishment for the unsaved, and eternal state of blessing for the saved. Matt. 25:46; I Thess. 1:10; 4:13-18; 5:4-10; Titus 2:13; Rev. 20:1-6; 11-15.
Objectives of MPCA
1. To teach the necessity of being born again by the Spirit of God, receiving the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. To teach that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God, Who came to earth to die for our sins.
3. To teach that growth in Christian life depends upon fellowship with God through reading the Bible and prayer.
4. To teach that the Bible is the Word of God. It is practical and the most important tool in living the Christian life. The King James Version will be the only version used at Mount Pisgah Christian Academy.
5. To teach the student to get along with non-Christians and Christians who hold different views, while standing on definite convictions that line up with the Word of God.
6. To teach the student to respect those in authority and how to be a respectable citizen of the United States of America.
7. To teach the student to work for himself and to stand for his personal convictions in a world of compromise by using the Scriptures.
Attitude – Atmosphere
While discipline is important in building a spirit of submission to the authority of God, it is also necessary for the orderly function of the educational process. Learning, by its very nature, takes hard work and discipline. In order to achieve maximum learning potential, there must be a structured atmosphere.
Attitude is of supreme importance in a person’s life, therefore, students are encouraged to have a Christian attitude toward the Bible, prayer, parents, teachers, administration, fellow students, etc. A conference with the parents will be called if a serious attitude problem is detected.
This is not a corrective institution. Therefore, we ask that you not enroll your child with the idea that we will reform him or her. A good attitude is required of all students. MPCA reserves the rights to make, amend, or prescribe rules and policies for dress, appearance, or any and all other unforeseen problems that may arise at any time during the school year.
II. Admissions
· Admission of students is based upon achievement, the testing program, an interview process and availability of space within each grade level. Please note the following:
· The application and all other forms must be completed and returned to the school office. Birth certificate and Health forms must be included. (Kindergarten and first grade).
· No studentis considered registered until the above-mentioned forms have been completed and returned, and the registration fee has been paid in full. NOTE: This fee is non-refundable unless a student cannot be accepted or the family moves out of the area prior to the first day of school.
· Students must have reached the age of five on or before September 30th to enroll in the kindergarten program.
· Parents must sign a request form so that the school may send for records from any previously attended school.
· New students may be given entrance exams before grade placement is finalized and acceptance determined. Parents will be notified of test results and of reasons for acceptance or denial.
· If a family inquiring about our school has a child who has been expelled from another school, whether public or private, they must go through a process of three meetings and before those meetings are set, spiritual progress must be noted by the pastoral staff of the individual’s church. These meetings consist of one with the principal, one with the assistant pastor, and one with the pastor and school board. If the student is accepted into the school, he will be placed on a one month probation. If the student has not gotten into any trouble after one month from the first day of the student’s attendance, then the probation period will be lifted and the student will be able to continue at MPCA. (2009)
· All students are required to have an up-to-date emergency form on file in the school office.
· MPCA admits students of any race, gender, color, nationality, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.
· The school reserves the right to deny admission to any student where the administration or school board feels that his or her attendance is not in the best interest of the school.
· Because this is a Christian school, regular church attendance is a requirement for both students and parents.
III. Dress Attire
Because Mount Pisgah Christian Academy desires to please the Lord in all things, a standard of dress has been developed. We would be wrong to think that the reason why we have dress standards is to make us appear different from the world; this is only a by-product. We have them because we see a Holy Savior high and lifted up and realize that He has commanded us to be vessels of sanctification and honor. To look anywhere else but to God for the Christian life would make the standard minor.
A. Boys
1. Kindergarten-Sixth
a. The elementary boys will wear long pants. Belts must be worn. Jeans are accepted but must not be faded, tight-fitting, or outlandish in style. No skids (loose pants with elastic at waist and legs with wild colors and designs). No sweat pants for school dress.
b. Shirts must be tucked in at all times. T-shirts are permitted but must be neat. Printed t-shirts must conform to the standard of the school (i.e. no rock group shirts, extreme styles, fad slogans, etc.) Shirts must be buttoned except for the collar.
c. Hair must be combed and neat at all times. Hair must be off the collar, off the ears, and clear of the eyebrows.
d. On Wednesdays, boys are to wear casual or dress slacks, a button-up shirt, and a tie, and are not permitted to take their ties off until their appropriate lunch time. Boys must also have their ties on when they enter into the elementary school building or the chapel auditorium. (2009) Sneakers must not be worn on this day.
e. No jewelry shall be permitted except for watches and those items used for medical identification emergencies.
2. Seventh-Twelfth
a. All boys are to wear long pants; trousers with creases are
acceptable. Jeans are not allowed except on Fridays. Jeans must not be faded, patched, or outlandish in any way. No skids (loose pants with elastic at the waist and legs with wild colors and designs) can be worn. Tight-fitting trousers or extreme styles are not permitted.
b. Sports shirts, turtlenecks, or sweaters are acceptable. Sweatshirts are not to be worn (except those that promoted MPCA or for special reasons). Any writing or pictures on clothing must be in harmony with the philosophies and policies at Mount Pisgah Christian Academy.
c. Socks must be worn at all times (anklets are not acceptable).
d. Dress shoes, casual shoes, or sneakers may be worn. Sandals or flip-flops are not permitted.
e. No jewelry may be worn by a boy except for a watch and or a ring (on the right-hand ring finger).
f. Boys must have their hair combed, cut, and neat at all times. They must have a haircut that includes a neat trim on the sides and back. Hair must be off the ear and collar and clear of the eyebrows. Neatly trimmed sideburns to the middle of the ear are permitted. No extreme hairstyles (such as bowl cuts, mo-hawks, etc). Judgment of a hairstyle or clothing are the administration’s alone.
g. On Wednesdays or other designated days, boys will be required to wear a dress shirt, a tie properly tied, dress shoes, and pants in a matching outfit. They must wear their ties all day and must have their tie on when they enter into any of the school buildings or chapel auditorium. (2009)
B. Girls
1. Kindergarten-Sixth
a. Girls are to wear dresses, jumpers, or skirts, with blouses at all times while at school. They must be to the bottom of the knee or longer when standing or when sitting. Culottes can be worn. Pants or shorts must not be worn. Shirts must be tucked in or cover the waistline. The shirt should be long enough to cover the stomach or back area when reaching in the air. Slit skirts and dresses cannot be slit higher than the bend in the knee in a standing position. No tight-fitting or low-cut clothing of any kind will be allowed. No sun dresses without a jacket or a blouse will be allowed.
b. T-shirts are permitted but must agree with the philosophy and harmony of the school’s policies.
c. Girls must wear hose or socks everyday and at all times.
d. Girls must have their hair neat and under control and not down over their faces.
e. Girls may have earrings, but no more than one in each ear. All earrings need to be in the earlobe and not on the cartilage part of the ear. Besides the above mentioned, other earrings will not be acceptable in any part of the body.
f. Girls may not wear any makeup except for fine art activities.
g. Sneakers, culottes, or denim must not be worn on Wednesdays.
2. Seventh-Twelfth
a. Girls are to wear dresses, jumpers, or skirts, and blouses at all times while at school. They must be to the bottom of the knee or longer when standing or when sitting. Pants or shorts must not be worn. The shirt should be long enough to cover the stomach or back area when reaching in the air. No tight-fitting or law-cut clothing of any kind will be allowed. No sundresses without a jacket or a blouse will be allowed.
b. Girls must wear hose or socks every school day.
c. Girls must have their hair neat and under control and not down over their faces.
d. Girls may have earrings, but no more than one in each ear. All earrings need to be in the earlobe and not on the cartilage part of the ear. Besides the above mentioned, no other earrings will be acceptable in any part of the body.
e. Girls may wear makeup, but they must not wear it in excess.
f. Sneakers, culottes, or denim must not be worn on Wednesdays.
IV. Attendance
- In order to gain the most from the school, each student must be regular in attendance.
A. Elementary
1. Tardies
a. A student is considered tardy if he is not in his seat at 8:15 AM or if he leaves school before 3:00 PM.
b. If a student has been retained in the office or by a teacher, they must ask for an excuse slip from the teacher, who has detained them before going to their next class.
c. Five tardies equal one absence.
2. Absences
a. In general, the following reasons for school absence are acceptable:
- Verified illness of student
- Bereavements in immediate family
- Verified medical appointments
- Previously-arranged and approved trips
1). For medical appointments, the child should only be out of school for that allotted time, not for the rest of the day. If school is still in session when the medical appointment has been completed, the student needs to be brought back to school.
2). For previously-arranged and approved trips, the administrator must be given notice at the minimum of one week ahead of time. Once approval for excused trips has been given by the administrator, then the parent(s) of the student will need to give a written note to the school which says what days the student will be absent. Then, this will go in the student’s file.
b. A student, who has been absent from the school should present a note to the office on the day of his return to school. The note should contain the following information: date(s) of absence, reason for absence, signature of parent, and physician’s note (if sick).
c. If a student is absent for five days (whether consecutive or not) without adequate excuse, according to TCA 49-6-5007, MPCA will need to report the situation to the Roane County truancy officer.
d. If a student is absent for more than twenty days of the school year, whether unexcused or excused, MPCA. reserves the right to retain the student at the same grade level.
e. In order to be counted present at school for ½ day, a student must remain at the school for a minimum of 3 hours.
f. Any work that is missed due to excused absences must be made up within the same number of days as the absence(s) (i.e. absent two days, two school days to make up the test). If not, a zero will be given just as if a student was unexcused from being absent.
g. Any graded material that is missed because of an unexcused absence cannot be taken by the student.
h. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain any missed work from their teacher or teachers.
B. High School
1. Tardies
a. A student is considered tardy if he is not in his seat at 8:15 AM or if he leaves school before 3:00 PM.
b. If a student has been retained in the office or by a teacher, they must ask for an excuse slip from the teacher, who has detained them before going to their next class.
c. Five tardies equal one absence.
2. Absences
Note: The absentee rules for the junior high and high school are the same as the elementary (See IVA).
C. Church Attendance
1. Every student that attends MPCA will be sent home with a Church Attendance Form at the beginning of each semester. On the form the parent(s) or guardian(s) will be asked if their child has attended church faithfully.
2. If the above-mentioned form is not signed and returned in one week, the student will receive demerits (high school only).
3. If for some reason the church attendance form is lost, the parent or guardian of the student may write a note to the school saying that their child does attend church at least once a week.
4. MPCA understands transportation difficulties to church due to sickness, vacation, and inclement weather; but MPCA requires the student to attend church when he is able.
5. Any student, who has been delinquent in attending church, will be brought up before the school board. During this meeting, it will be discussed if it is in the interest of the school to allow the student to return for the following year.
D. Arrival and Dismissal
1. Arrival
a. School will begin at 8:15 AM.
b. Early Care
1) Definition: The period of time between 6:30 AM and 7:30
AM.
2) Parents may take advantage of Early Care, which is in the
designated room in the elementary building for all grades.
3) If two or more students are related and live in the same
house, then the charge for Early Care will be per family and not per student. In this case, the definition for “related” includes biological, half, step, and adopted siblings. (2009)
4) The cost is $2.00 each morning.
c. Early Stay
1) Definition: The period of time between 7:30 AM and 8:15
AM.
2) Parents may take advantage of Early Stay, which is in the
designated room in the elementary and the main auditorium
in the high school building. Students need to be in the Early
Stay that is in their school building. High school students
cannot be in the elementary building nor can elementary
students be in the high school building.
3) There is no fee for Early Stay.
2. Dismissal
a. School will end at 3:15 PM.
b. Late Stay
1) Definition: The period of time between 3:15 PM and 4:00
PM.
2) At 3:30 PM in the elementary building, the students will
leave the gymnasium and go to the designated Late Stay and
After Care room.
3) At 3:30 PM in the junior high and high school building, the
students will leave to go to the designated Late Stay and
After Care room in the
elementary building.
4) There is no fee for Late Stay.
c. After Care
1) Definition: The period of time between 4:00 PM and 5:30
PM Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and
until 5:00 PM on Wednesdays.
2) Parents may take advantage of Late Stay, which is in the
designated room in the elementary building. Junior high
and high school students must come directly to the designated room in the elementary building at 3:30 PM.
3) If two or more students are related and live in the same
house, then the charge for After Care will be per family and not per student. In this case, the definition for “related” includes biological, half, step, and adopted siblings. (2009)
4) The cost is $5.00 each afternoon.
5) Students must be picked up at 5:30 PM (or on 5:00 PM on
Wednesdays) or an additional $1.00 per minute will be
charged to the family’s account.
d. Parents, who are picking up their children, will need to have their school number flyer hanging from their rear view mirror. Anyone who does not have this flyer hanging from their mirror will not be allowed to take a child home.
e. Students must not go home with another family unless written permission is seen by the administrator and that note put in the student’s file. Phone calls will not suffice.
E. Field Trips
1. An MPCA student can only attend a field trip in which their grade is involved.
2. Any absence other than inclement weather or sickness on a field trip day will be counted as an unexcused absence.
F. Bill Rice Ranch
All students 7th-12th grade must attend the Youth Conference at the Bill Rice Ranch in Murfreesboro, TN, at the beginning of the year. Typically, the Bill Rice Ranch Youth Conference is during the middle of September. Going to the BRR and taking notes is equivalent to two Bible test grades. If a student does not go to the BRR for an unexcused reason, they will receive a zero percentage on one of their tests and they will have to report to school on the following Monday at 8:15 AM to listen to the BRR seminars while taking notes. If a student fails to report on that Monday at 8:15, they will receive a second zero on a test and be counted as unexcused. (2009)
V. Grading System
A progress report will be issued at the mid-point of each nine weeks as a means to keep parents informed of the students’ progress. All progress reports are to be signed by a parent and returned promptly to the homeroom teacher. The following grading system will be used:
A 100 – 94 Excellent work I Improving
B 93 – 86 Good work N Needs Improvement
C 85 – 75 Fair work S Satisfactory
D 74 – 70 Passable work U Unsatisfactory
F 69 – below Failing WF Withdrew Failing
E Excellent WP Withdrew Passing
G Good IW Incomplete Work
A Honor Roll – averages of 94 – 100%
B Honor Roll – averages of 86 – 93%
High School
Honors – GPA 3.0 or higher
Salutatorian – GPA 3.35 – 3.64
Valedictorian – GPA 3.65 – 4.0
VI. Financial Information
Christian schools are not known for their large cash reserves or financial endowments, and MPCA is no exception. Because MPCA neither solicits nor accepts government funds of any type, it is necessary that fees and tuition be paid when due. MPCA operates as a ministry and therefore depends solely on tuition, fees, church support, contribution, and fund-raisers to meet the expenses occurred.
The registration fee is due before new students are tested and before returning students may begin the first semester. The registration fee is non-refundable unless the student is not accepted or moves out of the area prior to the first day of school.
As a convenience to our school families, a monthly tuition plan is available. All accounts are due and payable by the first of each month, starting in August. No monthly statements are sent out. You will need to pick up your payment booklet in the school office.
Procedures for past due tuition:
In the event an account is unpaid by the 10th of the month:
1. A $15 late fee is assessed, and a letter will be sent to that effect.
2. Any account 30 days over due, the student will not be allowed to attend MPCA until the account is paid in full.
3. All records and report cards will be held until tuition and fees are paid.
Every attempt will be made to work with parents. Please contact the school office if a problem arises. Communication is the key.
For any check returned to us, we will charge you a $25 insufficient check fee. After that, you will be required to pay by cash or money order.
We need all families to participate in fundraisers; this will help cover the cost of things needed for the school.
We would appreciate your cooperation in keeping your account up-to-date at all times. Our staff, which is making the greatest sacrifice, deserves to be paid on time. The companies with whom we do business equally deserve to be paid on time, and we intend to have a good Christian testimony by meeting every obligation in a timely manner.
VII. Miscellaneous Rules
A. Gum must not be present or chewed on school property. This includes church vans and buses used for transportation.
B. Guns, matches, fire works, lighters, and knives are not permitted on campus
C. Students must not use the school phones unless for an emergency, and then only when permission has been given by an authority figure. Students in the elementary, who have cell phones, must give them to their teacher or teachers on door duty as soon as they enter into the school building. Their teacher will put their cell phone in the “cell phone basket”, which is located outside of the school office. Their cell phones will be redistributed when the student goes home or until the end of the day. Students in the high school must lay their cell phones on the high school office desk for the secretary to keep until the student goes home or until the end of the day. If a junior high or high school student’s cell phone is found on their person, locker, or any other place not designated by the above mentioned, the student will receive an automatic 15 demerits (see “Demerit System” underneath VII). (2009)
D. Students who drive themselves to school will not be allowed to return to their car during the school day without permission. They must also park their automobile left of the high school office to provide room for the teachers to park.
E. Any books or magazines that are for personal enjoyment and are brought to the school must be approved by the administrator first. If they are not brought to the administrator first, they will be deemed inappropriate. Approved books and magazines can be read before and after school, free periods (not study halls), and during lunch (if time is available after the student has eaten).
F. Any electrical device (excluding a razor) will be prohibited. This is subject to but not limited to the following: gaming devices, CD players, DVD players, etc. Any disc, DVD, tape…etc. that is put into these devices will also not be allowed unless approval is given by the administrator. This is also the rule when traveling to sporting events in staff or MPCA vehicles.
G. Student’s Lockers
1. Student’s lockers must be kept neat and tidy. Nothing will be permitted to be on the outside of the lockers. Any object that does not require scotch tape or a magnet will not be allowed to be used as decoration inside the locker. All that is inside the locker must conform to the intent and policies of MPCA. Discretion for this is the administrator’s alone.
2. Students may only put their belongings in their own lockers.
3. Locks may be put on lockers, but are not encouraged. If a lock is put on a locker, then an extra key or the combination number must be given to the administrator. Because the lockers are not owned by the students, the administrator and his staff (when approved by the administrator to check) have the right to check and correct lockers when needed.
4. If items are disappearing from a student’s locker, then the student must report this to the office.
H. Students must have health insurance to participate in MPCA’s sports. This will be checked upon by the students’ coaches in the beginning of the sports’ practices
I. Students’ lunch boxes, garments, books, etc., need to be marked. This will enable us to assist you in locating lost items and preventing problems for us. Please check the “lost and found” if any articles are lost. Items will be held for ten school days. To redeem them, you must pay twenty-five cents. If unclaimed, they will be given to the needy. The school is not responsible for any article(s) lost or stolen on school property and not recovered.
J. Students must not bring items from home that are non-educational unless approval is given by the administrator (e.g. sporting cards).
K. Students wishing to bring a visitor to school must first obtain written permission and consent from the parents of both the student and of the visitor, as well as approval from the administrator. Our school is a closed campus. No visitors are permitted on campus for any reason without advanced approval.
L. Students who played a game the night before must not be tardy or absent the next day. The tardy or absence will be unexcused and any grades that are given during the time of the tardy or absence will be counted as a zero. The only exception would be physical injuries or inclement weather.
M. If a parent does not have their rearview mirror flyer which contains their family number, they need to go to the office and sign for their child or in some cases, show their driver’s license.
N. MPCA has a six-inch rule that applies to all students. No physical contact of any kind is allowed between members of the opposite sex.
O. Any student who attends MPCA will be held responsible for any words or pictures they post on any website, including social networks and blogs, or that is posted of them. (2009)
VIII. General Information
Corporal Punishment – Kindergarten – 6th
MPCA reserves the right to paddle any student. We have full faith in God’s Word, which teaches “foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him,” (Proverbs 22:15). If, after a student has been informed of the rules and policies, he or she ignores the instruction and breaks the rules, that student is subject to a reasonable corporal punishment. This is done if, after investigation, the principal or teacher determines that the infraction is sufficient to require one. Each paddling will be witnessed by another adult of the same gender of the child, who is being punished.
All parents are required to sign a form giving the MPCA principal and faculty authority to administer corporal punishment. NO student will be admitted without this signed consent form.
Demerit System – 7th-12th
Demerits of 1 (for the first offense), 2 (for the second offense), and 3 (for the third offense until the end of the semester) will be handed out for the following: Chewing gum, excessive talking, not keeping hands or feet to oneself, disrespect to other students, note passing in class, breaking dress code, not prepared for class, inappropriate name-calling, unexcused tardiness to another class during the day.
Demerits of 5, 10, 15, 25, 50 or expulsion will be handed out for the following: Cheating on anything (15) whether it be homework or a graded paper and will be an automatic zero, using cell phone (or texting) without permission (15), stealing (25), disrespect to a teacher or staff member (up to 25), cursing (25 to expulsion), destruction of school property (up to 25 and money to fix what was destroyed or broken), direct disobedience (15), weapons, drugs, or alcohol will lead to automatic expulsion.
*The principal has the right to review each case and can ease or stiffen the penalty, as he deems necessary.
After-school Detention – For every 15 demerits the student accumulates.
(3:15-4:00 on a designated day)
15 demerits – Detention and a note sent home to be signed and returned.
30 demerits – Detention and a note sent home to be signed and returned. The student will also have a meeting with the principal.
45 demerits – Detention and a note sent home to be signed and returned. The principal will call the parents.
60 demerits – Detention and a note sent home to be signed and returned. The principal will have a meeting with the parents.
75 demerits – Detention and a note sent home to be signed and returned. There will be a meeting with the principal and a three-day, in-school suspension.
90 demerits – Detention and a note sent home to be signed and returned. Meeting with the principal and a three-day, out-of-school suspension.
100 demerits – Expulsion.
* Demerit records are reset for each student at the beginning of the next semester.
Probation
Academic probation from extra-curricular activities is due to failure in academic areas. The probation takes effect when a student falls below a 2.0 average on a progress report or at the end of a nine-week grading period. The probation will be lifted when the student achieves a grade point average of 2.0 or better during the sporting season. A student may only request twice per probation period for his grade point average to see if it has risen.
Academic probation will also take effect when a student receives two or more “F’s” on either a progress report or a nine-week period report, even if the student’s grade point average is 2.0 or greater.
Please note that if a student is being suspended, whether in-school or out-of-school, they will not be able to participate or attend sporting events, even if they are on the team.
Credits Toward High School Diploma (9th-12th) College Bound
Bible I, II, III, and IV1 4 units
Language I, II, III, and IV 4 units
Mathematics2 4 units
Science3 3 units
Social Studies4 3 units
Wellness 1 unit
Physical Education ½ unit
Personal Finance ½ unit
Foreign Language5 2 units
Fine Arts5 1 unit
Total 26 units
1 One year of Bible for each year enrolled in a member school.
2 Students who enter 9th grade in 2009-2010 and thereafter shall be required to achieve, by the time they graduate, at least the following: Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II (or the equivalents) plus one additional mathematics course beyond Algebra I. All students will be enrolled in a math class each year. Students with qualifying disabilities in math are documented in the individualized education program shall be required to achieve at least Algebra I and Geometry (or the equivalent). The required number of credits in math will be achieved through strategies such as, but not limited to, increased time, appropriate methodologies, and accommodations as determined by the IEP team.
3Students who enter 9th grade in 2009-2010 and thereafter shall be required to achieve, by the time they graduate, at least Biology I and either Chemistry or Physics plus another laboratory science. Students with qualifying disabilities in reading and/or math as documents in the individualized education program shall be required to achieve at least Biology I and two other lab science credits. The required number of credits in science will be achieved through strategies such as, but not limited to, increased time, appropriate methodologies, and accommodations as determined by the IEP team.
4The social studies curriculum shall include United States History, World History/World Geography, Economics, and Government.
5In exceptional circumstances, schools may waive the foreign language and fine art requirement for students who are not planning to attend the university to expand and enhance their elective focus. (2009)
Report Cards and Records
The purpose of our reporting system is to give parents and children an indication of the progress that is being made. Each child’s ability, attitude, and application are taken into account in grading. Report cards will be given out at the end of each nine-week period. Report cards should be signed and returned to the school within three days. A $10.00 charge is assessed each time a report card is replaced. If any fees or charges are owed at the end of any grading period, the report card and records will not be released until the account is completely paid.
Withdraws
Withdraws from school must be made in person by the parent through the principal’s office. An official withdraw form will be processed and the necessary signatures obtained. Records will not be released until all bills are paid and all textbooks and materials are returned. Tuition for the current month is non-refundable.
Textbooks
Each student must furnish his own supplies and notebooks. The use of spiral notebooks are discouraged but it is left up to the discretion of the teacher. Any hardback books that are used must have a cover on them. This will allow us to maintain good, conditioned books. If any of the school’s books are damaged, then a replacement fee will be added to the student’s bill.
Medicine and Emergencies
All students must have emergency and medicine dosage forms filled out and on file with the school office. No medicines will be given to students without written permission and instruction from the parents. If your child must take medication of any kind during school hours, you must send exact dosages, instructions, and a signed statement to the homeroom teacher.
Library
The fact that certain books are in the library does not necessarily mean that the school endorses their contents from the standpoint of morals, philosophy, religion, or scientific theories. However, our intention is not to have anything inappropriate in the library.
Lunch
MPCA does have a hot lunch program. A menu is sent home each month. Students may purchase a meal ticket, which is good for five lunches. They do not have to use them up all in the same week. Lunches may be brought from home, but nothing that has to be refrigerated.
Charges will be limited to one day to students who have forgotten their lunch or money. Charges need to be paid the following school day. If not paid, students will not be allowed to charge and parents will be called to bring money and/or lunch.
School Cancellations & Delays
Inclement weather is expected in every school year. MPCA is concerned with the safety of students particularly when weather is a problem. It is our policy at MPCA to exercise the same caution as Roane County does. Therefore, we will follow them in cancellations and delays for weather conditions. Please note though, that if Roane County closes or delays for sickness, that it does not necessarily mean that MPCA will be closed. You can see school cancellations and delays on WBIR TV (NBC), WBIR.com, and the radio station FM 96.3.
Address, Telephone, & Website Information
Elementary Address: High School Address: 107 Old Hen Valley Road 109 Old Hen Valley Road Oliver Springs, TN 37840 Oliver Springs, TN 37840
Elem. Phone: (865) 435-4831 High School Phone: (865) 435-4828
School Fax: (865) 435-7783
Thank you for choosing Mount Pisgah Christian Academy. We appreciate the opportunity to assist you, as parents, in training your children to do the Will of God and to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. It is our desire to maintain open communication with you and your children. If we can be of assistance to you in any way, please let us know. May the Lord richly bless you!
