Victory Christian Academy Student Handbook

2271 River Rd. Sneads, FL 32460 Phone (850) 593-6699 FAX (850) 593-3341

www.victory-christian.net

Victory Christian Academy, founded in 1986, belongs to – and is a ministry of – Victory Baptist Church.  Our Pastor and VCA Administrator, Dr. David Pipping, is ultimately responsible for the school.

The Pastor/Administrator has the ultimate decision-making authority in all areas. His responsibilities include the general supervision of the school and its programs, the establishment of school policies and procedures, and the provision of spiritual leadership, among others.

Under the authority of the Pastor/Administrator, the responsibilities of the Principal include screening and admission of students, ensuring that policies and procedures set by the Pastor/Administrator are followed, scheduling and planning of school activities, supervision of school staff, and counseling with students and parents, among others.

Victory Christian Academy offers a College Preparatory Diploma, for students who wish to be well-prepared to attend a college or university; a General Diploma, which has requirements close to those of a college preparatory diploma, but is less rigorous and usually sufficient for students who will be attending a junior college; a Vocational Diploma, for students who will prepare for a trade rather than attending a college or university; and a Certificate of Attendance for students whose disabilities prevent them from earning one of the other diplomas.

In the mid-eighteen hundreds, a man named Samuel Augustus Maverick was looking for a way to make his fortune in the open lands of Texas.  He had learned that, out of the vast ranges, there were thousands of unbranded cattle that had become lost from various herds at one time or another.  They had bred and produced thousands of others whose ownership could not be determined.

church but cannot demonstrate regular attendance at that church may be required to attend Victory Baptist Church if they wish to continue attendance in Victory Christian Academy. Students who do not meet church attendance requirements will either be denied entry into the school or will be dismissed from the school.

                1. Visit the school and pick up application and handbook.

                2. Read through this handbook thoroughly.

Students must re-enroll in order to reserve seating for the next term. However, it should be understood that re-enrollment is a privilege and not a right.

A student may be withdrawn for any reason upon seven days written notice.  Likewise, the school has the right, for any reason, to ask a student to withdraw upon seven days written notice.   This provision is separate and apart from suspension or expulsion under the school’s discipline policies.

Students transferring from VCA must give the school at least three business days notice to prepare records and grades. It is our policy not to release any academic records until any outstanding balance on the account is paid in full. If for any reason you should withdraw your child from school, or if we ask you (for disciplinary reasons) to withdraw your child, all moneys paid, including curriculum fee, registration, and tuition are non-refundable.

The Pre-K and Kindergarten Classrooms are open beginning at 7:30 a.m. Classes begin at 8:00 a.m.; students are tardy if they arrive later than 8:00 a.m.

10.0 Academics

Victory Christian Academy uses curriculum provided by Accelerated Christian Education (A.C.E.). The A.C.E. program is an individualized, mastery-based curriculum designed to build character and integrity into the student at the same time that it provides a solid educational foundation.

Victory Christian Academy operates several Learning Centers which are under the authority of the principal and individual Learning Center Supervisors (or teachers). Monitors (or aids) assist the Supervisor in the Learning Center.

For Physics and Spanish, the final course grade will be curved one letter grade because of the difficulty level of the course.

NOTE:  In Math and English, students should strive to complete as much work as possible above the minimum requirements.  Conventionally taught classes such as choir, band, discipleship, etc., may earn elective credit.

VCA also offers a Vocational Preparatory Diploma.  To earn this, a student must have completed at least through 8^th grade in all subjects and have earned 24 credits.  Students who graduate with this diploma are also encouraged to take the GED test before entrance into college.

The A.C.E. curriculum is designed in such a way that 12 PACEs are required to complete one year’s school work in each subject area. Students usually work in 6 or more subject areas, so most students will be required to complete about 72 PACEs per year in order to progress from grade to grade – 12 PACEs each in Math, English, Social Studies, Science, Word Building, and Bible. Additional PACEs, such as literature, may be assigned for student enrichment. Graduation requirements may require that High School students do additional, or different, subjects. High School students must successfully pass 12 PACEs in a given subject area – Algebra, Biology, or World History, for example – in order to earn a credit (or 6 PACEs for ½ credit.)

2. Activities not related to prescribed material are not to be conducted in office unless appropriate privilege level has been earned.

1. No PACE tests are administered on Mondays. No self-tests may be taken on Fridays.

A written excuse signed by a parent or guardian must be presented to the Supervisor when a student returns to school after an absence.  If the absence is foreseeable, a note should be sent in advance.  Non-emergency appointments should be scheduled after school hours.

Hair: Hair must be kept neat and trimmed at all times. Hair must be trimmed at the top of the ear, not touching the collar in back. Sideburns may be no longer that the middle of the ears. No facial hair is permitted. Hair color must be a natural-looking hair color.

Jewelry: No earrings, body piercing, or other body rings are permitted on male students. Other jewelry must be conservative and minimal. No more than one or two bracelets or necklaces may be worn at one time. No tattoos are permitted.

Make-up, nail polish, and jewelry: All should be conservative and minimal.

Jewelry, hair, and clothing styles suggestive of the counter-culture or the occult are unacceptable and may not be worn. Hair color must be a naturally-occurring color. One or two earrings may be worn in each earlobe, and no body piercings or tattoos are allowed. No more than two (2) bracelets or necklaces permitted to be worn at one time.

Pre-K through LC1 girls should wear shorts under their uniform jumpers to maintain modesty while playing in the playground or in the gym.

Student's shoes should be such that a student is safe when walking on stairs, sidewalks, etc. Shoes with high heels are not safe. We also want shoes to look attractive with our school uniforms, as we want our students to look neat and tidy from "head to toe."

Therefore, we are permitting and encouraging students to wear tennis shoes or "Keds" style shoes. Tennis shoes that are acceptable are ones with the standard shoe colors (i.e. white, black, brown, blue, gray). Some examples of unacceptable colors are green, pink, yellow, neon, purple, etc. Standard shoe colors will look nice with our uniforms while some of the wilder colors will not. Shoes which "light up" are also not allowed, nor are those with wheels in the soles. Please be conscious of these considerations when shopping.

VCA is dedicated to training children for life in a program of study and activities that are Christ-centered.  We believe that "all things should be done decently and in order" (1 Cor. 14:40) and that our students should be taught to accept the responsibility to "walk honestly" (Romans 13:13) before all men. The school’s ability to educate properly is directly related to controlling the child. A child who cannot be controlled cannot be educated. Therefore, rules and programs have been established to permit learning and to teach self-discipline. They are detailed so a full understanding may be obtained. They seem strict only to those who have a tendency to stray outside the boundaries of our rules and procedures. Each student will find freedom as well as security within the boundaries of the rules and procedures. All students are to maintain the attitude that attendance at VCA is a privilege and not a right.

Discipline is maintained by staff in a firm, consistent, and fair manner, tempered with love.  We endeavor to use discernment and good judgment.  The staff encourages high standards of conduct in the Learning Center through kindness, love, and a genuine regard for each student.  Students are taught that the Lord Jesus Christ expects us to be disciplined in all areas of life.

VCA is not a corrective institution. Consequently, we ask that no child be enrolled with the idea that we will reform him.  It is our goal to work with the home, but not to take the place of parents who have experienced difficulty in fulfilling their roles.

Because rules and discipline are a necessary part of education, if your child complains about either one, please follow this procedure:

                1. Support the school and your child’s teacher. Reassure your child of the staff member’s love and remind him or her that we are all to obey God-given authority.

Paramount rules at VCA are "Do those things which are right" and "Do not disturb others." Therefore, demerits are earned for disturbances and broken rules.  Three or more demerits in one day result in a detention after school: 

       3 demerits = 15 minutes detention (usually half of lunch period*)

       4 demerits = 30 minutes detention (usually all of lunch period*)

       5 demerits = 45 minutes detention (usually after school)

       6 demerits = 60 minutes detention (after school)

       7 demerits or more may result in corporal correction

When a student receives a detention, a Corrective Action Notice is sent home with the student.  The notice must be signed by a parent and returned to the supervisor the next day.  Detention time will be served on the day following the issuance of the Corrective Action Notice.

Frequent demerits are an indication that a student may need direction in developing principles of character.  Conferences with the supervisor, principal, and parents are sometimes necessary to encourage this character development.

*Students whose detentions are scheduled at lunch time or 1^st break must bring a snack and/or lunch to school with them, since they will not be allowed to leave the room at this time. Those food items must be of the type that requires no refrigeration and no heating, since those options are not available in the classroom.

Note regarding break-time or lunch-time detention or in-school suspension:

Students who receive detentions which must be served during lunchtime or first break must bring a lunch and/or snack which needs neither refrigeration nor heating, because students will have no opportunity to go to the snack bar or to heat up a meal. A limited number of items will be available for purchase in the classroom; however, it is recommended that students bring the appropriate lunch and/or snack from home.

The Bible clearly teaches the use of corporal discipline: 

We believe that certain offenses are best corrected through the use of corporal discipline.  These include, but are not limited to, fighting and other "hands off" rule violations, flagrant disrespect to those in authority, deliberate cheating, deliberate lying, the use of foul language, and repeated violations in any area which other forms of discipline have failed to correct.  (See Sections 16.4 and Addendums 6 & 7) Parents are required to sign a Corporal Correction Release form upon enrollment, which outlines VCA policy in this area.  The following procedure applies when corporal discipline is deemed necessary:

Students can prepare for competition in any of more than 140 event areas, including academics, athletics, music, platform, and arts & crafts.  Contestant guidelines are available to assist students in preparing for competition.  (See also Section 10.7.11)

Preparations begin early in the year, and every student must select and work on projects in several different academic and performance areas. Students must meet project deadlines at various times throughout the academic year. Teachers will assist with guiding and informing the students and their parents, but it is up to the student and his or her parents to see that projects are being worked on and completed as directed by the school staff.

Our goal is to produce graduates of the highest character and integrity, adults who are genuinely ladies and gentlemen and men and women of honor who are leaders for the Lord. A vital part of being Christ-like is learning to respect those in authority over you. A method of expressing this respect is by responding with a "yes, sir" or "no, sir", "yes, ma’am," or "no, ma’am". This will be expected. Hebrews 13:17 says, "Obey them that have rule over you," and students can use this as their guide when making decisions. The teachers are people of integrity, who exercise their authority with restraint and grace, and the students are required to obey them, especially in situations not specifically detailed here.

Except for supervised contact sports, students should maintain an appropriate distance (usually a minimum of six inches) from other students at all times.  No physical contact will be allowed between members of the opposite sex.  Demerits, paddling, and/or suspension will result, depending on the severity of the offense. 

A Medical Release form for emergency medical treatment must be signed and submitted to school office.

Off-campus parties are not school-sponsored unless parents receive a notification letter from the principal.

Defaced, missing, or broken property will be replaced at the offending student’s expense.

VCA reserves the right to search a student’s person and belongings when we have reason to suspect that a student possesses an unapproved item.  A search may be conducted without the student’s or parents’ permission.  Registration of a student constitutes parental consent to such searches.  Searches may be made of, but not limited to:  automobiles, backpacks, purses, pockets, lockers, offices, and persons.  Searches by staff will not violate standards of Christian modesty.

If the administration suspects the use of illegal drugs by a student, parents will be contacted and may be asked to pay for a drug test.  Refusal to submit to a test or failure to pass the test will result in immediate expulsion without refund of fees.

Students must park in the parking area next to the soccer field, near the gym entrance.

Students must arrive at school in uniform and ready for school.

Students must leave their vehicles immediately upon arrival and not return to their vehicles until after school, at which time they are to leave the premises immediately.

Loitering in and around vehicles before, during, or after school is forbidden.

Gifts, certificates, plaques, and trophies are awarded at the Annual Awards Banquet held at the end of each school year.  An Athletic Awards ceremony is also held either at the end of a season or at the end of the year.  (See also Section 15.5)

The following are a few examples of the awards a student might earn:

Christian Character Award—Upper level High School boy and girl

Student Values Award—Students who shows 7 ideal character traits of a student; chosen by their supervisors.

Highest Subject Average—Students in each section who have the highest average in an individual subject

"A" Honor Roll; "B" Honor Roll—Students who complete a year’s work in all subjects with an "A" or "B average     

Scripture Memorization—Students who have recited the weekly Scripture on time every week

Outstanding Achievement—Students who have completed 120% of a year’s work

Perfect Attendance—Students who attended school every day

NSDAR Good Citizenship Award—To a fifth grade student for good citizenship

Woodmen of the World American History Award—High School student for highest grade in American History

Books and magazines must be approved by the supervisor upon arrival at school or they will be confiscated.

Students are NOT allowed to bring radios, cassette tapes, CDs, iPods, or any other electronics intended for music-listening to school or on the buses unless prior, specific permission has been granted by the principal. Only music which glorifies the Lord is to be discussed or played while at school or at school functions.

ANYTHING potentially harmful to the owner or others, including, but not limited to, weapons, drugs, alcohol, printed materials, or any recorded sounds or images containing harmful material in the form of un-godly music, lyrics, pictures, ring-tones, etc. will be confiscated and not returned. (These sounds and images could be (Continued next page)

4. May dress down on Fridays without using merits.

Parents are responsible to provide accidental insurance coverage for school and school functions.

We believe the Bible says that lawsuits between believers are wrong; thus VCA agrees not to sue believers, and parents agree not to sue VCA for any reason.

New Students.................... ......................................$150.00

Due at time of application (nonrefundable)

Returning students (billed in April)................................................. .$ 75.00

Due on May 1st

TUITION

PK3 through Grade 12........................................ ....$4500.00/year/child

Second child....................................... ...$4300.00/year/child

Third child........................................ ....$4100.00/year/child

CHARACTER AND MATURITY SCHOLARSHIP**……….……..….Up to $1500.00/year/child

Computer Fee (monthly).......................................... ……………………......$5.00

Convention (HS and JrHS students only; covers regional convention only)...…….. $250.00

Yearbook (billed in February – one per family required)......................................... . $30.00

Standardized Testing (billed in April) $75.00

Health Assessment Fee (billed in January)……………………………………………..$20.00

(This fee pays VCA’s contract with Jackson County Health Department)

School Supply Fee (PK-3 thru 1^st grade – billed in September) $15.00

Sports Fee (each sport)………………………………………………………………… $75.00

A $25.00 late fee is added to accounts not paid by the 10^th of the month. Students are also dismissed if payment is not received by the 15^th of the month. There is a $25 fee charged for any returned check. If for any reason you are unable to make your monthly payment, please call the Administrator (Dr. Pipping) to make arrangements for payment.

If for any reason you should withdraw your child from school, or if we must ask you (for disciplinary reasons) to withdraw your child, all moneys paid, including curriculum fee, registration, and tuition are non-refundable.

Revised 6/1/2011

Wednesday Merits (or any short day):

***If monthly passage is recited on the first day of the first week – 1000 merits

***If monthly passage is recited during the first week – 500 merits

I agree to abide by the above standards of conduct and other regulations expected of each student enrolled in this Christian program as long as I am a student at VCA. I understand that failure to abide by these standards could result in discipline, suspension, or expulsion.