Communication Policy

We consider it a great privilege to assist families in educating their children.  We are committed to upholding and supporting parental authority in the lives of our pupils.  We also recognize that ours in a learning community, where families are working together to fulfill shared goals.  These relationships require, and we strongly encourage, prompt and clear communication.  In the event of conflict, communication should follow the biblical standards set forth in Matthew 18 and James 3.  In all matters, conflict should be handled discreetly and carefully, while believing and speaking the best about each other.

    Parents to Tutors

If an issue should arise regarding individual tutor rules or procedures, the parent should speak to the tutor before discussing the matter with those in authority over the tutor.

    Parents to Board Members

If an issue should arise concerning school guidelines, procedures, school programs, finances, curriculum, or tutors, parents are encouraged to present their concerns or comments to a Board member.  Simply arrange a mutually convenient time to meet in person or by telephone, or communicate by e-mail.

    Tutors to Parents

If an issue should arise concerning a pupil's learning or behavior, tutors may speak directly with the pupil's parents.  If information shared with the Board, or another Tutor would be helpful or necessary to ameliorate the situation, this is allowable with permission of the parents. In a case where a serious misconduct has occurred, a tutor may certainly consult immediately with the Grace Academy Board to handle the disciplinary action.

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Placement Policy

Grace Academy, wherever and whenever possible and necessary, will offer either informal assessments or more formal testing in order to correctly place incoming pupils in the best learning environment for their needs and their socio-emotional and educational development. If an entering pupil has not had the preceding or prerequisite classes for a given course of study that is being offered, we want to correctly (we humbly hope) assess their ability to excel in our program and classes.

In conjunction with tutors and other staff members who are trained and experienced, and in discussion with the parents and their knowledge of the pupil's past educational experience and performance, we will suggest the appropriate class for each child. Due to the nature of our program; our small classes and individualized instruction, it becomes much easier and even desirable, to maximize the effectivemess of our teaching by placing children exactly where they should be educationally, regardless of their age or overall "grade". Many of our classes will sometimes have slightly mixed ages as a result, and we believe that this can enhance and broaden the experience for all, when the placement has been conscientiously and carefully made.

Please do not hesitate to speak with a Board member or Tutor at any time regarding the ideal placement for your child.

Placement Policy
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Discipline Policy

We will seek to provide an environment where pupils are encouraged and challenged to exemplify Christian behavior.  It is very important that our children feel safe and secure in a loving and nurturing environment.  Actions that jeopardize the safety and well-being of pupils and staff must be dealt with firmly, graciously and expediently.

Pupil's Code of Conduct

At Grace Academy, discipline will consist of restitution, apologies (public and/or private), swift and measured punishment (corporal punishment is left to parental discretion; it will never be administered by the tutor or the POD) and restoration of fellowship.  Parents will be made aware of disciplinary action as soon as possible after each incident, as well as any other concerns or warnings given by a tutor or POD.

The tutor will carry out the majority of day-to-day discipline.  There are instances, however, where a stronger warning or more severe penalty is needed.  The following offenses may necessitate such action:

1. Disrespect shown to tutor or POD.

2. Dishonesty in any situation while in class,
    including lying, cheating or stealing.

3. Rebellion, i.e., outright disobedience in
    response to instructions.

4. Fighting, i.e., striking, pushing or pulling in
    anger with the intention to harm another.

5. Using the Lord's name in vain, or any
    deliberately unkind, obscene, vulgar, or
    profane language.

If any of the above actions occur, the pupil may be immediately suspended for the remainder of the class or day and face the prospect of further suspension.  Restitution, parental attendance of classes with the child, or other measures deemed appropriate may be requested.  In severe cases, where there is no change in the pupil's actions or assistance from the parents, the child will be expelled for the remainder of the academic year.

Discipline Procedures

Parental Involvement

Although parents of Grace Academy pupils have employed tutors to help meet their goals, they retain the primary responsibility for the education and upbringing of their children.  Grace Academy strongly recommends and encourages close parental involvement.  Each family is expected to participate in the following ways:

    Pray "without ceasing" for our children, their
    tutors, and the direction of their education.

    Oversee your children's class work, and work
    with them on any assignments to be
    completed at home.

    Provide diligent instruction on non-class days
    and in the additional subjects that comprise
    the balance of your children's curricula and
    life learning.

    Attend all parent-tutor conferences. Informal 
    conferences may be held if necessary at the
    request of the parent or tutor.

    Be aware of and praise your child's progress

    Read and respond when necessary to all
    emails or paperwork sent home by Grace
    Academy. This is essential to the efficient
    running of the Academy.

    Serve as Parent of the Day (see link below)
    on a rotational basis.  Please note that pupils
    only are permitted at the Academy during
    class hours.  Siblings and other non-pupil
    youth are not normally permitted.

    Communicate your ideas for improvement,
    feedback and concerns to the Board
    members. We truly want to hear from you!


Parents are welcome to attend a particular class with their child.  A Board member must be contacted so that the administrator and tutor may be notified in advance for planning purposes.  Please note that while the Board will attempt to accommodate all such requests, not all visitation dates can necessarily be approved.


Parent of the Day Responsibilities


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Attendance Policy

A pupil enrolled at Grace Academy is expected to be present and on time for all classes every day the school is in session.  If it will be known in advance that a pupil will be unable to attend class, please talk to the tutor as soon as possible.  Last-minute absences (e.g. illness) or unavoidable delays will be excused if immediate notification is given to a staff member or tutor, even by proxy, so that they can teach and plan accordingly to the benefit of the whole class.

1. Responsibility: Pupils and their parents are
        solely responsible for all make-up work in
        the event of absence.

2. Make-up work: Pupils may take make-up
        tests and submit any other make-up work
        before or after class.  Pupils or their
        parents should discuss these
        arrangements with the tutor and take the
        initiative in completing the missed work.

3. Lateness: Pupils are required to arrive and be
        ready to begin classes promptly at the
        beginning of the school day (or the time
        designated for their specific class). The
        Grace Academy door will be opened at
        least 15 minutes prior to the start of the
        first class to allow pupils to arrive and
        complete any necessary activities in order
        to be ready on time.

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Class Withdrawal Policy

We recommend that pupils complete the classes for which they have enrolled during an academic year.  However, if a parent decides to withdraw their child from a class, the following procedure must be followed:

• The Grace Academy Board must be provided with written notification at least 7 days in advance of the withdrawal.  The notification should be delivered to the Grace Academy administrator and include reasons for the class withdrawal.
  
   
• The administrator will present the Grace Academy Board and the pupil's tutor with a copy of the withdrawal notification.
  
  
• A Grace Academy Board or staff member will contact you to discuss your reason for withdrawal, as we seek to support and enhance your efforts as an educating parent.
  
   
• There will be no refund of tuition paid for class withdrawals. Grace Academy is a small organization, and relies upon your financial commitments in the planning, staffing and expenditures of funds for the academic year. If extenuating circumstances are in effect, the Board will graciously evaluate the situation on a case-by-case basis.

Grace Academy Academic Conduct Policy

The purpose of Grace Academy (GA) is to "assist parents" in the education and training of their children.  It is the expectation of GA that parents maintain standards of academic conduct that are consistent with the goals and philosophies of GA.  All GA pupils accept responsibility to complete all homework assignments in the time frame set forth by the tutor. (Pupil's Code of Conduct, #12).  Parents are expected to provide oversight and accountability of their children's class work.  Failure to complete assignments primarily hinders that pupil, but also hinders the tutor and fellow pupils as they seek to advance in their studies.

This Academic Conduct policy addresses the expectations and consequences of failing to maintain good academic conduct. The tutors provide homework assignments and it is expected that these assignments will be completed to the best of the pupil's ability in the time frame defined by the tutor.  Please note that this policy is focused on academic conduct only, and is not focused on academic achievement.

Academic Conduct will be graciously yet diligently taken into consideration with regard to admissions for subsequent academic years.

Academic Conduct Procedures