Admissions
Students are tentatively accepted at Heritage Christian Academy after completing application forms, paying registration fees, being evaluated, and having an interview with school personnel. Final acceptance of students is contingent upon all information given during initial interview being authenticated by school records, testing, and approval from responsible personnel. New, incoming students will be on a 60-day probationary period for both academics and conduct.
Additionally, North Carolina law requires that all students entering school for the first time have a physical exam within 30 days of the first day of school and that all immunizations be kept up to date.
Parents are required to sign the Home and School Commitment. A copy of this document is enclosed as part of this handbook. This home and school commitment and is to be renewed yearly during the re-enrollment and orientation process.
The academic program of Heritage Christian Academy is designed for the average or better student. No provisions are available for children with learning disabilities.
The application fee is non-refundable when a student is accepted in the grade requested. If Heritage Christian Academy determines, after evaluation, that a student requires summer school, additional testing, or placement in a lower grade, and such requirements are not acceptable to the parents, all of the application fee will be refunded if the child is not enrolled.
Nondiscriminatory Policy
Heritage Christian Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its education policies, admissions policy, scholarship programs, and other school-administered programs.
Pre-registration Procedures
During the month of March, pre-registration for the next year is accepted from currently enrolled students and siblings. Students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis according to space available. After March, registration is opened to new students.
Continued acceptance at Heritage Christian Academy is based on the successful completion of the academic expectations of the previous grade level and a satisfactory attitude and effort on the part of the student.
Attendance
Attendance is a Privilege
Attendance at Heritage Christian Academy is a privilege and not a right. Any student who does not conform to the standards and regulations of this school may forfeit that privilege. The school may request the withdrawal (at will) at any time of any student, who, in the opinion of the faculty and administration, does not fulfill the spirit of the school.
Attendance Policy
Regular attendance and prompt arrival are essential for satisfactory achievement. A student must be present for at least three hours to be counted present for a full school day.
School Hours
School hours are as follows:
K-5th Grade (Lower Campus)........8:45 AM - 3:15 PM
6th-8th (Upper Campus)...............8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
An Early Bird service will be provided at the lower campus, beginning at 8:00 AM. The cost for this service will be $2.00 per usage, per child, billed monthly.
Safe Arrival Policy
To insure the safe arrival of your child, Heritage asks that you phone or text your child’s teacher if the student will be absent or more than 30 minutes late for school. If your child is absent and we have not heard from you, we will do our best to contact you. If we are unable to contact you, the student will be considered absent, unexcused until a note is sent to school.
Release from School
If an adult, other than one listed on the application as authorized is to pick up a child, the teacher must be notified via note, text or phone call. We will not allow a child to leave our campus with an unauthorized individual.
Absences
On the day of return, students are to present a written excuse to the teacher. It must be signed by the parent or guardian and state the date(s) and reason for the absence. If a child is absent for more than five days due to illness, a note from the doctor should accompany the child when they return to school.
Unexcused absences are absences without a parental note or absences that are not for reasons covered under “excused absences” below. Missed work may not be made-up and students will receive a grade of zero on missed tests, quizzes, and graded assignments.
Excused absences will be granted for illness, death in the family, or medical/dental appointments. Trips may be excused provided they are approved beforehand and are educational in nature. For trips other than for a death in the family, schoolwork must be taken with the student and turned in on the day of the student’s return to class.
Schoolwork missed for family death or student illness absences may be completed up to a week after return. If not completed within the week, a grade of zero will be given for the missed work. No refunds of tuition are made because of absence. Any student missing over 20 days of school will have his performance evaluated by the administration before a decision is made about his promotion to the next grade.
Tardiness
We believe that students who make a sincere effort to arrive at school and class promptly demonstrate the qualities of self-discipline and responsibility that are not only important for proper academic achievement, but also for the development of good habits, which are characteristic of success and good citizenship in every walk of life.
Students in K-8th grades are expected to be on time unless we have been informed in advance of a delay due to illness, a medical /dental appointment, or there is an emergency situation that precludes arrival on time. A student is considered tardy if they are not present in their classroom by 8:30 a.m. (Upper Campus), 8:45 a.m. (Lower Campus).
Students who arrive late to class for unexcused reasons will be handled according to the following established guidelines each grading period:
Six (6) unexcused tardies, per grading period, will equal 1 unexcused absence. See policy above on unexcused absences.
HCA will charge late fees when a student is picked up 10 minutes (or more) after dismissal times stated in handbook. A fee of $1.00 per minute beginning after 10 minutes will be charged and invoiced monthly. If a family is late more than 5 times during a school quarter, a conference will be scheduled. HCA fully understands the dynamics of family life and unforeseen circumstances. We will approach this policy with common sense and grace. Please assist HCA by bringing students to school on time.
Classroom Visitation and Observation Policy
Parents are encouraged to come to their child’s classroom during normal operating hours (Lower Campus: 8:45 A.M. – 3:15 P.M.; Upper Campus: 8:30 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.) based upon the following guidelines: All visitors are asked to call or text Administration (Mike) a day in advance prior to a formal visit/observation (HCA has no central office at this time). Making an appointment with the school a day in advance is a courtesy that will enable you to schedule the observation for the maximum benefit. Teachers cannot stop teaching to confer with parents who stop by without an appointment. Siblings should not attend. Teachers will be happy to discuss the observation/visit at a mutually convenient time. Any discussions regarding student’s work, classroom activities, etc., should be discussed at a parent-teacher conference scheduled mutually by both parties. Parents are always welcome to visit for lunch or drop-off school related assignment, etc. Please make the visit as brief and non-disruptive as possible. If you are going to “drop-in”, a courtesy call/text to administration (Mike) is always appreciated. Our shared commitment and cooperation is essential for the safety of our students and staff and to promote a stable and consistent learning environment.