Standards & Requirements for Admission

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
Heritage Christian School recognizes that the teaching of spiritual truth requires much reinforcement from the home and church; therefore, the following requirements are necessary for all student admissions:

• Each student enrolling at Heritage Christian School must have at least one parent or legal guardian express a personal, saving faith and relationship with Jesus Christ.
  
  
• The parent(s) have read the purpose, philosophy, accepted doctrinal statements and standards of Heritage Christian School and will support the same.
  
  
• Pupils admitted from other schools to Heritage Christian School must have a good conduct record and have put forth acceptable effort academically. The purpose of the school does not include correction or rehabilitation of problem children. Children who have been refused admission or asked to leave by any other school must be reviewed by the Board before they are admitted.
  
  
• Students and families who hold to doctrines in direct conflict with evangelical Christianity, or who do not hold the Bible as the only inspired, authoritative Word of God will not be considered for admission.
  
  
• Kindergarten students must be five years old by September 10 of the year in which the child is enrolling. All students must provide evidence of immunization.

ADMISSIONS STANDARDS
Heritage Christian School is committed to a philosophy of education that integrates Christian principles and scriptural truths with the academic and social experiences of every student. We seek to enroll students who will exhibit the biblical values of care and concern for others in our school community as well as demonstrate enthusiasm for the learning process.

Students seeking admission following suspension, expulsion, or severe behavior or academic problems at another school will not be permitted to enroll until they have proven themselves elsewhere. Heritage Christian School does not have the facilities or staff for the education of children with special needs and/or severe behavioral problems.

Entrance Testing
Entrance testing is required for all new students to assess a student's academic potential, assure proper grade placement, and to identify educational conditions or handicaps which the school is unable to address. Final decisions regarding grade placement are made by the administrator with parental advice.

Probationary Period
All new students are admitted on a probationary basis for the first grading period of enrollment. Students who fail to exhibit evidence of the following behaviors are subject to an evaluation at the end of the grading period by the administrator and teacher(s) to determine their continued enrollment:

• A desire to grow in the Lord through Bible reading and devotional time.
• Compliance with school rules.
• Respect for authority.
• Ability to maintain a “C” average grade for all subjects.*
• A spirit of cooperation.

*A grade level adjustment may be made if the student is not meeting grade level expectations (academic, social, and behavior).

Transfer Students
Due to the rigorous curriculum of Heritage Christian School it may be difficult for a student to transfer from another school once the school year has begun. For this reason students who seek to transfer after the second quarter (first semester) are not assured enrollment without the prior consideration of the teacher(s) and/or administrator.

POLICY OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
Heritage Christian School admits students of any race, color, national, or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to the students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, or athletic and other school-administered programs. Heritage Christian School reserves the right to admit students on the bases of academic performance, religious commitment, philosophical compatibility, and willingness to cooperate and abide by the policies of Heritage Christian School.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT
The success of Heritage Christian School is directly related to the involvement of its parents. The Board, administration, and staff are highly committed in their ministry to each child and expect that parents likewise will make a commitment to that ministry. Once they enroll their children parents are encouraged to make a genuine commitment to the work of godly parenting, as evidenced by their support of the school through words, actions, and prayer, attendance at school functions, pursuit of financial obligations to the school, and by adhering to the following expectations:

• Attend weekly church services as a family.
  In an effort to increase their involvement in the education of their children, parents are encouraged to attend weekly church services with their children. Believing that the school's role is to assist the Christian home in the task of training young people, it is of utmost importance that all families regularly attend their local church.
  
• Become familiar with and pledge to uphold the school's policies.
  To be informed parents are required to read and support the policies and school rules as expressed in this handbook. Additional information about school policies is available in the school office.
  
  
• Commit to frequent parent/teacher communication.
  Each teacher at Heritage Christian makes an effort to keep lines of communication open with parents. To strengthen this vital connection, parents are encouraged to build a trusting relationship with their child's teacher(s). Parents may feel free to contact teachers to ask questions, voice concerns, or simply fellowship by contacting them at school during regular business hours. Staff members may be reached by telephone or e-mail or by appointment. All parents are expected to attend bi-annual Parent-Teacher Conferences.
  
  
• Volunteer.
  Heritage Christian School encourages parents to become actively involved in their child's classroom. Parents often have talents, abilities, and experiences that can benefit the student and school as a whole. Information regarding opportunities to volunteer may be obtained by contacting the classroom teacher(s) or school office.