Admission Requirements
Admissions Standards for Parents
Because much of what we seek to do partakes of Christian discipleship
The parents must understand and accept that they have primary, comprehensive responsibility for the education of their children.
At least one of the parents must be a believer with a sound profession of faith who adheres to the essential core of the Believers Academy doctrinal statement (although it is preferred that both parents be believers).
Both parents (assuming they are currently married to each other) must fully support the decision to educate their children in the nurture and discipline of the Lord, even if one is an unbeliever. In the case of a single parent, or of a divorced parent who has been granted the legal authority to make educational decisions for his or her child, only the custodial parent or the parent having the legal authority to make such educational decisions must be committed to educating his or her children in the nurture and discipline of the Lord.
Parents must also
Agree to have their children trained not only in the academic disciplines but also in biblical character and world-and-life view. Specifically, they must agree to accept and support the academy's approach to and purposes in Biblical character and world-and-life view training.
Participate in any parent orientation required of all parents in the school community. Specifically, parents must be willing to receive and support (at least in the context of the academy’s ministry) instruction in matters pertaining to the academy’s core doctrinal commitments and the implications those commitments hold for the academic and spiritual education of their children.
Fully support the academy's approach to discipline and to deal with disagreements according to the academy's policy and practices.
Have had good relationships with prior schools, if they have had any relationships with prior schools. This means, in part, that they have not been party to irresponsible legal or civil actions regarding the school(s), that they have been faithful in meeting financial obligations at those schools, and that they have left those schools on good terms, insofar as they were able to do so.
Admissions Standards for Students
The children of admitted families are likewise admitted provided they
Are accepting of, if not enthusiastic about, attending a Christian school (we will not admit students who are adamantly opposed to being here).
Have no significant learning disabilities or behavioral problems (we are limited in our ability to minister to special needs students).
Are at least somewhat teachable; a student who consistently resists instruction and, as may be necessary, reproof and correction, will eventually be dismissed from the school.
Are willing to submit to legitimate authority, as defined by the Scriptures.
Admissions Procedures
The following description represents the normal or expected procedures for securing admission to Believers Academy. The headmaster may, at his discretion, elect to bypass some steps in any case in which he feels that doing so would be appropriate.
One or both prospective parents should thoroughly review the information presented on the academy's web site. The parent(s) may contact the academy for more information and for an application.
Prospective parents submit a completed application for themselves and for any children they wish to enroll in the academy.
After the application has been received and reviewed, parents and any secondary-aged children are interviewed and all prospective students take required placement tests.
Once approved for admission, parents pay required fees and enroll the student in specific courses.
Medical Requirements
A physical exam is required prior to admission. The physical can be obtained from a doctor of the parent's choice. A summary statement from the doctor must be submitted for admission. An eye exam is optional; however, it is recommended in order to identify any problems before they affect the child's learning ability. Immunizations, as directed by the State Board of Health, must be current; students who have not received all of their required immunizations will not be allowed to attend classes
Additional medical requirements for children being admitted to Believers Academy infected with various communicable diseases (HIV, HBV, etc.) include the following:- Children infected with HIV, HBV, etc., except for those subject to conditions described in 3 below, will be allowed to attend Believers Academy in an unrestricted manner because of the apparent non-existent risk of transmission of various communicable diseases in the school setting. The student will be considered eligible for all rights, privileges, and services at Believers Academy if the student meets all the above mentioned requirements for admission.
- The student’s physician who is aware of the student’s immune status will make the assessment of the risk to the immunosuppressed child attending Believers Academy in an unrestricted setting. Believers Academy reserves the right to get the opinion of an independent physician.
- Children who display aggressive behavior, such as biting, and those who have other medical conditions, such as uncoverable oozing lesions, may require a more restrictive environment regardless of their infection status. Individual judgments need to be made regarding children with questionable behavior, impaired neurological development, or other medical conditions in the normal Believers Academy setting. (Under Believers Academy's general admissions policy, a student with behavior problems would not be able to enroll.) An evaluative team chosen by the headmaster, which includes the child’s physician, a public health expert or consultant, and the student's parents or guardians, will make these decisions.
- Because other infections may be present in the blood or body fluids and children may be unknowingly infected with various communicable diseases, Believers Academy will use "universal precautions" for handling blood or body fluids. The staff of Believers Academy will strive to be appropriately educated regarding these procedures.
- The staff of Believers Academy will respect the individual's right to privacy and the confidentiality of school and medical records. The staff who are aware of a child with a communicable disease will discreetly handle all known information and limit it to the minimum number needing to know to assure proper care of the child and to detect situations where the potential for transmission may increase (e.g., bleeding injury). Believers Academy recognizes disclosure of a person's HIV status is a breach of ethical conduct and in many jurisdictions is a violation of the law.