The goal of Agape Christian Academy is to provide the best possible learning environment in a Christian atmosphere. We desire to address the needs of the whole child – spiritually, academically, emotionally, socially and physically. Each student is given boundaries and consequences by which to grow to a greater level of responsibility, self-discipline and understanding. To this extent we believe discipline is an integral part of teaching, learning and growing in faith. We believe the school, church and parents need to share in this cooperative effort.
Discipline will reflect Biblical principles and will be used to help the student change his or her behavior. The character of a student will influence his/her behavior. In Proverbs 20:11 it says, “The character of even a child can be known by the way he acts – whether what he does is pure and right.”
Everyone in our school has the right to expect that the school environment shall be safe, well organized and conducive to teaching and learning. It is our commitment to provide discipline that will enable each student to develop a lifestyle pleasing to the Lord. When a student’s character is shaped by wisdom from above, their life will reflect clear behaviors in their everyday relationships. In James 3:17 we are given the qualities that result from God’s wisdom “first pure, then full of gentleness, peace loving, reasonable, full of mercy, and good deeds, unwavering and sincere, without hypocrisy.” It is our desire that all students reflect these qualities and discipline will be used to instruct the students in these areas.
All disciplinary procedures should provide respect for the dignity of the individual as well as respect for the personal rights of other students, authority and established standards. The discipline process is based on scripture and will include the following steps:
- The teacher will talk to, counsel and pray with the student about the problem.
- If the problem persists the problem will be made known to the parents.
- Teachers confer with the parent over the phone or in person agreeing on steps both will take to address the problem.
- If the problem continues the parents will be notified through a “Behavioral Notice” requesting a meeting with the parent, student, teacher and school Administrator. The purpose of this meeting is to agree on a plan of action.
- On-going problems will result in severe disciplinary action including corporal punishment, detentions, and loss of privileges such as recess, probation or suspension from school. The type of action will have been included in the action plan created in step four. Ultimately, suspension or expulsion will be at the discretion and approval of the Board of Trustees.
Whenever a problem is serious in nature the student will be removed from the classroom until the end of the day at which time a meeting will be held with the parent. A serious problem may include behaviors such as fighting, damaging school or personal property, use of unacceptable language and cheating. This list serves as an example and is not meant to be all-inclusive.
During each step of the process Agape Christian Academy agrees to pray for the student, teacher and family for successful resolution and restoration to full fellowship.
It is the hope of Agape Christian Academy that any discipline taken in the school will be reflective and supportive of discipline taken in the home. Students at Agape Christian Academy are expected to dress and act in an orderly and respectful manner that shows reverence to Jesus Christ.
We believe enrollment in Agape Christian Academy is a privilege and as such students are expected to show deference to all policies of our school and to exhibit the character qualities of Christ. It is our goal to help the student develop the following characteristics in their life, which will be reflective of a life based on God’s wisdom
- Honesty
- Respectfulness
- Obedience
- Self-control
- Gentleness
- Patience
- Kindness
- Excellence
Above all of these qualities the staff commits to provide a loving environment whereby each student can grow and mature. We believe that discipline done in a loving environment will encourage rather than discourage the student. To this end our disciplinary practices are intended to:
- Be preventive in nature
- Promote self discipline and develop personal responsibility
- Show concern for the welfare of the student, family and school
- Promote a working relationship between students, family and the school staff
- Provide disciplinary responses that are appropriate in degree and context to the misbehavior