Colossians 3:17 encourages us to do all things as if doing them for our Lord; schoolwork is no exception. Diligence, achievement, honor, and high ethical standards are the hallmark of a Christian education. Schoolwork should be seen as part of our wholeness in Christ and not compartmentalized into a lesser category of human activity nor viewed as a secular activity that requires less of our attention and industry.
Educational Program
At the core of our curriculum are learning objectives written for each grade level and each subject area. Quality textbooks have been selected, from both Christian and secular publishers, that serve as some of the tools teachers use to achieve our written educational goals. Teachers work carefully to integrate the Bible into every subject taught at FRCS and don’t necessarily rely on a textbook to provide that integration for our students. Other tools that teachers use are supplemental materials, field trips, guest speakers, special activities, and more.
Our educational program includes instruction in the areas of language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, fine arts, Bible, and wellness education. Extracurricular activities are also offered. FRCS employs qualified, professional teachers who have a passion and a calling for Christian education.
Students who are enrolled full-time at FRCS, along with their families, agree to support and to be involved in the entire educational program provided by the school. Specific lessons and activities are not considered optional.
Homework
FRCS values a student’s time with his or her family and seeks to protect it as much as possible. We recognize the need for students to have brain breaks after school and to spend quality time with their families, play and be active. Therefore, teachers assign homework at manageable levels. We nurture well-rounded image-bearers through balancing academic activity with other aspects of life; it is our goal to assign homework so as not to dominate the student’s home life. However, learning and the acquisition of independent, lifelong study skills come through homework. Therefore, we ask parents to recognize the importance of homework.
We commit to assigning homework that is meaningful and purposeful. It will not be busy work, but reinforce the concepts being taught in the classroom and provide practice and reinforcement of classroom instructional content.
We also recognize that students should learn good study habits from an early age. Homework requires a student to use their time wisely and know how to pace their study to meet deadlines and due dates. We also recognize that every student is unique and works at a different pace. Those students who do not get as much done in the classroom will naturally have more homework.
On average, FRCS Elementary students can expect to spend 10 minutes per night, multiplied by their grade level (e.g., 4th grade = 40 minutes) on homework. The exception to this rule is with projects and major exams. Each night a student can expect to do reading and math, and there will be times when a student has no homework because of special school events.
If parents or guardians deem their child is spending too much time on homework, please communicate with faculty to discuss the reasons. We may adjust homework or assess abilities of the student accordingly.
Make-Up Work
When students miss assignments because of an excused absence, the student and parent should work carefully with the teacher to get the work completed within the appointed time. Teachers are not required to prepare homework assignments in advance. There will be two school days allowed for each day of absence, with a maximum of ten school days to complete make-up work.
If the student’s absences are excused and the work is made up, on or before the deadline, the student will receive full credit for the make-up work. If a student fails to meet these guidelines, the missing work is assigned a “zero” grade and averaged into the student’s remaining work.
Student Evaluations
Each student is evaluated in two areas: Academics and Conduct. Academic grades are based on actual work done in the classroom and homework assignments. Conduct evaluations reflect attitude, effort, character, and behavior.
Academic grading criteria in the classroom are up to the individual teacher. Teachers are to establish grading criteria that are as objective as possible.
It is recognized that not all knowledge can be quantified through scientific measurements. However, in order to fairly assess students, it is necessary to shy away from subjective criteria that are more easily swayed by human emotion. Compassion, grace, and mercy are all worthy Christian traits that need to be exemplified to students. Appeals to such traits in order to change a grade that has been objectively assessed should not be made. It is in the student’s best interest for FRCS to provide the best quality of education which may include failures that test a student’s ability to overcome life’s obstacles through God’s help.
It is the responsibility of parents and teachers to help students recognize and overcome obstacles to academic success rather than lowering the standards so that all children may gain the appearance of success. In light of such reasoning, FRCS uses the standard decimal grading system (listed below) to express academic achievement beginning in the 3rd grade. In all grade levels, informal teacher comments may appear on the student’s report cards.
Academic Evaluations
Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade students (and all Art, Music and PE classes) will receive grades appearing as:
- O (outstanding)
- S (satisfactory)
- N (needs improvement)
- I (incomplete)
Grading scale for 3rd grade and older:
- 90-100 – A – (4 pts)
- 80-89 – B – (3 pts)
- 70-79 – C – (2 pts)
- 60-69 – D – (1 pt)
- 0-59 – F – (0 pts)
Grade point averages are not critical to an elementary aged student’s academic evaluation. In order to afford parents an opportunity to assess student progress, grade point averages are calculated using the standard point system listed above.
Any incomplete academic work at the end of each nine-week grading period will be counted as a zero, not as an incomplete, and will be figured into grades just as any other mark.
This system also allows the student to become familiar with evaluation systems that will be encountered later on, including high school and college.
Academic Probation
Probationary periods last 9 academic weeks and may carry over to a new grading period or school year. The student is not allowed to participate in extracurricular activities during a probationary period. Academic probation may be invoked when a student has at least one “F” or two “Ds” at the end of any given grading period, or for habitual incomplete, late, or missing assignments. If, at the end of the probationary period, the student has no more than one “D” and no “Fs”, and has no more than one incomplete, late, or missing assignment, he/she will be removed from probation and all privileges will be reinstated. However, if a student does not make improvements in the aforementioned areas, he/she may be recommended for suspension or expulsion from the school. Academic probation is invoked in the following manner:
- A phone conversation or letter of notification is sent to the parents. A parent conference may be required.
- If learning needs are an issue, parents will be asked to set up an assessment through outside resources.
Please refer to the Behavior Policy for additional details.
Re-enrollment
Following removal or withdrawal from the school for academic reasons, a student may apply to be reenrolled on academic probation if the following conditions are fulfilled:
- The student has attended another school, in good conduct, for one full semester
- The student has completed a full and applicable academic load for the semester
- The student has received no grade lower than a “C” in any subject
A re-enrollment interview will be required of the student and parents; very specific changes in attitudes and actions are expected.
Conduct Evaluations
While conduct evaluations appear informal, they are taken seriously. If a student consistently receives poor conduct evaluations, a parent/teacher discussion will be arranged. Conduct evaluations appear as follows: 4-Outstanding; 3-Satisfactory; 2-Needs Improvement; 1-Unsatisfactory. It is difficult to objectively measure a child’s conduct. While teachers admittedly must base their conduct evaluations subjectively, they will be as fair as possible using common Christian standards of behavior.
The following criteria are used in assessing conduct grades:
- Noticeable display of the following traits (Fruit of the Holy Spirit: Love, Goodness, Joy, Faithfulness, Peace, Gentleness, Patience, Self-Control, Kindness) result in a conduct grade of:
- 4 – Outstanding behavior
- Good conduct is expected and each student starts with a daily conduct grade of:
- 3 – Satisfactory behavior
- Noticeable display of the following behaviors: Disobeying classroom rules; unexcused absences; tardiness; misconduct (including cheating); un-Christ-like attitude; displaying lack of responsibility (including destruction of property); disobeying an acceptable directive from the teacher; lack of self-control; unkindness to others, teasing, and verbal abuse; any violation of the rules of discipline (as stipulated in the Discipline section of this handbook), result in a conduct grade of:
- 2 – Needs Improvement
- 1 – Unsatisfactory
If a student consistently displays undesirable behavior, their teacher will discuss the situation with a parent or guardian.
Report Cards
Report cards are released through the Family Portal at the end of each nine-week grading period. No grades or school records can be sent to another school until the family’s tuition and fees are paid in full.
Students should be encouraged to work for achievement, not just for grades. Please do not compare your child’s grades with those of other children, especially siblings. Each report is written on the basis of that child’s progress and should be interpreted in accordance with his or her ability. Parents are urged to ask for a conference anytime one is desired. Teachers and Administration welcome such opportunities.
Promotion and Retention
Students are promoted or retained on the basis of their total preparedness to do satisfactory work at the next grade level. Ability, achievement, and social factors are taken into consideration. Each case is dealt with confidentially by the combined efforts of the classroom teacher, Learning Specialist, and Administration. In cases where retention seems appropriate, parents will be notified by the teacher or Principal, and an appointment time will be established to discuss the possibilities.
Classroom Assignments
Elementary students receive their classroom assignments in August of each summer. It is the sole discretion of the school to make these decisions. We are unable to accommodate requests for specific classroom teachers.
Transcripts and Records
The school maintains a permanent record file on each student. It includes academic, health, attendance, and disciplinary records.
Materials in each student’s file are confidential and shall be accessible only by permission of the school Administration. Information on the student’s permanent record will be provided to the following:
- The parents or legal guardians, and students, upon the request of the parents
- Another school as a result of withdrawal or transfer, upon receipt of parental notification and/or request of receiving school
FRCS may retain a student record file if the tuition/fee balance for that student is not current.
Standardized Testing
Standardized tests are administered to appropriate elementary grades in the spring. Results are usually mailed out with 4th quarter report cards.
