The Lower School is comprised of two departments:

• Preschool Department (PreK2–PreK4)
  Focus: Developing foundational skills such as classroom routines, early literacy, number awareness, social-emotional growth, and beginning independence.

• Elementary Department (Kindergarten–3rd Grade)
  Focus: Building strong habits of successful students, such as responsibility, integrity, critical thinking, and personal ownership of learning.
  
  

Each stage plays a vital role in preparing students for future academic success and a life devoted to following Christ.

Curriculum Overview

Instruction in the Lower School is delivered using a combination of Alpha and Omega Publications (Horizons) and BJU Press curriculum, integrating academic rigor with a Biblical worldview. In addition:

• Students participate in a personalized reading program designed to build comprehension and foster a love for reading.

• Enrichment classes (STEM, Music, Bible, and Gym) further support well-rounded growth.

Lower School Academic Policy

At Arundel Christian School, our mission is to partner with families to develop students who are academically prepared, spiritually grounded, and equipped to impact the world for Christ. From Preschool through 3rd Grade, we strive to cultivate a love for learning, a strong foundation of knowledge, and the habits of Christ-like character.

Habits of a Successful Student

We believe that academic excellence begins with strong personal habits. Students are guided to:

• Be an Active Learner: Join discussions, ask thoughtful questions, and collaborate well with classmates.

• Be Responsible: Use time wisely, complete work on time, and stay organized.

• Be Honest: Always do your own work and speak the truth about your schoolwork.

• Think About Growth: Reflect on how you learn best and set small goals for improvement.

Elementary Experience (Grades Kindergarten–3rd)

Our Lower School environment is designed to support spiritual, academic, and personal development. Key components include:

Classroom Leadership Roles

Students have the opportunity to serve in rotating roles (e.g., line leader, tech helper, prayer leader), helping them build confidence and responsibility.

Mini Service Projects

Each semester, students participate in simple service activities—such as making cards for seniors or collecting donations—to learn compassion and generosity.

Teacher Mentorship

Teachers provide encouragement and personal guidance through daily interactions, reinforcing Biblical values and character development.

Spiritual Development

• Chapel & Special Events: Age-appropriate spiritual activities help students understand God’s love and grow in their faith.

• Family Worship Nights (Optional): Monthly school-wide worship nights allow families to gather and grow in faith together.

Academic Standards & Policies 

At Arundel Christian School, academic excellence is rooted in our commitment to preparing students for both college and the workplace, beginning with a strong foundation in Kindergarten through 3rd grade. We believe that when teachers cultivate an atmosphere of excellence through effective instructional strategies and strong classroom management, students are empowered to meet age-appropriate expectations. For each grade level, academic excellence is defined as the ability to think critically, take responsibility for learning, and express ideas clearly. Our grading policy reflects this  commitment by providing a comprehensive assessment of your child’s progress while encouraging growth, achievement, and a lifelong love of learning.

Grading Breakdown per Quarter

1. Classwork: 30%

   • Classwork includes daily activities, participation in class discussions, and completion of in-class assignments. It reflects your child's engagement and understanding of the material covered.

2. Homework: 20%

   • Homework assignments are an integral part of reinforcing learning and developing responsibility. This category assesses your child's completion and accuracy in homework tasks assigned throughout the quarter.

3. Tests: 50%

   • Tests and assessments provide insights into your child's understanding of concepts taught. They encompass quizzes, unit tests, and other formal evaluations conducted during the grading period.

Academic Awards

At Arundel Christian School, we encourage students to work diligently toward academic excellence and strong character development. We believe hard work deserves recognition, and we celebrate our students’ achievements throughout the year.

Students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd are eligible for Honor Roll recognition. The levels are:

• B Honor Roll — 85% to 89.99% 

• A Honor Roll — 90% to 95.99%

• Director’s Honor Roll — 96% to 100% 

Annual Promotion Ceremonies are held at the end of each school year. ACS holds ceremonies to recognize the achievements and growth of every student. These events honor students’ accomplishments and mark their promotion to the next level.

Grading Scale

• A: 90-100%

• B: 80-89%

• C: 70-79%

• D: 60-69%

• F: Below 60%

Progress Reports and Communication

• Quarterly report cards will be issued to provide a comprehensive overview of your child's academic progress and development throughout the grading period. These report cards are designed to highlight achievements and areas for improvement across classwork, homework, and tests.

• Parent-teacher conferences will be scheduled to foster open communication between teachers and parents. These conferences are valuable opportunities to discuss your child's strengths, challenges, and strategies for continued growth. We encourage active participation in these meetings to support each child's unique learning journey.

Classes offered at ACS fall under one of two classifications: Core or Enrichment.

Core Classes

In Lower School, our core classes lay the foundation for strong academic growth and lifelong learning. These subjects include Math, English, Reading, Phonics, Science, and Social Studies. Each class is designed to help students think critically, communicate clearly, and build essential skills in a Christ-centered environment.

Teachers use engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons to support deep understanding. Homework will be assigned to reinforce classroom learning and help students practice important concepts at home.

To ensure consistent opportunities for learning and assessment, each quarter will include a minimum of the following assignment types per core subject:

Classwork – 9 assignments

Homework – 9 assignments

Tests/Assessments – 4 assessments

These assignments help track progress, support student growth, and provide a balanced picture of each child's academic development.

Enrichment Classes 

In Lower School, students participate in enrichment classes that introduce them to a variety of subjects beyond the core curriculum. These classes include STEM, Music, Bible, and Gym. Each class is designed to spark curiosity, support creativity, and help students grow in new areas through hands-on learning and active participation.

While enrichment classes are not assigned a letter grade, students are still evaluated based on their attitude, effort, and participation. These classes are an important part of the school experience and help lay a foundation for future learning and exploration. Teachers will contact parents directly if a student is struggling or in need of additional support in any enrichment area.

Assignments in Gradelink are designated with specific codes to provide clear information to parents and students:

Excused (EX): These assignments have been excused by the teacher based on their professional judgment. An excused assignment will not impact the student’s grade.

Absent (AB): If a student’s work is marked as Absent, it is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete the missing assignment. Students are given the same number of days they were absent to submit the work. Failure to complete and turn in the assignment within that window will result in a grade of 0%.

Incomplete (IC): Assignments are marked as Incomplete if the student did not turn in the work properly. Late points will be deducted for each day the work is not submitted. Please refer to the Late Work Policy below.

Assignment Submission and Make-Up Work Policy

Teachers may not accept work submitted more than one week past the due date unless extenuating circumstances are communicated in advance. Work is considered late if not submitted when the teacher collects it. A "day" late refers to the next instructional period, not a 24-hour period.

Late Work Penalty Scale

• 1 Day Late: 10% deduction

• 2 Days Late: 20% deduction

• 3 Days Late: 30% deduction

• 4 Days Late: 40% deduction

• 5 Days Late: 50% deduction

• 6 or More Days Late: No credit (0%)

Absences

We understand that students may occasionally miss school due to illness or family needs. When a student is absent, their teacher will gather any missed classwork and give it to them when they return to school. Some of this work may be sent home as homework to help them catch up.

Please allow up to 48 hours for teachers to prepare and send home missed assignments. All work missed during an absence is still expected to be completed.

If a student misses a test or quiz, the teacher will schedule a time for them to make it up once they return to class.

Please note: Extra credit is not assigned in Lower School. Our focus is on mastering grade-level content through regular classwork, homework, and assessments.

Regular attendance is essential to academic success and spiritual growth at Arundel Christian School. Students who accumulate more than 10 absences—whether excused or unexcused—in any given school year place themselves at risk of falling behind in critical learning and classroom engagement.

In such cases, students with more than 12 total absences will be required to participate in a summer school program to recover missed learning and demonstrate readiness for the next grade level. Summer school participation will be determined by the school administration in consultation with teachers and parents and may include core academic content, enrichment modules, or a combination of both, depending on the student's needs.

At ACS, we believe that learning is a process, and we want to support students as they grow and improve. If a student receives a grade below 60% on a test, parents may request a retake to give their child a second chance to show what they’ve learned.

Retakes are only allowed for grades below 60% and must be approved by the teacher. Retakes are not available for any assessments with a grade above 60%.

Before a retake is given, the teacher may ask the student to complete review work or additional practice. After the retake, the new score will replace the original score—unless the new score is lower, in which case the original grade will remain.

In some cases, teachers may also allow students to redo certain class assignments to support continued learning. These opportunities are provided at the teacher’s discretion.

Our goal is to help each student build confidence, understanding, and a strong foundation for future success.

At Arundel Christian School, we believe that honesty, responsibility, and a commitment to doing your best are essential parts of honoring God through your education. Academic integrity means completing your work truthfully and independently—whether it is classwork, homework, or a test.

We are committed to helping every student learn and grow. That growth happens best when students take ownership of their learning and complete their own work with integrity.

What Academic Integrity Looks Like:

Students are expected to:

• Complete their own work without copying from others

• Use only the tools, resources, or assistance approved by the teacher

• Ask questions when they do not understand the assignment

• Try their best, even when the work is challenging

Examples of Academic Dishonesty:

The following actions are considered violations of academic integrity:

• Copying another student’s work or allowing someone to copy yours

• Using notes, books, or other materials without teacher permission

• Sharing test questions or answers with other students

• Receiving help on assignments meant to be completed independently

Consequences of Academic Dishonesty:

If a student is found to be dishonest in completing their work:

• The student will receive a zero on the assignment or test

• Parents/guardians will be notified

• The student may be given the opportunity to redo the assignment for partial credit (up to 50%) at the teacher’s discretion

Why Academic Integrity Matters:

At ACS, we are committed to developing students in both character and academics. Learning to make honest choices—even when it’s hard—is an important part of growing into a person of integrity. By upholding academic honesty, we help students build trust, responsibility, and a strong foundation for future success—both in the classroom and in life.

All ACS students will bring a lunch from home with them each day. All students enrolled in the ACS PM Club program must have an additional snack for that as well. Due to the increasing number of students with food allergies, ACS does NOT provide snacks for its students.

Please pack your child’s lunch thoughtfully. Choose foods for your child that will allow him or her to remain satisfied and alert in class. We also encourage you to make sure that an adequate breakfast has been eaten by your child so that he or she will not be hungry before lunch or snack time.

ACS does not provide services for warming up or refrigerating student lunches. Please make sure that you pack an ice pack if you want foods kept cool or pack warm foods in the appropriate containers.

• Due to the many extreme changes in fashion trends, it has become necessary to focus on certain details crucial to personal hygiene, grooming, and appearance. The following regulations shall apply to all students: Boys are not to wear nail polish. Young men do not have to wear a short haircut; however, they may not have their hair cut in a long, shaggy cut that covers their faces. Young men are to be well kept and wear deodorant (if necessary at this stage).

• Young ladies may not wear cosmetics in Lower School. Girls may wear jewelry however, any student wearing inappropriate jewelry will be instructed to remove it. Fingernails should be groomed and kept at a modest length. False fingernails are not permitted in Lower School. Young ladies should wear deodorant (if necessary at this stage)..

• Students should arrive at school in a clean and pressed uniform.

• Students are not to wear any kind of cap or head covering while in school.

• All students must make a personal commitment to daily hygiene. Each student must be able to handle his/her own personal bathroom needs such as cleansing, buckling, buttoning, zipping, etc. Arundel Christian School staff and faculty are not allowed to handle or to touch the students in any way or to leave class to assist one student in the bathrooms except in the case of an emergency.

• ACS is not responsible for any damaged or soiled clothing. Remember that clothing tends to “get dirty” when students play outdoors. Please do not send your child to school on Party or Dress Down Days in clothes that cannot be played in.

Students will be assigned a specific bathroom based on their grade. Students will not be permitted to use bathroom facilities within the building that are not assigned to them. All students must wash and dry hands with paper towels after bathroom use. 

All drinking fountains are equipped with water bottle-filling stations. All students are to bring a water bottle with them daily to stay hydrated throughout the day.