School Handbook 24-25

Welcome to Boyd Christian School

Boyd Christian School was founded by Godly men and women who saw the benefits of Christian education. In a world where our children are subject to so many temptations and worries, they wanted a place where our children could learn and grow while surrounded by people who love them and have their best in mind spiritually as well as academically. Boyd Christian School is that place where our children can learn and grow closer to God each and every day.

Every teacher and staff member is chosen with your child in mind. They are the best in every way imaginable. Our teachers could earn more money and receive benefits by teaching at government-funded schools or in other private sectors. We are all here working because there is nowhere else, we want to be. The students are why we are here. BCS is the best school in the WORLD because of the love and dedication of the people here.

As parents, you can be assured that your children will be loved and cared for here like no other place on this earth. That is our commitment to you. We owe it to our students to do the best we are capable of doing. We will be the best in the spirit of meekness – not arrogance. We will be the best because that is what our God demands of us.

All standards of the student handbook at Boyd Christian School are based upon Biblical principles and moral values that all students and staff are expected to carry out.


Mission Statement

The mission of F.C. Boyd Christian School is to:

 

Vision Statement

F.C. Boyd Christian School desires at present and foresees a future in which our institution

1.      Is made up of stakeholders whom all hold the best interest of the school as a top priority.

2.      Becomes a spiritual and academic light to our surrounding communities.

3.      Continues to provide a safe, spiritual, and academic environment.

4.      Instills in all students a positive sense of self-worth, self-responsibility, and self-motivation.

5.      Helps prepare our students to make an easy transition from high school to college.

6.      Establishes and maintains a positive relationship with our patrons that will ensure the future financial stability of our school.

7.      Provides an avenue through financial aid or other means for qualified students to receive a Christian education. 


Boyd Christian School Beliefs

We believe:

 

Tuition

Payment Plans

Tuition may be paid on a 10-month (Aug-May), 11-month (July-May), annual, or semi-annual plan. All tuition payments are due by the 5th of each month. Regardless of the payment plan, the full amount of tuition is required by the end of the school year with the balance for the remainder of the year due in full if students withdraw or are dismissed from Boyd Christian before the school year is complete. 

Discounted Tuition

Local churches and community members have been generous enough to supply a limited amount of sponsorship for discounted tuition in instances where necessary. All discounted tuition is based on income and is given on a first-come, first-serve basis. No athletic or academic scholarships are given. 

Service Hours

Any family receiving discounted tuition based on their income is required to contribute a set amount of service hours per their contract. If service hours are not completed, the family assumes the full amount of tuition, and any discounts will be revoked. 

Balances Due

In severe circumstances, students with outstanding balances will not be allowed to attend until payment is made. All accounts must be settled by the end of the year. Boyd Christian School reserves the right to deny participation in activities and to hold report cards, transcripts, and other items associated with the school until full payment is made. 

A Word of Thanks

Although we are committed to keeping our prices as low as possible for the people in our community, we know it is a sacrifice for you to send your child to a private school. We cannot thank you enough for your support and involvement. Tuition pays a small portion of what it takes to run our school and we are always overwhelmed by the generosity and support of others to keep our school afloat. All donations made are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated! Thanks so much for all you do to support our school!


Attendance Policy

State law (T.C.A. 49-6-3001, T.C.A. 49-6-3007) requires every child to attend school until his/her eighteenth birthday or until he/she has a high school diploma or GED. A student who has five or more unexcused absences (not necessarily in a row) is TRUANT. Truancy is a Class C Misdemeanor, and the school is required, by law, to turn in students who are truant to the proper authorities.

Student attendance and timeliness play a major role in their success. Your child needs to be present and on time every day possible. BCS will not tolerate a lack of compliance with this law and offenders will be subject to dismissal.

Absences are defined as excused, unexcused, or school/church-related.

Excused Absences

Absences from school will only be excused for the following reasons:

· personal illness or serious family illness

· death in the family

· emergency situations

For an absence to be excused, a note from the parent/guardian or doctor explaining the reason for the absence should be presented to the office before 8:00 a.m. the day the student returns to school. If students do not bring an acceptable note upon returning to school, their

absence will be considered unexcused. The office will not accept any more than 3 parent notes for sickness per quarter. All absences due to sickness exceeding this limit will require a doctor’s note to be excused. Any student who acquires more than 5 excused absences per quarter will be reviewed by the Attendance Board before any additional absences are accepted.

Students will receive full credit for excused absences provided that all work is made up within 3 school days.

School and Church Related Activities

School-related activities such as field trips, approved college visits for Juniors/Seniors, and church activities will be excused. Missed assignments must be made up within 3 school days. Teachers should be notified at least three days before the absence. 

Unexcused Absences

The administration and Attendance Board reserves the right to define any absence as unexcused if there have been excessive absences.

Any absence without paperwork turned in or not due to illness, death in the family, or emergency will be counted as unexcused. Teachers do not have to allow students to make up work if their absence is unexcused. If allowed to complete work, students will receive no more than 80% for work missed with an unexcused absence. Students may receive a 0 for any daily grade or work missed. Family vacations will count as unexcused absences. Any student with 5 unexcused absences over the course of the year will be reviewed by the attendance board and may be turned in for truancy and are subject to dismissal.

Tardiness

Tardiness is disruptive to the school environment and is not acceptable. Any student tardy for 1st period should immediately report to the office before going to class. Three tardies equal one absence.

Tardies will only be excused under the following conditions:

· A note from a certified doctor is provided.

· A note from a court of law is provided.

· A verified school-related activity.

Teachers have the right to require service hours, detention, or suspension for any/all tardies

Early Dismissal 

Early dismissal from school requires a note from the parent that should be presented in the office before 8:00 a.m. Notes requesting early dismissal should include the date, time of dismissal, reason, time returning (if applicable), and the signature of the parent or guardian. Parents should go to the office for the student and sign the student out/in. Students leaving early will be counted absent for the class periods they miss.

Students who drive will not be allowed to sign themselves out before the end of their last period class unless a note is given to the office that morning except in an emergency.

Dress code

Kindergarten-2nd Grade

Shirts: BCS polos, t-shirts, sweatshirts and quarter zip pullovers with the BCS logo sold by the school. Button-ups, polos, henleys, and sweaters are also allowed.

Dresses and skirts may be worn at any time for girls as long as they follow modesty and neatness rules. Leggings may be worn underneath dresses but not alone as pants.

Pants: K-2nd grade students may wear jeans, trouser styles such as khakis or pull-on styles. Pants must not have holes in them. Shorts are allowed but must reach the knee when standing.

3rd-12th Grade

Shirts: BCS polos, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and quarter zip pullovers with the BCS logo sold by the school. Other acceptable shirts without the school logo are polos, and collared button-up shirts (appropriately sized, worn completely buttoned). Only the styles listed are dress code-approved.

Pants: All students may wear jeans, khaki, trouser style, or dress pants. Pants must not have holes in them. Shorts are allowed if they are to the knee and follow all modesty and neatness rules. Athletic and jean shorts are not allowed.

Dresses and skirts are allowable at any time for ladies as long as they follow all modesty and neatness rules. Leggings may be worn underneath dresses but not alone as pants.

Modesty and Neatness Rules

Modesty and Neatness rules apply at all times whether on casual days, or school-related events such as field trips and extracurricular activities after school. 


Casual Day

T-shirts will be allowed each Friday. All modesty and neatness rules still apply. Shirts still must be neat, clean, and modest, and must not have any logos or graphics that would not represent our school well. The decision of the administration is final on these issues. Casual days are a privilege and will be revoked if students fail to follow the dress code.


Hair

Any questions you might have about the dress code should be asked before you spend the money. A good rule to follow is “when in doubt, leave it out.”

Visitors

We ask visitors, parents, and guardians to abide by the same modesty rules while on campus. The administration will make the final decision on all matters about student dress. 


Disciplinary Policy

School Rules

All students are expected to be Responsible, Respectful, and Safe at all times on and off school property. Students are subject to disciplinary actions when rules are not followed in school-related activities.

To achieve academic excellence, behavior that disrupts the learning process will not be tolerated. Discipline may include but is not limited to:

The school reserves the right to search vehicles, lockers, cell phone pictures/data, and any student materials on school property at any time without warning or permission. Students may also be subject to random drug testing at the discretion of the administration. Any suspicious activity will be dealt with by the administration. Boyd Christian School will not tolerate drugs, weapons, or violence under any circumstances.

Code of Conduct

Students must not participate in any activities at school, outside of school, or on social media that would portray a negative image of our school or blatantly go against our beliefs. For example: profanity, racial/sexual remarks, promiscuity, disrespect, physical aggression, vandalism, bullying/harassment, stealing, drugs, acts of defiance, or threats of any kind will not be tolerated in school or outside of school. Boyd Christian School reserves the right to dismiss any student whom the administration feels is not portraying a positive image of our school or abiding by the beliefs outlined in the handbook.

Bullying

Christian behavior is expected at Boyd Christian School. Therefore, to have a safe learning environment free of violence and/or threats of violence, bullying will not be tolerated. Any student engaging in bullying behavior will receive disciplinary action ranging from verbal reprimand from the administration to expulsion, based on the severity of the infraction. 

Honor Code

Students are expected to be honest and do their best in all areas at school. Students are required to do their work, and at no time will cheating be accepted. Copying work from the internet or soliciting unapproved help from others, including parents, is considered plagiarism and/or cheating. Teachers will deal with cheating at their discretion 

Suspension

There may be times when school suspension is given by the administration. If suspended, the student will be unable to participate at any school function on or off campus. The student will not be allowed to represent the school in any athletic event, academic competition, or any other school activity for the duration of the suspension. Students may not be able to make up work missed during the suspension period or may be assigned additional work to complete while suspended. If students are allowed to make up work, a maximum of 80% will be given to work made up upon return. 

Expulsion

Some offenses warrant the consideration of immediate expulsion. These may include but are not limited to

weapons, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, threats to teachers, administrators, or other students, and bullying. Weapons, alcohol, and drugs are not only violations of school rules but also violations of the State of Tennessee. Any student expelled from school will not be refunded and will still be accountable for any balance on his/her tuition. The school retains the authority to expel a student immediately for such offenses.


Lunch

Cafeteria

Hot lunches are prepared for our students in the cafeteria each day. Students are expected to clean up after themselves and leave the cafeteria clean so other students may enjoy a clean environment. No food is allowed in the classroom or the gym during the academic day. All students will remain in the cafeteria for the entire lunch period. No students will be allowed to return to their lockers or cars during lunch.

The lunch period is an opportunity for students to get extra help or make up any missed assignments or tests. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule any extra help or make-up session.

We encourage all families who purchase lunch to send money on Monday for the week or month of school. Please try to pay upfront. If your child runs out of lunch money, we will allow them to charge minimally for lunch only. Students are not allowed to charge morning snacks or ice cream. It is your responsibility to settle all charges in the cafeteria regularly.

Students may not call local restaurants to deliver to the school. Open food/drink is not allowed in the halls, classrooms, or lockers.

Senior Lunch Privileges

Seniors are allowed to leave campus for lunch if they have a permission slip on file in the office if no grade is lower than a C, and if they have no discipline issues. Seniors may not bring food or drinks back to campus for any of their classmates nor are they to take underclassmen with them. Violations of this privilege will result in the loss of this privilege for a period of time.

If grades and discipline are in order, seniors may eat in front of the high school in the area now known as the “Senior Porch.” Any food purchased off-campus and brought back must remain in the Senior Porch and cannot be taken to the cafeteria or in classrooms. The Senior Porch must be cleaned before the end of the lunch period. The senior lunch is a privilege and can be revoked.


Electronic Devices and Cell Phones

Due to the level of distraction that cell phones and electronic devices cause, high School and middle School students cannot have a phone or device in their possession during the school day. Students bringing their phones on campus must turn in their phones to their 1st-period teacher and may pick them up at the end of the day. Students arriving after 8:00 will turn their phones into the office. Phones and electronic devices, including Smart watches, are not permitted at school unless specified by their teachers or administration for a specific event. Elementary students are not allowed to bring cell phones or electronic devices to school unless approved by their teachers or administration

for a specific event. Students can be contacted through the office during school hours. The school assumes no responsibility for the care of any electronic device brought on campus.

Violation of the cell phone and electronic device policy will result in the following:

· 1st offense Phone/device confiscated for the remainder of the school day and returned once student presents signed cell phone return receipt with parent/guardian signature to the office.

· 2nd offense Phone/device confiscated for 1 week and returned after 5 school days have passed.

· 3rd offense Meeting with parents and administration

The administration can demand to inspect the history, temp files, photos, social media accounts, etc. if there is suspicion that a student has been using his/her phone inappropriately on or off campus.

Transportation

Student Vehicles on Campus

Field Trips:


Miscellaneous

School Security

All visitors must sign in at the main office. No one will be allowed on campus during school hours without wearing a visitor’s badge. Anyone not signed in will be asked to leave the campus with no exceptions. The school has the right to deny anyone access to the school. 

Distribution of Literature

No one is allowed to distribute ANY type of literature without first having the permission of the administration. 

Illness

A student who feels too ill to continue the normal day should report to the office. If it is determined that he/she should be sent home, the parents will be contacted. The student should remain in the office until he/she leaves.

If it is determined that a student has been exposed to a disease or contracted a disease that is deemed to be a threat to other students, he/she will work from home or a medical institution until sufficient time has passed to eliminate any threat to others.

Medication

All medication, including over-the-counter, is to be left in its original container in the office. Written instruction from the parents must be given to the office for medication to be given to the student. 

Service Hours

All parents of athletes are required to work/prep/organize or clean concessions yearly. All parents receiving any financial assistance are required to work a certain number of service hours as assigned by the administration in addition to athletic requirement. 


High School Academic Information

Class load

Underclassmen are required to take 7 subjects each year. Seniors may take 6 classes. The only exception to this rule will be those enrolled in dual enrollment classes such as Motlow. Each student taking one dual enrollment class must be enrolled in at least five/four BCS classes depending on their year. Seniors taking two dual enrollment classes must be enrolled in at least 3 BCS classes. Students must be enrolled in a Bible, English, and Math course each year. Students may only drop courses under special request. All students must be present for chapel every day regardless of schedule. 

Graduation Requirements

Requirements for the Honors Diploma

Must be enrolled as a full-time campus student beginning junior year and fulfill the following:

Dual Enrollment with Motlow

Students who meet certain requirements and receive approval from the principal may receive both high school and college credit beginning their junior year. Acceptable courses and requirements are outlined in the dual enrollment policy online. Dual enrollment classes must not conflict with required BCS courses and students must be present for chapel every day regardless of schedule. Dual enrollment students must sign in and be in the library unless assigned to another location when not in class.

Online Courses

Online courses are only allowed in special circumstances at the approval of the principal and guidance counselor. Only courses that are not offered at BCS, those courses needed to graduate that conflict with the BCS class schedule, or courses needed for credit recovery will be approved. Students must have a 3.5 GPA without accommodations to take online courses, excluding those students needing credit recovery. The student/student’s family is responsible for the online course tuition and any other costs. Students must work on the online course during a class period in the BCS computer lab using the honor system and must take their online course final exam at BCS in the presence of their course mentor. BCS must receive progress reports/grades quarterly and the final grade in the form of an official transcript upon completion of the course. 

Determining Grades, GPA and Rank

All grades will be recorded numerically on a 100% scale by teachers. The numeric grades correspond to letter grades. To determine class ranking, grades are converted to quality points (see chart below). To determine GPA, the semester average letter grades are assigned a number on the 4-point system and then divided by the number of grades. All classes are considered in the GPA. 

Class Rank

The class rank represents the position held by a student with the other students in the class. A student must be enrolled full-time on campus from the beginning of their junior year in to be included in the ranking. Class ranking is figured using quality points and is weighted. Class rank is calculated at the end of each semester. Class rank for graduation awards and honors is determined at the end of the first semester of the student’s senior year. The student who has the highest number of quality points and is enrolled in the honors program is the valedictorian, and the student with the second highest and is enrolled in the honors program is the salutatorian. If there is more than one student with the same number of points, there will be two or more valedictorians and no salutatorian. 


Report Cards

Report cards are issued every nine weeks. Parents have continuous online access to their child’s grades through the online system at iGradePlus.com. Parents who are concerned about their child’s grades are encouraged to call for a parent/teacher conference. 

Semester Exams

Semester averages will be calculated as follows: Each 9-week period will count as 40% of the semester average and the semester exam will count as 20% of the semester average. No student will be exempt from mid-term tests; however, juniors and seniors with a 90 or higher average and who have met acceptable attendance criteria may be exempt from the course final at the teacher’s discretion. 

Athletic Eligibility

Student-athletes are required to maintain an overall 2.5 GPA. If a student-athlete receives two D’s or one F on their progress report or report card in any subject for a 9-week period or semester, he/she will be suspended from play for a period of time. The suspension period will be determined based on academic performance. The student may return to play only if the student’s grades have improved and he or she once again has at least a 2.5 GPA.

Any student-athlete who violates Boyd’s code of conduct rules on or off the court may be suspended from play by the coach, athletic director, or school administration.

All student-athletes must adhere to all modesty and neatness rules regarding clothing worn for practices and games.

Any student missing school due to illness or an unexcused absence will not be able to play or participate in any athletic events that day.

Academic Probation

Any student who receives an “F” or two “Ds” at the end of any quarter will be on probation. While on probation a student will be required to attend extra help during lunch and/or after school. Any student on probation will be expected to improve their grades the next quarter. Any student with Fs at the end of any semester may be dismissed by the administration. 

Testing

All K-11 students take the Stanford Achievement Test.

Sophomores and Juniors take the ASVAB every other year.

Eleventh-grade students are encouraged to take the ACT and/or SAT at least once during their junior year. Twelfth-grade students are expected to take the ACT and/or SAT in preparation for college admission

Transcripts

Transcript requests must be made through the guidance counselor’s office. After there is confirmation from the business manager that there is no outstanding balance, the transcript will be sent within two business days. A maximum of 5 transcripts will be sent per student free of charge. Additional transcripts will include a $25 fee for each one. 

Withdrawl

If a student withdraws as a full-time student and desires to enroll in the home school umbrella, he or she must make a request to the Board of Directors to be considered.

Adherence of Rules

By enrolling in Boyd Christian School, you are agreeing to abide by the school handbook and the beliefs and guidelines herein. 

Academic Modification Plans (AMP)

Please know that we will strive to meet each student’s learning needs, but we are not able to provide all the accommodations that a public school system can offer. Boyd does not receive federal funding for disability services; therefore, our students are expected to learn in a mainstream class setting.

Many students have learning difficulties that necessitate some accommodation to the regular academic program at BCS. We intend to have an accurate assessment of strengths, to understand areas of weakness, and to discover the student’s ability to compensate for specific weaknesses. With this critical information, a helpful plan can be established to potentially enhance the student’s learning process in the classroom. Referrals for evaluation/ testing may be made by the student’s parent, teacher, or pediatrician at any time.

If a student qualifies for service, some possible services provided by the Warren County School System include but are not limited to speech therapy, physical or occupational therapy; tutoring; materials/ equipment; consultation; and transportation. A service plan is written for each student that qualifies for service and reviewed on an annual basis. There must be an annual review/meeting with the parents and personnel providing services for these services to be continued. The number of hours of service provided weekly by the Warren County School System is determined by the number of funds made available for private school students with disabilities and is based on the number of eligible students accounted for as of December 1 each year.

The following is a list of accommodations that FC Boyd Christian School can make for students that are evaluated and are approved for services. Accommodations will be determined by the AMP team.