Rio Grande Christian Academy Home School Program
What is Rio Grande Christian Academy Home School Program?
Rio Grande Christian Academy’s (RGCA) Home School Program (HSP) is a ministry of Rio Grande Baptist
Church (RGBC). The program began to assist families within RGBC who chose to home school
their children. Families may apply with RGCA to become a part of this program. RGCA is
considered “Fully Accredited” by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation
and School Improvement (NCA CASI), a division of AdvancED.
Students enrolled in the program are considered a part of RGCA and when on campus or participating in
school sponsored events are responsible to follow the Student Handbook. We ask that you and
your family are good witnesses for Christ in your neighborhood.
What advantages are there to using Rio Grande Christian Academy Home School Program?
The program has several advantages: reduced costs of curriculum, sports, student convention, record
keeping, accountability, and accredited transcripts and diplomas are a few of the benefits that
this program offers.
How does the program work?
After acceptance at least one parent will need to attend an ACE sponsored Supervisor’s Training. They
will also need to attend the appropriate parent orientation. All students will need to participate
in either Diagnostic Testing or Reading Readiness testing (depending on the age/grade level of
the student).
The HSP will then help the parents diagnose and acquire the proper curriculum. The HSP will also help
generate a “Course of Study” for all high school students that will help guide them in their
graduation requirements. If a student’s diagnostic testing shows that they are not at grade
level upon entering the program the HSP staff and parents will work together to create a plan to
help put them on track to graduate “on time.”
The school will order all ACE related curriculum and issue the PACEs (without the PACE test) and allow
the parent to sign out (on loan) the appropriate score keys (without the test key). Failure to
return the score key will result in a $20.00 charge.
The parents are required to properly secure the score keys and make sure the students are following
best procedures in their work. A year’s work in each subject (or 1 high school credit) is 12
completed PACEs per subject. High school students will accumulate a half credit for each 6
PACE’s completed in one subject.
Each quarter to stay on academic balance for extracurricular purposes a student has to complete 15
PACEs (or equivalent elective work) with a passing score. More details can be found in the RGCA
student handbook.
When the student has completed the PACE the parents will bring the student (in proper attire) to RGCA
to have the PACE test proctored by our staff. This is so that we can verify that the tests are
given in a manner in line with our procedures and accreditation. Parents will also submit the
completed PACEs for review. All PACE’s and PACE tests for the quarter are due by the end of
the quarter (see current school calendar for those deadlines). Completed PACEs and tests
become the property of RGCA.
As part of RGCA’s reading reinforcement program all enrolled students in 1st level and above are
required to participate in the Readmaster program at least twice a week. Readmaster results
should be given to the school quarterly and will be checked on by the school’s reading programs
assistant.
RGCA requires that all students are doing 5 core subjects (Math, English, Social Studies, Science, and
Word Building) with the ACE curriculum. As well as participating in the Readmaster Plus Suite to
help with reading reinforcement. ACE produces, and RGCA will make available, a number of
electives for your students to take.
We understand that some localities require courses (state/national histories, etc.) that cannot be met
through our normal curriculum channels. We also understand that sometimes you would like to
supplement your students learning in different ways. To use other curricula please fill out the
appropriate form. This form will require: textbook information, a scope and sequence or
general syllabi and information on how learning will be measured. Our HSP staff will be
available to help fill out the form or give advice during the process.
RGCA has a dual-enrollment agreement with Central New Mexico Community College. Enrolled high
school Juniors and Seniors may participate in the program. Please let the school know if you are
interested in applying.
For high school students no high school credit will be given unless the form has been submitted,
reviewed and approved prior to the beginning of the course. The curriculum must be
appropriate to the high school level and measurements need to show good academic progress.
A copy of the student’s completed tests, reports, etc. will need to be filed with your PACE tests
for review.
Parents are required to participate in all meetings, Parent Teacher conferences, Regionals, ISC, Parent
Orientation and sports meetings.
Remember, our purpose is to help you educate your child. However, we also want to maintain the high
academic standards and accreditation. Therefore, we are asking you to work with us so that
together we can accomplish both goals.
Can my student participate in: sports, Junior, Regional or International Student Convention, etc.?
Yes, but there are some requirements. You have to adhere to the appropriate dress and academic
standards (grades turned in on time, academic balance, PE and school uniforms, Regional attire,
etc.). Sports participation requires attendance at practices, fundraisers, etc., as outlined in the
RGCA student handbook. We are willing to work with your family to have your student
participate within those guidelines.
Can my child “walk the line” and graduate at RGCA’s commencement?
Yes! Provided they have met the graduation requirements outlined in their course of study, all financial
balances are paid off, and you all are willing to adhere to our dress standard.
What costs are involved?
The Home School Program has the following cost structure:
Diagnostic Testing Fee: $30.00 per student (one-time fee)
Registration Fee: $200.00 per student (annually)
Regional Student Convention Fee: $225.00 per student (for all students who will be 13 years of age
by December 31st of the current school year).
Standardized Testing Fee: $30.00 per student (annually).
Monthly Administration Fee: $75.00 for one student or $150.00 per family (monthly).
Curriculum Fees: $5.00 per PACE; $20.00 per unreturned Score Key; $40.00 per family Readmaster
Plus annual license fee. Literature books, Rosetta Stone and other specialty curriculum:
discuss with the HSP to find out current pricing.