P.O. Box 25966, Colorado Springs, CO 80936 ~ (719) 278-9135, ext. 4
Email: hcca@hche.org / Web site: www.hche.org
~ A ministry serving home educating families since 1997~
Registration Handbook 2013-14
High Country Christian Academy is an independent school that provides private school enrollment for students who are taught at home
by their parents. HCCA satisfies the requirements of a private school for purposes of home schooling according to Colo. Rev. Stat. 2233-104(2)(b).
SERVICES PROVIDED:
• Private school enrollment (no notice of intent required for a school district)
• Academic record-keeping
• High school transcripts and diploma
• Annual achievement testing grades 3 – 11 (Odd grades only)
• Home school / curriculum consultation
• Graduation Ceremony available (additional fee required)
• Easy transfer of records
• Home School Legal Defense Association membership discount
• Official record of grades for “Good Student” car insurance discount
“Training Up Children for a Higher Calling”
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Table of Contents
Item covered
Page Number
Services provided
Page 1
Table of Contents
Page 2
2013-2014 Calendar
Page 3
Mission Statement, Statement of Faith, Statement of Policy
Page 4
Registration Information, Attendance Policy, School Transfers, Quarterly
Reports, Refund Policy, Achievement testing, Change of Contact information
Office Information.
Page 5
2013-2014 Fees, Basic services provided, Additional Services
Page 6
High School Program:
Issuing high School Grades, High School Courses through HCEC, Colleges
which have accepted HCCA Transcripts,
High School standards and graduation requirements
Page 7-8
Page 9
2
Calendar 2013-2014
High Country Christian Academy
July
July 11
HCCA office re- opens after summer break and registration for current school year begins
In-person registration for parents enrolling a high school student for the first time (call for appointment)
August
15
31
Early bird registration ends
Registration deadline for current school year
September
30
End of First Quarter
October
10
Deadline for receiving first quarter reports
December
20-31
31
HCCA office closed for Christmas break
End of Second Quarter
January
1-2
3
3
10
HCCA office closed for Christmas break
Registration for mid-year enrollments begins
Registration for testing begins
Deadline for receiving second quarter reports
February
19
19
Registration deadline for testing. (subject to change)
Registration deadline for mid-year enrollments
March
31
End of Third Quarter
Spring Break-Admin office closed
April
10
TBA
Deadline for receiving third quarter reports
Achievement Testing
May
TBA
May 15-31
High Country Graduation
HCCA Office closed for summer break
June
1-15
30
HCCA Office closed for summer break
End of Fourth Quarter
Deadline for receiving fourth quarter reports
End of school year
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PURPOSE
High Country Christian Academy believes that God holds parents ultimately responsible for the education and spiritual training of their
children. HCCA was established to support Christian families in raising their children according to Deuteronomy 6 and to assist and
encourage them in their calling to educate their children at home.
ADVANTAGES
Families have the advantage of a private school confirming their course of study, do not have to report achievement test scores or file a
notice of intent with the local school district, easy transfer of records to another school, and have more flexibility than traditional
correspondence schools. The elementary program provides report cards upon request and the High School Program provides official
transcripts and a private school diploma with graduates eligible for college scholarships for home educators. Numerous high schools
and colleges have accepted HCCA transcripts.
HISTORY
High Country Christian Academy is one of the three branches of High Country Home Educators. The two partner branches are High
Country Support Group and High Country Enrichment Classes.
HCCA BOARD
Members of the Academy board include the following families.
~Kevin & Brandee Knowles-Brandee serves as the Vice President of the board
~Cal & Jan Masey-Cal & Jan serve on the HCHE corporate board.
~Wayne & Violet Bowers-Violet is the Academy secretary
~Brandon and Jenny Vanaman-Brandon serves as the Academy President and Jenny is the Administrator of the Academy. Brandon
and Jenny also serve on the HCHE corporate board.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
*We believe the Holy Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God. It, alone, is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. We
believe in one God, co-equal and co-eternal in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
*We believe Jesus Christ is God the Son. On earth, Jesus was 100% God and 100% man; the only man ever to have lived a sinless life.
He was conceived by God the Father, through the Holy Spirit, in the Virgin Mary's womb. The blood that Jesus Christ shed on the cross
is sufficient to cleanse man of all sins. He was physically resurrected from the dead three days after His death and will visibly return to
earth for the second time to establish His kingdom.
*We believe repentance is the commitment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ. *We are saved by grace
through faith in Jesus Christ, His death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our good works or of any
human effort.
*We believe one day all believers and unbelievers will be physically resurrected. Heaven is the eternal dwelling place of believers in the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. The unbelievers will be judged by God and sent to hell where they will be eternally tormented.
STATEMENT OF POLICY
The policies have been established by the HCCA Board and apply to all families whose children are enrolled in High Country Christian
Academy. Each family, by signing the Parental Agreement Form, is stating that they have read these policies, acknowledge their
responsibility to the school, and obligate themselves to fulfilling these policies.
APPLICATION AND ENROLLMENT
Application for enrollment in High Country Christian Academy is open to Christian home schooling families who are committed to Jesus
Christ and are in agreement with our statement of faith. A student is considered to be home schooled if the majority of the child's
academic education is provided at home by the parents. *HCCA does not discriminate in regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin;
however, the board does reserve the right to deny enrollment based on religious beliefs and affiliations.
High School Parents – parents enrolling a high school student for the first time need to have an in person meeting. Please email the
HCCA office at hcca@hche.org or call (278-9135, ext. 4) for an appointment time email preferred. The administrator will go over your
paperwork and explain high school credits, the procedure for filling out quarterly reports, hour logs, and completed course of study forms.
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REGISTRATIONS
Applications will be accepted July 11 – August 31 and January 3 – February 19, only Emergency enrollments at other times will be
considered. This will be on a case by case basis.
To apply for enrollment at HCCA, the following must be submitted with the application:
 A copy of immunization record or a signed waiver. (First time only and then updated records)
 A copy of the last administered achievement test scores or evaluation results (students entering grades 4 through 11)(If you are
coming from a state that does not require testing, please disregard this)
 Completed Curriculum List
 A check for tuition and application fee
After review of your application, you will be emailed a confirmation letter of your acceptance. If for any reason HCCA cannot accept your
application, you will be notified by mail and your check returned.
ATTENDANCE
HCCA requires a minimum of 172 days of study per school year. Our school year begins in July and ends in June. Parents may
choose their own school schedule.
SCHOOL TRANSFERS
If you are transferring your child to HCCA from another school, you will need to complete the Release of Records form and include it with
your application. We will notify your child’s previous school to send us the cumulative folder. Acceptance of your application may not be
given until prior records have been received and reviewed. If HCCA cannot accept your application, your child's records will be returned
to the school that sent them.
When transferring from HCCA to another school or moving out of the area, it is the parents' responsibility to notify HCCA in writing. Do
not notify the new school and tell them you are home schooling. Your children are enrolled in High Country Christian
Academy; therefore, you should tell the school officials you are transferring your student from a private school. Please note:
we must have all attendance and progress reports up to date in order to complete your transfer of records.
QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORTS
Upon acceptance of your registration, one copy of the quarterly progress report for each quarter will be e-mailed to you. You will need to
make copies for the number of students you will be teaching. Reports must be returned to HCCA by the date indicated on each
report. If a quarterly report is not received by the due date and you have not contacted the HCCA office, your child may be dis enrolled.
These reports are required for enrollment and are a helpful record-keeping tool for you as the teacher. The reports constitute your
student’s academic record, so accurate reports are very important. Please call the HCCA office before the due date if there are
extenuating circumstances. (Report forms are also available at our web site: www.hche.org.)
ACHIEVEMENT TESTING
HCCA requires that students take an achievement test or evaluation at the end of 3 rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th grades. HCCA will be
administering Achievement Tests the last Thursday and Friday in April at New Life Church for grades 3 through 11. Testing registrations
will begin in January. Academy families, however, are not required to test on site. Parents may use the test of their choice and submit
the scores to the academy. If you have a child you prefer to be evaluated in lieu of testing, these results will be accepted in place of test
scores. High school students – ACT and/or SAT scores will be accepted in lieu of achievement testing.
FEES / REFUNDS
Registration fees must be paid in full at the time of application. Due to processing expenses, once we accept your application no
refunds will be given. All registrations expire on June 30th.
CHANGE OF CONTACT INFORMATION
If you move, change your phone number or change your email address, please notify us of your new address as soon as possible. You
must go to HCHE.org under Independent School, ‘Change my Information’ and update any changes. The email address we have on file
is how we will communicate important information throughout the school year.
OFFICE INFORMATION
If you have questions, please call the academy office at 278-9135, ext. 4 or email hcca@hche.org. Please leave a detailed message
and your call or email will be returned. Email is the best form on contact for the Academy. Please email the office at HCCE@HCHE.org.
Note from HCCA Board: Please respect the administrator’s privacy and do not call her home outside of regular business hours M-F 9-6.
Thank you!
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COURSE OF STUDY
Academic requirements for private schools differ from those for home schools. The curriculum being used by the student must
demonstrate that the student is receiving a “basic academic education”. This includes providing instruction in the required subjects of the
Constitution of the United States, reading, writing, speaking, math, history, civics, literature, and science. Colo. Rev. Stat. 22-33-104.5
(3)(d).
Parents are free to choose the curriculum and style of home schooling that best suits their family. Parents may change curriculum during
the school year if they find a course of study isn’t working for their student. Please note - the administration carefully reviews the
Curriculum List, especially at the high school level. HCCA reserves the right to deny credit if a course of study does not meet high
school level work.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
 High Country Christian Academy provides a legal option to families for meeting compulsory attendance requirements in Colorado.
Students enrolled at HCCA are no longer under the Colorado Home School Statute since they are enrolled in a private school (CRS
22-33-104(2)(b). This means you will not have to file a Notice of Intent to home school with your local school district. If you have
been filing a NOI in the past, once your children have been accepted at HCCA you will need to notify your school district they are
now enrolled in a private school. Should your children no longer be enrolled at HCCA, you will need to contact your school district
and begin filing a NOI again.

Because of conflicting public opinion and the inconsistency of legal statutes, High Country Christian Academy
cannot insure that families enrolled in its program will never be subjected to legal scrutiny. HCCA wants each
family to be aware of the legal liability that they may face. We highly encourage families to consider
membership with Home School Legal Defense Association (HCCA members receive a 15% discount).
HSLDA provides experienced legal counsel and representation by qualified attorneys to their member families
who are challenged by government officials in the area of home schooling. All attorneys’ fees and costs are
paid in full directly by the Association. Applications for HSLDA may be obtained by contacting HSLDA at P.O.
Box 3000, Purcellville, VA 20134; phone (540) 338-5600 or their web site: www.hslda.org.
CURRENT FEE SCHEDULE
New Family Application Fee (payable one time only)
Tuition - grades K-12, per family
(Early bird: Jul. 11– Aug. 15)
(Registrations postmarked Aug. 16 – 31)
(Mid-year registrations Jan. 3 – Feb 19)
- grades 9-12, per student (in addition to family tuition)
$25.00
$75.00
$100.00
$100.00
$50.00*
*Students enrolling in the high school program after 9th grade will be charged an additional fee of $50.00 for each grade level a transcript
must be created for. Example: an 11th grade student enrolling who needs a transcript for grades 9 and 10 will be charged a $100.00 fee
in addition to the $50.00 high school tuition per student for the current year.
Allow 4-6 weeks to process applications
TUITION PROVIDES
~ Private school enrollment
~ HSLDA membership discount
~ High school transcript & diploma
~ academic record keeping
~ parental support
~ achievement test score repository service
ADDITIONAL SERVICES:
Enrolled Families
Curriculum consultation (per hour)
0 up to 3 dedicated hours,
Achievement Test Score Repository $25pr hr for more than 3 dedicated hours
Service (per year, per family) (Included with Tuition)
Non-enrolled families
$30.00
$10.00
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HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM
PURPOSE
The purpose of the High School Program is to provide students with academic validation through a level of accountability while allowing
parents the freedom to educate their children in their own style.
HIGH SCHOOL ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS
High school students must complete a minimum of 22 credits to receive a diploma and graduate from High Country Christian Academy.
At least 7 of these required credits must be completed while enrolled with HCCA. Credits do not have to be in consecutive years.
CREDITS
High Country Christian Academy offers two options to earn credits. Parents may choose one option or a combination. You need to
indicate which option you’ve chosen for each subject at the time of registration.
• Carnegie Credit Unit – a minimum of 120 hours of study per subject equals one credit (60 hours = ½ credit / 30 hours = ¼ credit).
This would be approximately 42 minutes per day for 172 days. Classes may include labs, research, and independent reading relating to
the subject. Hour logs must be submitted following the completion of the course showing the total hours studied. An hours log is
available and will be online.
• Course of Study – you may fill out this worksheet detailing the course objectives, requirements, and grading standard. One copy is
included in the enrollment sheets. A Completed Course of Study worksheet must be submitted after the requirements have been met
detailing the completed study. A Completed Course of Study worksheet will be included with your acceptance packet.
Concurrent courses taken through a private or public high school, a tutor, a correspondence course, or community college must be
documented with a completed course of study for such course work to appear on HCCA's transcript. We will need at minimum an
unofficial transcript from any of the previous organizations.
TRANSCRIPTS
One of the benefits of the High School Program is the formal transcript that the student will receive through HCCA. A copy of the
transcript can be provided anytime to the parents during the high school course of study at no charge. Multiple copies (three or more)
will be charged a fee of $2.00 each. Requests for a transcript will take up to seven business days to process. If a transcript is needed in
less time, a $20.00 fee must accompany the request. These requests require a 24-hour notice to process.
GRADES
Each student is under the instructional supervision of their parents, although High Country Christian Academy is responsible to oversee
that students are getting a “basic academic education”. Grades issued for work completed will be given by the parents and turned in to
HCCA on the quarterly reports. To maintain consistency as a school, HCCA’s grading scale must be used. Parents need to submit a
percentage grade and a letter grade on progress reports. Colleges require that students have a GPA. Parents should have a plan for
assigning grades before school begins.
ISSUING GRADES IN HIGH SCHOOL
High Country Christian Academy does not dictate how parents are to issue grades. Following are a few suggestions of how this may be
accomplished.

Give the student quizzes and tests, grading each one using HCCA’s grading scale, and then add all of the grades together and
divide by total number of tests to get an average grade for the quarterly reports.
 Base the grade on a point system for the entire year. Example:
Chapter reviews - 15 points each (10 chapters) = 150 points
Quizzes 20 points each (5 quizzes) = 100 points
Semester tests - 50 points each (2 tests)
= 100 points
Research projects 25 points each (2 projects) = 50 points
Total = 400 points
The grade is then based on the percentage of points earned out of the total possible. If a student earned
300 points, the grade would be determined by dividing 300 by 400, which would be 75%. On HCCA’s
grading scale that is a C. You would need to devise your own point system to fit each course. To determine
a monthly grade, use the number of points for assignments already completed for that month, instead of the
total points for the entire year.
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

Use a variation of the point system to determine which elements of the course are most important. Example: daily work might be
worth 20% of the final grade, quizzes might be worth 30%, and tests worth 50%.
Grades for non-academic subjects may be determined by an overall evaluation of the student’s performance as opposed to specific
right and wrong answers. This type of grading works well for subjects such as creative writing, sewing, cooking, auto mechanics,
art, etc. The grade would be based on competence, skill, or accomplishment. Parents need to be honest when assigning grades:
“A” - student has done superior work that is significantly above average.
“B” - above average, beyond just completing assignments.
“C” - student work that meets but does not exceed the requirements.
“D” - work that is inadequate or below average.
“F” - reflects work that falls significantly below average.
Letter grades must be issued in each subject at the high school level for transcript purposes. If your student should transfer to a public
or private school, that school wants to see letter grades, not “pass” or “fail” or the “S” and “U” system. This also becomes very important
if your student is planning to attend college.
STUDENTS TAKING HIGH SCHOOL COURSES THROUGH HIGH COUNTRY ENRICHMENT CLASSES
PLEASE NOTE – teachers of each class determine whether or not to issue grades, but are not required to do so. It is the parent’s
responsibility to know if it will be the teacher or the parent who will assign grades for each course taken at HCEC. Grades for HCEC
courses must be given on the quarterly progress reports. If you have questions regarding assigning credits and/or grades or about a
course meeting HCCA requirements, please contact the academy at 278-9135, ext. 4 or e-mail: hcca@hche.org. Please remember that
HCEC is not a school and does not give credit for classes taken and does not keep records of your student’s attendance, grades, credits,
etc.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS APPLYING TO COLLEGE
When contacting or applying to a college, please state that your student is graduating from a private independent school. HCCA will
then mail a copy of the student’s transcript directly to the college upon your request. This makes the application process go smoothly.
COLLEGES THAT HAVE ACCEPTED HCCA’S TRANSCRIPT
Baylor University
Belhaven College (MS)
Biola University (CA)
Calvin College (MI)
College of the Ozarks (MO)
Colorado Christian University
Colorado College
Colorado Mountain College
Colorado School of Mines
Colorado State University
Colorado State University - Pueblo
Colorado Technical University
Concordia University (CA)
DigiPen Institute of Technology (WA)
Dordt College (IA)
Duquesne University (PA)
Florida Atlantic University
Fort Lewis College (CO)
Grace University (NE)
Hillsdale College (MI)
Ithaca College (NY)
John Brown University (AR)
Kansas State University
LeTourneau University (TX)
Loyola University (LA)
Memorial Hospital School of Radiology (CO)
Northern Arizona University
Northwestern College (IA)
Northwest Nazarene University (ID)
Oral Roberts University (OK)
Ozark Christian College (MO)
Pensacola Christian College (FL)
Pikes Peak Community College (CO)
Point Loma Nazarene University (CA)
Regis University (CO)
Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design (CO)
Southern Connecticut State University
Southwest Baptist University (MO)
Taylor University (IN)
Texas A & M University
The Catholic University of America (DC)
The State University of New York, Potsdam
Tulane University (LA)
United States Air Force Academy
United States Naval Academy
University of Cincinnati (OH)
University of Colorado, Boulder
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
University of Hawaii
University of Northern Colorado
University of Notre Dame (IN)
University of Utah
Willamette University (OR)
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Requirements to receive HCCA diploma and suggested college preparatory courses
Subjects
Bible
Biblical Worldview required-1 credit
English
Math
Algebra I required
History
Required for HCCA graduation:
US History, World History, World
Geography, American Government
Science
1 Physical and 1 Life Science
required
P.E./Health
1/2 credit of health required
Possible Coursework
Various possibilities.
Counted as electives
Composition, American Lit,
British Lit, World Lit,
Rhetoric, Creative Writing,
Speech Communications,
Debate, Journalism,
College prep could include
AP. (Courses should stress
grammar, vocabulary and
analyzing literature
General Math, Consumer
Math, Business Math,
Accounting, Algebra 1&2,
Geometry, Trig, PreCalculus, Calculus,
Statistics.
US History, World History,
World Geography,
American Government,
Economics, Sociology,
Psychology, Political
Science, Constitutional Law
General Science, Physical
Science, Earth Science,
Biology, Chemistry,
Physics, Anatomy,
Microbiology
General High School
Diploma (Required for
HCCA graduation)
General College Prep
(Suggested coursework)
Rigorous College Prep
(Suggested coursework)
4 Credits
4 Credits
4 Credits
4 Credits
4 Credits
4 or more Credits
3 Credits
4 or more Credits
4 or more Credits
3 Credits
3-4 Credits
4 or more Credits
2 Credits
3-4 Credits
4 or more Credits
Various possibilities
1 ½ Credit
1 ½ Credit
1 ½ Credit
Foreign Language
(two years same language preferred)
French, Spanish, Latin,
German, Japanese,
Russian, etc.
Optional but
recommended
2-4 Credits
3-4 Credits
Fine Arts
Art, Music, Drama,
Photography, calligraphy,
dance, woodworking, etc.
1 Credit
1 Credit
1 Credit
3 ½ Credit
1 Credits
1 Credits
Electives
Required for HCCA graduation:
3 ½ credit in any course. Bible
counts as elective
Life Skills, Typing, Home
Economics, Consumer
Math, Office skills, etc.
Computer Skills strongly
recommended
Total Credits Required
22 Credits
23-28 Credits
27 or more Credits
Under the General High School Diploma, these are minimum requirements. There is nothing wrong with having for example 26 or more credits on
your student’s transcript.
Suggestion to Parents-choose 2-3 colleges and contact the regarding admission requirements and plan accordingly.
Students must complete at least 7 of the 22 required credits while enrolled with HCCA in order to receive a diploma.
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