Horizon Christian Academy
Information Packet
Horizon Christian Academy expects that all students conduct themselves in a manner that
is pleasing to God and acceptable with the standards of Horizon. Students are expected
to adhere to the following guidelines, understanding that it is impossible to create a “rule”
or guideline for every incident that may arise.
Horizon students are expected to honor the words of our Lord Jesus Christ when He
stated in Luke 6:31 “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” It is expected that
Horizon Christian Academy students will treat one another with respect, courtesy,
kindness and compassion. Words or behaviors that demean or demoralize another person
will not be tolerated at Horizon.
Christ-like behavior is expected at all times from all students.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Horizon Christian Academy is to Train up a Child in the Way he should
go as directed by Proverbs 22:6. This will be done by offering a Christ-centered
environment with a superior education. The education will include academics, Christian
leadership and service through valuing the unique gifts of each student.
Horizon Christian Academy will nurture the whole child to include the mind, body and
soul by allowing the child’s God-given talents and abilities to thrive.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
We believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God.
We believe that God is a sovereign God.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God.
We believe in the trinity of: God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
We believe that Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary. We believe that He was
crucified for our sins, that He rose again and He is a living Christ.
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We believe that salvation is an eternal gift that comes only through the acceptance of
Jesus Christ as one’s personal savior.
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
Horizon Christian Academy’s philosophy of education is that we believe all students,
regardless of circumstances, deserve to have the best education possible and that the
education should be provided in a Spiritually-based and nurturing environment.
Successful administrators must inspire teachers to be quality educators, and teachers must
inspire students to love learning for a lifetime. Teachers must be able to differentiate
instruction to meet the needs of their students, and they must be able to understand the
cultural differences in each of their students. Administrators and teachers should be
Christian role models and mentor the students entrusted in their care. The one-size-fitsall mentality, where all students are on the same page at the same time, is a thing of the
past and has no place in today’s schools. Administrators and teachers should constantly
strive to improve their skills and take advantage of as many professional development
opportunities as possible. It is critical for professional educators to keep up with
technology, and we believe that technology should be central to all learning. Educators
must prepare students to be able to compete in a changing world by being both spiritually
and academically grounded, and they must have high expectations for all students so that
academic excellence and future success can be achieved.
We believe that the home, school, and community must work together very closely and
that all constituents should feel valued as part of the entire school community. There is
no greater calling than to be a professional Christian educator. Those who make
education their life work need to be passionate about the opportunities God has given
them to help create a better society, therefore increasing the quality of life for generations
to come.
TARDY POLICY
The doors open for students at 7:40am on normal school days and 9:40am when there is a
two-hour delay. School begins promptly at 8:00am and 10:00am when there is a twohour delay.
Students are expected to be in class and prepared to learn the moment school begins.
When a student arrives late he or she will be considered tardy. Once the student has
accrued three tardies, an after-school detention will be issued. If a student receives three
detentions, a parent conference will be required. Beyond that, students face possible
suspension.
Excused tardies will be issued if a child has a doctor’s slip. Parents must always enter the
building to sign students in when arriving late. Likewise, parents must enter the building
and sign a child out in the event that the student is to leave school early.
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ABSENCES
If your child will be absent from school, please call the school office before 8:00am to
inform the school why he or she will be absent from school.
Students who are ill should be fever, diarrhea and vomiting free for 24 hours prior to
returning to school.
Absences for illness are excused and work may be made up. In the event a student is
suspended from school, he or she will not be permitted to make up missed work.
BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
Students are expected to treat themselves, their peers, staff members, school visitors, and
church members with respect at all times. Students must address faculty/staff members
by their proper title (ex: Mrs. Smith, Mr. Jones, Dr. Brown). Students may not address
faculty/staff members by their first name, or by any nickname.
Students are expected to respect school and church property and should never damage
property. Students/families will be responsible for damaged property.
No public displays of affection are permitted (ex: handholding, kissing, inappropriate
hugging – defined as hugging between students who are dating or considered a couple, or
any explicit displays of affection).
Bullying is not permitted. Bullying includes, but is not limited to:
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Name calling
Drawing inappropriate pictures
Sending inappropriate, threatening or harassing text messages
Posting inappropriate, threatening or harassing comments on social networking
sites
Putting another person down
Poking fun at someone
Pushing, shoving, tripping
Threatening someone
Plotting to leave someone out of an activity
In the event that discipline is required, students will speak with an administrator. The
school administration will work to resolve the behavior through one of the following
means:
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Student writes an essay regarding his/her behavior and how it conflicts with
Christian behavior
Conference with school administrator
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Conference with school administrator and parent
Community service
Phone call to parents
Suspension
Expulsion
Horseplay is not permitted. Horseplay includes yelling, pushing, shoving, interfering
with the “space” of another student, running, etc.
No lying will be tolerated.
No vulgar language will be tolerated.
The following may not be brought on school property and/or brought to or used at school
sponsored events:
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Tobacco
Alcoholic beverages
Knives
Cigarettes (or any form of tobacco or smoking-related items)
Lighters
Matches
Firearms
Illegal drugs
Weapons
Stun Guns
Active participation in the destruction or defacing of school (and/or church) property is
not tolerated.
In the event that students are found with any of the above, or participate in active
destruction of school property, immediate expulsion will take place and law enforcement
agencies will be contacted as necessary.
DRESS CODE
Students are expected to dress modestly and appropriately. Specifically, the following
dress code standards are expected to be adhered to while on the school campus and/or at
any school-sponsored events, including all athletics activities.
The following are NOT permitted:
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Jeans/slacks/attire with holes
Exposed Tattoos
Tongue rings/studs
Nose rings/studs
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Girls:
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Boys:
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Eyebrow rings/studs
Any attire with another school name/logo/symbol on it (with the exception of
colleges)
Hair color that distracts from learning (ex: bright pink, cobalt blue, extreme
colors)
Dog collar style necklaces
Bandanas
Graphics that demean another person (ex: I’m with stupid)
Graphics with inappropriate language
Graphics that are anti-Christian wording or graphics
Sweat pants
Shirts with secular rock/music bands/entertainers
Jeans/slacks/pants with exaggerated graphic designs
Skirts/dresses/shorts must be knee length
No cleavage should be exposed
Shoe heels not be extreme (ex: no 4-inch heels that could increase risk of falling)
No hats/hoods may be worn during school
No tank tops or tops/dresses with spaghetti-style straps may be worn (unless
covered by another shirt that is in dress code)
Sandals may be worn, with the exception of “athletic-style” sandals/slides
No Yoga-style pants may be worn
Leggings may not be worn
Shorts must be knee length
No makeup may be worn
No hats/hoods may be worn during school
Pants are never to be sagging
Hair must be cut above the ear and above the collar at all times
Shirts must be worn at all times (including following athletic practices)
Sandals may be worn, with the exception of “athletic-style” sandals/slides
No undergarment style t-shirts may be worn unless covered by another shirt that
is in dress code
Boys are to wear adjustable belts to prevent the possibility of sagging
Students who arrive in school out of dress code will be asked to contact a parent
immediately. Parents are expected to immediately bring an outfit that is in dress code.
Students will not be permitted to be in class while out of dress code.
In the event that discipline is required, students will speak with an administrator. The
school administration will work to resolve the behavior through one of the following
means:
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Student writes an essay regarding his/her behavior and how it conflicts with
Christian behavior
Conference with school administrator
Conference with school administrator and parent
Community service
Phone call to parents
Suspension
Expulsion
Horseplay is not permitted. Horseplay includes yelling, pushing, shoving, interfering
with the “space” of another student, running, etc.
No lying will be tolerated.
No vulgar language will be tolerated.
The following may not be brought on school property and/or brought to or used at school
sponsored events:
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Tobacco
Alcoholic beverages
Knives
Cigarettes
Firearms
Illegal drugs
Weapons
Active participation in the destruction or defacing of school property is not tolerated.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Students may bring electronic devices, such as cellular phones, iPods, etc. to school but
must turn them off and put them in lockers no later than 7:45am. While electronic
devices are permitted at school, students are not encouraged to have them at school.
Such devices may not be used during the school day but will be permitted following the
end of the school day. The school administration reserves the right to require students
turn off electronic devices at any time.
Electronic devices being used at inappropriate times will be handled as follows:
 1st offense – Item will be taken away and student must request it back at the end
of the school day
 2nd offense – Item will be taken away and parent must come to office to retrieve
item
 3rd offense – Item will be taken away and student will not be permitted to have
any electronic devices at school for the remainder of the school year.
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Horizon Christian Academy is not responsible for electronic devices brought to the
Academy by students.
FIELD TRIPS
Horizon Christian Academy will, on occasion, take students off the school campus on a
field trip. Students are expected to be respectful, courteous, and remain with the assigned
adult chaperone at all times. Student must wear seatbelts while in moving vehicles.
Electronic devices (including, but not limited, to, iPods, headphones, cell phones, etc.
may not be taken on field trips unless permission is granted by a school administrator).
Students who do not adhere to behavior expectations while on Field Trips may not be
permitted to participate in subsequent field trips. Parents will be expected to supervise
their child while other students go on field trips if a student has lost privileges.
INTERNET/COMPUTER GUIDELINES
Horizon Christian Academy is committed to including technology into the learning
experience. Computers are provided for student use. Computers include Internet
availability.
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Computers are only to be used with teacher permission
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Students may not access social networking and/or social video sites (including,
but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace)
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Students may not access YouTube (without specific permission from a teacher)
Students may not adjust the resolution of the computer
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Only school issued or approved headphones/earbobs may be used
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No games are to be accessed or played at anytime (with the exception of any
academy-enrichment games assigned by a teacher)
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Students are never to be on pornographic websites
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Students may not download anything onto school computers
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Students may not change the screensaver and/or wallpaper
Students who abuse the privilege of using the Internet will be handled as follows:
 Fist offense will receive a verbal warning
 Second offense will result in a phone call to parents
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 Third offense may result in student no longer being permitted to use school
computers
LOCKER GUIDELINES
Middle and high school students will be assigned lockers at the beginning of each school
year. The following guidelines must be adhered to:
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Do not share lockers or lock combinations
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No writing or stickers may be placed in lockers (inside or outside of locker)
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Magnetic items designed specifically for lockers are permitted inside the locker
(ex: pencil holders, mirrors, etc.)
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Students may be given the privilege of decorating lockers for an Academyapproved event. Academy administrators will announce approved times
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No open soda cans or other opened beverages may be in locker
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Coats, hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, etc., as well as books that are not being
utilized must be stored in lockers for safety and cleanliness
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Food may not be stored in a locker more then one day at a time. All food should
be removed each day, and absolutely no food left on weekends, holidays, or
vacations
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No medication (over-the-counter or prescription) may be kept in lockers at any
time
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No illegal drugs, weapons, cigarettes, tobacco, or weapons may be on school
property or in lockers. Placing any of these items in lockers (or bringing them on
school property) at any time will result in immediate expulsion
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Lockers are to be kept locked to prevent any potential property loss. Horizon
Christian Academy will not be responsible for any personal property loss
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Lockers are a privilege and any misuse may result in the loss of access to a locker
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Lockers are the property of Horizon Christian Academy and can be inspected by
the school administration at any time, for any cause, without notice
While it is impossible to create a procedure for every incident that may occur, students
should be advised that they are expected to exhibit outstanding behavior and in no way
vandalize or abuse the lockers.
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LUNCHROOM GUIDELINES
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All students must be in the cafeteria at the beginning of the lunch period.
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Students may not have food delivered to the school by local food services or
restaurant deliveries.
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No students are to leave the lunch room without permission from the attending
lunchroom personnel.
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Students leaving the lunchroom without permission will have to serve time after
school or attend Saturday School, at the attending authority’s discretion.
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Only one student per chair.
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Throwing food or any other objects will not be tolerated.
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If the microwave is needed, please keep the warming time to a minimum – frozen
products are not recommended.
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Students are to be seated during the lunch period. As there is a short time for the
lunch period, socializing at tables other than the one in which you are seated may
cause a delay in you or others completion of the lunch.
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The lunch period ends promptly at 12:00 noon. Students will be dismissed at that
time only and must exit the lunch room to proceed to the next class. Misuse of time
during lunch is not an acceptable excuse for extending the lunch time.
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Students are discouraged from sharing food, because of the risks of allergic reactions,
inadequate nutrition, or placing a fellow student in an uncomfortable position, by
asking them to share.
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Students are to clean up the table and surrounding floor area that they occupied
during the lunch period. Any repeated infractions in this area will result in the
student serving as cafeteria clean-up crew for one week. Further – student will be
subject to any consequences imposed by the teacher of the class following the lunch
period, due to any tardiness resulting from serving this penalty.
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Students are not allowed to remain in the classroom during lunchtime. Certain
exception may be granted; however, there must be a written note from the staff or
administration presented at the beginning of the lunch period. Students may not leave
the cafeteria to request permission from the teacher to remain in the classroom during
lunch.
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When lunch is held in the classrooms, sitting on the church couches, chairs, sofas, or
any other designated furniture is not allowed. This is in line with normal restrictions,
as it related to said furniture. Waste must be disposed of properly and the room left
cleaned when lunch is complete.
MEDIA CONSENT
Horizon Christian Academy has a Facebook page, website, and will issue press releases.
Parents or legal guardians of a Horizon Christian Academy students, by signing the
Horizon Christian Academy Parent/Student Handbook 2012-2013 Signature Page, I
herby grant consent for Horizon Christian Academy to photograph their student, take
video of student, use student’s quotes for promotional purposes including use in print, on
the Internet, and any other media form.
The signed understands the photos, videos, quotes, etc. that will be used by Horizon
Christian Academy will be used for promotional purposes, press releases, yearbook, and
other forms of school promotion.
By signing the Signature Page, parents/guardians hereby release the Horizon Christian
Academy and its agents, directors and employees from all claims, demands, and
liabilities whatsoever in connection with the above.
MEDICATION GUIDELINES
Students are not permitted to have any kind of medication on their person at any time
(unless specifically directed by a physician). Medications include Ibuprofen, Antacids or
any other over-the-counter medication, as well as any prescription medication.
Parents are required to bring any medication to school that the student needs and
complete a medication form that will be kept on file in the school office. Medication may
only be dispensed by personnel authorized by school and with written parental consent.
Prescription medication must be brought to school in original container from the
pharmacy, with the student name, dosage, physician information, pharmacy information,
etc. Medication will be dosed only as prescribed by physician.
Over-the-counter medication must be in original package (example: do not take two pills
from the package and put in plastic bag and bring to school). Over-the-counter
medication must be clearly labeled with student’s name and dosage information.
Horizon Christian Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic
origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to
students at the school. Horizon Christian Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies,
scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
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