Academic Expectations

Guidance Program

The guidance program of American Christian Academy is provided to assist parents and students in making the most of the educational opportunities available to them now and in the future. We provide TerraNova test (TNT) for grades 1 – 9. Students are given a variety of tests at various grade levels. All of our high school students are encouraged to take the ACT and/or SAT (college admission test). When students enter ninth grade, their transcripts are checked periodically to make sure they are earning the credits they will need for graduation. Parents and students are also expected to monitor credits. The College Planning Program is held during the junior or senior year to help prepare students and parents for the task of college selection and enrollment. Students are regularly informed of scholarships that are available; but, it is the responsibility of the students and the parents to explore scholarship opportunities. It is important that students and parents take the time and effort to fill out forms and do searches that will specifically meet the needs of the individual student.

The Guidance Counselor may be consulted to help determine which curriculum students should take by checking transcripts, standardized tests, and other academic information. The Guidance Counselor will also handle any necessary schedule changes. Students who experience difficulty may ask for an appointment with the subject teacher. Teachers are usually available during their preparation periods or after school. Students should take the initiative in seeking the help they need. Parents may contact teachers most efficiently by e-mail. If you are unsuccessful making contact, please call or e-mail the Facilitator or Guidance Counselor.

Students experiencing personal, emotional problems may talk with the Guidance Counselor or any of their classroom teachers who will pray with them and help them seek Scriptural solutions to their problems.

Changing Schedules or Dropping Classes

Schedules may be changed if it is determined that the schedule change is essential for the academic well being of the student as decided by the guidance counselor. No class may be added or dropped after the third week of a particular semester.

Parents must send a written request for the schedule change.

Requested changes will not be made if the desired class is already at capacity

Only students who have demonstrated self-discipline and the ability to work independently will be placed in online classes. Students will be place in online classes only in extreme situations as determined by the administration. Parents who request their students be placed in an online class take responsibility to monitor the performance and progress of those students.

Marking System

Our school uses a five letter grading system: A, B, C, D, and F. Students should inquire of individual teachers how grades are earned in their classes and seek to meet the requirements for the highest grade that they are capable of achieving. Report card and transcript grades are numerical

A    90-100  Superior work

B    80-89    Above average work

C    70-79    Average work (minimum college recommending mark)

D    60-69    Below average work (lowest passing mark)

F    0-59      Failure to meet minimum requirements

High school students may check their grades on RenWeb. The grades will be updated by the teacher on a weekly basis. Mid-term and semester grades will be available on RenWeb on the dates listed at the front of this Handbook.  You will receive information on accessing this information at the beginning of the year if you are not already familiar with the process.

Grade Point Average and Class Rank

Class rank is determined by the following quality point scale for final grades:

A - 4        B - 3        C - 2        D - 1       F – 0

Only academic subject grades which are entered on the transcript at semester are included. Honors classes are weighted .1. AP classes are weighted .25 and Dual Enrollment classes are weighted .2.  Athletics, weight training, teacher assistant, study hall, and driver’s education are not included. All students in a particular grade level are ranked by their cumulative grade point average from highest to lowest. In the event of duplicate GPA scores the numerical average will determine the rank. Honors classes and college level classes receive more quality points.

In many cases, numerical averages are used to determine eligibility to honor societies, and class awards. Semester grades, reported numerically, are used in these calculations.

Honor Rolls

The A and A-B honor rolls for students in grades seven through twelve is issued at the end of each year. The A-B honor roll requires that no grade be below an 80. The A honor roll requires that no grade be below a 90.

Final Examinations for Grades Seven through Twelve

A final examination will be administered in each course. The value of a semester exam is 20% of the final grade with each term valued at 40%. All final examinations must be given during the scheduled exam period unless the student is excused with written permission by the Headmaster. EXAMINATIONS WILL NOT BE ADMINISTERED EARLY.

If there is any evidence that a student has cheated on a final exam, the student will receive a zero (0) on the exam which will be averaged into the semester grade.

Students are not required to be on campus during any period of the examination days when they do not have an examination or other school activity scheduled.

Generally, two exams are given per day. If a student finishes his first period exam before the end of the period, he must sit quietly until the end of the period. After his first period exam, he must leave campus if he doesn't have a second period exam, or he must report to a study hall.

The reason we give exams is to prepare students for the pressures of college. It is rare that students are exempt from college exams.

Permanent Record Folder

Each student has a permanent record folder in the office. In it are placed the records of all achievements in school and various extracurricular activities. It is a record that needs very jealous guarding, for, as the years move on after graduation, it is the only real picture of your accomplishment in high school. From it the school must get the record to fill in the many applications that come from colleges and employers.

Recorded in the permanent record folder are your attendance records, grades for every course attempted, and any objective observations of your personal qualities such as participation in discussion, pursuit of independent study, involvement in class activities, even in performance, critical and questioning attitude, personal responsibility, depth of understanding, and consideration of others. Also included will be your scores from national standardized testing such as Terra Nova, PSAT/MNSQT, AP scores, SAT, and ACT.

Before any of this information is sent from the school, you, if you are 18 or older, or your parent, may review it upon requesting the material to be sent.

Transcripts and Recommendations

When students move to another school, are seeking enrollment in college, or making application to the NCAA, they will need to have a copy of their transcript prepared. This request should be made in writing to the school registrar (Mrs. Carden) at least 24 hours in advance. Request for recommendation forms and letters should be presented to the appropriate faculty member or headmaster in adequate time for these forms and letters to be prepared. ACA will send up to three (3) official transcripts without a fee. However, because of the amount of time and effort involved, we will assess a minimal fee of $5.00 for each additional transcript sent.