Answers To Frequently Asked Questions

What are the hours of the school day?
The doors open at 8:20 in the morning; classes begin at 8:30. There is a morning recess at 10:10 for kindergarten through grade six. Lunch and noon recess period runs from 12:00 to 12:50 for grades K to 6 and 11:35-12:23 for grades 7 to 12. The school day ends at 3:25 Monday to Thursday and at 2:25 on Fridays. Kindergarten runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the same times as the grade school.

Do you teach the Alberta curriculum?
Yes and No! The answer depends on what you mean by the question. In so far as the textbooks are concerned, we try to avoid the Alberta texts which are filled with humanistic values and biases. Instead, we use texts from Christian publishers wherever possible. This results in some differences in emphasis and sequencing from the standard Alberta curriculum. However, the essential concepts and skills required by Alberta Education (and usually much more) are taught at some point in the program. The school is recognized by Alberta Education as an Accredited Private School. For further perspective on this issue read Christian Schools Shelter Children From The Real World.

How are your classes different from those in a public school?
The primary difference lies in the fact that each teacher is a committed Christian who is free to teach every subject from a Christian perspective. Another major difference is the high degree of personalized instruction. The smaller class sizes (18 to 24 typically) and the emphasis on mastery learning enable teachers to adjust the program to meet the needs of each individual student. The most important difference, however, is simply the presence of Christ in the school. If Christ has made a difference in your life and home, then you will understand how He makes a difference in a school.

Is there really a Christian perspective on mathematics?
Most definitely. The Scriptures are full of numbers and testify to the importance of math from Genesis to Revelation. An understanding of math was and is crucial for God's people to do His will. Furthermore, our motivation for learning math is different. For example, we teach children to divide accurately because that is the only way we can share fairly. An understanding of percent is important in order to tithe. In short, mathematics, like every subject, should be viewed differently by Christians.

Can your school accommodate learning disabled or gifted children?
To a certain extent, yes. The use of individualized instruction in Language Arts  make it possible to provide for the needs of a wide range of abilities from mildly disabled to gifted. Depending on the specific needs of the child, we are sometimes able to provide for moderately disabled children as well. Unfortunately, we do not have the funds, space, or personnel to provide for the specialized needs of severely handicapped children. 

Is this an elitist school?
Definitely Not! While some private schools use an academic screening process to "weed out" underachieving or low ability students, we do not. We believe that a Christian education should be available to every child whose parents want it. We do have high expectations and academic standards for every child, but these are adjusted to each child's ability. Our goal is that every child should do his or her best and not be satisfied with just "getting by" or "passing." For more perspective on this common view, read Christian Schools Are For The Elite.

Are all children from a family required to enroll?
In most cases all children are expected to be enrolled. We wish to have a well balanced student population. Sometimes parents look to Christian schools to provide for one of their children who has special needs. Although we welcome these children, we do not wish to become a school exclusively for learning disabled children or those with discipline problems. Furthermore, we are eager to work with families who are committed to Christian education in principle. If parents believe in the importance of a Christ-centered education, they will want that for all of their children. Exceptions are made on a case by case basis where it is clearly in the interests of the individual child, or for a junior or senior high student who is opposed to attending. For further information, please see our Admissions Policy and our Student's Pledge.

What qualifications do your teachers have?
All of our teachers are born-again Christians who subscribe wholeheartedly to our statement of faith and live out their Christian commitment in an exemplary manner. They must have provincial certification and a Bachelor of Education degree. We seek to employ teachers who also have Bible college training, advanced degrees, and previous teaching experience. So far, the Lord has been very faithful in providing us with an exceptionally qualified and skilled staff! For detailed information regarding our teaching staff, see our  Elementary Teachers and Secondary Teachers pages.

Do your teachers receive any in-service training?
All teachers participate in the Koinonia Schools Professional Day in the fall and attend the Association of Christian Schools International Teachers' Convention in the winter. Teachers have additional opportunities to attend several seminars of their choice during the year. One morning each week begins with discussion and prayer related professional development for the entire staff. The board provides funds for teachers to subscribe to professional journals and to further their education at Bible college or university.

How do teachers handle controversial issues?
Teachers are encouraged to discuss these issues when they are raised by students or occur in the natural course of class discussions. While teachers are free to indicate their own personal views, they stress that Bible-believing Christians differ on some things. They then encourage students to discuss the issue with their parents or pastors to understand their positions. The school emphasizes those standard doctrinal positions which are held by all evangelical Christians. (See our Statement of Faith.) We believe that in essentials there should be unity; in non-essentials liberty, in all things love.

What programs do you offer for high school?
We believe that our program should focus on quality over quantity and provide a solid foundation for students seeking university entrance. While some opportunity to select courses is important in order to meet the needs of a diverse population, we want to ensure that every course offered is significant and worthwhile. All core courses and most electives are taught by direct teacher instruction. Students are then also free to choose from a multitude of additional independent study courses available either online from NorthStar Academy or through the Alberta Distance Learning Centre. For further details see our High School Program page.

Do you have a program of standardized testing?
Most of our students write the Canadian Tests of Basic Skills in the spring of each year. This is a comprehensive battery of achievement tests which enables us to compare our students with students in schools all across Canada. Areas covered are: Vocabulary, Reading, Spelling, Punctuation, Capitalization, Usage, References, Visual Materials, Math Concepts, Math Problem Solving, and Math Computation. Grade one and two students also write tests in Listening and Word Analysis. New students write the test in the fall as well as the spring in order to provide a basis for comparison. Students in grades three, six, and nine, write the Alberta Provincial Achievement Tests instead of the CTBS. Students in grade 12 write the Alberta Diploma Exams.

How well do your students do on these tests?
Exceptionally well. On average, our students perform better than 80% of all students in Canada on the CTBS. They consistently exceed provincial expectations on the Alberta Achievement Tests and Diploma Exams. See our Tests Page for further information.

How are these test scores used?
Each student's scores are individually analyzed every year. A personalized program is designed and materials purchased for the following year that will remediate areas of specific weakness for each individual child. Also, any indications of general weakness in a class are used to identify changes needed in the curriculum or teaching methods for the next year.

Do you have single grade or split-grade classrooms?
When the school first began, all classrooms were three grade splits. Over time, those became two grade splits, and now all classes from kindergarten through grade ten are single grade rooms while grades eleven and twelve are taught together for some subjects and split for others. However, as the school continues to grow, we expect to see split grade classes return as we accommodate new enrollments.

Can teachers maintain high standards with different grades in one classroom?
Most definitely. There are a number of techniques teachers employ to ensure that both grades receive the appropriate instruction and adequate teacher time. Our experience has been that students do just as well in a multi-grade, split grade or single grade classroom. The dedication and skill of the teacher and the quality of the curriculum are the most important factors rather than grade splits.

How do new students adjust to your program?
Most students have no trouble at all, they love their new found Christian friends and teachers. Some students, however, (particularly older ones) find the first half year can be difficult for several reasons. First, our emphasis on personal responsibility and accountability requires a change in work habits. Students who in the past have accepted a failing grade rather than complete their homework assignments find it hard when they discover that homework must be completed (if not at home, then in detention). Our focus on excellence and emphasis on mastery learning in the basics requires that students put out more effort than they have in previous schools. Nevertheless, most students take pride in their accomplishments once they realize that they can do well if they really try. Success then leads to more success.

How do your students feel being part of a smaller school?
Most seem to prefer the closeness and family atmosphere. They appreciate the personal attention they get from their teachers and feel secure knowing that their teachers really care about them. They become very close to their classmates as they have the increasingly rare opportunity to spend thirteen years together in a K-12 school.

What do you have for physical education?
We have several acres of field and a large paved area for outdoor sports. Indoor sports are played in the multipurpose room of Faith Community Baptist Church. We have facilities and equipment to teach volleyball, basketball, soccer, badminton, softball, field hockey, and a wide variety of other sports. There are elementary, junior, and senior high track meets in the spring. Most high school students take our Extended Physical Education program which includes numerous out-trips for instruction in skiing, snowboarding, golfing, scuba-diving, mountain biking, curling, canoeing, etc. We rent gym space at a neighbouring school for our competitive sports teams in basketball, volleyball, and badminton. Beyond this, we encourage our students to get involved in the city leagues as much as possible. The existing sports programs for hockey, skating, soccer, gymnastics, and baseball provide excellent opportunities for our students to mix with and be a witness to students from the public schools.

What library facilities do you have?
Our in-school library consists of thousands of free reading books and a selected set of key reference books. Most of the fiction books are kept in the elementary classrooms so that every student has constant access to books for pleasure reading. Every year we add new books to the library with funds raised through our Read-a-Thon. Library and research skills are developed through the use of the public libraries in Airdrie and Calgary.

How do use computers?
Each teacher has a computer with up to date productivity software on which to plan lessons and produce materials to use in their classes. Elementary students are encouraged to use computers for enrichment activities as well as drill and practice in their core subjects. Upper elementary and junior high students take keyboarding as part of their regular program. A variety of courses in Computer Processing are offered at the junior and senior high level using our modern, well-equipped computer lab. Internet access is available to teachers and students in junior and senior high. Access is strictly controlled and monitored.

Do you plan to build your own facility some day?
Yes. We believe that God would have us develop a fully equipped school facility eventually, and we are saving for it. We have recently completed the purchase of 20 acres of land just north of the school's present site. Over the coming years we plan to develop a new school complete with a full double gym, etc.

Do the students go on any field trips?
Each class typically goes on about two field trips per year although Kindergarten goes on far more. Elementary students may attend the Calgary Philharmonic, Energeum, Science Museum, Fairview Hutterite Colony, etc. There is a two day retreat for junior and senior high students in the fall and during the year field trips for Phys. Ed. or for research in other subjects.

How much homework is assigned?
The amount of homework varies with the age and ability of the student and the subject matter being taught. Teachers often do not assign any homework, but students who do not complete their assignments in class will automatically have homework. This encourages students to use their class time wisely. Generally, we expect students to have approximately ten minutes times their grade level for homework each night. So, grade three students would have 10 X 3 or 30 minutes per night, and grade six students would have 10 X 6 minutes, or one hour, etc.. While most students do not need this amount of time, some students will. Those who routinely exceed these maximums should have their program adjusted.

What is your kindergarten program like?
The program emphasizes hands-on experiential learning. Students are exposed to basic math and pre-reading concepts and given opportunity to develop their skills in these areas as they are able. Many, in fact, do learn to read while engaging in pre-reading play activities. The Bible is taught as a separate subject and Christian principles are reinforced throughout the day. One parent and a Teacher-Aide assist the teacher each day. The parent is responsible for providing a snack for the children. The program runs two full days each week (Tuesday/Thursday), which is more efficient and simplifies transportation for families.

What is your policy on discipline?
Teachers are encouraged to use a Biblically-based combination of rewards and punishments. On the positive side these include such things as praise, privileges, stickers, etc. On the negative side they use reprimands, loss of privileges, written assignments, and detentions. Above all, teachers are encouraged to rely on the Word of God and prayer when disciplining students. We maintain close contact with the home about any discipline problems and try to work together with the parents to resolve them. See our Discipline Policy for further information.

Do you have a dress code?
Clothing is to be modest, neat, clean and in good repair. Students are not to wear clothing with offensive pictures, slogans, or logos. There are length requirements for shorts, skirts, & dresses. For further information, see our Dress Code.

Who runs the school?
The Board of Directors, elected by members of the Airdrie Koinonia Christian School Society, determines the policies which guide the school. The Principal is responsible to supervise day to day operations. The school receives further direction from the Koinonia Christian Education Society (KCES) whose superintendent also oversees ten other Koinonia Schools across the province and the Northwest Territories.

Who can become a member of the AKCS Society?
Membership in this society is limited to born-again Christian parents whose children are currently enrolled in the school. Applicants for membership must wholeheartedly agree with the Statement of Faith and support the objectives of the Society.

How can parents be actively involved in the life of the school?
There are a number of ways parents can help. Parents are needed to help with Field Trip transportation, organizing the Hot Lunch program, planning the Chapel program, and assisting with a variety of special events through the year. Some parents serve on the Kindergarten Local Advisory Committee which helps coordinate Kindergarten activities. There are also several board sub-committees such as Development, Facilities, Admissions, etc.

Are parents required to help in the school?
One parent from each family is expected to contribute approximately four mornings per year working as a monitor in the school. Many parents choose to do more than this. A monitor's duties consist of helping with supervision at recesses, photocopying, phoning, and marking of some student work. Duties are assigned by the secretary at the beginning of the day, and then by the classroom teacher once in a classroom. Parents with children in kindergarten are expected to monitor in the kindergarten for a full day, but are exempt from monitoring in the grade school. In addition, each family is expected to volunteer for one or two other areas where they can lend a hand. Parental involvement is a hallmark of our school. See our Parents' Code for further details.

Are all parents expected to help with fundraising?
Yes. Not all will be able to contribute in the same fashion, but each family is asked to raise a minimum of $250 per year. Most families find it very easy to do this because of the creative events that we have planned. For example, many raise well over this amount on the Read-A-Thon alone. There are also ways that labour or gifts in kind can be donated to help with the school program or facilities. By specifying a dollar amount on the fundraising, we have virtually eliminated the problem of some families simply coasting on the hard work of others. It also makes it clear to all what is meant by "helping with fundraising."

How is the school funded?
Approximately 45% of our funding comes from Alberta Education. This grant is about 35% of what a public school student would receive. The difference must be made up in other ways: About 45% of our funds come from tuition, and the remaining 10% is made up from gifts and fundraising.

Is there a possibility of more government funding in the future?
Yes, there is a possibility, but it requires parents keeping continual pressure on politicians to do what is right and fair on behalf of their children.

What about transportation?
The option of busing has been reviewed in the past, but at this point most parents prefer carpooling. While we may provide busing in the future, there are many reasons why carpooling may be the better option.

Are there any additional charges?
There are no additional fees. We believe that if something is an integral part of the program, then parents should not be charged extra for it. Therefore, all field trips, retreats, and special electives such as cooking or shop classes, are included with the cost of tuition. Parents may choose to purchase hot lunches and school photos, etc., but these are optional.

What if we can't afford tuition?
Wrong question. The question to be answered is whether God wants your children in the school or not. If He doesn't, then you won't need the money for tuition. If He does, then He is responsible to supply it. Over the years we have heard from numerous parents many wonderful testimonies about God's provision of funds. Where God guides, God provides. Sometimes, of course, God's provision will come through God's people. The Board is committed to the principle that no child will be turned away for lack of funds. Financial aid will be provided in those cases where it appears necessary to help a family enroll their children. You will find further encouragement regarding finances in Christian Schools Are Too Expensive.