AKCS Admissions Policy

Admissions Policy

Rationale

The mission of the school is to "provide children with an education which will enable them to know, love, and effectively serve Jesus Christ in the world." This mission cannot be accomplished by the School alone; however, it can be done if there is harmony between the goals of the School and those of the home. The School exists to assist Christian parents in the fulfillment of their Biblical mandate to "train up children in the way they should go." It is not the goal of the school to replace the home or to solve academic or behavioral problems caused by deficiencies in the home.

Policy

1. For students enrolled in kindergarten through grade eight, at least one parent or guardian must be a born again Christian and in full agreement with the Statement of Faith and Parents’ Code. Believing parents must give indication that they are actively practicing their Christian confession in the home through such means as family devotions, prayer, and Bible study. Students who wish to enroll in grades nine through twelve and who have unbelieving parents may be admitted on the basis of their own Christian testimony. Such applications will be evaluated by the Board on a case by case basis.

2. If a parent is an unbeliever, he or she must be supportive of the philosophy and standards of the school as outlined in all but the first four points of the Parents' Code and be willing for his or her children to be taught Biblical principles in accordance with the Statement of Faith.

3. It should be determined, if possible, that the church attended by the applicant is in agreement with the School's Statement of Faith. The pastor, or other qualified representative of the church, will be asked to submit a Pastor’s Report for confirmation that the family is in active fellowship.

4. In general, all school age children of the family will be enrolled. The Admissions Committee may make individual exceptions to this rule if the School is unable to provide an appropriate program for a student, or a junior or senior high student indicates an unwillingness to attend and abide by the school’s standards. All other exceptions must be approved by the Board.

5. Students who will be five years old by September 30 may be enrolled in Kindergarten, and students who will be six years old by September 30 may be enrolled in Grade One.

6. The parents or guardians shall be interviewed by at least two members of the Admissions Committee prior to their enrollment in the school. Each interviewing team will have at least one person who has conducted interviews previously.

7. The Principal and/or senior teacher will interview all students enrolling in junior or senior high for the first time.

8. The Admissions Committee will admit any family which meets the qualifications required by the School and refer problematic cases to the Board for its decision. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, or national origin.

9. Priority in the admission of individual children will be given to families whose children are currently enrolled and to the children of staff members employed by the School. All other families will be admitted on the basis of the order of receipt of their completed application forms subject to the limitations of class size and the number of children in the family, and the presence of any learning disabilities in the children to be enrolled.

10. Any family who is refused admission by the Admissions Committee may appeal the decision to the Board. The decision of the Board is final.

11. Prior to re-enrollment each family will be asked to re-confirm their commitment to the Statement of Faith and Parents’ Code. Their on-going, active involvement in an evangelical church will be confirmed by their pastor.

12. Prior to re-enrollment each student in grades 9-12 must indicate their acceptance of the Students’ Pledge.

13. If the Principal feels that either the progress of the children or the support of a family has been questionable, he may recommend to the Board that the family not be re-enrolled. He will submit this recommendation in writing to the Board with a copy to the family who may then appeal the recommendation to the Board. The Board’s decision is final.

14. The Principal has the authority to determine the grade placement of each student enrolling or re‑enrolling in the school.

15. The Board, upon recommendation of the Admissions Committee or Principal, may refuse to admit or re-enroll a student with severe disciplinary or psychological problems, or a child deemed to have special educational needs which the school is not equipped to meet.

16. Acceptance or rejection of applicants will be confirmed by written notice.

17. The registration fee will be refunded for a family which is not admitted by the School. The registration fee will be forfeited if, subsequent to acceptance, the family chooses not to attend.