Academic Standards

A quality education is the result of :

• A curriculum that integrates God’s truth in all instruction and adequately prepares the student for future academic success,
• Teachers who are disciples of Jesus Christ and hold to a Christian world view, and
• Classes of 17 (20 with a teacher’s aid) or less which enable the student to derive maximum benefit from his academic exposure.
• Parents who actively participate in the ministry and mission of their own church and support with prayer and are involved in the spiritual and academic development of their children.
• A curriculum which adheres to the state standards and frameworks
• Each student is expected to use all available school and home resources to perform at his highest level in order to take full advantage of the educational program. His or her originality and creativity are encouraged within the organized framework of the classroom.

Advancement and Retention

Students in grades one through six will be required to repeat the year if they earn three or more F’s for the year in major subjects - Bible, Phonics (first, second and third grade), English, Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies. A student who fails less than three courses would be required to receive tutoring to strengthen skills prior to the next school year.

Skipping a Grade

A sincere and conscientious effort is made at the time of admission to place students at the proper grade/age level. On occasion, because of a student’s good academic performance, parents will request that a student be advanced a grade level beyond the normal promotion. Skipping a grade is not considered to be a beneficial practice thus will rarely be considered or allowed by the school. The nature of the curriculum is such that a student will usually miss critical concepts and skills by skipping a grade.

The school principal must also consider other factors such as those that relate to maturation, social development, and student success in comparison to other very bright and intelligent students. At Brockton Christian School it is the view that students should move through a planned curriculum in step-by-step fashion to allow for a solid academic and continual social development. It is not the policy of Brockton Christian School to accelerate a student through the grades.  However, within each grade level the individual student’s needs and abilities are considered in planning appropriate coursework.

Curriculum

Brockton Christian School provides a graded course of study for PreK  through eighth grade.

Provisions are made for periodic evaluation of courses of study and for revision in order to keep pace with societal and educational change. Curriculum development reflects Brockton Christian School’s statements of philosophy and purpose, replicates a Christian worldview, and is based on reliable findings from the sciences dealing with child growth and development, and learning. Well-recognized publishers form the basis of our curriculum. The methods of instruction are ones that promote inductive learning through exploration and discovery, inquiry and interpretation, critical thinking and creativity. The goal of the entire school effort is to achieve proper and adequate development of the students in terms of academic learning, spiritual growth, and healthy social and physical performance.

Homework

Believing that homework is an integral part of the school program, each teacher is at liberty to give homework to aid each student in advancing his or her studies. The assignment of homework helps students understand that learning is not just a classroom activity. Students are expected to successfully complete their assignments each day. It is the student’s responsibility to seek additional clarification and

assistance from the teacher as soon as the need for such assistance is realized. The completion of the homework assignment is taken into account in grading and is an important aspect of teaching the character development trait of responsibility.

Homework at Brockton Christian School is not an option; it is part of the general course requirements. BCS students should expect some form of homework each night. Laxity in completing assignments or severe cases of homework neglect may result in disciplinary action. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they have all homework assignments before leaving for the day.

Homework is assigned to BCS students for review, practice and development of skills presented during class time.  Homework also teaches a child responsibility and allows  the family an opportunity to participate in certain learning experiences.  The amount of homework varies depending on the grade level and may be given any night, including Friday.

Parents are a valuable aid in establishing good study habits for their student by insisting on a regular study time, free from distractions. Although written assignments are important, students should also be aware that study and reading assignments are integral parts of a student’s academic success.

Homework serves one of several purposes:

• Practice. Students may be given homework to provide them with extra practice on skills which were introduced in class. Students should be somewhat familiar with the skills, and should be able to complete the assignments with little or no outside help. If the student is consistently not able to do practice homework with little or no help, contact the teacher.
• Preparation or Elaboration. Students may be assigned homework which prepares them for content which is to be covered in class (for example, reading a chapter in the textbook before it is discussed). They may also be given assignments which have them elaborate or expand on material taught in class (for example, a written assignment which explains some application of a concept taught in class).
• For reinforcement. We believe that most students require adequate review to master materials essential to their educational process.
• For remedial activity. As instruction progresses, various weak points in a student’s grasp of a subject become evident: homework following instruction is given to overcome such difficulties.
• Long Term Projects. Examples of these would be research papers or class presentations. Students should budget their use of time by setting intermediate deadlines, and by working regularly on the project (instead of waiting until a day or two before the deadline). When a student is absent, it is the parent's responsibility to contact the classroom teacher in order to get homework assignments.

The expectation of homework at each grade level:

• Kindergarten and First Grade homework time should average no more than ten to fifteen minutes per day.
• Second Grade homework time should average no more than twenty to twenty-five minutes per day.
• Third Grade homework should average no more than thirty to thirty-five minutes per day.
• Fourth Grade Homework time should average no more than forty to forty-five minutes per day.
• Fifth Grade homework time should average no more than fifty to fifty-five minutes per day.
• Middle School homework time should average no more than one hour to one and a half hours per day. Long-term projects will be given which may require more homework time.

· NOTE: Parents should be familiar with the homework policy and should be encouraged to respond to teachers if assignments are taking much longer than suggested time limits.

In Grades 1 – 8, incomplete (I) will be given to students that do not turn in completed homework at the end of every grading period. For every four incomplete homework assignments (in a particular subject area), two points will be taken off the 9-week grade point average. For each additional incomplete assignment, another point will be subtracted from the 9-week average.

Student Responsibilities

• Develop the habit of recording directions for homework and asking questions for clarification.
• Complete homework assignments accurately, neatly, and on time.
• Complete assignments missed because of absence within a reasonable time.

Parent Responsibilities

• Sign and return the parent’s signature page after reviewing the homework policy.
• Respond to the school’s request for support of stated expectations for homework for a given year.
• Expect daily assignments beginning with grade two and insist that students complete them regularly.
• Review progress on long-term assignments periodically.
• Provide a suitable study atmosphere for students that is quiet, well-lighted and supervised periodically.
• Maintain the home/school connection through calls and conferences.
• Show interest in the homework being done and assist when needed.
• Insure that the product is the child’s own work.
• Take part in the child’s learning by providing enriching experiences outside the school day.
• Encourage pleasure reading above and beyond specific homework assignments.

Agendas

Each student in grades 1 through 8 will have an Agenda that should go home daily.  Students will write class and homework assignments in their Agenda daily.  Long term assignments or projects should be recorded as well.  Parents should check the Agenda daily for assignments.  If students fail to record daily work, a parent/teacher signing system may be set up for the student’s benefit

Homework Requests - Absences/Vacations

There may be times when a child cannot be in school and parents wish to request homework.  Please observe the following procedures when requesting homework:

If you would like homework on the day of the child's absence, please request the homework as early as possible.  Homework may be picked up at 2:15 PM.  Please be advised however, that on some days teachers have no free time and homework will not be available until the next day.  We will notify you if this is the case.

For prolonged absences such as vacations, please request the work at least one week in advance.   Work missed will have to be made up.

Even though homework can be given and made up, absences do affect grades.  The child misses discussions, oral drills, initial instruction and some activities that cannot be duplicated.  Please be aware of this when making vacation plans.

Textbooks

Classroom textbooks will be provided by BCS and may be sent home at the discretion of the teacher.  Each student is required to have covers for (his/her) books.  These books must not be defaced and, if damaged or lost, charges will be assessed accordingly.

Field Trips

Field Trips will be scheduled for student enrichment. Permission slips will be required for student attendance and parents will be contacted to assist as chaperones, with transportation, etc., if necessary.

Students are required to participate in Field Trips as these are learning experiences. Students who opt not to participate are expected to stay at home that day.

Standardized Testing

All students in grades K-5 - 8 will participate in Standardized testing in April.  The Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) is used in each grade to help measure academic progress and to evaluate strengths and weaknesses.  Results of these tests will be mailed to the home and a copy will be placed in the student’s permanent record.

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