Mentor Christian School

Family

Handbook

8600 Lakeshore Blvd.

Mentor, OH 44060

440.257.3172

www.mentorchristian.com

Revised Summer 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 HISTORY OF MENTOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

2.0 PHILOSOPHY, MISSION STATEMENT AND GOALS

2.1 Philosophy of Christian Education

2.2 Mission Statement of Mentor Christian School

2.3 Statement of Faith

2.4 Goals of Christian Education

3.0 ADMISSIONS PROCEDURES

3.1 General Policies

3.2 Spiritual Policies

3.3 Academic Policies

3.4 Conduct Policies

4.0 ACADEMIC INFORMATION

4.1 Textbooks and Workbooks

4.2 Classification of High School Students

4.3 Grading Scale

4.4 Academic Records/Report Cards

4.5 Testing Program

4.6 Honor and Achievement Rolls

4.7 Promotion of Students

4.8 High School Graduation Requirements

4.9 Music Program

4.10 Physical Education Program

4.11 Library

4.12 Homework

4.13 Computer Lab

4.14 Course Selection and Drop/Add Period

4.15 Summer School

5.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

5.1 School Personnel

5.2 School Office

5.3 Security

5.4 Financial Information

5.5 Snow and Emergency School Closing

5.6 School Programs

5.7 Parent-Teacher Conferences

5.8 Visiting Classes

5.9 Closed Campus

5.10 Chapels

5.11 Lunch

5.12 Lost and Found

5.13 School Communication

5.14 Family Communication

5.15 Student Communication

5.16 Student Medications

5.17 Prohibited Items

5.18 Vehicles and Student Drivers

6.0 ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS

6.1 School Absences

6.2 Tardiness

6.3 Requests for Early Dismissal

6.4 Withdrawal of Students

6.5 Church Attendance

7.0 STUDENT DRESS AND APPEARANCE

7.1 Grades K-6

7.2 Grades 7-12

7.3 General Requirements (All Grades)

8.0 STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

9.0 DISCIPLINE

9.1 General Remarks

9.2 Expulsion

9.3 Probation

10.0 EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

10.1 BCSA Competitions

10.2 Athletics

10.3 Cheerleaders

10.4 Honor Society

10.5 Yearbook

10.6 Eligibility

10.7 Service Projects

1.0 HISTORY OF MCS

Mentor Christian School began with a burden: a burden on the hearts of the men and women of Bible Community Church in an age of moral and spiritual decline in public education. Influenced by the writings of Mark Facama, those sharing this burden prayerfully investigated the possibility of beginning a Christian school. Pastor Ashbrook preached about the need for Christian education, and Mr. Thomas Hurst attended several conferences on Christian schools to gain insights into the possibility.

Meanwhile, Baptist Christian School opened its doors, and as many as forty children from Bible Community attended through carpools and the church bus. There were challenges in both transportation and instruction that caused the Session of Bible Community Church to vote to begin MCS in 1967 with a kindergarten class. Pastor Ashbrook served as the first principal, Rosalee Judy was the first teacher, and there were nine students. As the Lord prospered, one grade and one teacher was added each year until 1980, when the first class of 14 seniors was graduated from MCS. A school board was created with three men serving; one of these men, Charles Adams, later served as principal.

Initially, the school sought state assistance. In its early years, MCS was state inspected and chartered. Later, however, fearing the real threat of government encroachment, MCS returned its state charter. David Gibbs gave legal advice for this important decision.

Mentor Christian School was housed at the church property on Hopkins Road until it began its 6^th grade. In 1974, the school was moved to its current location at 8600 Lakeshore Boulevard. It soon became apparent that there was a need for more classrooms. God made this possible, and the school was able to purchases modular buildings that were available from the Xenia School System in southern Ohio in 1977. They had served for a temporary schoolroom following a tornado that ravaged the area; we were able to purchase the buildings for 25% of the asking price, and even considering the expense of moving the buildings here, the total cost was only $19/square foot! The current building was dedicated in 1978. The gymnasium was built with the hands of many volunteers and was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day, 1985.

God has blessed MCS with sound administration throughout the years of its existence. Principals have included Pastor John Ashbrook, Mr. Charles Adams, Mrs. Marjorie Hurst, Mr. Robert Shaffer, Mr. Jerome Matt, Mr. William Kimmel and Mr. Jeffrey Houck. Mrs. Marjorie Hurst and Mr. Frank Davis served as assistant principals.

2.0 PHILOSOPHY, MISSION STATEMENT AND GOALS

2.1 PHILOSOPHY OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

The Bible is the source for a correct philosophy of education. It is the final authority in all matters (John 17:17). Education is true if it is Biblical. All knowledge, whether scientific, historical, philosophical or spiritual, finds its verity in its relationship to God as the ultimate Source and Foundation of all truth. It is this education, based on Biblical truths and principles, which must be applied to every area of life through the medium of teaching by word and deed to every individual to lead to maturity in Christ. Since God’s purpose in the creation of man was to glorify Him, education must ultimately serve to that end as well.

The Christian philosophy of education has as its foundation several premises: that God is the essence and source of all truth; that reverential fear of God “is the beginning of wisdom”, understanding and “knowledge” (Psalm 111:10: Proverbs 1:7; 9:10); that Christ is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6); that “in Him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3); and that “He is the beginning of all things and by Him all things are and were created” (Revelation 4:11).

Man is a sinner by nature through Adam and by his own choice, and cannot, in this state, glorify God (Romans 3:23; 5:12). In order to attain this end, man's nature and desires must be changed by a personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (Romans 5:15, 17).

The educational process must begin by leading the individual to this personal acceptance of Jesus Christ. It must present all truth as God's truth, interpret it with God's Word and seek to relate the whole person to God--spiritually, mentally, socially and physically.

God’s goal for all Christians is that they become “perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (II Timothy 3:17). All activity should be designed to bring the Christian to eventual conformity to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). Since this is God’s goal, it must be the primary goal of Christian education to lead every student to continuing transformation into the image of Christ.

The Bible places the responsibility of educating children upon the parents. Parents are instructed to teach God’s Word “diligently” (Deuteronomy 6:7) and to “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). The church also has an education function, which is to teach believers to “observe all things” (Matt. 28:20). The school is to function as an extension of the home and church to meet this obligation.

The culture of the home, church and school needs to be in harmony with each other in order for consistent Christian education to take place (Amos 3:3).

Standards, rules and codes of conduct will reflect the teaching of the Bible.

In the fulfillment of Biblical directives regarding the education of children (Matthew 28:19-20), the Christian school is responsible to the local church authority. The Christian school is one of the edification ministries of the church (Ephesians 4:11-16). Since all education is inherently religious, the Christian school must be immune from the authority of governmental intrusion in the exercise of its mandate.

2.2 MISSION STATEMENT OF MENTOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

The mission statement for Mentor Christian School is to assist parents in equipping young Christians with the tools needed to successfully perform as servants of the Lord Jesus Christ.

2.3 STATEMENT OF FAITH

We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament in their original autographs to be the divinely inspired Word of God and our only rule for the Christian faith.

We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory and possessing the same attributes and perfections.

We believe that God the Son, by the medium of the virgin birth, became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ in order that He might die on the cross bearing our sins as a vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice.

We believe that Jesus Christ was raised from the grave in the body of His crucifixion, ascended to God the Father, and will return for His people according to His promise.

We believe that salvation is to be received by the sinner as a free gift, which cannot be earned, and that when a person has truly received Christ he is kept by God’s power and is thus secure in Christ.

Beyond this basic doctrinal foundation, the school will not seek to be divisive about such things as the church ordinances and policies, which commonly divide denominations. Students will be referred to their parents and pastors for such instruction.

2.4 GOALS OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

2.4.1 Goals for Spiritual Development:

1. To teach that the Bible is the only written Word of God.

2. To teach that Biblical truth is the foundation for the proper understanding of all academic subjects.

3. To teach that God is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, life and man.

4. To teach that all men are sinners, and are unable in this condition to please God.

5. To teach that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to earth to die for sinners.

6. To lead each pupil into a personal relationship with Christ as his Savior.

7. To stress the responsibility of Christians to witness to the lost about them and to take the Gospel to the world.

8. To teach students the importance of regular attendance at a local church, and to emphasize the need for membership, involvement, and service in a local church.

2.4.2 Goals for Moral Development:

1. To develop a sense of right and wrong which uses the Bible as its ultimate standard.

2. To develop a Biblical conviction of sexual purity and abstinence from drugs, intoxicating beverages and tobacco.

3. To teach the application of Biblical principles to every part of daily life, producing a Christ-likeness in the student's speech and manner of life.

4. To teach the importance of fellowship with God through Bible reading, prayer, worship and service.

5. To encourage self-discipline in the student.

6. To teach a patriotic respect for our American flag, our national heroes and our historic freedoms.

2.4.3 Goals for Personal and Social Development:

1. To develop a balanced personality based upon the full utilization of the individual's God-given capacities and talents.

2. To promote the fitness, maintenance and skillful use of the body as the temple of God.

3. To teach the student to think logically and to hold his convictions under stress.

4. To prepare the student to relate properly to non-Christians and to Christians who differ in doctrine or practice.

5. To teach the manners and social graces expected of a Christian.

6. To teach separation from the world in the spirit of I John 2:15-17.

2.4.4 Academic Goals

1. To maintain high academic standards as it does the following:

a. teach the basic concepts of scientific investigation and to show that all scientific fact is in agreement with God's Word.

b. teach a knowledge of the geography and history of our state, our nation and the world.

c. teach our American heritage as a constitutional republic.

d. develop in every pupil a proficiency in the reading, writing, spelling and speaking of the English language.

e. teach the exactness, preciseness, and completeness in the subject matter of mathematics.

f. present current affairs in all fields and relate them to God's plan for men.

g. develop an appreciation of the fine arts.

2. To teach all subjects in their correct perspective in relation to God's Word.

3. To teach the student to work both independently and cooperatively.

4. To teach the student to apply himself to his work and to fulfill those responsibilities delegated to him.

5. To show the student his civic responsibilities and to prepare him for the obligations of adult citizenship.

6. To teach the knowledge and skills required for future study and occupational competence.

7. To teach students their responsibility as Christians to submit to and obey civil government as those who have the authority under God for our safety and protection, and the administration of justice (Romans 13:1-7).

2.4.5 Goals for the Home-School Relationship

1. To cooperate closely with parents in every phase of the student's development, especially as it relates to the school program.

2. To help parents understand the school's purpose and program.

3. To help parents understand their Biblical responsibility for the proper education and training of their children.

4. To aid families in making their homes God-centered.

3.0 ADMISSIONS PROCEDURES

The school administration determines a student’s acceptance to the school based upon these admission policies. Attendance at Mentor Christian School is a privilege and not a right. A student shall be dismissed if at any time his conduct, academic progress, or cooperation with the school administration is unacceptable.

3.1 General Policies

3.1.1 Age Requirements: Kindergarten students must be five years old by September 30; beginning first grade students must be six years old by September 30.

3.1.2 Enrollment will be final when a student’s transcripts have been received in the school office and all requested forms are completed and on file.

3.1.3 No student will be enrolled if the family seeking admission has an outstanding account at another Christian school.

3.1.4 MCS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in its admissions policies, educational policies and programs.

3.2 Spiritual Policies

3.2.1 Mentor Christian School is primarily for children from fu