Academics at Ascension Christian Elementary/Middle School (ACEM)
THE ACADEMIC PHILOSOPHY OF ASCENSION CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
Literacy is a major thrust throughout the grades and courses. Literacy includes fluency and writing, logical thinking and problem solving, reading informational texts, and citing evidence from the text to support responses. Mathematics targets numbers and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and statistics and probability.
K-4-5th grades use Harcourt as the basal curriculum. ABeka is the Bible curriculum throughout the grades. ABeka supplements the basal curriculum in 1st grade for phonics and handwriting, and 2nd grade handwriting.
Grades 6 uses Holt math; Prentice Hall literature, ABeka Bible; Harcourt History and Science. The Prentice Hall literature integrates grammar, composition, reading, and spelling. Honors courses are offered but not in all grades.
Stanford Achievement Test is given in grades 3 & 5. Quarterly cumulative testing is done throughout the grades to confirm the children steadily master the required concepts and skills.
Parents must have access to a computer and the Internet. Grades and progress reports are sent to parents quarterly via electronic mail through RenWeb, the school’s student management system. Teacher lesson plans, homework, and grades are posted weekly on RenWeb and are available to parents through Parent Web.
All students attend PE daily. All students receive instruction in art, computers, and library. All children attend church every other week. It is led by the children’s pastor from the Household of Faith Church.
Children in all grades who enter ACS are screened for placement. Children also take an end-of-year assessment that is used for placement the following year.
Accreditation
Ascension Christian Elementary/Middle School is approved by the State of Louisiana Department of Education.
Ascension Christian Elementary/Middle School is accredited by Advanc-Ed SACS/CASI.
Attendance
Any student absent (excused or unexcused) more than 20 days will not be eligible for promotion.
In case of absence, the parent or guardian must send a dated note to the school explaining the reason for the absence. This note is required on the day the student returns to school. The administration will decide if the absence is excused or unexcused. Students
with an excused absence may make up missed classwork.
With extended absences, absence longer than 3 days, a doctor’s excuse must be presented to school before the student is readmitted and allowed to make up missed classwork and homework.
If a student is absent from school, he may not participate in school sponsored activities on that day.
Requests for a student not to participate in PE will be granted up to 2 days. Upon the 3rd day, the student must have a doctor’s excuse.
Tardiness
ACS begins at 7:45 AM; a student is tardy at 7:50 and must report to the office with his parent to sign in. The student will take a tardy slip to give to the teacher. Three (3) unexcused tardies will be charged a $25.00 fee. Excessive tardies will receive disciplinary action.
Early Check-out
Students must be in attendance 51% of the day to receive credit for the day. Students must present an appointment card for a doctor/dentist/therapy appointment to be excused and be allowed to make up missed classwork. Students are responsible for missed notes and assignments.
Discipline
The culture of ACS promotes respectful behavior. Respectful behavior demonstrates respect for God, self, and others. Our goal is to shepherd children in the highest principles of Christian leadership.
Lunches
ACS serves lunches for students who have purchased a meal plan. Students may bring lunch if their parents choose that option. Parents are not allowed to cater lunches (McDonalds, Taco Bell, Subway, Popeye’s, etc.) to students.
Classroom Structure
K4-K5 classrooms are self-contained.
1st-3rd grade children go to one teacher for ELA and to a second teacher for math, science, social studies, and Bible.
4th-5th grade children have three teachers: ELA, science/social studies, math; the homeroom teacher teaches Bible.
6th grade students have Bible with the homeroom teachers, and have science, math, ELA, and history with department teachers.
Grading Scale
93.00 – 100.00 = A
86.00 – 92.99 = B
75.00 – 85.99 = C
67.00 – 74.00 = D
00.00 – 66.00 = F
Promotion
A student at ACS must demonstrate mastery of the Minimum Grade Level Expectations in each major subject for his grade, receive passing grades including the end-or-year assessment, and attend at least 52,800 minutes (160 instructional days) to be promoted. A student must not fail any major subject to be promoted. A student must not fail 2 or more major subjects to be promoted.
Major subjects
K4 – 2nd Phonics, Reading, Math
3 – 7 ELA, Reading, Math
Minor subjects
K4 – 2nd Social Living, Science, Social Studies, Handwriting, Spelling, Bible
3rd – 7th History, Science, Bible
A student who fails Reading or Math is not promoted.
Honor Roll
A student must have all As, including conduct, to be on the A Honor Roll.
A student must have all As and Bs, including conduct, to be on the B Honor Roll.
Principal’s List
A student must be on the A Honor Roll both quarters to be on the Principal’s List for the semester.
A student must be on the A Honor Roll all 4 quarters to be on the Principal’s List for the year.
Birthday Recognition
For children in K4-2nd grades, parents may send a cake, cookie cake, cupcakes, or similar food to the teacher in the morning. The teacher will have the recognition with the children after lunch or at snack time in the afternoon. Ice cream, decorations, balloon / balloon bouquets, and/or flowers are not allowed. Please contact the child’s homeroom teacher to discuss plans.
Medications
Students are to bring no medication, including over the counter and prescription, to school. The school is not allowed to dispense medication. Puffers (for children with asthma) and epi-pens must be kept in the office and have specific instructions from the doctor regarding use.
Safety
ACS strives to provide a safe, secure environment for every child. The doors into the school buildings and the Activity Center are kept locked during the school day. Parents and visitors must enter through the office, sign-in, and receive a visitor’s badge. When leaving, visitors must sign-out through the Office.
Classroom doors are locked.
Teacher/Staff Crisis Checklist, emergency evacuation Route, and medical alert are posted on the inside of every classroom door. Fire drills are conducted monthly; intruder drills and severe weather drills are conducted each semester.
