The Most Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Faith Christian School
Mission Statement
Under the authority of the Christian Scriptures, the mission of Faith Christian School (K- 12) is to prepare students to serve God and others by instilling a biblical world and life view, providing a quality academic education and by developing the Christian social graces of love, self-control, and fellowship for the purpose of glorifying God.
1) WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL?
The initial step in the enrollment process is that at least one of the parents of the applying student professes Jesus Christ as his/her personal Savior. The goal of Faith is to be an extension in the school of each Christian home. In order for this to be possible, the family should be active, participating members of a Christian evangelical fellowship in the area. The school does not desire to be an element of discord within the home, thus there must be a “spiritual base” for that support system.
The second requirement for admission stems from the college preparatory emphasis at Faith. In order to attend Faith, a student must be in the fiftieth percentile (50%) or higher on a standardized achievement test. The purpose of this guideline is not to preclude anyone from a Christian education at Faith, but to insure, as far as possible, that any student admitted will have an opportunity to succeed in this fast-paced academic environment.
A third requirement for admission to Faith involves the disciplinary record of the applicant/student at his/her previous school. School Board policy prohibits the admission of any student who, for disciplinary reasons, cannot return to the school that he/she is currently attending. Perfection certainly is not a prerequisite, however, submission to authority and proper conduct in the classroom are prerequisites to success in each classroom. Submission to the authority of the father in the home is indicative of obeying rules at school.
2) WHAT CURRICULUM DO YOU USE AT FAITH?
The most important curriculum used at Faith is “the living curriculum”, those attributes that come from the lives of the born-again, professional educators that teach at Faith.
Textbooks and curriculum used at Faith are primarily those of Christian publishing companies (i.e., Abeka Publishing and Bob Jones Press). The curriculum seeks to challenge each student while protecting the traditional Christian values that all believers cherish. There is an emphasis in the early childhood area (K4-3rd grade) on a strong phonetic reading base, a solid foundation in mathematical calculations and number skills, and a spiritually-nourishing Bible teaching curriculum. Consistent scope and sequence are critical to any curriculum adopted by Faith. Curriculum is evaluated annually to insure the goals and objectives of each discipline, as defined by the staff, are being achieved. Publishers may vary, but academic challenge and Christian values are inherent in any curriculum authorized by the school board of Faith.
3) DO YOU HAVE DAILY CHAPEL?
Faith does hold weekly chapel for grades 6-12 and Bible is taught at every grade level every day as an integral part of the overall program. Elementary-age students are taught Bible in a planned period daily; middle school and upper school students have a complete course in Bible each year. Juniors and seniors may also enroll in a Bible Service Projects in addition to their required Bible course. Chapels are held twice monthly for elementary classes and are planned by age group to insure that the students are involved in chapels that are meaningful to each one. We do not dress up differently for chapel services.
4) DO YOU HAVE A PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM? WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN THE HALF-DAY AND FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS?
Faith does have a 4 year old kindergarten program, full and half days. The child must have turned four years of age prior to September 1 of the year of enrollment. There are no exceptions to this policy. The four and five-year-old kindergarten is a part of the K-12 educational process. Students who enroll in K5 kindergarten at Faith must, by state law, have turned five years of age prior to September 1 of the year of enrollment. There are no exceptions to this policy. Faith offers either a one-half day K5 kindergarten program or a full-day K5 kindergarten program. The essentials needed for entry into the first grade the following year are emphasized in the morning hours of both programs to insure academic readiness for all students enrolled. The afternoon program in kindergarten includes enrichment and re-enforcement activities as well as lunch, a nap, and either playground or physical education activity. The full-day program is offered to assist Christian families where two incomes are essential.
5) DO YOU HAVE AFTER-SCHOOL CARE?
Faith provides after-school care at an additional fee for students in full-day 4 and 5 year old kindergarten through the elementary grades (6th grade). Supervised care is available from the close of the elementary school until 5:30 P.M. if needed. Enrollment in this program is necessary, although “emergency” drop-in students are provided for when necessary. Rates vary dependent upon the time of pick-up each day. No care is provided on school holidays or summer months.
6) WHAT ARE THE SCHOOL HOURS?
During the school year, all classes begin at 7:45 A.M. The 4K ˝ children are dismissed at 11:45 a.m. and 5K kindergarten children are dismissed at 12:00 p.m., the elementary classes (full-day kindergartens to grade five) at 2:45 P.M. and the upper school (grades 6-12) at 3:10 P.M. Parents will be notified of any possible time changes prior to the start of school each fall.
7) DO THE STUDENTS WEAR UNIFORMS?
Faith has a dress code but does not require uniforms. Students are expected to adhere to the dress code daily. Parents are asked to insure that each student meets the school’s standards before they leave for school each morning. The dress code is evaluated each summer and changes announced. Significant changes to the dress code will be announced prior to the re-enrollment period each year. Shorts may be worn if the shorts meet the dress code regulations. We do require PE shorts to be worn; shorts may be purchased through the school for all high school PE classes (grades 7-12) or shorts may be brought from home which meets school rules.
8) DO YOU HAVE A LUNCHROOM PROGRAM?
Faith does not have a lunchroom on campus at this time. All students eat lunch in their classroom. A vending service is offered each school year where parents may purchase lunches directly from the vendors in advance. The vendors will then deliver the purchased lunches on the days required. A letter is sent home prior to school each year outlining the vendors that will participate in this program that year.
9) WHAT EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED?
At the elementary level, no athletic programs are offered that are school-sponsored. Faith Presbyterian Church offers a co-ed soccer program (grades K4-6th grade) on Saturday mornings on the campus in which many elementary-aged students participate.
A Spelling Bee, choir, computer lab, library and field days are a number of activities in which the elementary students participate each year. Field trips are numerous to include Calloway Gardens, Imagination Place, American Village, and Birmingham Children’s Theater, McWane Center, SIFAT and other trips to include visits to Montgomery, Huntsville and other historically significant locations. Each grade level has distinctive field trips for the students to look forward to as they move through the program.
At the middle school and high school level, the extracurricular focus is on athletics. Girls participate in volleyball, basketball, softball, coed soccer and tennis. Cheerleading is another option as well for girls. Boys participate in basketball, soccer, baseball and tennis. Upper level students also are involved in the Beta Club, student government, LINC program, drama presentations, choirs of excellence, and homecoming activities annually.
10) IS FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ACCREDITED AND CAN MY CHILD GAIN ADMISSION INTO THE MAJOR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES UPON GRADUATION FROM FAITH?
Faith Christian School is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the same premier agency that accredits the public high schools, colleges, and universities in the south. Students are academically prepared to attend the college of their choice. The American College Testing (ACT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) results of our students in this critical college entrance testing arena are exemplary for our college preparatory students.
