Policies
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If your student(s) need to be picked up early, please contact our Administration office in advance to let them know the approximate time of arrival. Parents will need to park their car and then come to the main Freedom Academy Entrance, where they will ring the doorbell. A member of the administrative team will gather the student(s) and walk them to the doorway.
Please note that only known parents or guardians will be allowed to pick up students. Administration maintains a list of people eligible to claim each student. If you wish to expand this list beyond the documented parents/guardians, please contact the Administration Office.
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Freedom Academy emphasizes a "low technology" policy — particularly during the earliest years of school. While we certainly acknowledge the importance of technical literacy, we believe that active personal engagement is crucial to establishing a firm base for emotional and social intelligence. To that end, Kindergarten through Second Grade will endeavor to minimize technology as part of the daily routine, favoring instead more traditional methods. This does not mean that technology will never be used as part of instruction. Rather, our bias will be to leverage it on an exception basis.
Starting in Third Grade, we will begin introducing more technology in an effort to help children expand both their technical literacy and their academic capabilities. During these years, we will focus on file sharing, typing, collaboration, research, and how to access accurate information in appropriate ways.
As Freedom Academy expands beyond Fourth Grade, there will be an increase in technology usage within the classroom. However, Freedom Academy will always strive to ensure that a balance is maintained and that personal, face-to-face interaction and instruction are cornerstones of our program.
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Freedom Academy believes that family time is critical to developing well-rounded, mature students. We also believe that kids need time to play, help family with chores, and simply "be kids." To that end, our teachers will endeavor to keep homework to a minimum unless additional reinforcement of a particular concept is necessary outside of school hours.
Our policy for Kindergarten through Second Grade is that homework will be kept to an absolute minimum. Students will have time during the school day for reinforcement of the concepts learned, which should in many cases eliminate the need to take work home for completion.
Starting in Third Grade, homework may be introduced but will be limited to approximately thirty minutes at home once assigned. Again, students will have time during the day to complete the reinforcement activities, which normally will result in limited work at home.
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Periodically, faculty and staff may take pictures of students while on the premises.
During Chapel or other special events, Freedom House Church may also take photographs or videos of students.
Additionally, during field trips, service projects, or special events that are off premise, faculty, staff, and other parents may take videos of your children as part of their participation in the event.
By participating in Freedom Academy, you consent to your student(s) being photographed or videoed in any of these environments/circumstances.
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Whenever possible, Freedom Academy will endeavor to be in person. In the event of inclement weather, our Administration will monitor weather conditions as appropriate and determine the best course of action to ensure the safety of faculty and staff. The decision to cancel school will be at the discretion of the Administrator.
In the event school must be canceled/dismissed early, all parents will be notified via both their emails and phone numbers on file. Once that communication has happened, teachers will reach out to the families and provide instruction on the expectations for the day.
Communications will be made as soon as reasonably possible if school must be canceled or dismissed early. If school is canceled/ends early for any reason, then the Administration will stay in contact with families to confirm expectations on the following day.
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Parents are asked to cooperate with the school in keeping a healthy environment for faculty and students. We ask that you keep your child at home if he or she is sick during the night or in the early morning with vomiting, diarrhea, or a rash. We also ask that your child be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to the classroom. For the safety of everyone, please err on the side of caution when sending your child back to school after an illness.
If a child is sent to school sick with any of these symptoms or becomes ill during the morning, we will contact a parent immediately. Please be certain that contact information is up to date with the Administrative office. Any child sent home from school because of an illness may not return to school the following calendar day.
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Freedom Academy maintains high standards with regards to classroom behavior. A “classroom” is determined to be any area (indoor or outdoor) where students are receiving instruction or are in the presence of a speaker or instructor. This document will serve as the overriding authority for infraction and discipline. Ultimately, the Director will have discretion in matters of adjudication for the discipline policy.
Students are expected to listen to instruction given by all teachers, administration, volunteers, and specials teachers. The expectation is that a student’s behavior will not obstruct an instructor’s ability to teach nor obstruct a student’s ability to learn.
Disruptions that obstruct the ability to teach and learn in the classroom will not be tolerated. Disobedience directed at any authority figure will not be tolerated. Willful destruction of school property will not be tolerated.
In the event of inappropriate behavior during our “specials,” (typically taught in the Arrows classroom), the instructor will send the student back to their classroom for the remainder of that specials class. The Specials instructor will inform the Director to discuss if additional punishment/discipline is warranted (and the Parents/Guardians will be notified). Typically the student will be moved to red on the classroom behavior chart, with listed consequences.
During physical instruction (PE, Mind & Muscle), students are required to participate in the activity as directed by the instructor.Defiance will not be tolerated.
Students will honor their teachers and the faculty with their conduct, work ethic, and attitude – both on-site and off-site.
Fighting will not be tolerated at the Academy.
For specific classrooms, teachers will explain their behavior policy, expectations in the class, and consequences (both positive and negative). Expectations rise with each grade level/classroom (i.e. the older the student, the higher the expectation).
Any student consistently unable to follow instruction, act disrespectfully, and/or unable to participate in class as expected may be asked to withdraw from the Academy (at Director discretion).
Note for Early Development (grades K3, K4, and Kindergarten): While behavior expectations for Early Development classes are largely the same, Freedom Academy understands that children’s maturity levels at these ages is different. As such, we explicitly teach each classroom expectation for behavior.
Dress Code
(updated Jul 2024)
Uniform and Dress Code Basics
Uniform days are Monday – Thursday for all students. Every “last Thursday” of each month will be a “Free-Dress” day. In addition, a teacher may have specific instructions for clothing on certain days (e.g. “Community Helper Day”). Also, should a classroom accumulate enough points for an award involving clothing (e.g. Pajama Day), then the dress code will not be in force for their classroom on that day.
Approved colors will vary based on tops or bottoms, but include:
Black
Tan /khaki (bottoms only)
Gold
White (tops only)
Note: Spirit wear may be worn on all days.
What to Wear
Shirts + Tops
All tops (unless spirit wear) must have a collar. Both long-sleeved and short-sleeved shirts are permitted.
Example of approved shirt designs:
Girls (white, black, and “yellow pencil” are approved):
Boys: (white, black, and “yellow pencil” are approved):
Pants + Shorts
Pants or shorts must be tan khaki or black. Shorts must be no more than 5” above the knee.
Sample shorts (washed black, flax, and sandwash are approved)
Pants sample (washed black, flax, and sandwash are approved)
Tights + Leggings
Tights and leggings must be white, black, tan khaki or gold. They may not be worn on their own. They must be worn underneath a dress, skirt, or shorts and must be free from tears or holes. They must be a single, solid color (no patterns).
Shoes
Athletic / comfortable shoes and/or sandals with heel strap can be worn. Crocs are permitted, but only if the child can change into closed toed athletic shoes on their own for PE and recess.
Any socks are permitted.
Hoodies + Crewnecks
Hoodies and Crewnecks must be white, gold, or black. They cannot have a logo unless it is Freedom Academy spirit wear.
For the avoidance of doubt – gray shirts are not permitted.
All TOP layers must conform to the approved colors above when worn inside the building, whether a sweater or sweatshirt.
Any Freedom Academy spirit-wear (t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies) may be worn daily.
Skirts + Skorts
Skirts/Skorts must be tan khaki or black. All skirts and skorts must be no more than 5” above the knee (measured on the front or back).
Dresses + Jumpers
Dresses must be polo-style with a collar. Dress length must be no more than 5” above the knee.
Physical Education Dress Code
Starting in 5th grade, students will dress out for PE. Guidelines:
Color scheme matches the Academy code
7 inch seam athletic shorts – all Academy colors are permitted (but black is recommended) — sample shorts
Shirts do not require a collar but cannot have a logo unless wearing spirit wear — sample shirts
On PE days, ensure your student has a pair of athletic shoes for gym class and recess. If changing for PE and recess, students must be able to change shoes on their own without adult assistance.
What Not to Wear
1. Any clothes with rips or tears
2. Camouflage and athletic pants/shorts of any color
3. Hats of any kind
4. Flip-flop sandals
5. Jeans or denim
6. Tattoos of any kind (including temporary)
7. Cologne or perfume
8. No smart watches
9. No fake/costume hair
Important Reminders
1. Tops must completely cover the midriff, even when arms are raised.
2. All garments must be modest, neat and clean.
3. Pants are to be worn at the waist.
4. Skirt, skort, and short length must be no more than 5 inches above the knee.
5. Girls should wear shorts or leggings under skirts in order to maintain comfort and modesty during the school day.
6. All layered clothing (sweaters, sweatshirts, any outerwear worn inside the building) should be white, black or gold.
7. Hair is expected to be brushed and in a neat, orderly fashion.
Free Dress Days
Free Dress days are the last Thursday of each month or any other date offered by the school. Please note that pajamas and costumes are NOT allowed on Free Dress days.
Considering that these are the guidelines and there will be some variables in what students wear, the administration will have the final decision concerning any questionable appearance presented by a student at any time. Please do your best as a parent to follow these dress code basics noted here.
The Children’s Place (https://www.childrensplace.com/us/home) has 3 locations near Freedom Academy and sells a variety of clothes that all conform to FA dress code.