2022-23 Parent/Student Handbook

An Introduction

Welcome to Bob Jones Academy, parents and students!

We are very thankful for the opportunity to partner with your family for this school year. Whether you are starting your very first year at BJA or are a senior closing out the last chapter of your BJA career, we know God has you here for a purpose. That purpose is more than to simply be challenged academically or enjoy a safe environment. We work hard to provide both of those outcomes, but the most compelling goal for us is to help each of our students see life the way God interprets life for us in His Word. We want to be compelled by the invisible things that are eternal and not be conformed to the visible world’s way of viewing life. At BJA, we summarize this mindset by our phrase: eternity matters more. We pray this year will be one in which the concerns of heaven become more and more clear to each one of us as we walk this road together.

This handbook has been revised and edited once again this summer to be a helpful and instructive tool for your success at BJA. Please take the time to carefully read this short document in which we attempt to give clear expectations, standard practices, and general principles for students to flourish here at BJA. Although, our Parent/Student Handbook contains biblical injunctions (lying, cheating not allowed) mixed with institutional preferences (uniforms required) throughout its pages, we do not want any confusion as to the difference between the two. We invite you to discuss with us any portion of the handbook that you may have concerns or questions about. This document itself is not scripture nor a path to spiritual maturity. There are many good ways to organize and operate a Christian school and we have attempted to explain one of those ways here in this handbook.

The guiding principle or quality we are focusing on at BJA this year is Unified. There will be many opportunities this year for each one of us as members of the body of Christ to show a watching world that we are disciples of Jesus Christ. It will be through our unified love for one another. We look forward to giving and receiving the love we have for each other because He first loved us! This is so important because we know that eternity matters more!

For all the BJA team,
Dr. Abels

Our Core Identity

A Brief History
Having developed a burden for Christian education, evangelist Bob Jones Sr. founded Bob Jones College and Bob Jones Academy in 1927 in Lynn Haven, Florida. BJA began with 47 high school students and shared many resources with the college.

Along with the college, BJA moved to Cleveland, Tennessee, in 1933, and then—with what was to become Bob Jones University—to Greenville, South Carolina, in 1947. The University established a junior high in 1952 under the leadership of Bob Jones Jr. and an elementary school in the 1970s under the direction of Bob Jones III.

In 2011 under Dr. Stephen Jones, the child development center, elementary school, junior high (renamed the middle school), and high school were consolidated into one school using the name Bob Jones Academy.

Statement of Faith and Key Position Statements
BJA is a distinctly conservative Christian school. As the pre-college program of Bob Jones University, BJA is not part of a particular church or denomination. This does not minimize, however, the importance we place on the church in the life of the believer or the importance of fundamental doctrines of the faith.

Bob Jones Academy affirms and teaches the inspiration of the Bible (both the Old and the New Testaments); the creation of man by the direct act of God; the incarnation and virgin birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; His identification as the Son of God; His vicarious atonement for the sins of mankind by the shedding of His blood on the cross; the resurrection of His body from the tomb; His power to save men from sin; the new birth through the regeneration by the Holy Spirit; and the gift of eternal life by the grace of God.

Our statement of faith above highlights the core truths that we affirm as a school. Bob Jones Academy/Bob Jones University position statements on current issues are available here and frame how we set policy and operate.

Mission Statement

Bob Jones Academy exists to assist like-minded Christian parents in challenging students to love Jesus Christ, to embrace God’s truth, to exercise integrity, to pursue excellence, and to serve others.

Philosophy of Christian Education

As a distinctly Christian school, BJA is committed to the statement of faith based on the absolute truths as revealed by God in the revealed, inerrant Word of God. Beyond mere mental assent, we are also committed to building a school culture where we live out in loving, humble transparency biblical principles in the daily operations of pre-college educational life. A few important aspects of our Christian philosophy of education that relate to family-school interactions are detailed below.

  1. BJA and your home. We believe that the mandate for raising children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord falls to the parents. Our mission is to partner with you as the primary disciple-makers as we work together to educate and disciple your children. We never intend to take the place of the parent and strive for ongoing communication that is both timely, eternity-focused and clear.
  1. BJA and your church. We observe that the Bible teaches that the local church family is vital to any believer’s health and growth. Our expectation is that each BJA family be committed to regular, involvement and submission to pastoral teaching and care. BJA's standards for chapels, singing, and worship reflect institutional practices, not judgment or expectation for your church's or your own personal practices.
  1. BJA and your child’s discipleship. We believe that the Bible teaches that the main problem that everyone must deal with is the problem of sin in the heart. This problem does not go away because a teacher, child, or parent is a believer. Therefore, we all recognize the importance of consistent, loving, truthful discipleship at age-appropriate levels throughout BJA. Every believer is in the middle of his sanctification until he is with God in heaven so we expect students, teachers, and administration alike to need appropriate exhortation, correction, forgiveness, and love.
  1. BJA and academics. As image-bearers of God, students are to reflect His wisdom, creativity, and faithfulness in the pursuit of educational success. A holistic approach to growth that includes all aspects of a child’s development is what BJA teachers use to instruct, challenge, correct, and inspire students to do all for the glory of God. Accepting both limitations and talents as from God’s hand allows students to do their best as unto the Lord.
  1. BJA and student activities. As image-bearers of God, students are also given a wide variety of interests and abilities outside of academic pursuits. BJA works to give our students opportunities for competition, team camaraderie, peer leadership, and individual skill development in a variety of athletic, fine arts, academic and social activities. Balanced and age-appropriate options are available as appropriate for BJA as an academically rigorous and family-focused school.

Parental Support and Cooperation Agreement
Our mission statement says that BJA exists to assist parents in aspects of the training of their children. The partnership of home and school can be successful only to the degree that there is mutual understanding and cooperation in carrying out school policies.

We understand that your personal positions and preferences may differ from BJA policies. In choosing to partner with us in the education of your child we ask that you support the teachers and administration, including helping your child abide by and graciously respond to school policies and decisions. We, too, will attempt to work with you in this process of normal growth and development of your child by, as needed, giving your child reminders, clarifications, or, on occasion, corrections.

BJA’s administration reserves the right to final interpretation of policy. We welcome the opportunity to explain our policies to you on an individual basis and urge you to get clarification as needed. We reserve the right, though we will make every effort to avoid exercising it, to dismiss a student if the administration determines that there is a lack of support or cooperation by the student or parent.

We ask that a parent in each family as well as each student in grades 6–12 to read this handbook in its entirety before online check-in and to complete a Cooperation Agreement during the check-in process (K3–grade 12). You can find a copy of the Cooperation Agreement later in this handbook. This agreement is your indication that you understand and will support the policies found in this Parent-Student Handbook.

Policies

Academics

Curriculum
BJA operates a traditional educational program using teacher-centered instruction. Classes include Bible, English, history, math, phonics-based reading, science, and other traditionally taught classes. The high school’s college-preparatory program is designed to prepare students for competitive collegiate work.

Homework
As a rule of thumb, when a student is attentive and diligent during class and concentrates well while doing homework, a night’s homework should generally be able to be finished in: K5—15 minutes, Grades 1 and 2—30 minutes, Grade 3—45 minutes, Grades 4 and 5—60 minutes, Grades 6 through 8—90 minutes, Grades 9 through 12—2 to 2.5 hours (more for dual credit or other more advanced courses). If your find that your child spends excessive time on homework, please alert your child’s teacher or an administrator so that we can work together to identify and resolve any underlying issues.

Report Cards
Report cards are calculated and posted in Sycamore in October, December, March, and May. Elementary report cards include a final grade for each quarter. Middle and high school report cards include a midterm report and a final grade at the end of each semester. Middle school courses also receive a final grade for the year. High school transcripts are calculated and posted at the end of each semester and include grades from a student’s dual credit courses.

Grading Scale and High School GPA Calculation
Our grading scale uses the following letter grades and percentage values.

A             90–100    Excellent
B             80–89      Above average
C             70–79       Average
D             60–69      Unsatisfactory
F              0–59        No credit given
I                                 Incomplete
P                                Passed

At the high school level quality points are assigned and GPA's calculated.

Assessment for the early grades includes S (Satisfactory), U (Unsatisfactory), and N (Needs improvement); and for K3–K5 only M (Mastered appropriately), and P (Making progress).

Graduation Requirements
BJA’s graduation requirements meet or exceed the requirements of the South Carolina Department of Education for public high school students to graduate with a South Carolina high school diploma. To earn a BJA diploma, a student must

  • Earn 24 high school credits:
    • English—4 credits (English 9–12)
    • Math—4 credits (includes Algebra I and Geometry)
    • Science—3 credits (includes 1 physical and 1 biological science)
    • Social studies—3 credits (includes 1 U.S. History, .5 Government, .5 Economics)
    • Foreign language*—1 credit
    • Computer science (includes Keyboarding)—1 credit
    • Physical education—1 credit
    • Electives**—7 credits
      *BJA recommends that a college-bound student earn 2 credits in a foreign language.
      **Includes Bible courses, which are required each semester a student is enrolled in BJA. Also includes dual enrollment opportunities at BJU—see the website or academic advisor for qualification requirements and available courses.
  • Be a full-time student at BJA for his or her final two semesters.

Tuition and fees are to be paid in full before graduation.

BJA recommends that students take a college entrance exam before graduation. In addition to being a step in applying for college, it allows the student to be considered for a variety of scholarships, awards, and honors at both the college and precollege level.

Integrity
Integrity is a key aspect of Christlike character. Students exhibit academic integrity by being truthful about their own academic work. Parents are key in helping their students with integrity--we value and appreciate the partnership of parent with school in this area.

We take seriously any form of deception including cheating, plagiarism, inappropriate collaboration, or failing to report known violations in these areas.

  • Cheating: acting dishonestly or unfairly on graded work, such as copying/sharing test answers, or unauthorized use of teacher editions/test banks of textbooks being used in class
  • Plagiarism: representing someone else’s ideas or work as your original work
  • Inappropriate collaboration: Teachers will have different expectations about how much students can work with others or give/receive help on various assignments. Students are responsible to understand and follow the teacher's instructions about collaboration. Inappropriate collaboration may be handled as cheating or plagiarism.

Attendance

Because consistent attendance is critical to learning, students are expected to arrive on time and avoid unnecessary absences.

School Hours
The regular school day begins at 8 a.m. Students enrolled in the K3–K5 half-day program are dismissed at 11:45 a.m. Students in K3–grade 5 are dismissed at 2:45 p.m., and those in grades 6–12 are dismissed at 3:10 p.m.

  • Morning drop-off: 7:15–7:55
    • Students may be dropped off at their building once teacher supervision is available, which is at 7:15 a.m.
    • For student safety, high school students should be dropped off only from vehicles which are at the curb (not on the stadium side of the street) or in the Print Shop parking lot (the lot by the stadium and Activity Center).
  • Afternoon pick-up: Students in K3–grade 8 who are not picked up during car line or shortly after an official after-school activity ends are to report to late stay. Late stay is available until 5:30 p.m. at an hourly rate to cover the cost of supervision. High school students who are still at school after 5 p.m. may be in front of the Academy Main only (or in Markham Center until 5:30 p.m.)
    • K3–Grade 5 car tags: For student safety, parents are given car tags to display when picking up an elementary child after school or from late stay. If someone without a car tag will pick up a student on a particular day, please notify the office in writing and let the person know that he or she will need to provide photo identification for pickup.
    • Grades 1–8 walking home: With a parent’s written permission, students may walk home to the immediate neighborhood or to their parent’s office on campus. Forms are available at the office. Students may not be anywhere on campus except with their own parent.
    • Grades 6–8: Until 3:25 p.m. students may be picked up at the Applied Studies Building or the Middle School. After 3:25 p.m. students are to be at Late Stay (in the Middle School) until their parent arrives. For student safety students should not cross car line or a street without help of an adult or crossing guard.
  • 6–8 schedule
    1st hour 8–8:50 a.m. (Chapel on Monday and Friday)
    2nd hour 9–9:50 a.m.
    3rd hour 10–10:50 a.m.
    4th hour 11–11:50 a.m.
    Lunch
    5th hour 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    6th hour 1:25–2:15 p.m.
    7th hour 2:20–3:10 p.m.
  • 9–12 schedule
    1st hour 8–8:50 a.m.
    2nd hour 9–9:50 a.m.
    3rd hour 10–10:50 a.m.
    4th hour 10:55–11:40 a.m. (Chapel, growth groups, and Bible classes)
    Lunch
    5th hour 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    6th hour 1:25–2:15 p.m.
    7th hour 2:20–3:10 p.m.
  • 9–12 Free hours: When a student’s semester schedule includes a class period without a class assigned to it, we call that a “free hour.” This can occur when a student has a dual credit class on MWF, resulting in free hours during that class period on TTh. This can also occur when a student does not have a class scheduled during a particular class hour for the semester. Students in grades 11–12 who have a free hour may use the Markham Center, sit on the benches in the Quadrangle, or use university facilities such as the library. Permission from the office is required to go to the elementary or middle school. Students may not use free hours or lunch to run errands off campus. In the rare situations where a student in grades 9 or 10 has a free hour, the student reports to a supervised location, the Markham Center, as for a regular class.
  • 9–12 Special events
    • Bible Conference: Students attend all daytime services (please do not schedule medical appointments or request pre-approved absences during service times).
    • Junior-Senior banquet: Students in grades 11–12 are to attend (see BJA’s current fees for the banquet fee).
    • University’s Concert, Opera & Drama Series: optional; available at no charge
    • Fall senior trip and graduation: required of seniors earning a BJA diploma (see BJA’s current fees for the senior fee).

Absences
BJA recognizes two types of excused absences: medical/emergency and preapproved.

  • Medical/emergency absences: medical or dental appointments, illness, and emergencies (car accident, injury, or a death in the immediate family)
    • Students need to stay home if they have any of the following symptoms: fever of 100 degrees or higher, vomiting, frequent diarrhea, frequent cough, widespread rash, earache, or severe headache. Students should be symptom-free (including being fever-free without fever-reducing medicine) for at least 24 hours before returning to school. For detailed information about when to keep a student out of school and when a student may return after an illness, see the chart below.
    • If a student will miss school due to illness, a parent should contact the office in the morning. A student who misses classes due to illness may not participate in extracurricular activities that day.
    • In the case of a doctor’s appointment, a parent should notify the office in advance.
  • Preapproved absences: Out-of-town trips with a student’s own parent, out-of-town activities with his or her own church youth group, educational opportunities (with administrative approval), court proceedings, or other special circumstances (with administrative approval)
    • A parent should obtain approval from the administration before making arrangements for an event that requires a student to be absent from school and at least one week before the event. Failure to seek administrative approval may result in an unapproved absence.
    • Students in grades 6–12 use a preapproved absence form to inform teachers of the absence ahead of time. Additional details and the form are at the student’s respective school office. Preapproved absences should not be requested during the last week of school either semester.
  • Arriving/leaving school during the school day: The student should check in/out at the office.
  • Summer school attendance: Because the high school’s summer school condenses a full year’s coursework for one subject into a six-week period, summer school students attend every day except in the case of illness.
  • K3–5 Tardies: Three tardies are considered an absence.
  • 6–12 Unexcused absences and lates: Unexcused absences incur discipline points, including significant penalties if intentional. Students are to be in the room before the bell rings and if late are expected to join class for the remaining time. Students who miss more than 10 minutes will be counted absent.
  • Dual credit courses: BJU’s attendance policies apply to University classes taken by Academy students.
  • Excessive absences: For students in K5 and above, after a fifth absence in a semester, students may be absent only for medical reasons or emergencies (medical/dental appointments, illness, car accident, injury or death in the immediate family), and all absences related to illness are to be followed with a note from a medical doctor. BJA’s administration will review situations involving an extended illness.

Inclement Weather/School Closure
When Greenville County Schools close or delay school due to inclement weather, we do likewise on the initial day unless there is a compelling reason to do otherwise. Of course parents should always assess conditions in their own areas and determine if it is safe to travel—whether or not BJA or GCS have closed.

We communicate closure or delay through our Facebook page and local media (WYFF 4 and Fox Carolina 21) as well as directly to our families using SchoolCast, our rapid-alert messaging system.  Parents complete and update their preferred contact information in SchoolCast.

Attire

School Uniforms
Our uniform policy was created to provide families with quality, classic options to promote a focused and functional campus environment. Uniform items required to be from Land’s End must also be logoed through Land’s End.

See our Uniform Purchase Guide for uniform options and policies.

Students not in uniform may not attend class. Missed days or class periods are considered unexcused absences.

Specific dress guidelines for special days and official BJA groups  (e.g., athletic teams, performers in school concerts) will be communicated as needed.

Dress for After-Class Activities on Campus
We encourage all our families to come out and support the athletic teams for games and competitions on campus. We recognize that your child is under your auspices as a parent during these events and kindly ask for your cooperation in helping your child follow the general pattern and spirit of our dress requirements for school events. We view these as special opportunities to leverage BJA’s testimony and interactions with our competitors, community, and officials for the sake of Gospel and God’s glory.

  • Young ladies
    • Tops: high enough and long enough to be modest (e.g., no cleavage or midriff showing), sleeved
    • Lower half (skirts, jeans, etc.): touch the kneecap
      • For official athletic practices as well as when using fitness or athletic facilities on campus, athletic shorts that approach the knee while being not shorter than 2 inches above it may be worn.
    • All garments: loose-fitting
  • Young men
    • Tops: t-shirts or sleeved shirt
    • Pants (athletic pants, jeans, etc.): fit properly (not oversized, low-riding, or tight)
      • For official athletic practices as well as when using fitness or athletic facilities on campus, athletic shorts that approach the knee while being not shorter than 2 inches above it may be worn.

For athletic activities, student spectators may use the gym locker room to change into after-class attire. Athletes changing for practices and games will have priority.

Athletes coming from their practice or game may remain in practice/uniform shorts as spectators for athletic events.

Accessories
Students are welcome to accessorize in ways that avoid distraction or drawing undo attention to oneself.

  • Hats: suitable outside the buildings (except for specific occasions and at athletic events)
  • Young men: Finger rings, wristbands, and a single necklace under a shirt are suitable. Students are not to get any henna, body art, or tattoos (permanent or temporary). Earrings and other piercings are not suitable.
  • Young ladies: Students are not to get any henna, body art, tattoos (permanent or temporary) or piercings other than in the ear. Bars in the ear are not suitable.
  • Leggings may be worn under skirts or PE shorts.

Hair Guidelines
Hair should be neat and professional.

  • Young ladies: Hair should be neat and professional, a natural color, and a distinctly feminine style. Shaved styles are not suitable.
  • Young men: Hair should be neat and professional:
    • One natural color
    • Distinctly masculine style
    • Off the collar, ears, and eyebrows
    • Sideburns no lower than the bottom of the ear
    • Clean shaven
    • Manbuns, ponytails, and mullets are not suitable.

Attire should be clean, in good condition, and sized to fit.

We reserve the right to approve any alteration or adjustment made on a uniform garment as well as to determine the appropriateness of any non-uniform garment, accessory, hair style/cut, etc.

Discipline

Discipline is an expected part of the learning process as young minds and hearts are nurtured into physical and spiritual maturity. We take seriously our partnership with our school parents in this endeavor and therefore communicate any discipline situation in a timely manner and ask for parental involvement and support.

A vast majority of all discipline is handled by the individual classroom teacher using age-appropriate methods to de-escalate conflict and protect an effective learning environment for all students. We encourage your direct discussion and feedback on these methods with your child’s teachers, especially if questions arise. Teachers will communicate home about patterns of behavior so we can partner together to better support your child’s learning and success.

When a situation warrants an escalated intervention beyond the classroom, a principal (grades K3–5) or Support Committee (grades 6–8, grades 9–12) will be brought in to investigate, determine the best response, and further collaborate with parents in supporting the student’s ability to flourish.

The Support Committees, consisting of grade level teachers and staff, enforce handbook policies, receive appeals, and manage interventions including suspensions, probations, behavior contracts, loss of eligibility and follow-up support meetings. Principals review disciplinary decisions and make the final decision in the rare case of expulsion.

Review the 1-5 Discipline Overview and 6-12 Discipline Overview for additional details.

Due to South Carolina Department of Social Services regulations, parents of K3 and K4 students will annually complete a statement of cooperation with the school’s discipline policies.

Technology

While technology changes rapidly, our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8), and BJA encourages students to think about leveraging technology for the Kingdom. BJA considers a student to be responsible for the content he or she and others post on his or her social media accounts, blogs, etc., as if it were spoken or displayed in public.

Personal Communication Devices (cell phones, smartphones, smart watches, etc.)

  • K3–grade 5: Device should be given to the classroom teacher or left in the office until the child is leaving school for the day. Phone calls may be made from the school office.
  • Grades 6–8: Devices are to be stored in the student’s locker (in the student’s backpack during late stay); with permission may be used in the school office. Smart watches must be in airplane mode and may be used as timepieces only.
  • Grades 9–12: Devices may be carried by the student and may be used before 8 a.m. and after 3:10 p.m., as well as with specific permission from a teacher or staff member. During other times devices must be off or on airplane mode.

Email, Network, and Google Classroom Accounts (grades 6–12)
Students ages 13 and above receive school email, campus network, and Google Classroom accounts. Parents of students who are under 13 give their permission before accounts are created for the student. Students in grades 9–12 also receive a school-issued laptop.

School email should be checked regularly. BJA network username and passwords should not be shared with anyone except parents (or staff assisting in accessing a locked account).

Instructions for requesting technical help (e.g., forgotten password, locked account) are located at www.bobjonesacademy.net/resources. Students need to know their student ID number to prove their identity when requesting support.

Love for God and others should motivate students’ use of technology. This includes

  • responsibly caring for equipment,
  • obeying copyright laws, license agreements, etc. on software and files on the computer,
  • not modifying the device or attempting to “hack” or bypass the network or filter,
  • not accessing, storing, or disseminating any inappropriate material (includes, but is not limited to, any slanderous, sensual, worldly, sacrilegious or obscene content).

BJA provides accountability and protection on the BJA network. This includes an active filtering system that catalogs the sites visited as well as time on each site. Students who accidentally access inappropriate content while at school should immediately contact a teacher.

A student who willingly disregards technology guidelines will face disciplinary consequences which include, but are not limited to, a warning, restricted use of the electronic device, reimbursement of part or all of the purchase price of the school-owned equipment, and discipline points. In addition, violations of copyright laws, license agreements, etc., on images, software, audio files or documents can lead to federal prosecution.

Information and Procedures

Athletic Events

Fans and players show respect for the officials, competitors, and other fans, as a means of displaying a love for God and others in all that is communicated on and off the field or court.

  • Students in K3–grade 8 who are attending academy or university games should be supervised by an adult or by a sibling who is at least 16 years old.
  • Students in grades 9–12 may use the Academy Gym during scheduled classes and for other official activities. They may be in the Davis Field House during scheduled times and when attending or competing in a scheduled athletic event.

Bible Versions

In class and chapel we use the King James Version, New King James Version, New American Standard Bible, and English Standard Bible.

Communication Tools

In addition to pre-planned and as-needed face-to-face meetings, these tools support communication with families.

  • BJA website: Our website includes links to Sycamore, a school calendar, and a wide variety of other important resources for our families. Faculty and staff photos and email addresses are also available from the website.
  • Sycamore: Sycamore is our school management system and includes a portal for families as well as for students in grades 6–12. On Sycamore you can find your student’s current grades, report cards, and more. See the Resources page on our website for details about using Sycamore. BJA’s School ID is 2947. You can retrieve a forgotten username and/or password from Sycamore’s login page or by contacting a school office.
  • mySchoolCast.com: SchoolCast is our rapid alert messaging system. After you’re given initial access information, you enter your desired contact information into SchoolCast. We announce and perform a test at the beginning of each semester so you can verify that you’re getting contacted the way you’d like to be contacted when we use the system. For a forgotten username, contact the central office. You can retrieve a forgotten password at the login page.
  • FACTS: We partner with FACTS Management to perform our tuition and fees billing and collection. We also use facts to manage applications for needs-based scholarships.
  • Lion's Roar: During the school year the central office emails a weekly newsletter, the Lion's Roar, to families as well as to students in grades 6–12. The newsletter highlights important current information and upcoming events as well as shares recent news.
  • Friday Folders (K3–5): The Friday Folder includes the elementary student’s graded assignments for the week as well as other pertinent information. Party invitations may also be included—this helps families in communication with others in the child’s class while also protecting privacy. Teachers also email parents a weekly classroom newsletter.

Class Parties/Field Trips (K3–5)

Each elementary classroom holds various parties throughout the year. Parents are welcome to send treats in honor of a child’s birthday—please coordinate with the teacher if you plan to do so. If you are interested in sponsoring or leading other types of school parties or events, please coordinate with a teacher or administrator.

Parents are invited to volunteer to be chaperons for elementary field trips. Classroom teachers coordinate and determine responsibilities of parent chaperons. At least a week ahead of the trip, parent chaperons must complete volunteer paperwork which includes a background check.

Eligibility Requirements for Extracurricular Opportunities (6-12)

A student must maintain a positive Christian testimony, including not being restricted by disciplinary guidelines, and maintain passing grades in all subjects to try out for or participate in interscholastic sports or to run for or hold any elected, appointed, or auditioned extracurricular position.

Facilities

As part of good stewardship, students are to treat buildings and equipment with care. For example:

  • Students should use the sidewalks or gravel paths, avoiding taking short-cuts across the grass.
  • Gum may not be chewed in any class, chapel, or program.
  • Students may have water in spill-proof containers for drinking in class. Other beverages should be limited to designated lunch and snack times and areas.

Flag Raising (9-12)

Students meet in the Quadrangle on designated days—weather permitting—to participate in a flag-raising ceremony. During the ceremony as well as any other time the flag is being raised or lowered, each student should stop and give respectful attention to the process.

Lockers/Book Bags (6-12)

Bookbags are recommended and may be carried into most classrooms. Students in grades 6–8 will be assigned a locker, and students in grades 9–12 may request one. Lockers/combinations should not be shared with other students. Lockers must be kept clean. Only magnets may be used to hang items inside the lockers, and nothing should be put on the exterior of the locker.

Lunch/Lunchtime Visitors

BJA’s K3 and K4 programs must comply with certain regulations of South Carolina’s Department of Social Services (DSS). Regulations stipulate, “Round, firm foods shall not be offered to children younger than four years old. Examples of such foods include hot dogs, grapes, hard candy, nuts, peanuts, and popcorn. Hot dogs may be served if cut lengthwise and quartered; grapes may be served if cut in halves.” Please plan accordingly when preparing the lunch or snack of a K3 or K4 student, regardless of the student’s birth date.

Hot lunches are available through Aramark, BJU’s food service provider. See the Hot Lunches webpage for details about the ordering and payment process.

  • K3–grade 8: Parents and, with a parent’s written permission, other relatives of a student are welcome to occasionally join the student for the lunch period. Visits should be coordinated with the school office where the guest will sign in and receive a nametag before meeting the student.
  • Grades 9–12: Students may eat in supervised locations in and around the Quadrangle as well as at the dining common, The Den, or Culinary Arts. Students may not be in unsupervised locations during lunch. Family members, pastoral staff, and other guests are welcome to eat with their students in the Quadrangle after signing in at the office and receiving a nametag. With a parent’s written permission, a student may go off campus for lunch with a grandparent, pastor, or youth pastor or may walk home for lunch. The student should check out and check back in at the office.

Lost and Found

All a student’s personal property should be labeled. Lost and found items are placed in the following locations: Primary Center office, Elementary Main building back hallway, middle school office, high school Markham Center, and Academy Gym.

Music

The music we present and use at BJA is intentionally conservative in style, avoiding, for example, rock/pop, jazz, country, and rap/hip-hop. Music used by students while on campus, such as for class presentations, should be approved ahead of time.

Clapping after sacred music numbers is acceptable as it affirms the message and shows appreciation for the messenger.

Physical Contact

Students are to avoid prolonged or inappropriate physical contact with students of either sex. Abusive, sensual, or harassing behavior of any form will not be tolerated and should be reported to an adult immediately. We will be quick to give the benefit of the doubt but ask that students follow the spirit of scripture to be blameless and harmless children of God in a crooked and perverse world.

Prohibited Items

Students in K5–grade 5 should not bring items such as the following to school: gum; live animals; collector items including cards; electronic and gaming devices; dangerous objects or real or toy weapons (knives, lighters, lasers, airsoft guns, etc.)

Students in grades 6–12 should not bring items such as the following to school: earbuds (except as required for class or with administrative permission); musical instruments (except for music class/lessons or with administrative permission); skates, boards, scooters, etc.; dangerous objects or real or toy weapons (knives, lighters, lasers, airsoft guns, etc.)

Solicitation/Fundraising

For the sake of our families, no one may survey or sell to the academy community on school grounds. For items such as invitation posters for non-Academy activities, please contact an administrator for permission. Fundraising efforts should first be authorized by the administration.

Textbooks/School-Issued Computers/ID Cards

Textbooks, workbooks, BJA-issued computers, and other materials provided to students belong to the school. They are turned in at the end of the school year. A charge may be assessed for unusual wear or negligence of BJA property.

Students in grades 9–12 receive an identification card which can be used at BJU locations such as the library as well as for BJA purposes. ID cards may not be loaned or borrowed.

Visitors

We encourage our current families to invite prospective students to visit BJA. Day-long visits are best arranged in advance by contacting the Academy’s admission office. On the day of the visit, the prospective student checks in at the school office and secures a visitor’s tag for the visit. We are unable to accommodate this kind of visit from those who are not prospective students.

For K3–grade 5, observations by parents or guests can be arranged by contacting the principal in advance.

Safety and Legal Requirements

Basic Safety Expectations

For the sake of basic safety, students may enter rooms only when and where assigned or permitted. Students should not enter facilities including the parking garage unless they are specifically authorized to enter. They may never be in unsupervised areas of campus. They should use crosswalks, always cooperating with crossing guards. On the BJU campus cars have the right of way, so students should always be careful about crossing the street.

Child Abuse/Mandatory Reporting

The state of South Carolina requires school personnel to report allegations of suspected child abuse to the Department of Social Services (DSS) when there is cause to suspect physical, sexual, or mental abuse by an adult or another student. While the school is generally expected to communicate with parents regarding the well-being of their child, in a situation of suspected abuse the law requires school personnel to act on behalf of the child and to refrain from contacting parents in advance of making a report to the DSS. School personnel will make such reports in the best interest of the child and do not, once cause to suspect is established, have any legal alternative except to make a report to the DSS for their investigation and review.

Bullying

Bullying is repeated and purposeful abuse of power or position to intimidate or control another person. Bullying may be verbal, physical, or social and may occur in person or online. We recognize that not all unpleasant experiences or interpersonal conflicts are due to bullying and will communicate with parents to coordinate the appropriate instruction and intervention. Nonetheless, bullying, harassment, or unkindness of any kind will not be tolerated at BJA. Depending on its severity, bullying may result in expulsion and referral to appropriate authorities where arrest and/or prosecution is possible. BJA is a ministry of Bob Jones University, so complaints may also be investigated in accordance with the BJU Discrimination and Harassment Grievance Procedures in its compliance with Title IX. The policies and procedures may be found at bju.edu/safety.

Emergency Drills

BJA maintains a complete emergency crisis plan that includes the involvement of BJU’s Office of Public Safety and local law enforcement, fire and medical professionals. The administration regularly conducts drills to prepare students for emergency situations such as fire, severe weather, or a situation requiring a lockdown. Students must remain in the designated locations and will not be released to parents until the lockdown is lifted.

Medication

In most cases when your child needs medication during the school day, the parent will need to submit a form and the medication in its original container to a school office. Review our Medications at School webpage for details.

Under federal law, prescription medication can be taken only by the person for whom it is prescribed. Misuse of prescription medication (including giving or receiving it) may result in suspension or expulsion.

Because strong scents can trigger asthma attacks, headaches, and allergy symptoms, please avoid or minimize use of essential oils or scented lotions on your child.

Safety and Privacy

We value both the safety and the privacy of our students at BJA. As best we know how, we are committed to represent our parents’ interests while their children are in our care. Accordingly, we communicate at the very earliest any information or concerns we may discover regarding a child’s well-being or safety. As educators, BJA’s administration has a mandatory responsibility to and will alert law enforcement officials of legal violations occurring on or off campus.

Student Drivers

Students who drive to campus must register their vehicles (including motorcycles and bicycles) with BJU’s Office of Public Safety and must follow instructions for parking tag placement as well as parking locations.

Academy students are to park their vehicles in the Print Shop lot only. This lot is located next to the Alumni Stadium and the Activity Center, across from the Print Shop.

Before and after school students may not loiter in their vehicle or around the parking area. During the school day students should not go to or use the vehicle except with specific permission from the office.

Vehicles should not be borrowed or loaned to other students and may never be used for cross-campus transportation.

Students should check with the high school office about getting the appropriate parking tag or a temporary pass when they drive a different or new vehicle to campus, including a vehicle registered to a parent who is a BJ employee.

Supplemental Student Accident Insurance

The school provides individual supplemental student accident insurance. This insurance functions as a secondary insurance to pay any portion of the unpaid balance for accidents that occur at school. Contact a school office for more information if your student has medical claims due to a school accident.

Cooperation Agreement

Financial obligation

By enrolling a child at BJA, parents agree that if any payment is not made within 25 days of the date due, the school may, at its option, suspend the student and is under no obligation to provide educational services or activities after payment becomes past due, including providing report cards, transcripts or a diploma. A late fee of $25 is assessed on any unpaid portion of a required payment.

Withdrawals
In case of withdrawal (leaving after the semester begins), tuition will be prorated to withdrawal date and withdrawal fee assessed. Most fees are nonrefundable. At that time textbooks and any other school property must be returned, including high school ID card and school-issued laptop, and vehicle registration stickers removed.

Support and Partnership
Honoring the Lord by caring for the spiritual, mental, physical, and academic welfare of each student is of primary concern. Policies have been designed for student growth, efficient operation, and safety.

As we partner with you in the education of your children, a misunderstanding or conflict may arise. If you are not able to resolve a situation with the teacher, please reach out to the principal for help in resolution.

If, after completely reading this handbook and looking over the BJU/BJA position statements, you and your student agree to abide in spirit and practice with the stated requirements and agree with and to abide by the BJA/BJU statement on Marriage and Human Sexuality, please indicate this as part of the Online Check-In process.
Thank you in advance for your prayer support. We look forward to a good year together.

CDC (Birth through Age 2)

BJA’s child development center is registered with the Department of Social Services (DSS) and complies with its regulations.

Days and Hours of Availability
The CDC is open Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., and children should be dropped off at their own classrooms. During the regular Academy school year, early drop off is available from 7:15 until 7:30 a.m. in the lobby. A late pickup fee will be charged for any child not picked up by 5:30 p.m.

BJA’s school calendar, available on the website, includes holiday and vacation closings. These include not only common holidays, but also a three-day break at Thanksgiving, a two-week break at Christmas, and a full week for spring break. The CDC remains open though school is not in session during the summer as well as during a three-day closure for the SCACS teacher’s convention in September.

When a parent keeps a child home during the summer, for maternity leave, etc., we hold the child’s spot in class when tuition payments continue to be made. Otherwise, a parent can withdraw the child and later re-apply for an open position (if available).

Arrival and Departure
A parent, legal guardian, or sibling (at least 18 years old) should bring the child into the building. Children are released only to a parent or legal guardian unless the teacher has written notification from a parent or legal guardian of a specific other adult who will pick up the child. If the teacher does not recognize the person picking up a child, photo ID will be required.

At arrival and again at departure, a parent should notify the child’s teacher and clock the child in or out. For safety purposes we ask that younger children be dropped off after and picked up before older children and that children who walk hold an adult’s hand from the vehicle to their classroom door.

Placement and Daily Activities
The child’s age is the primary basis for class placement, but placement can also be affected by DSS regulations regarding room square footage per child. After a child has been in a new classroom for a month, the placement is reevaluated for appropriateness for the child, and placement may be adjusted. The administration makes final decisions regarding promotion and class placement.

The daily schedule is carefully designed to promote development and learning through age-appropriate activities that balance free play and teacher-directed plans. Bible time is included for children 18 months and older. Each classroom posts an individual schedule, and children join in the regular classroom schedule whenever they arrive.

  • Instruction Sheets: In infant rooms instruction sheets are completed by parents at drop-off each day and include specifics regarding eating, sleeping, etc. For older children, a permanent chart is compiled based on a parent’s instructions at the beginning of each semester and summer. Changes should be given to the teacher in writing.
  • Clothing and Personal Belongings: Children play outside almost every day and children should be dressed appropriately for active, artistic, and outdoor play, including shoes (preferably athletic shoes) and socks once a child begins to walk. A complete extra set of seasonally appropriate clothing, including socks, should be kept in the child’s cubby or backpack.
    • Because removable earrings or barrettes, necklaces, and bracelets present a choking hazard, children under age two may not wear them.
    • If the child needs a comfort or transition item, a parent should talk with the child’s teacher. Classrooms are filled with age-appropriate toys, and personal toys are not needed except on announced “sharing days.”
  • Snacks and Meals: For health and safety purposes, DSS regulates practices related to snack and mealtimes. Firm, round foods (such as whole grapes, hard candy, nuts, and popcorn) cannot be offered to children in the CDC. Leftover formula, juice, or food cannot be re-served but may be saved for parents to take home. If left overnight, it must be discarded. Parents may not send food that has already been offered to the child. Breakfast (including a bottle for infants) should be finished before drop-off.
    • Food allergies must be specified in writing on the annual DSS health form and may be updated at any time.
    • Children under one year old are fed according to the schedule requested by the parents. Baby formula, juice, and food served in a bottle or jar should be labeled with the child's name, ready to feed, and packaged for single use. Breastmilk bottles should be labeled with the child’s name and date. Food should be cut in pieces one-quarter inch or smaller.
    • Children one year old and older have morning and afternoon snacks as well as lunch. Food and drink should be labeled with the child’s name, packaged for single use, and located in that child’s room. Each child should also have a water bottle. Food must be cut in pieces one-half inch or smaller—grapes halved, hot dogs cut lengthwise and quartered.
    • A microwave is used to heat food, except for breast milk and formula bottles.
    • See the classroom teacher for a recommendation about bibs.
  • Potty Training and Diapers: Due to DSS regulations for handling of cloth diapers and human waste, the CDC permits only disposable diapers. The CDC provides wipes unless a child requires a specific type or brand.
    • When your child is showing signs of interest in potty training, can communicate his or her needs, and you are ready to begin potty training, please let the classroom teacher know. Disposable training pants should be used during the potty-training process and until the child has been accident-free for two weeks.
    • A child needs to be fully trained prior to starting K3.

Information and Procedures

  • Accidents/Emergencies: Our staff will do everything reasonable to safeguard the children in our care. Accidents that do happen are documented. Teachers can answer questions about minor scrapes or bruises. In the event of a serious accident or emergency, we will contact Emergency Medical Services and BJU’s Office of Public Safety in addition to the child’s parents. Please let us know right away of any change in phone numbers, place of employment, or home address.
  • Biting: For the safety of all the children in our care, we do not permit ongoing biting at the CDC. If a child is bitten, the teacher will clean the site and notify a parent, not sharing the name of the child who bit. We will also contact the parents of the child who bit and work through these corrective strategies:
    • Infants and toddlers: provide appropriate teething activities to comfort and soothe gums
    • Biting due to frustration: redirect to a different activity, give an alternate way to ask for what they want, encourage use of language to express wants and needs
    • Biting twice in one day: at the discretion of the CDC Director the parents may be asked to remove the child for the rest of the day.
    • If all attempts to stop biting fail, we reserve the right to suspend the biting child temporarily or permanently from the CDC.
  • Discipline and Guidance: We desire that children develop a tender-hearted love for God and others and work to help children develop patterns of behavior that are consistent with scripture. Teachers promote acceptable behavior by modeling and by reinforcing it through positive comments and praise. We notify the parents if a child’s behavior is unacceptable. The CDC Director will also be involved in dealing with situations that involve consistently unacceptable behavior. This may include some supervised time in a “thinking seat” (time out) or a brief suspension from a favorite activity. Per DSS regulations parents must annually complete a Statement of Cooperation with the school’s discipline policies.
  • Immunization Records: Parents submit an immunization record at the time enrollment begins. Please regularly submit any updated records. Parents who choose not to immunize their children must submit a completed South Carolina Certificate of Religious Exemption, available from the health department.
  • Lost and Found: Each child’s belongings should be labeled. Lost and found items are in the cabinet under the time clock in each lobby or at the office. At the end of the school year, items are donated to charity.
  • Illness: See the appendix for information about when a child should stay home from the CDC.
  • Medication: A prescription or over the counter medication administered at the CDC must be in the original container, clearly labeled with the child’s name, and given to the teacher along with the appropriate non-prescription medications or prescription medications form (forms are available here and at school offices). Medications for children under two must be accompanied by a doctor’s note specifying proper dosage. A child with an epinephrine injector at the CDC must have a completed Anaphylaxis Medication Authorization form on file along with an emergency action plan from the physician who prescribed the epinephrine injector. Medications are kept in a locked medication box or cabinet. Medication or special medical procedures will be administered only when there is a written, signed, and dated request from a parent. Expired medications cannot be administered.

Part-time Students (Grades 1–12)

Part-time students are students who are supplementing their homeschooling by taking three or fewer classes at BJA.

Part-time students abide by normal school policies, including dress expectations, and are eligible to participate along with full-time students in standardized testing, most school trips, special events, etc.

Part-time students in grades 6–12 attend one chapel each week, typically on Friday. Students in grades 9–12 also attend three Bible Conference services as well as Academy graduation.

While a variety of extracurricular opportunities are available to part-time students, part-time students are not eligible for interscholastic sports (except cross country) or for elected, appointed, or auditioned positions (except speech and debate).

Because communication becomes increasingly challenging when students are not on campus throughout the day, students in grades 6–12 should take extra care to read daily email announcements.

Part-time students may transition to full time after submitting necessary grade reports. Students must attend BJA full-time for both semesters of the senior year to graduate from BJA.

School Illness Guidelines

(as of July 16, 2021)

 

Illness/Infection/Symptom Should You Stay at Home? When You May Return
Chicken Pox Yes With parent note; when all pox have scabbed over and are dry
Cold No (without fever)
Yes (with fever)
See fever guidelines
Cough A child with a frequent cough should not be brought to the CDC When cough is controlled without medication
COVID-19 exposure or positive test Yes Please contact the school nurse for guidance on when to return
Croup Yes Free of fever for 24 hours, cough controlled, and able to participate in the normal classroom routine
Diarrhea (2 or more loose stools in a 24 hour period) Yes Symptom free for 24 hours
Ear Infection No (unless fever is present or symptoms prohibit normal classroom routine)
Fever
Infants 4 months or younger with a rectal temp of 101º;
Infants and children over 4 months with an axillary temp of 99º or an oral temp of 100º
Yes Free of fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication (with a fever of several days, consider 48 hours instead of 24)
Fifth Disease If fevered or with
behavior changes
Free of fever for 24 hours and able to participate in the normal classroom routine
Hand/Foot/Mouth Disease Yes (with fever,
blisters in mouth, and more than a few blisters in the diaper area)
With parent note; when no new blisters appear
Head Lice Please notify the school nurse so any necessary precautions can be taken at school. After treatment and removal of all nits in accordance with our “No Nit Policy”
Impetigo Yes, until after 24 hours of antibiotic therapy or as long as lesion is draining and cannot be covered Parent note stating that antibiotic therapy has been initiated for 24 hours
Measles Yes With medical note; 4 days after onset of rash and when the child is fever free
Molluscum No Any bumps not covered by clothing must be covered with a watertight bandage. Any bumps in the diaper/ underwear area of a child needing assistance with the bathroom must be covered with a watertight bandage.
Mumps Yes With medical note; when all swelling is gone and at least 5 days after the onset of parotid gland swelling
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Yes With medical note documenting diagnosis and after 5 days of
antibiotics
Pink Eye—Bacterial Yes With medical note, treatment has started, and eye is no longer draining
Pink Eye—Viral Yes When symptoms are gone
Pinworm Yes 24 hours after initial treatment
Ring Worm of the Body No With parent note documenting that treatment has been started
Ring Worm of the Scalp Yes With medical note documenting initiation of oral anti-fungal therapy
Roseola Yes After rash and fever are gone or with doctor’s note
RSV Yes Free of fever for 24 hours, and coughing and other symptoms are under control
Rubella (German Measles) Yes 7 days after onset of rash or with medical note
Salmonella Yes With medical note or when
diarrhea resolves; 3 negative stool cultures are required for
Salmonella
Strep Throat Yes With parent note stating diagnosis and treatment; 24 hours after beginning treatment and once the child is fever-free for 24 hours
Thrush No, but treatment should be sought
Unidentified weeping rash Yes When rash is gone, unless a
physician approves readmission
Vomiting Yes 24 hours after the last vomiting and able to participate in activities

School Hours and Contact

Central Office (864) 770-1395
bja@bobjonesacademy.net
www.bobjonesacademy.net

Child Development Center: (864) 770-1390
7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Drop off: classroom
Early drop off (during Academy school year): 7:15–7:30 a.m. lobby

Primary Center (K3–K5): (864) 770-1391
8 a.m.–11:45 a.m. (half day)
8 a.m.–2:45 p.m. (full day)
Drop off: 7:15–7:55 a.m.

Elementary Main (Grades 1–5): (864) 770-1392
8 a.m.–2:45 p.m.
Drop off: 7:15–7:55 a.m.

Middle School (Grades 6–8): (864) 770-1393
8 a.m.–3:10 p.m.
Drop off: 7:15–7:55 a.m.

High School (Grades 9–12): (864) 770-1394
8 a.m.–3:10 p.m.
Drop off: 7:15–7:55 a.m.

Member of
American Association of Christian Schools
South Carolina Association of Christian Schools
Accredited by
American Association of Christian Schools
South Carolina Association of Christian Schools
Cognia

Subject to the Constitution of the United States and all applicable state and federal laws, Bob Jones Academy does not discriminate in its employment practices or in the administration and dissemination of its programs and services.