Admissions

Admissions

We appreciate your interest in Above and Beyond Academy and we hope this website will help you learn more about the school and our admissions process. Within our admissions pages you will find everything you need to get started on the application process for admission to Above and Beyond Academy. We are excited to have you learn more about our community.

We want to be as helpful as possible. Take full advantage of all the opportunities, resources, members-only website, and the administrator’s assistance at our academy. Our administrator reviews individual student strengths and strives to maintain a balanced academic structure for each of our students.

Once you have decided to enroll with Above and Beyond Academy (AABA) for your student(s), simply download the application, complete the forms, and then submit the application and registration fee to our office. Be sure to make a copy of each form for your personal records.

Applications are available HERE

The Admissions Process

Steps to Apply: *More detailed information can be found HERE

Below is a step-by-step overview of our Admission process.

1. Complete the application packet

2. The following materials must be received by the school and reviewed.

 RSVP and attend an informational Admissions Meeting (April, May, & June, if available).

 A completed "Application for Admission" form.

 Official transcripts and Records (public or private school), if your student has never had formal education you will need to provide these.

 Completed medical forms (Immunization, Health information, and Examination forms).

 Copy of Birth certificate and Photo

 A signed Enrollment Agreement Application

 Payment of registration fee

 Schedule an interview/Family meeting

 Print and return the application to the office

3. The above documents you need to download , complete, and submit to begin the process of enrollment at AABA can be found HERE

4. Schedule an Interview/Family meeting

The interview offers an opportunity for you to ask additional questions about our school and to share information regarding your child.

5. Once you are admitted...

 Payment of tuition and all other school fees sent directly to the Admissions Office

 Submission of the signed Parent Agreement application sent to the Admissions office.

 Medical records completed, updated, and sent to the Admissions Office.

 Join Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) HERE

 If needed, you may plan a meeting with a Mentor for a conference and/or to request assistance.

Membership in Home School Legal Defense Association is Required in Order to Join Above and Beyond Academy.

HSLDA is an advocacy organization established to defend and advance the constitutional right of parents to direct the education of their children and to protect family freedoms. They provide insightful vision and leadership for the cause of homeschooling. HSLDA continues to work proactively, introducing legislation to protect and preserve family freedoms.

Limitations:

Although Above and Beyond Academy is a bonafide private school with a Private School Affidavit on file with the State of California, Above and Beyond Academy cannot guarantee anyone protection from harassment from legal authorities or from legal prosecution (nor can anyone else), thus the mandatory requirement to hold HSLDA membership. Above and Beyond Academy is for record-keeping, accountability, mentoring, social interaction, and education assistance. Therefore, Above and Beyond Academy cannot be held accountable for the outcome of any contact by authorities. All families must have current membership with HSLDA for their parental protection, in order to have membership and acceptance into Above and Beyond Academy.

Request Current School Records

We will arrange to have your child’s complete current school records sent to our Admissions Office. Specific testing is not required for our admission process. You are welcome to submit the results of tests or evaluations if you believe they would help us understand your child’s learning styles, strengths, and areas for growth.

NOTE: When removing children from a public school we strongly encourage you tell them you have chosen to enroll your student in a private school rather than saying you will be homeschooling. Above and Beyond Academy is a Private Christian School listed in the state of California. Our academy files an affidavit within our state.

Above and Beyond Academy will send for your students’ Records and CUM Files upon admittance and are the holders of your students’ records. If need be, a letter will be sent to the school you are departing from and the correspondence will be between our Admissions Office and your former school’s registrars.

Tuition & Fees

Above and Beyond Academy is a ministry to the private homeschool community. Registration and Tuition are not refundable after your enrollment in Above and Beyond Academy. There is no partial reimbursement should you need to withdraw from Above and Beyond Academy.

♦ Tuition is $450 by April 1st , $550 by May 1st , or $650 by June 1st

♦ Our one-time registration is $125

♦ The AABA Binder of Policy and Examples is $125 for Elementary grades K-8th

♦ The High School Binder of Policy and Examples is $125

♦ Home School Legal Defense Association membership (HSLDA) annual member fee is $125

If you should leave AABA and return at another time, the one-time registration fee is reinstated toward administration processing fees and new materials that will need to be updated in your AABA Manual, Student files, and out of pocket expenses you may incur.

The frees to participate in AABA are not a profit making venture. All expenses are used for the purpose of equipping our families to teach their students, supplying needed materials for the school year, and administration costs.

The Administrator is not paid an income, but see’s this ministry as an opportunity to serve the families seeking to follow the Lord’s leading to homeschool their children.

Please note:

*Interviews/family meetings are scheduled on a first come, first served basis. Once the Admission meetings are fully scheduled, applicants requesting an appointment will be placed on a Wait List.

Our Services

*Equipping parents with accountability tools to stay on course as instructors
*Provide biblical counsel in all areas to support parents in spiritual instruction and educational goals
*We believe God has designed every child with special gifts, talents, and personalities. We guide you to work at their individual levels and abilities

- File Private School Affidavit

- Compose Student Cum Files

- Provide Forms & Record keeping

- Design High School Transcripts

- Yearly Promotions

- Graduation ceremony & diploma

- Public speaking & Presentations

- Personal Mentors & Counseling

- Family Dinners/ Mom's brunch

- Family ministry services provided

- Monthly Prayer Support

- Fellowship for students & families

- Inform members of political arena

- Curriculum & Resources library

- Student & Teacher IDs

- Parent-led Co-op classes

- Pre-Schoolers welcome

Equipping young adults with leadership training

- Spiritual development & training

- Prayer mentor companions

- Practical life skills & academia

- Etiquette & honorable conduct

- Training to be good role models

- We specialize in:

- Job Interview Skills

- Student Work Permits

- High School Transcripts

- Driver’s Ed. for High School

- Concurrent College Classes

- Equipping for College Academics

Family Meetings, Requirements, and Responsibilities
You are welcome to participate in AABA sponsored events once your application is received, accepted, and processed.

Member Meetings

Above and Beyond Academy has several guidelines intended to help your educational instruction to stay on course and to equip you with accountability tools that will help you stay focused and organized to accomplish your homeschool goals for the year.

Above and Beyond parents are required to attend between 4 - 6 meetings every year. There is a set of minimum requirements that are essential elements for guiding you through your home schooling journey. This will depend on the ages of your children, how long you have been homeschooling, and meeting state requirements.

 The All-School-Meeting and the New Member Orientation Meeting is mandatory for all members. You will be introduced to our policies, procedures, and record keeping. These meetings cover general information. The meetings are in August and September. One parent must attend. You will also be introduced to your mentor family.

 Required reading is the AABA Parent Handbook. You will receive your AABA Handbook at the New Member Orientation Meeting.

 Families of students entering eighth grade and families with high school students are required to attend the High School Orientation Meeting so that we can introduce you to policies, procedures, and record keeping for high school. Families will also receive information at their first Quarterly Goal meeting if there are any changes for high school requirements. Required reading is the AABA High School Manual.

 Members have 4 one-on-one required goal meetings per year with their mentor family, and one required yearly planning meeting with the Administrator.

 Due in September, at the beginning of the school year, you will turn in your required 1 set of Course Descriptions for all subjects per year, for each of your students. As a reminder, all subjects to be taught must reflect a Christ- centered perspective.

 Due in our office quarterly: Submission of Monthly Attendance, Quarterly Goals, 2 work samples per student filed in your AABA Portfolio, and Monthly Activity Reports. Report cards and Semester grades are required for grades 4 and up. School forms are provided in the AABA Handbook, High School Manual, and on our website. Transcripts are required for all students in high school.

 If records are delinquent, members agree to pay the fines. Fine fees will be sent to Roy Hansen for Family Protection Ministries. The fine amount is $25.00 for missed meetings or last minute cancellation of meetings, paperwork turned in late, missing the deadline for schoolwork turned in to the Administrator. Our Mentors work diligently to set up meetings in advance to meet your scheduling conflicts. Rescheduling in advance is courteous to our Mentors and their schedules, as well.

Important criterion required by law in the state of California

California State Education Code (Education Code §51210): Several branches of study required are to be taught in the public schools.

English History/Geography Mathematics

Science Physical Education Fine Arts Health

† Bible is a required subject at Above and Beyond Academy for all students, every year

 Members agree to educate a minimum of 180 days between July 1st and June 30th of the following year.

 Members will diligently and consistently educate their children with a reasonable course of study corresponding to each child's strengths, giftedness, unique personalities, and learning styles.

 Parent/Teachers will personally conduct at least 51% of the student's instruction in the following subject areas each year.

 While Fine Arts is a required subject it is understood that an instructor other than a parent may teach this subject; Music classes, Drawing, Painting, Drama, Dance, Choir, etc…

California State Education Code (Education Code §51220) Requirements for high school are slightly higher depending on your electives and choice of college and their college requirements.

Member Responsibilities

 Members are required to maintain active membership in Home School Legal Defense Association.

 Members have the responsibility of educating their children as ordained by California law.

 Members will provide: Current phone number, Current address, and Current Email.

 AABA members take responsibility for being up-to-date on school news. We suggest checking email at least on a weekly basis. It is the responsibility of members to notify Above and Beyond Academy if their contact information has changed.

 Members will support and show support for Above and Beyond Academy PSP, Faculty, Administration, programs and activities. As often as possible members will attend our school functions to show support for our students, their hard work, and for fellowship in our community.

 Above and Beyond Academy offers many opportunities for student and family participation. These social events are for fellowship and building relationships in our AABA community.

 Members will volunteer and assist with programs, presentations, and Graduation, whenever possible. Should you sign-up to assist with an AABA event and find you can no longer assist, due to an unforeseen circumstance, it is still your responsibility to find another family willing to take your place for that event.

Required School Compulsory Age of Enrollment

Updated June 2013

From the Desk of HSLDA and Family Protection Ministry-

Previously, the law stated that any child turning six years old on or before December 1st was required to be enrolled in school. The new law moves that date incrementally earlier, with the eventual goal of the cutoff date being close to the beginning of the school year in September. Each year until 2014, the date will be moved earlier by one month. This is good for children because it means that more children will be able to wait longer before being required to enter school each school year. For example, this 2013-2014 school year that begins in August or September of this current year (2013), children that turn age 6 after October 1 will not have to enroll until 2014 for the beginning of the following 2014-2015 school year.

Here are the new dates for each school year:

School Year 2013-2014

A child is required to be enrolled in school if he/she turns six years old on or before October 1, 2013.

School Year 2014-2015

A child is required to be enrolled in school if he/she turns six years old on or before September 1, 2014.

Every school year after 2014 will use the September 1st cutoff date.

Here are some examples that further clarify this for the upcoming 2013-2014 school year:

Johnny will turn six years old on September 15, 2013. Because his birthday is before the October 1st cutoff date, he must enroll in school for the 2013-2014 school year.

Anna will turn six years old on October 1, 2013. Because her birthday is on the October 1st cutoff date, she must also enroll in school for the 2013-2014 school year.

Tommy will turn six years old on October 9, 2013. Because his birthday is after the October 1st cutoff date, he will not be required to enroll in school for the 2013-2014 school year.

These changes are all a result of the passage of SB 1381 in 2010, a bill we strongly supported and were excited to see pass. The net positive effect of this new law is to allow more time for a child enrolled in a campus-based school to be developing in the care of loving parents at home before being required to begin their formal education. Research shows that the older a child is before formal education begins, the better the child is likely to do long-term, throughout their formal education. Research also has shown that short-term gains from earlier entrance into formal education are lost in three years.

Please click HERE to see our summary of documented research supporting the delay of formal education.

Code Of Conduct

Representing Above and Beyond Academy in a Christ-like Manner

1 Peter 3:8-11

Last of all, you must share the same thoughts and the same feelings. Love each other with a kind heart and with a mind that has no pride. When someone does something bad to you, do not do the same thing to him. When someone talks about you, do not talk about him. Instead, pray that good will come to him. You were called to do this so you might receive good things from God. For “If you want joy in your life and have happy days, keep your tongue from saying bad things and your lips from talking bad about others. Turn away from what is sinful. Do what is good. Look for peace and go after it…”

We acknowledge as parents and members of Above and Beyond Academy that our actions and conduct will either bring others closer or further away from knowing Christ. The outside world is continually watching our actions and listening to our speech, waiting to see if this lifestyle of ours is genuine or a pretense. It may be that we are the only Christians some see in their lifetime. May we always live to the glory of God in all we say and do. Likewise, it is essential that we also teach our children to live according to a Christian lifestyle that will be edifying and a mirror of Christ’s life in us.

We have the privilege of representing our families, school, Christian community, and our Lord where ever we are. Acknowledging this entitlement should be reflected in our conduct, attitude, actions, choices, and lifestyle. Our actions also greatly affect whether we are granted or denied privileges by others.

In accordance with the Lord, Above and Beyond Academy has established guidelines for our families to teach their children as members of our school.

Please read and review the Code of Conduct with your family.

 At all events, we will be responsible for our own children. If we find it necessary to send our child to an event with another adult, it will be with one who is comfortable enough to correct him or her if necessary. Our Students will behave as little gentlemen and young ladies.

 We will be respectful of authority figures and obey the instruction of our teacher, tour guide, field trip manager, or event sponsor. In addition, we will be respectful of property and follow any additional rules requested of us by a facility being used for meetings, activities, or field trips. We will help clean up and leave facilities neat and clean as we depart.

 Our speech and actions will be wholesome at all times. We will mirror Christ’s life, being respectful, attentive, obedient, courteous, kind, not speaking untruths, gossip, or offensive remarks. If our actions, behavior, or speech are offensive to someone, we will apologize. We will treat others better than we would want to be treated.

 Our outward appearance will reflect Christ’s life in us. We are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. As such, all males and females will dress appropriately not drawing unwanted attention to themselves, distracting the attention of others, nor causing others to have impure thoughts.

 The Administration at Above and Beyond Academy reserves the right to escort away, from all our events, anyone that would not abide by our Code of Conduct. It is the parent’s responsibility to enforce these requests for the building up of all members. If such behaviors continually persist, after being forewarned, your membership in our school may be terminated. Good behavior is expected; disrespectful behavior is dealt with appropriately.

1 Peter 3:15-16

Your heart should be holy and set apart for the Lord God. Always be ready to tell everyone who asks you why you believe as you do. Be gentle as you speak and show respect. Keep your heart telling you that you have done what is right. If men speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see the good way you have lived as a Christian.

Please read the Code of Conduct to your family and have all family members sign in agreement with our policies. We hope that by addressing these issues, everyone in Above and Beyond Academy will be assured of being treated fairly and respectfully.

Re-enrollment

To Re-enroll please follow the AABA link and update your information before you submit the application to the office. After completing the forms, including your re-enrollment fee, return the forms to the school office.

Before you send in your Application for Re-enrollment, please make sure the following items are complete:

Complete the Re-enrollment application

The following materials must be received by the school: Re-Enrollment application, Code of Conduct form and the Student Questionnaire. Re-Enrollment Code of Conduct Student Questionnaire

Update your information and make sure it is accurate before you submit the forms to the office (email, phone, address, etc.).

Please complete the forms adding any new students and their required immunizations.

Renew your Home School Legal Defense Association membership (HSLDA)

Then submit the Re-enrollment form, with your annual tuition, to the Admissions Office. Here

Certification of Tdap Booster Required (for entry into 7th through 12th grades)

Additionally, if you have a student entering kindergarten or first grade, please also include:

Immunization record (usually a yellow or blue card)

Birth certificate

Report of Health Examination for School Entry (requires a medical provider’s signature and is available from your medical provider’s office. Call us if you need a copy).

Re-Enrollment is $425 by May 1st, $550 by June 1st, $650 by June 15th

Students entering High School need the High School Manual

High School Manual = $125