1. Our Educational Covenant
Ocoee Classical Academy (OCA) operates as a partner to the homeschooling family. We believe parents are the primary educators of their children. Our role is to provide elite, classical instruction that supports your home-discipleship. We ask that parents remain actively engaged in their student’s weekly assignments and “Home Day” progress.
2. The Classical Standard
- The Pursuit of Virtue: We seek to form students who love what is Good, True, and Beautiful. We expect students to treat their peers, instructors, and the facility with Christ-like respect and dignity.
- Academic Integrity: Students are expected to produce original work that reflects their best effort. Plagiarism or cheating is considered a serious breach of character and will be addressed with both restorative discipline and academic consequences.
3. Campus Culture & Conduct
- Dress Code: To maintain an environment focused on learning rather than trends, OCA requires a Christ-honoring minimal dress code. (Specifics: Modest, clean, and casual attire; no distracting graphics or torn clothing).
- Technology: To protect the “Great Conversation” in our classrooms, student cell phones and personal tablets must be kept in bags and silenced during instructional hours, unless specifically permitted by a teacher for a lesson. Phones may be checked right before lunch but must be returned to backpacks for the remainder of the day. No videos may be shared and no video games played while on campus. If a student is caught on their phone, it will be collected and not returned until the end of the day. Evidence shows that cell phones hinder an optimal educational environment; this policy is not only for the protection of our students, but also allows them to flourish academically and socially.
- Social Interaction: We encourage a vibrant social life through our Student-Led Social Committee. We expect all social interactions—both on-campus and in sports/clubs via our CCA partnership—to be inclusive, kind, and honorable.
4. Attendance & Communication
- Punctuality: Because we only meet on set days (Tuesdays/Thursdays), every hour is vital. Students should arrive 10 minutes before their first class to ensure a prompt start.
- Absences: Parents are responsible for notifying the academy of an absence. Since we follow a university-style model, students are responsible for checking their syllabus and completing all “Home Day” work assigned during their absence.
- Response Time: Instructors will respond to parent inquiries within one business day. To respect our faculty’s family time, communication “blackouts” are in effect on weekends and holidays.
5. “Home Day” Expectations
- The Bridge: Tuesday and Thursday instruction is only half of the journey. “Home Days” (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) are for the deep work of reading, writing, and practicing.
- Parental Oversight: While high schoolers are transitioning toward independence, parents should regularly review the student’s syllabus and upcoming deadlines to ensure they are not falling behind in the “Logic” and “Rhetoric” stages of their development.
6. Student Preparedness and Program Participation
Students at Ocoee Classical Academy are expected to arrive at each class or session fully prepared. This includes completing all assigned readings, homework, and required materials, as well as demonstrating a readiness to engage actively in the learning process. Preparedness is essential to the success of the student, the class, and the academy community.
Teachers and administrators will partner with families by:
- Clearly communicating assignment expectations in advance.
- Providing reasonable opportunities for students to catch up or improve.
- Issuing verbal or written warnings when a student repeatedly arrives unprepared.
If, after documented warnings and support, a student continues to demonstrate a pattern of arriving unprepared, the student may be dismissed from the program.
Repeated unpreparedness will result in the following progressive steps:
- Initial verbal warning from the teacher, with notification to parents.
- Written warning and a required parent conference/meeting to create an improvement plan.
- Final written warning.
- Dismissal from the program if the pattern continues.
Decisions regarding dismissal will be made by the academy administration and are final. Families will receive written notice of dismissal. Tuition and fees are non-refundable upon dismissal.
Parents are expected to support their student’s preparation and to partner with the academy in addressing any barriers to success. Consistent unpreparedness undermines the student’s academic progress and disrupts the learning environment for others.
7. Grading & Records
- Accountability: Instructors provide grades for projects, quizzes, and tests. These will be delivered at the end of each term.
- Umbrella Schools: It is the parent’s responsibility to report these grades to their respective umbrella school or state reporting agency. OCA provides the academic data; the parent remains the “administrator” of the student’s transcript.
8. Board of Directors’ Discretion
The Board of Directors reserves the right to dismiss any student from Ocoee Classical Academy if the Board determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that such dismissal is in the best interest of the academy. Grounds for dismissal may include, but are not limited to: repeated unpreparedness, failure to adhere to the academy’s policies, or any conduct that interferes with the educational environment or the academy’s mission. All decisions by the Board concerning dismissal are final.
Acknowledgment of Partnership
By enrolling at Ocoee Classical Academy, we agree to support the mission, standards, and policies outlined in this handbook, working together to form a generation of virtuous and courageous leaders.