New Covenant Christian Academy

High School Program Handbook

The following information is selected from the NCCA High School Program Handbook.

Diploma Program Overview

Founded in 1994, New Covenant Christian Academy's Diploma Program provides academic support for home schoolers nation-wide and internationally in the seventh through twelfth grades. We are not state or federally funded, nor is our diploma accredited or regulated by government standards. Taking this position ensures that the academic and religious freedom we and your children enjoy is not compromised. Our intent is to assist parents as they educate and train their students toward academic and vocational excellence allowing the Bible to inform all subjects. We're pleased to say that students graduating from NCCA have been accepted at both public and private colleges and universities nationwide.

The Diploma Program provides the following services:

• Assistance with course and curriculum selection
• Two 45-minute advising and evaluation sessions, one at the end of each semester
• Two 30-minute advising sessions at the parent's request at the end of the first and third quarters
• A report card for students in grades 7-8
• A transcript for students in grades 9-12
• Complimentary achievement testing
• Telephone/e-mail support to answer brief questions throughout the year
• Unlimited letters of recommendation to colleges
• Unlimited transcript creation as requested by prospective colleges and universities
• Transfer of all previously earned credits
• Maintenance of your transcript for future access indefinitely
• Credit recovery and transcripting of previous school years at a special hourly rate
• Additional appointments, if requested by the parent, at a special hourly rate
• A diploma awarded at a commencement ceremony when graduation requirements are met

High School Graduation Requirements

Two requirements must be met for your student to earn and be presented a New Covenant Christian Academy diploma:

• Completion of twenty-six units as outlined in this handbook
• An account balance that is paid in full. Note: In addition to normal tuition, twelfth grade students are billed an $85 senior fee.

Graduation Requirements (1 Unit = 1 year of study; ½ Unit = 1 semester)
Required Courses	Units
English	4
Math	3
Physical Education	1
Science	3
Social Studies	3½
Community Service	1
Health	½
Communications	½
Personal Finance	½
Career Development	½
Electives	8½
Total Units Required	26

Course Standards and Suggestions

Course Suggestions

View the courses we offer that fulfill requirements of the Diploma Program.

Suggested Yearly Schedule

Transfering Course Work

NCCA's Diploma Program transcripts have been accepted by private high schools and some public schools. However, there is no uniform policy regarding the transfer of units within the public school system. Districts are free to set their own policies.

If you anticipate transferring to an on-campus school, meeting with the vice-principle of curriculum or a counselor of the prospective school is recommended. This will clarify which courses, if any, will be accepted before beginning the Diploma Program.

Out-Sourced Courses

Students may utilize a number of options available through public schools, private schools, online schools, support groups, or community colleges to compliment home instruction and meet graduation requirements. Because there is no uniform standard for these courses, the Diploma Program Advisor will evaluate the courses in light of NCCA's requirements and award units. Plan to submit an official transcript or grade report with coursework for evaluation, if needed, to your Diploma Program Advisor.

Simultaneous Enrollment in Community College

Home schooled students who are 16 or 17 years old may earn high school units and college credits simultaneously by attending classes at a community college. Chemistry, physics, calculus, foreign language, composition, and vocational training are some of the courses of interest to home schooled students. Call the Office of Admissions at your local community college for details regarding admission.

It is each parent's responsibility to provide an official copy of the college transcript to their Diploma Program Advisor upon request in order for the course work to apply toward high school graduation requirements. Awarding high school units for community college courses is dependent on the course level and credits.

Courses numbered 100 and above:	3-4 credit hour course receives ½ unit for high school 5-6 credit hour course receives 1 unit for high school
Courses numbered 1 to 99:	8-9 credit hours of coursework receives 1 unit for high school

Grading Requirements

All students are required to maintain a "C" or better average for each academic semester.

Graduation Ceremony

A formal graduation ceremony is held each June at a local church in the Portland/Metro area. While all graduates and their families are invited to participate, attendance is optional. Graduates wear the school colors of hunter green caps and gowns. Parents join their graduate on the stage to receive the diploma and speak a blessing or charge to their son/daughter. A reception follows.

Valedictorian

Each year one or more valedictorians are chosen by Diploma Program Advisors. If attending the graduation ceremony, this student may be asked to deliver a commencement speech. Along with this honor, many colleges award valedictorian scholarships. For students to be considered for this honor, the qualifications are:

• Enrolled in the Diploma Program for 3 years
• Dedicated to and demonstrating academic excellence
• Involvement in extra-curricular activities and community service or ministry

Transcripts

At the completion of the final appointment for the school year, a transcript copy showing semester grades, units earned and cumulative grade point average (GPA) is mailed to the student's parents. A copy of this transcript is kept electronically and maintained by New Covenant Christian Academy. Upon request, official transcripts are sent to colleges within two weeks of the request.

Middle School (Grades 7-8)

Course Work

Courses completed by seventh and eight graders in the Diploma Program help prepare them for high school. Grades based on daily work, quizzes, tests, and projects are recorded at the end of each semester. Students may earn high school credit if the books they are using are the same as those used in grades nine to twelve.

Report Card

A report card is mailed to the student's parents after the final appointment at the end of the school year. This report lists grades for courses completed during the year and is kept electronically and maintained by New Covenant Christian Academy.

Testing at Home

Tests are to be administered by a parent. To maintain grade integrity, tests are typically given as closed book, but some exceptions may be made. Open book tests or re-tests must be approved by the Diploma Program Advisor. This type of test must be clearly noted as such on the Record of Grades form.

Keeping Records at Home

Keeping accurate records of completed course work is essential in the Diploma Program. To receive units, a Record of Grades or Course Journal form, or another means of approved documentation (spread sheet, word processed records, etc.) must be completed and submitted to your Diploma Program Advisor for each course the student is taking. Typically, the Record of Grades form is used for courses in which the student is to receive a letter grade, and the Course Journal for pass/fail courses. Parent signatures at the bottom of each form are required to insure the integrity of these records.

A link to these downloadable PDF forms will be emailed to you after the application process is complete. You can then save these documents to your computer for future use. These forms are the intellectual property of Basic Skills, so please keep them only for use with the Diploma Program and only for your family.

Record of Grades Form

As mentioned above, this form is typically used for courses in which the student is to receive a letter grade. Use a separate form for each graded course. This grade may be based on a combination of daily work, quizzes, tests, and special projects as determined by the parent and their academic advisor. This work must be scored and recorded on the form by the parent. Enter each activity on the form as follows:

• Quarter The quarter (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th) for which this activity grade should be applied
• Date The date of the activity
• Activity Identify the activity—daily work, quizzes, tests, etc. Some parents find it helpful to identify activities by recording these scores in different colors (e.g. red = tests; blue = quizzes; black = daily work)
• # Right / # Possible Number of items the student answers correctly over the number of items asked
• Percentage Divide the number right by the number possible, multiply by 100%

At the end of each quarter, average the scores for each type of activity completed (e.g. average daily work, quizzes, tests, and/or projects). Record these averages separately at the bottom of the sheet. Weighting of scores for each type of activity may be determined at the first quarter or semester meeting. The Diploma Program Advisor may help determine the weight of each activity in order to calculate the quarterly grade. (Note: some parents choose to base grades on tests only or grades and daily work.) A suggested example of weighting is:

Weight of the Activity	Average for each type of activity	Calculation of grade
25% Daily Work	Daily Work Average = 86%	86 x .25 = 21.50
25% Quizzes (if any)	Quiz Average = 91%	91 x .25 = 22.75
25% Special Projects	Two Research Pages = 82%	82 x .10 = 08.20
25% Tests	Test Average = 92%	92 x .40 = 36.80

Grading Scale
100-90	A	4.0
89-80	B	3.0
79-70	C	2.0
69-60	D	1.0

Skip two lines or begin a new form for each quarter. See the sample below.

Course Journal Form

This form is used for recording time spent on courses in which the student is to receive non-graded credit as indicated by a P (pass) on the transcript. Fifty-four (54) hours of course work activities earns one-half unit. Typically, students need to work three hours per week to fulfill one semester's work. These courses are to be completed within a twelve-month period starting September 1st and ending August 31st. Classes, such as physical education, may be extended beyond the August 31st deadline with your academic advisor's approval. Students are allowed to fill out this form as long as it is totaled and signed by the parent. Complete this form as follows:

• Quarter Current quarter (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th)
• Date The date the activity was completed
• Activity Identify the activity
• Total Minutes Total the minutes for this activity from the beginning to the end (round to the nearest 5 minutes)

At the end of each quarter, parents total the number of minutes recorded for course activities during the quarter, and sign the form. This signature verifies the integrity of the record.

Skip two lines or begin a new form for each quarter. See the sample below.

Appointments

Parents and students must correspond with their academic advisor at the end of each semester (2nd and 4th academic quarter—see the Diploma Program Calendar). Appointments at the end of 1st and 3rd quarters are optional, but recommended if you have questions regarding the use of your curriculum, questions about grading, etc. Remember, you may call the office at any time to get a question answered; you don't have to wait until the first appointment with your advisor. For student specific questions, please email your advisor.

Semester appointments take about forty-five minutes to an hour. During this time, your advisor will review your student's Record of Grades and Course Journal forms and support documentation for the two quarters making up the semester. The support documentation includes the tests, quizzes, samples of daily work, and probably written summaries of course experiences and exposures, etc.

If an appointment is desired after the 1st or 3rd quarter, it is the parent's responsibility to schedule the appointment, as these are optional. The preferred way of scheduling is to email your advisor and suggest two or three possible days and times. Your Diploma Program Advisor with confirm the day and time. For long distance families, your appointment will be conducted by phone, in which you place the call to your advisor on the agreed upon day and time.

Long-distance families should mail, fax, or scan and email the above at least three days prior to their appointment. If you mail the above, we strongly recommend you use FedEx, UPS, Airborne Express, or other delivery services offering trackable delivery. Be sure to include a check for the same amount it cost you to mail it, so we may return the above items to you. Advisors will call their clients at prearranged appointment times to conduct these meetings.

Missed Appointments

If you are unable to keep an appointment (including a scheduled phone appointment), we request that you notify your advisor as soon as possible, preferably at least two days prior to the scheduled appointment. Rescheduling appointments is the responsibility of the parents. Those who miss two appointments without giving advanced notice may be dropped from the program.

General Information

School Code—380782

Students enrolled in the Diploma Program may use NCCA's school code when taking the college entrance exams (PSAT, SAT, ACT). A copy of the student's scores will be mailed to NCCA and at the parent's request, included on the transcript.

Achievement Testing

Achievement testing may vary from state to state. When testing is required, long distance students will need to secure a qualified test examiner (one who holds a state teaching credential or meets the publisher's qualifications for who may administer the tests). NCCA does not charge for shipping, scoring, and reporting test results, but the cost of administering the tests is the responsibility of the parent.

Student Identification Cards

Long distance diploma program students may, upon request, receive a blank ID card on which they affix their own picture.

Commitment Agreement

Basic Skills Commitments—We will provide the following services:

• Assistance with course and curriculum selection
• Two 45-minute advising and evaluation sessions at the end of each semester
• Two 30-minute advising sessions at the parent's request at the end of first and third quarters
• A report card for students in grades 7-8
• A transcript for students in grades 9-12
• Complimentary achievement testing
• Unlimited telephone/email support to answer brief questions throughout the year
• Unlimited letters of recommendation to colleges
• Unlimited transcript creation as requested by prospective colleges and universities
• Transfer of all previously earned credits
• Maintenance of your academic record for future access indefinitely
• Credit recovery and transcripting of previous at a special hourly rate
• Additional appointments, if requested by the parent, at a special hourly rate
• A diploma awarded at a commencement ceremony when graduation requirements are met

Family Commitments—You will commit to the following:

1. That you have read and agree to follow the procedures in the NCCA Diploma Program Handbook
2. That all tests and quizzes will be closed-book and without help relative to the concepts being evaluated—unless otherwise approved by your Diploma Program Advisor.
3. That all work recorded on the Record of Grades form is scored and recorded only by a parent; that all work recorded on the Course Journal is confirmed and totaled by a parent
4. That Basic Skills Assessment and Educational Services/NCCA are advisory and supporttive only, and that the above-named family bears sole responsibility for the use and implementation of these services

NCCA Statement of Faith

New Covenant Christian Academy, as it's name implies, is Christian-based. It is also interdenominational. As a staff, we support the following statement of faith:

1. The Bible is the only inspired, infallible, authoritative Word of God.
2. There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. Our Lord Jesus Christ is God and man in one person. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, and vicariously atoned for sin through His shed blood and death. He was bodily resurrected from the dead, ascended to the right hand of God the Father, and will personally return in power and glory.
4. Regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for the salvation of lost and sinful man.
5. God justifies the sinner based on Christ's righteousness, which is imputed to him by grace alone and received by faith alone.
6. Eternal life is received by faith, that is, trusting Jesus Christ alone for salvation.
7. The Holy Spirit indwells all true believers and enables them to live a godly life.
8. Both the saved and the lost will be resurrected from the dead; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
9. There is spiritual unity of all true believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Legal Obligations for Home Schooling

For legal obligations particular to your state, please go to the Home School Legal Defense Association (http://www.hslda.org/laws/). You can access an easy-to-read summary of the statutes and rules regulating home schooling in your state by clicking on the map. For those in Oregon, a detailed summary can be requested from the office or found on our website under Testing Services.

Financial Information

How Much Does the Diploma Program Cost?

The first year a student applies for the program there is a non-refundable one time application fee of $60. Yearly tuition is $315 per student. For graduating seniors, an additional $85 senior fee is applied.

Transcripting Fees

Once accepted into the Diploma Program, students may have up to a maximum of two years' credits recorded onto their transcripts from previous years. These credits may be applied toward graduation requirements. A minimum fee of $50-$150/year transcripted or an hourly rate of $40/hour of consulting and clerical time, whichever is greater, will be charged. There is no charge for transcripting course work completed at another school.

2009-2010 School Diploma Program Calendar

Suggested schedule; individual family calendars may vary.

Friday, November 6	End of 1st Quarter
Friday, January 15	End of 2nd Quarter	- End of 1st Semester
Friday, March 19	End of 3rd Quarter
Friday, May 21	End of 4th Quarter	- End of 2nd Semester
Thursday, June 3	Commencement Ceremony

Relationship of Milestone Ministries to NCCA

Milestone Ministries and New Covenant Christian Academy (NCCA) are two completely separate organizations. Milestone Ministries has engaged the services of New Covenant Christian Academy for the benefit our valued customers. When you sign up for their services you will be working with them exclusively. We at Milestone have known NCCA for several years and believe you will find their services commendable. If you have any concerns, please contact us.

How to Apply

When you are ready to apply for the High School Diploma Program, you will be working directly with New Covenant Christian Academy (NCCA). You can contact them at or 503-650-5282.

When enrolled with NCCA, you will be able to order your books from us or an alternate supplier.