Edited Wording - Code of Conduct - Social Media Policy

• Old Wording - Posting or linking to other websites, retweeting, or reposting to other websites or ideas that do not represent the school’s Christian values and morals is strongly prohibited.
• New Wording - Posting, reposting or linking to other websites or ideas that do not represent the school’s Christian values and morals is strongly prohibited.

Edited Wording - Dress Code - Extracurricular Activities

Old Wording

• Young Ladies:

  • Modest and appropriate pants or capris (no holes). Leggings may be worn under a skirt, shorts, skort, or pants only.
• Young Men:

  • Jeans or shorts that come to the knee

New Wording

• Young Ladies:

  • Modest and appropriate pants (no pajama pants) or capris (no holes). Leggings may be worn under a skirt, shorts, skort, or pants only.
• Young Men:

  • Pants (no pajama pants) or shorts that come to the knee

Edited Points - Homecoming - Young Ladies

• Old Points:

  • All dresses must be approved in advance at scheduled dress checks.
  • The neckline of dresses must be no lower than the width of three fingers below the opening of the collar bone. The same height guideline applies for the back of the dress as well.
  • No strapless, or strapped dresses are to be worn without a jacket/shawl/wrap. These coverings may not be sheer or see-through and must be worn at all times during the event.
  • Sleeveless dresses may be worn without coverings so long as the dress is a natural sleeveless dress. Armholes must be fitted in a way that there is no gapping in the dress in which one can see into the dress.
  • All dresses must completely cover the knee when seated, and slits may not come higher than the bottom of the knee.
  • Dresses may not be form-fitting or tight. Undergarments or lines may not be revealed.
  • If any sheer material is worn, it must have a lining.

• New Points:

  • All dresses must be approved in advance at scheduled dress checks.
  • The neckline of the dress must cover the chest area. The back of the dress must come to the middle of the back or higher and cover all undergarments.
  • Shoulders should be covered, and dress straps must be the width of at least two fingers. If the dress does not meet this requirement, wearing a covering such as a sweater or shawl over the dress is necessary.
  • The bottom of the dress must come to the knee when sitting and standing. The same guideline applies to slits.
  • Sleeves, sleeve openings and necklines must cover all undergarments.
  • The dress may not be tight or form fitting.
  • See-through material is not permitted to cover your person from shoulder to knee.

Edited Wording - Code of Conduct - Inappropriate Behavior

CHEATING

• Old Wording - Any form of cheating will not be tolerated. A student is not allowed to copy another’s work and submit it as his own. Students who knowingly provide answers on assignments/assessments to other students will be guilty of cheating as well. Plagiarism of work, including self-plagiarism (submission of previously completed work), is unacceptable and will result in disciplinary action.
• Updated Wording - Any form of cheating will not be tolerated. A student is not allowed to copy another’s work and submit it as his own. The use of Artificial Intelligence Writing programs (i.e. ChatGPT, Jasper, Writesonic) to complete school assignments is prohibited. Students who knowingly provide answers on assignments/assessments to other students will be guilty of cheating as well. Plagiarism of work, including self-plagiarism (submission of previously completed work), is unacceptable and will result in disciplinary action.

Edited Wording - Dress Code - Outerwear

Old Wording

• Navy cardigan sweater (purchased at Shaheen’s or French Toast)
• School spirit wear (purchased at school spirit store)

New Wording

• Navy cardigan sweater (purchased at Schoolbelles or French Toast)
• School spirit wear (purchased at school spirit store or Schoolbelles)

Edited Wording - Food Service

• Old Wording - Students are permitted to have a clear, refillable water bottle in the classroom during school hours at the teacher’s discretion. Water bottles may contain only water; no other liquid is permitted.
• New Wording - Students are permitted to have an approved refillable water bottle in the classroom during school hours at the teacher’s discretion. Water bottles may contain only water; no other liquid is permitted.

Edited Wording - Dress Code - Extracurricular Activities

Young Ladies

• Old Wording - Modest and appropriate pants or capris
• New Wording - Modest and appropriate pants or capris (no holes). Leggings may be worn under a skirt, shorts, skort, or pants only.

Edited Wording - Unexcused Absenses

Unexcused Absences

• Old Wording - All one section
• New Wording - Below section broken out

TIMING OF TARDIES AND ABSENCES

• Students arriving to school and reporting to class after 8:00 AM but before 9:55 AM will be counted as tardy.
• Students arriving to school after 9:55 AM but before 1:10 PM will be counted as absent for one-half day.
• Students arriving to school after 1:10 PM will be counted as absent for one entire day.
• Students departing before 9:55 AM who do not return will be counted absent for one entire day.
• Students departing after 9:55 AM who do not return will be counted absent for one-half day.

Edited Wording - Code of Conduct

Expulsions/Withdrawal

• Old Wording - It is a serious matter when a student is expelled or asked to withdraw from MCA. For this reason, much consideration is given to all circumstances before this happens. Because attendance at MCA is a privilege, students who are expelled or asked to withdraw will forfeit that privilege for the remainder of the current semester and one additional full semester as a minimum before any consideration will be given for re-enrollment. Students who are expelled or asked to withdraw after midpoint of the fourth quarter of the school year will not be allowed to enroll for two whole semesters. Such discretion is given solely to the administration for re-enrollment. Any student permitted to return to the school would do so under very strict probationary measures. Students expelled or asked to withdraw from MCA are not allowed to attend any school functions or be on school property during school hours without pre-approved administrative approval. Students expelled or asked to withdraw for offenses that involve law enforcement or other such agencies will not be allowed on school property for any school function and may be subject to arrest for violation of this policy. If a student is expelled or asked to withdraw, payment of tuition is expected for the remainder of the current semester.
• Updated Wording - It is a serious matter when a student is expelled or asked to withdraw from MCA. For this reason, much consideration is given to all circumstances before this happens. Because attendance at MCA is a privilege, students who are expelled or asked to withdraw will forfeit that privilege for the remainder of the current semester and one additional full semester as a minimum before any consideration will be given for re-enrollment. Students who are expelled or asked to withdraw after midpoint of the fourth quarter of the school year should expect to sit out of MCA for two semesters. Such discretion is given solely to the administration for re-enrollment. Any student permitted to return to the school would do so under very strict probationary measures. Students expelled or asked to withdraw from MCA are not allowed to attend any school functions or be on school property during school hours without pre-approved administrative approval. Students expelled or asked to withdraw for offenses that involve law enforcement or other such agencies will not be allowed on school property for any school function and may be subject to arrest for violation of this policy. If a student is expelled or asked to withdraw, payment of tuition is expected for the remainder of the current month.

Edited Wording - Academics

Achievement Tests

• Old Wording - The Preliminary SAT (PSAT) test will be administered to all tenth and eleventh grade students in October of each school year during school hours. This testing is required, and a testing fee will be billed to your FACTS account.
• Updated Wording - The Preliminary SAT (PSAT) test will be administered to all eleventh grade students in October of each school year during school hours. The CLT10 will be administered to the tenth grade. This testing is required, and a testing fee will be billed to your FACTS account.

Edited Wording - Attendance - Absences

Unplanned Absence

• Old Wording - Occasionally, absences are unplanned (such as an illness or an emergency). When it is necessary that a student be absent, parents should notify the office the morning of the absence stating the reason. No absence will be excused without communication with the school office. Students who have been absent for more than three days due to illness should provide a doctor’s note upon returning to school.
• Updated Wording - Occasionally, absences are unplanned (such as an illness or an emergency). When it is necessary that a student be absent, parents should notify the office the morning of the absence stating the reason. No absence will be excused without communication with the school office. Students who have been absent for more than three days due to illness may be requested to provide a doctor’s note upon returning to school.

Point Added - Student Lockers

• Student lockers will be locked at all times. Only locks issued by MCA are allowed.

Edited Wording - Code of Conduct - Consequences

Saturday School

• Old Wording - Saturday School will be scheduled once per month.
• Updated Wording - Saturday School will be scheduled based on faculty availability to supervise students.

Edited Wording - Code of Conduct - Inappropriate Behavior

DRESS CODE VIOLATION

• Old Wording - Students in violation of the school dress code will receive a dress code violation. Students in grades seven through twelve who receive three dress code violations in a nine-week period will be issued a detention. Persistent violations in dress code will be deemed as a more serious disciplinary problem and will result in progressive discipline.
• Updated Wording - Students in violation of the school dress code will receive a dress code violation. Students in grades five through twelve who receive three dress code violations will be issued a detention. Violations in dress code will be treated as any other disciplinary issue and will result in progressive discipline.

Edited Wording - Code of Conduct - Inappropriate Behavior

CHEWING GUM/EATING/DRINKING

• Old Wording - Students may have bottled water (in clear plastic containers) in the classroom.
• Updated Wording - Students may have water in approved containers in the classroom.

Edited Wording - Code of Conduct - Inappropriate Behavior

CELL PHONE/ELECTRONICS

• Old Wording - Use of all electronic devices and accessories, including cell phones, laser pointers, communication devices (i.e. smart watches), and ear buds during the school day is prohibited. Cell phones and other electronic devices/accessories must be turned off and not in use during school day hours. Use of a smartwatch is for telling time only.
• Updated Wording - Use of all electronic devices and accessories, including cell phones, laser pointers, communication devices (i.e. smart watches), and ear buds during the school day is prohibited. Unless authorized by a staff member, cell phones and other electronic devices/accessories must be turned off and stored in the student’s locker during school hours. Use of a smartwatch is for telling time only.

Edited Wording - Code of Conduct

OFFENSES AND DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

• Old Wording - Each classroom teacher will deal with classroom disruptions/behaviors in a systematic way that is both firm and fair.
• Updated Wording - Each classroom teacher will deal with classroom disruptions/behaviors in a systematic way that is firm and fair, while being compassionate and caring.

Edited Wording - Code of Conduct

PRINCIPLES OF DISCIPLINE

• Old Wording - Depending upon the offense and the circumstances, an alternative punishment may be given in addition to the progressive punishment outlined in this Code of Conduct.
• Updated Wording - Depending upon the offense and the circumstances, an alternative punishment may be given in lieu of the progressive punishment outlined in this Code of Conduct.

Edited Wording - Dress Code - Girls Uniforms

SKIRTS/JUMPERS/SHORTS:

• Old Wording - Navy skort (to the knee in length) - kindergarten through sixth grade only
• Updated Wording - Navy skort (to the knee in length)

Edited Wording - Code of Conduct

Tardy to Class

• Old Wording - Students in seventh through twelfth grade who receive three unexcused tardies to class per nine-week period will receive a detention. Students who are tardy to class must report to the school office to receive a pass to be admitted to the classroom.
• Updated Wording - Students in seventh through twelfth grade who receive three unexcused tardies to class will receive a detention. Students who are tardy to class must report to the school office to receive a pass to be admitted to the classroom.

Added Wording - Admissions

Added Wording - Uniforms

Updated Wording - After-School Detention

• Old Wording - The teacher that issued the detention will contact the parent the day the detention is issued to the student. Detention forms must be signed and returned the following school day.
• Updated Wording - The teacher that initiated the detention will contact the parent the day the detention is issued to the student. Detention forms must be signed and returned the following school day.

• Old Wording - Detentions will be scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:10 PM until 3:55 PM Parents will be notified by phone and written communication.
• Updated Wording - Detentions will be scheduled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays from 3:10 PM until 3:55 PM Parents will be notified by phone or email and written communication.

Updated Wording - Parent Volunteers

• Old Wording - Volunteers who work directly with students must agree to a background check at their own expense prior to their volunteer work.
• Updated Wording - Volunteers who work directly with students must submit to and pass a background check at their own expense prior to their volunteer work.

Section Added

Student Lockers

• Students may add items such as shelves and magnetic storage bins to maximize space.
• Students may not attach or adhere any item to the outside of their locker, nor on the wall surrounding their locker. Exceptions may be occasionally allowed with administrator approval.
• Students may not post inappropriate photos, signs, notes, etc. inside their locker. Appropriate items may be hung inside a locker with magnets only. Students are not to use stickers or other adhesives to hang items inside their locker.
• It is the student's responsibility to keep their locker organized and clean. The door should easily close and straps of backpacks or other items should be enclosed inside the locker when the door is closed. Students are also responsible for disposing of trash on the floor around their locker.
• Students may not leave spoiled food or beverages inside their locker.
• Students may not overfill the locker to the point that it is difficult to close the locker door. Excess items such as P.E. or athletic wear must be stored in a gym bag in the locker room.
• Students may only use the locker assigned to them by their homeroom teacher and may not trade lockers with another student unless approved by the homeroom teacher or administrator.