The goal of Milford Christian Academy is to provide the best possible learning environment in a Christian atmosphere. Believing that discipline is necessary for the welfare of the student as well as the entire school, each teacher is given the responsibility of enforcing classroom regulations in the manner which he feels is in accordance with school policy and in consideration of Christian principles of discipline as set forth in the Scriptures (Prov. 22:15; Heb. 12:6-7; Prov. 23:13).

A discussion can be misleading if terms are not clarified. What is discipline? Discipline in its noun form, according to the Concise Oxford English Dictionary (COED), is “the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior.” It also states that discipline is “controlled behavior resulting from such training.” The verb form of discipline  is to “train (someone) to obey rules or a code of behavior by punishment or rebuke.” The source of the English word discipline is from the Latin discipulus, which means “instruction, knowledge, a learner, to learn.” Interestingly enough, the COED says to see disciple. Disciple, according to COED, is “a personal follower of Jesus Christ...” with a secondary meaning as “a follower or pupil of a teacher, leader, or philosophy.” Both have the same Latin root word discipulus. Christian discipline can therefore be defined as discipleship, following Christ, which in turn leads to a certain lifestyle, one of self-discipline.

Discipline of students is a joint responsibility of the parents, teachers, administrators, and students. Parents who cannot support and cooperate with the discipline standards of Milford Christian Academy should withdraw their child(ren) from the school. This action will prevent the child from being placed in a position of conflict between the parent and the school. If at any time the school feels that this cooperation is lacking, the student may be requested to withdraw. Also, if the student’s behavior is indicative of an uncooperative spirit, he may be requested to withdraw. MCA will not retain a student whose attitude is a liability rather than an asset to the institution. MCA is not a corrective institution. Consequently, we ask that you do not enroll your child with the idea that we will reform him. The MCA discipline system is designed to simply change behavior that is not appropriate while attempting to reach the heart of each student. The school recognizes that some behaviors resulting in discipline at school are perfectly acceptable in other settings. (Chewing gum may be the most common example.) It is our hope that the desired change will take place at the lowest possible level in a progressive manner. Attendance at Milford Christian Academy is a privilege and not a right. Students forfeit this privilege if they do not conform to the standards and philosophy of Milford Christian Academy.

The administration (secondary principal, elementary principal, and school president) may assign discretionary punishment as appropriate for all offenses covered or not expressly covered by the rules and levels of consequences contained in the following sections. 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.

Administration and teachers will take advantage of every opportunity to positively reinforce proper behavior. Understandably, there must be a response for improper behavior that promotes accountability. Corrective measures will ensue for misbehavior. Administration and teachers will follow a progressive discipline plan when responding to students that allows for consistent, corrective measures that are appropriate for the particular type of misbehavior.

The MCA progressive discipline plan is divided into four levels. Each level represents progressively more serious misbehavior and consequences. The level of discipline imposed shall be based on the following: severity of the misbehavior, previous disciplinary history of the student as well as other relevant factors, and required due-process procedures. Disciplinary actions are designed to teach students self-discipline and to help them substitute inappropriate behaviors with those that are consistent with the character traits/qualities of Biblically minded servants.

The procedures listed in this section serve as a guide for teachers, faculty, and parents and in no way limit administration in responding to misbehavior. These policies are written to provide a due process of discipline and potential restoration for all students at MCA.

Level 1 discipline is used for minor acts of misconduct or irresponsible behavior which interfere with orderly classroom procedures, school functions, extracurricular programs, approved transportation, and a student’s own learning or the learning of others. Students may be disciplined by the staff member involved or referred directly to administration after recurring offenses.

Staff may utilize any of the disciplinary management techniques appropriate for the situation, including but not limited to the following:

Staff may utilize any of the disciplinary management techniques appropriate for the situation, including but not limited to the following:

Level 2 discipline offenses are acts of misconduct which must be reported to administration. (These acts include, but are not limited to, repeated but unrelated acts of minor misbehavior directed against persons or property, but do not affect the student’s safety or learning environment.)

Students found to have committed a Level 2 offense may receive any of the disciplinary management techniques appropriate for the situation as determined by administration, including but not limited to the following:

Students found to have committed a Level 2 offense may receive any of the disciplinary management techniques appropriate for the situation as determined by staff and administration, including but not limited to the following:

Level 3 discipline offenses are serious acts of misconduct, including but not limited to repeated misbehavior that is similar in nature; serious disruptions of the school environment; threats to health, safety, or property; and other acts of serious misconduct. These offenses must be reported to administration.

Students found to have committed a Level 3 offense may receive any of the disciplinary management techniques appropriate for the situation as determined by administration, including but not limited to the following:

Students found to have committed a Level 3 offense may receive any of the disciplinary management techniques appropriate for the situation as determined by administration, including but not limited to the following:

Level 4 discipline offenses are the most serious acts of misconduct. These offenses must be immediately reported to administration. These violations are so serious that they may require use of outside agencies and/or law enforcement. Level 4 misconduct that threatens the health, safety, or well-being of others will result in immediate suspension of the student from the school and school-sponsored activities for an indefinite period of time, pending a disciplinary investigation of the allegations.

Students found to have committed a Level 4 offense will receive any of the disciplinary management techniques appropriate for the situation as determined by the administration, including but not limited to the following:

Students found to have committed a Level 4 offense will receive any of the disciplinary management techniques appropriate for the situation as determined by administration, including but not limited to the following:

Most students come to school to learn. They observe the rules that have been established to ensure that their school is safe and orderly. We are proud of these young men and women. This section of the Code of Conduct explains what the consequences will be for the very small percentage of students who choose not to comply with school rules. Certain forms of misconduct and disobedience of school policies make it necessary for administrators to take disciplinary action. The standards for student behavior apply to all students during school and at all school functions. The list of offenses that follows includes only those which are found to be the most common infractions of school rules. (Although other forms of misbehavior are not listed, it does not mean that they will be permitted.) Each classroom teacher will deal with classroom disruptions/behaviors in a systematic way that is both firm and fair. This management will include taking in-class disciplinary action, making a personal phone call to students’ parents or guardians, and delivering proper documentation of misbehaviors and previous counseling documents to administration. A teacher shall have the authority to remove from his classroom a student who repeatedly or substantially interferes with the teacher’s ability to communicate effectively with students in the class or disrupts the learning environment of other students or engages in behavior which violates the Code of Conduct.

As misbehaviors escalate in severity, so will consequences. Lower level misbehaviors that continue or escalate after appropriate consequences have been assigned will result in more severe consequences including suspension and, in rare cases, expulsion. The following consequences are measures that will be employed in a progressive sequence to address misbehaviors.

Each classroom teacher will maintain a written record of students’ incidents of unacceptable classroom behavior and irresponsible actions. Recurring incidents will result in written counseling that progresses from teacher/student to teacher/parent to student/administration.

Detentions may be issued for Level 1 (recurring) and Level 2 misbehaviors.

The following procedures will prevail when detentions are being served.

Teachers will supervise students at Saturday School in a manner that holds the students accountable, promoting the concept that more serious or persistent misbehavior results in more unpleasant consequences. The following procedures shall prevail:

A student will be suspended from MCA for Level 3 infractions and recurring lower level issues. A suspended student will receive a zero in every class for every day he is suspended but will be allowed to make up tests missed due to suspensions with a letter grade (10%) reduction. Students will still be responsible for information on any missed tests or future quizzes, tests, or exams. Students who have been suspended are not allowed on the school campus for any reason before, during, or after school for the duration of the suspension. When suspended, students may not participate in practices or attend ballgames on the day of the suspension. If a student is suspended on a Friday, he may not participate in any weekend activities such as school events, practices, or ballgames. Two suspensions in a school year will result in a Probation Agreement for the subsequent two semesters.

A student who commits a level 4 misbehavior or earns a second suspension will be required to sign a Probation Agreement as a last measure prior to expulsion. Conditions of the agreement will be outlined and agreed upon by the student, parents, and the administration. Violation of a Probation Agreement will result in expulsion.

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 then 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 permission. 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.

Student cars brought on campus; student book bags and other containers; pocketbooks/purses; school lockers, desks, and other property, including school buses, shall be subject to inspection and search by school authorities/law enforcement at all times without further notice to students or parents. If a specific student is reported or suspected of having weapons, drugs, or other materials in violation of school rules or state law, his person may be searched. Administration and/or law enforcement may conduct full random searches.

First and foremost, students are encouraged to always exercise the utmost caution when participating in any form of social media or online communications. Students who participate in online interactions must remember that their posts reflect on everyone associated with Milford Christian Academy and, as such, these interactions are subject to the same behavioral standards set forth in the Student Handbook. Students nor parents may use social media sites to publish disrespectful, disparaging or harassing remarks about Milford Christian Academy staff or faculty, students, parents, relatives, athletic or academic contest rivals, etc.

The purpose of this policy is to protect students from unwanted social media pressures, set the school’s guidelines for appropriate behavior, and to encourage parents to take an active role in monitoring their children’s usage and presence on social media websites. Interacting on-line with other students or parents is no different than interacting with those individuals or groups face to face. Students who violate our Social Media Policy may be given detentions, suspensions, or even an expulsion for their actions. Parents who violate our Social Media Policy may be asked to withdraw their child based upon their actions as well.

Cyberbullying is the willful and repeated bullying or harassment of another person or persons through the medium of social media, which includes, electronic text. Students who engage in cyber bullying on social media sites, including electronic text, can be disciplined by Milford Christian Academy, and will be treated no differently than any other form of bullying.

Students nor parents will post inappropriate or threatening messages about or to another student, faculty member, or administrator.

Students nor parents will post explicit photographs or videos of themselves or of another student. Students should be reminded that explicit online photographs or videos of another student could constitute a criminal act.

Students nor parents should use social media to misrepresent, criticize, or defame the school or its employees in any way.

Students nor parents may use social media to share homework, quiz, or test answers.

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.

How you represent yourself online is an extension of you, your family, and your school. Social media venues are very public. What you contribute leaves a digital footprint for all to see. Do not post anything that you would not want parents, friends, teachers, future employers, or future colleges to see. Please be aware that the school considers discretion and prudent judgment in social networking activities to be a serious matter with regard to protecting the school, its students, and employees. As such, violation of this policy may lead to corrective action, up to and including suspension and expulsion.