For any questions not found here, please contact our Steering Board at contact@firstprinciplesacademy.co
These questions were gathered at our 2024 Vision Tour!
Application
Are their admission requirements (would S&L members have preference?)
Application process and family interviews would be open to S&L families first.
Has a waiting list been started?
No waiting list yet due to the application process has not opened. We do anticipate a waiting list
What will the enrollment process look like? How soon if when we will know if student accepted? How do we sign up.
The goal is to start the application process mid-late May, followed by family interviews in June, and have enrolled students known by mid-July. When the application process opens, families will be via email.
Will there be an admittance criteria and will anyone be turned away?
There will be an application process, followed by a family interview. This will help to make sure the school is a good fit for your family. If a family is turned away, this will have to be taken on a case by case basis. There are factors that would need to be discussed.
Classroom
Where will the classrooms be located?
For Phase 1, the classrooms will be housed in the lower level of Salt & Light Church.
What will the class sizes be? Will you combine grades?
If the need arises to combine grades, we will have a plan to do so. We will cap each classroom at 15 students, even if it is a combined classroom.
Will there be outside learning opportunities? How informal or formal will the learning environment be?
We encourage our teachers to have classes outside as much as possible.
When do you estimate each grade level becoming available?
We want to open a K-12 this year, we are working on a plan to see how we can make that happen.
Conduct
How will the school handle the following behaviors: classroom disruptions, bullying, and overall behavior?
There will be a code of conduct and student handbook as a guide to help manage when these issues arise.
Curriculum
Will FPA utilize technology in the classroom for students, or will it be hands on?
FPA will be a hands on school.
What curriculum will be used and will it be used throughout all grade levels?
Principle Approach – Noah Plan Notebook method for Bible, Literature, and History/Geography. Memoria Press for subjects like Math, Science, Reading, Phonics, Spelling, Cursive, Latin, etc.
What type of grading scale will you use?
Using the Principle Approach™, there is a different method to grading from what we are use to. The subjects we will start with are Bible, Literature, History/Geography. We are able to provide a sample sheet of what the PA grading scale looks like. For the other subjects, while we are in the transition phase over the next few years, other subjects will be on the 7 point grading scale.
Dress code
Will there be a uniform policy for students and staff?
Uniforms will be apart of the dress code. For students, there will be a wide range of colors and styles. Keeping in mind affordability for families. Staff will be expected to dress appropriately for a school environment.
Extracurriculars
Will FPA have fieldtrips and offer electives?
We are referring to Friday’s as “Flex Fridays”. There is a plan to bring in electives that relate to life skills. Stay tuned to see how that program develops.
Will extracurriculars be provided: Related Arts, plays, choir, music, PE, etc.?
We believe the arts are very valuable and important in a classical school. As we grow and secure the funding, we plan to have these programs. If any of these programs are manageable during the pilot year, we would welcome them.
Hours
What hours will the school operate? Will there be before and after school. Where will parents drop off and pick up their student(s)?
As of now, our school day will be 8 am – 3 pm. Doors will open at 7:30 am for early drop off. For the pilot year there is not a plan to offer after school care. The drop off and pickup plans will be developed this summer.
Library
What type of book selection will you have in the library?
During our pilot year, we will begin to build the school library along with the classroom libraries. Books will range from biblical, to the greats; fiction and nonfiction.
Lunch
Where will the children eat lunch? Will there be a designated area for children with food allergies?
Allergies will be taken into account. If we find there is a student attending FPA that would need a lunch area set up due to a severe allergy, we will make sure that child is protected. Students will eat a lunch packed and sent from home. A snack would be needed as well.
Phases
What is the estimated time for each phase?
God’s timing. If the funds come in and we are able, we will start on each phase as soon as possible
Schedules
Class schedules?
Class schedules will be worked on over the summer as we begin to hire teachers.
Security
What will the security protocols entail; pond safety measures, teachers CCW, etc..
We are building the security team. Our School Minister will work closely with the head of security. As those plans are made, information will be shared.
Sports
What is the plan for sports?
Sports for the pilot year will be up to the parents to find a league their child may play in
STEM
Will STEM be offered at FPA?
To best explain FPA thoughts on STEM, we encourage you to read this article.
Support
Is there a plan for children who may fit the following categories: gifted, get bored easily, struggle in an area of learning, etc.
Due to the smaller classroom sizes, we see the opportunity to recognize those qualities and administer to those students
Will you have a special needs program?
There are special need children whose needs we may not be able to help this pilot year. We hope to have a program at FPA in the near future.
How will we serve dyslexic students?
We want to serve all of God’s children. This pilot year, we may find that out of our reach.
Will there be a remedial program to get all the students caught up on core curriculum?
Yes. We will be teaching to the child’s needs. Not every child is at the same place academically. The small class sizes and parent volunteers will help recognize the needs of each student.
Teachers
Questions in reference to teachers: Will there be a vetting process for teachers? Will the teachers need credentials, have a degree, and need to be licensed? What type of teacher training will FPA offer?
Background checks will be conducted, along with a thorough interview process. It will be required at FPA for each teacher to sign a statement of faith. We are bringing a methodology to teaching called the Principle Approach. Training for this methodology will be week long classes and funded and hosted at Salt & Light this June. Along with that training, our teachers will have the opportunity for additional professional development training to prepare them for the pilot year. These opportunities are through classes at Memoria College and Answers in Genesis to help with this preparation.
Is there one teacher for the whole day or specialty teachers?
Looking at the model of K-6/7 with one teacher, and specialty teachers starting in 8th. This plan could evolve, and as we make those decisions, we will get notification out.
Volunteers
Will parents be encourage and welcome as volunteers during the school day? Will background checks be required? How should parents sign up for volunteering?
Parents will be welcomed and encouraged to be at FPA. Once the enrollment process has been completed, a signup for volunteers will be posted. All volunteers will have background checks on file.
Miscellaneous
How will FPA handle homosexuality?
As with everything we do at FPA, we will go to the Bible for guidance. The Bible presents homosexuality as a sin. This would be against our code of conduct.
Will FPA accept state grants?
If it can be proven no strings are attached. Salt & Light Church leadership would have to review the grant proposal. We will not accept any monies where the government would have a reach
Will there be mandatory vaccinations?
No
What if cannot do monthly donations?
Not a problem at all. There will be other ways to help the school that is not monetary.
Any connection with OC school systems; career centers, sports?
Not at this time
Will breaks match OC schools?
Possibly. A school calendar will be published this summer.
How much do you estimate average cost per year?
Referring to student costs, it is between $8000 – $10,000 to educate each child per year. This covers the operational expenses.
Is there a list of specific items churches could donate to help?
We are in the process of building a list of needs. Please email: contact@firstprinciplesacademy.co to further discuss.
What is the current status of staffing of teachers & admin?
We are in the process of building the team.
Do you plan to go through the accreditation process?
At this time we have no plans to go down the path of accreditation.
Plan in case of medical emergency - EMT on staff
We want to have a volunteer nurse in house daily. We will have a CPR class for our teachers this summer.
When will a handbook be created?
We will work on the handbook this summer.
May a KJB be used by students?
Yes
Will FPA be Non-denominational school?
Yes, all will be welcome to apply and go through the process. There will be an application process, and family interview to make sure the school is a good fit for your family.
Do you need desks? - Have dozens
Yes, we need desks. Not only student desks, we need teacher desks. Please send an email to contact@firstprinciplesacademy.co to talk further.