Disclaimer. Valor Classical Academy makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of this handbook but reserves the right to make changes at any time; families will be notified of any changes during the year.
Student Conduct & Discipline
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”Hebrews 12:11
Discipline at Valor is discipleship. God’s rules are simple: love God, and love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:30–31). Our aim in every correction is the restoration of the heart, not merely changed behavior. Discipline is applied in light of the seriousness of the offense, the situation, and the student’s attitude, and always in love.
Discipline works only when home and school work together. If a discipline note comes home, please work with your child at the heart level and encourage them to seek forgiveness. If a partnership to correct the behavior cannot be established, a student may need to be unenrolled until an agreement can be reached.
Discipline is organized into three tiers by seriousness. Most behavior is handled at Tier 1, in the classroom, by the teacher.
Reports we did not see. If a teacher did not witness an offense and another student brings the report, we will not presume anyone is guilty from one child’s word. We look for two or three witnesses, so that every matter may be established (2 Corinthians 13:1).
Tier 1: Classroom the teacher handles it
Tier 1 covers ordinary childishness rather than defiance: minor disruption, off-task or nuisance behavior, careless use of materials, small unkindnesses, and not following directions. The teacher:
- Redirects and names the virtue at stake, giving the student a chance to self-correct.
- Applies a logical in-class consequence if it continues, such as a seat change, a brief sit-out, restitution, a sincere apology, loss of a classroom privilege, or a short writing or cleaning task.
- Records repeated incidents and notifies the parent when correction does not resolve the behavior.
- Refers to the Dean of Students (Tier 2) if the student will not comply, becomes defiant, or the behavior is more serious.
Tier 2: Office Referral the Dean of Students handles it
Tier 2 covers behavior beyond ordinary classroom misbehavior: defiance and outright disobedience, dishonesty (lying, cheating, stealing), disrespect to faculty or staff, bullying or harassment (including cyberbullying), inappropriate language, romantic displays of affection (such as cuddling or kissing), vandalism, and enabling others’ misbehavior. It also covers a known rule the student chooses to break, such as refusing to correct a dress-code violation, because the issue there is defiance rather than childishness.
The teacher sends the student to the Dean of Students with a brief incident note describing what happened, when, and the steps already taken. The Dean addresses the student, assigns a consequence, notifies parents the same day, and records it. The student may be picked up early depending on severity.
Office-Visit Escalation
Because patterns matter, office visits escalate within each semester. The count resets each semester.
- First office visit. The Dean addresses it, assigns a consequence, notifies parents the same day, and records it.
- Second office visit. The Dean and Head of School meet with the parents and create a written behavior and discipleship plan. The family is told that a third visit will result in suspension.
- Third office visit. The student is suspended, and the matter becomes a Tier 3 case, following the review and appeal process below. The student may return under the behavior plan at the discretion of the Head of School.
Cheating, plagiarism, and AI. Cheating (looking at another’s work, or communicating during an exam without permission) and plagiarism (using another’s work as one’s own), including using AI to generate or complete academic work, result in an immediate 0 on the assignment, parent notification, and a Tier 2 referral. A second offense is referred to the Academic Dean and Head of School. (Simply seeing the AI summary that now appears at the top of many search results is not, by itself, a violation; the violation is passing off AI-generated writing, answers, or ideas as your own. When in doubt, ask the teacher before using an AI tool.)
Personal devices. Phones, smart watches, gaming devices will not be used during school hours. Laptops are for supervised academic use only. A first lapse means the device is confiscated and returned to a parent; continued or defiant violations are handled as Tier 2. Valor is not responsible for lost, broken, or stolen personal items.
Tier 3: Serious the Head of School handles it, with the Board
Tier 3 covers safety, serious moral matters, or a pattern that earlier steps have not corrected: fighting or striking to harm (friendly, consensual roughhousing that both students welcome is not banned, but it must stop when anyone asks or it begins to escalate, and any contact meant to hurt is treated as fighting), endangering others, sexual misconduct, weapons on campus (an ordinary pocket knife, carried responsibly and not used to threaten, is not treated as a weapon), illegal substances, and persistent or unrepentant defiance.
Safety comes first. We will separate the student, contact the Head of School, and call 911 if anyone is in danger. Parents are notified immediately, and the student may be picked up immediately. The Head of School convenes a review with the student, parents, teacher if applicable, and the Dean of Students and decides the outcome, which may include a discipleship and restoration plan, suspension, or expulsion. Tuition is not reimbursed for suspension or expulsion. A family may appeal to the Board, whose decision is final.
The Range of Consequences
Consequences are chosen to fit the offense. They may include a warning, a change of seat, loss of a privilege, cleaning tasks, physical endurance (such as a wall sit, running laps, or push-ups), being sent home, or a specific plan agreed on with the parents.
Students must always deal with their sin God’s way, which includes offering a sincere apology, asking for forgiveness, and making restitution the best they can.
Government agency requests. As a general practice, we will notify parents and request their presence before any outside agency interviews a child during school hours, except where the law or a court order requires otherwise. Every Valor employee is also a mandated reporter under Minnesota law and must report suspected child maltreatment.
Academic Expectations
Grades tell the story of a child’s progress. Because we educate the whole person, we report both academic grades and character, so parents can tell whether a struggle is a matter of skill or of the heart. Grades never measure a child’s worth in God’s image; they reflect the quality of work in a subject at a given time.
Valor operates on a five-week unit cycle. Instruction, graded assessments, and the unit newsletter follow this rhythm: students practice through the unit and are assessed as the unit closes.
How We Grade by Stage
Following the classical tradition, we grade in a way that fits the student’s stage.
Grammar and primary grades are reported by mastery, not GPA. The percentages are a guide:
| Mark | Percentage | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Mastery | 90–100 | Consistently demonstrates understanding |
| Progressing | 80–89 | Developing; approaching mastery |
| Beginning | 70–79 | Beginning to understand; needs continued practice |
| Does not understand | below 70 | Does not yet understand; needs reteaching |
Secondary Prep and Secondary grades use standard letter grades and a 4.0 GPA for the transcript:
| Letter | Percentage | GPA |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 98–100 | 4.0 |
| A | 93–97 | 4.0 |
| A− | 90–92 | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87–89 | 3.3 |
| B | 83–86 | 3.0 |
| B− | 80–82 | 2.7 |
| C+ | 77–79 | 2.3 |
| C | 73–76 | 2.0 |
| C− | 70–72 | 1.7 |
| D | 60–69 | 1.0 |
| F | below 60 | 0.0 |
A final percentage is rounded to the nearest whole number before the scale is applied (for example, a 97.8 rounds to 98).
Grades are measured against an objective standard, not a curve.
Conduct
Alongside academics, students receive a conduct report (always, usually, sometimes, rarely, or never) on character such as being charitable, humble, patient, honest, respectful, servant-minded, and showing initiative.
Homework Load
Homework varies with each child, and much of it is reading, especially as students progress into secondary school. No homework is assigned on Wednesday nights. Some students may be substantially faster or slower than their peers. We provide the following guidelines for homework, as an average—not as a promise for your student.
| Stage | Tuesday night | Thursday night + weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Primary (grades K–2) | 10–30 min | 1–2 hours |
| Upper Primary (grades 3–6) | 45 min–1.5 hours | 1–3 hours |
| Secondary Prep (grades 7–8) | 1–2 hours | 5–7 hours |
| Secondary (grades 9–12) | 1–2 hours | 5–10 hours |
Late & Missing Work
- A missing assignment is entered as a 0 until it is submitted; a standing 0 means it was never turned in.
- Late work is reduced 10% per day, with weekends counting as two days.
Attendance, Arrival & Dismissal
Arrival and dismissal. On-campus instruction runs Tuesday through Thursday. The school day runs from 8:10 AM to 3:00 PM. Students may arrive between 7:45 and 8:05 AM and must be picked up between 3:00 and 3:20 PM. Consistent early arrival or late pick-up will be handled with the family.
Attendance. Because classical learning happens through live discussion, missed days cannot be fully made up. Being present at school is a way of loving teachers and classmates. Students have 6 academic days of absence per semester without consequence to their credits. Additional absences are excused only when pre-approved. Please notify the office as soon as possible of any absence or change in attendance—email [email protected]. More than 6 days in a semester triggers a review by the Head of School (with the Academic Dean for any credit implications). Emergencies are always taken into account.
Tardies (for secondary). A student arriving after the start bell is tardy. 3 unexcused tardies in a month bring a parent email; a fifth becomes a tier 2 office visit. Further tardies are treated as office visits.
Uniform & Dress Code
Full uniform standards—grooming, dress-code requirements by stage, and purchasing information—are maintained on the website: see the Uniforms page.
Health & Wellness
Lunch & snacks. Students bring a packed lunch (no heating or refrigeration), along with any utensils they need and a labeled water bottle. They may bring a mid-morning snack. Energy drinks are not allowed. Chewing gum is not allowed. Eating during classtime is not allowed.
Medicines. With written parent authorization, staff may give over-the-counter medication. Valor may decline responsibility for prescription medication; if so, we will accommodate a parent coming in to administer it.
Illness. Keep your child home until symptom-free for a full 24 hours from a fever of 100°F or higher (without fever-reducing medication), vomiting or diarrhea, or a contagious illness such as strep, hand-foot-mouth, or pinkeye. Please report illness to the office.
Technology & Online Conduct
Students are held to the same standard of behavior online as on campus. The following are not permitted: sending or displaying offensive messages or images; obscene, vulgar, or profane language; harassing or attacking others; and texting or interacting with teachers on social media. For personal device rules and consequences, see Student Conduct & Discipline.
Family Partnership
Parents are ultimately responsible for the education and flourishing of their children; teachers are facilitators and advisors in that work. For who handles what, see “Who’s Who at Valor” below.
When dealing with any issue at Valor, follow Matthew 18:15 and go first to the person directly involved.
Parent Honor Code
By enrolling my child at Valor, I affirm that:
- I want my child educated in both character and academics under a Christian worldview, and I understand that Christian nurture is ultimately my responsibility as a parent (Eph. 6:4; Deut. 6:7–9), supported by participation in a local church.
- I understand and will not undermine Valor’s mission and doctrine as set out in The Mission of Valor Classical Academy, even where my own convictions may differ, and I will not undermine the school’s distinct culture within the Valor community.
- I will ensure my child is present, on time, and in uniform, and I will communicate about planned absences without placing an undue burden on teachers.
- My child will submit to the authority of Valor faculty and staff, and I am ultimately responsible for my child’s behavior.
- I understand and accept the school’s discipline policy, including that consequences may involve cleaning tasks and physical endurance (for example, a wall sit, running laps, or push-ups). If a discipline note comes home, I will work with my child at the heart level toward repentance, and I will follow the discipline policy, including meeting with the administration when needed.
- If my child remains unresponsive to correction, I understand my child may be suspended or expelled, with the School Board as the final authority, and that tuition is not reimbursed.
- I will not impede grading, understanding that teachers use grades to coach my child toward mastery.
Student Honor Code (Secondary)
As a secondary student, I commit to doing my best academically (turning in work on time, preparing for class and exams, and staying organized); being an example to younger students (respectful to authority; loving in how I dress, act, and speak; modest in keeping with the uniform policy; helpful to those who struggle; and wise in relationships); and honoring God (no gossip or lying, and a good steward of my time and the school’s resources). I commit to positively contributing to the Christian culture of Valor.
Enrollment & Tuition
Struggling learners & accommodations. Valor is a small school with a limited ability to provide specialized accommodations, and we do not maintain external support services. We will partner with parents and make reasonable adjustments where we can, but families should weigh these limits before enrolling. We love every child and disciple each one toward growth. We do not treat a diagnosis, such as ADHD or other “mental health” labels, as an excuse for sin or for behavior that violates this handbook.
Tuition & assistance. Families needing aid should first ask family and church. After that, they may apply for financial aid through the school.
Who’s Who at Valor
Knowing who handles what helps families get answers quickly.
| Role | Areas They Cover |
|---|---|
| Teacher | Your child’s daily instruction, classroom culture, grading, and first-line discipline. Your first contact for anything about your child’s classroom. |
| Academic Dean | The academic program: curriculum, grading and homework standards, assessments, and graduation or credit questions. |
| Dean of Students | Student culture and discipline, supervision, uniforms, safety, accommodations, and admissions. Your contact for behavior or a concern about a specific student. |
| Operations and Administrative Assistant | Enrollment and records, report cards and attendance, billing and tuition logistics, and family communications. Your contact for enrollment paperwork, records, and day-to-day office questions. |
| Head of School | Policy, doctrine, final authority on discipline outcomes (suspension and expulsion). Your contact for school policy or to appeal a decision. |
| School Board | Governance and the final internal authority, including formal appeals of a Head of School decision. |
Teachers reply to messages within about 36 hours on weekdays. Teachers’ personal phones are not a channel for school communication, so please do not text them.