PA R E NT/ S TUD E N T

H A N DBO OK

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 TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
Welcome (from Head of School) ………………………………………………………. 3

Vision Statement ………………………………………………………………………… 3

Mission Statement ……………………………………………………………………….. 3

Philosophy ……………………………………………………………………………….. 3

What Makes Sevenstar a Christian School? …………………………………………….. 4

Sevenstar Core Values ……………………………………………………………………. 4

Sevenstar Benefits ……………………………………………………………………….. 5

School Personnel …………………………………………………………………………. 5

School Contact Information …………………………………………………………….. 6

Registration Process …………………………………………………………………….. 6

Computer and Technology Requirements ……………………………………………… 6

School Policies …………………………………………………………………………… 6

 Refund Policy

 Student Progress Policy

 Plagiarism Policy

 Course Extension Policy

Communication …………………………………………………………………………… 6

Grading System ………………………………………………………………………….. 7

Pacing …………………………………………………………………………………….. 7

Textbooks and Supplies …………………………………………………………………. 8

Graduation Requirements ……………………………………………………………….. 8

List of Courses and Prerequisites ……………………………………………………….. 8

Support ……………………………………………………………………………………. 8

Final Grades & Transcripts ……………………………………………………………… 10

FAQ’s …………………………..………………………………………………………… 11

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 WELCOME

From Dr. R. Mark Beadle, Head of School

We are so glad that you and your family are a part of Sevenstar Academy. We
commit to doing all we can to help you be successful.

Please read the information below. This establishes our working relationship
and keeps us on the same page.

Welcome to Sevenstar!

VISION STATEMENT

Sevenstar Academy’s vision is to make disciples of Christ through a global learning community that
glorifies God.

MISSION STATEMENT

To work toward its vision, Sevenstar uses this mission: to provide outstanding online education that
instructs the mind and heart of each student.

PHILOSOPHY

Sevenstar believes that all students and staff should be involved in fulfilling the Great
Commission (Matt. 28:19-20). Therefore, the continuous evaluation and assessment of
students and staff—in order to foster improvement—will be part of the Sevenstar
experience. Sevenstar also wants to involve parents as partners in the learning experience; for
though Sevenstar serves the Christian family, the academy feels that parents have primary
responsibility for their children’s education.

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 WHAT MAKES SEVENSTAR A CHRISTIAN SCHOOL?

 Opportunities to share the Good News and to accept Christ

 The Bible is the foundation for all learning, and content includes a Christian
perspective
 The vision is to Glorify God
 Courses are built on Christian principles
 Teachers are carefully screened; dynamic Christian instructors; excited about
Biblical integration
 Many students are from Christian homes
 Outreach and service projects are part of learning
 Devotions are available everyday
 On staff is a school chaplain who personally addresses students' spiritual needs
 Students build a spiritual community in which prayer requests are shared

SEVENSTAR CORE VALUES

1. Christ-centeredness
All Sevenstar does and all it teaches will be rooted in Christ.

2. Christ-likeness
Like the Son, Sevenstar seeks to glorify the Father in all relationships and activities.

3. Excellence
Sevenstar desires excellence in everything, but most importantly in academics, thereby
maximizing each student’s potential to grow.

4. Student-centricity
Sevenstar will value students as individuals, and endeavors to make decisions based upon
what is best for students.

5. Cooperation
Sevenstar believes quality education involves sharing among students, parents, instructors,
organizations in providing programs, materials, and services.

6. Service
Sevenstar understands that demonstrating love through serving others encourages learning
and maturity.

7. Sensitivity
Sevenstar will be attentive to the Holy Spirit in appreciating the diverse world God has
created, recognizing how and where the academy fits into God’s plans.

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 SEVENSTAR BENEFITS

The academy celebrates education alternatives, such as homeschooling. Related to

homeschooling, then, Sevenstar provides many benefits to the family.

The first benefit is Sevenstar’s complete curriculum offering. The entire curriculum is
biblically-integrated, and each course was designed by professional Christian educators, well-
experienced in their respective fields. Further, Sevenstar’s curriculum may be customized by
each parent to fit the educational dynamics of his or her family.

Sevenstar is designed to make homeschooling easier on the parent beyond providing

academically-excellent courses for all levels of students. Primarily, Sevenstar can ease the
workload of homeschooling parents by providing well planned, engaging lessons for each
course a student takes. Parents may modify any lesson, and lessons are designed to
accommodate a variety of enriching activities that parents may choose to add. To view
sample Sevenstar courses, please email info@sevenstaracademy.org.

If parents choose, Sevenstar can provide the teacher for each of its online courses. The
benefit of using a Sevenstar teacher—all of whom are trained in online education—often
increases as a student advances in school (and begins to take advanced courses such as
calculus, physics, and various foreign languages). By offering experienced instructors in all
subjects, Sevenstar readily assists parents in extending the homeschool experience through
the high school years.

Further, Sevenstar truly wants parents to remain in control over the education needs of their
family. For that reason, the academy’s instructors partner with parents by regularly
communicating with them regarding the progress of their children. That is, by interacting
both with their children and Sevenstar instructors, parents can continue to actively influence
their children’s education. Further, parents have access to all lessons and all course work
submitted by their students.

SCHOOL PERSONNEL

Outstanding Christian teachers and staff will make Sevenstar an enjoyable and interesting
educational experience for students, families, and school partners. Sevenstar teachers have:
applied; been interviewed; had their references checked; had a drug screening; and had a
criminal background check. After this, teachers were trained and mentored.

Sevenstar's team loves their Lord and their students. They display a "partnership" mentality,
and are excited to work together with all Sevenstar students, families, and schools.

Information about the Sevenstar team can be found here:

http://www.sevenstaracademy.org/default.asp?contentid=482

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 SCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION

www.sevenstaracademy.org

707 276 3472

REGISTRATION PROCESS IS EXPLAINED AT:

http://www.sevenstaracademy.org/default.asp?contentID=492

COMPUTER AND TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS ARE EXPLAINED AT:

http://www.sevenstaracademy.org/default.asp?contentID=551

SCHOOL POLICIES

Sevenstar Refund Policy is found at:

http://www.sevenstaracademy.org/downloads/Refund%20Policy.pdf
.

Student Progress and Login Policy is found at:

http://www.sevenstaracademy.org/downloads/Student%20Progress%20Policy.pdf

Sevenstar Plagiarism Policy is found at:

http://www.sevenstaracademy.org/default.asp?contentid=580

COMMUNICATION

In order to be successful in the online world, students and parents and teachers must
communicate frequently. If you have a question concerning the class or grade, please
address them directly to the teacher. It is helpful for parents to also be available periodically
for phone calls made by the teacher and ask any questions they may have.

Sevenstar teachers are required to answer emails, SKYPES, and phone calls within 24
hours. After trying the teacher without the success you believe you need, you can then
contact the Principal, Mrs. Bird (kristin@sevenstaracademy.org) to explain your concern.

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 GRADING

Grading Scale

If a student is working through a school, that school may set the grading scale if they inform
the student AND the Teacher within 5 days of the start of the class. Otherwise, the scale
below will be used.

Grading Scale
Sevenstar Academy

Letter Numeric 1 credit 0.5 credit

Grade Grade quality points quality points
A 93-100 4.00 2.00
A- 90-92 3.67 1.84
B+ 87-89 3.33 1.67
B 83-86 3.00 1.50
B- 80-82 2.67 1.34
C+ 77-79 2.33 1.17
C 73-76 2.00 1.00
C- 70-72 1.67 0.84
D+ 67-69 1.33 0.67
D 63-66 1.00 0.50
D- 60-62 0.67 0.34
F Below 60 0.00 0.00

Parents are encouraged to take an active role in the education of their children. Checking
grades in Maestro periodically will help you stay updated on your children’s progress in each
of his/her classes.

All students using a Sevenstar Teacher should expect most grading to be completed
within a 48-hour time period.

PACING

All courses are either one or two semesters long. Students may choose to complete
their course using one of two tracks:

 Traditional Pace (16-18 weeks per semester)

 Accelerated Pace (6-10 weeks per semester)

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 Students who need more time than either the Traditional or Accelerated Pace allows,
may fill out a Course Extension request form. These forms as well as the Course Extension
Policy are found within the course information area of each course, and also at our website
at:

http://www.sevenstaracademy.org/downloads/Policies/Course%20Extension%
20Policy.pdf

Each request is taken on an individual basis and must be filed with the teacher of the
class at least 2 weeks prior to the original end date.

TEXTBOOKS AND SUPPLIES INFORMATION may be found at:

http://www.sevenstaracademy.org/default.asp?contentID=629

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Any student wishing to receive a diploma from Sevenstar Academy must meet the
minimum requirements for graduation. They may be found at:

http://www.sevenstaracademy.org/downloads/Policies/2008%20Sevenstar%20
Grad.%20Requirements(2).pdf

COURSES OFFERED AND PREREQUISITES

Course List and Course Descriptions can be found at:

http://www.sevenstaracademy.org/default.asp?contentid=486

AP & Dual Credit Course List:

http://www.sevenstaracademy.org/default.asp?contentID=487

Demo Courses can be found at:

http://www.sevenstaracademy.org/default.asp?contentid=489

SUPPORT

Working with the Support Team

Reporting Problems
Sevenstar’s intention is that technical problems or “glitches” within the courses never stop
the progress of students and teachers. The support structure within the environment serves
this purpose. The following steps and instructions will help you understand the Sevenstar
support structure:

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 Researching a Problem
The student orientation course directs students to address all support issues first to
the teacher. It is important that the teachers always know what is going on the
academic life of students and know the problems they face with the environment.

When a student reports a problem within the course (broken link, page error,
missing content, etc) teachers research that complaint and determine the extent of a
problem. They may then give instructions about moving forward in the course or
waiting for a resolution from support (whichever is appropriate).

Provide Direction
Students have their own direct interface with Sevenstar support through the
“Support” tab in each course to report problems they found. Students are
encouraged to work with the teacher (or parent) to effectively communicate the
problems they have discovered.

Student Support Access

In the “Support” tab (located at the top of each course), you will notice a section for
“Student Resources.” In this section, you will find the link to the support form.

In the support form, students have the ability to describe the problem they encountered and
submit that issue directly to the
Sevenstar support team. They will
receive an automated message
immediately to confirm that their
support ticket has been received.
Someone will respond to the case
promptly. The normal resolution
time for issues within a course is
24 hours. If the problem you
encounter is anticipated to take
longer than that, a support team
representative will make that clear
and give you an estimated time of
resolution.

Cases that you feel have not

received sufficient attention or
communication, escalate the issue
to the support team leader by
emailing

tech.support@sevenstaracademy.org.

*NOTE: There is more important information about the Sevenstar support structure and
the basic system requirements before beginning work online in the FAQ section of the
Sevenstar website. Visit that page here: Support FAQs

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 FINAL GRADES & TRANSCRIPTS

Sevenstar recommend that schools and parents simply transfer grades from Sevenstar
grading system to their own transcript when the course meets the requirements of the school
or family. Upon request Sevenstar Academy will apply grades to an official Sevenstar
Academy transcript only for courses that are taught by Sevenstar teachers. Any course that is
taught by a parent or partner school teacher will not appear on an official Sevenstar
Academy transcript.
To request a transcript, contact Admissions for a transcript form (or copy and paste the
request form below into a Word document), then fill out the form and return it to
Admissions@sevenstaracademy.org

Transcript Request Form

Student Name/Grade Student Email Parent Email School Email (if it is to be
(i.e. 9th) sent to a school)

Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Add more columns

if needed
Course Name

Date Completed

Final Grade *

Modules
Completed
Teacher’s name

Credit expected (.5

or 1.0)*
*- to be verified. Transcripts are currently free if requested by email and are being sent by
email.

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 FAQ’S can be found at:
http://www.sevenstaracademy.org/default.asp?contentID=490

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