Get the 411!
This page is designed to answer all of your questions regarding GRACE. If you still have questions after looking through this page, please give the school office a call at (770) 461-0137 and we'd be glad to help.
Questions from new families
GRACE's Financial Assistance Program
Our Before School and After School Program
Standardized Clothing
Questions from new families
Q. Where can I find out about the school's calendar?
A. Please check our calendars page for more information about upcoming events.
Q. Is GRACE accredited?
A. Yes. GRACE is fully accredited by the GACS (Georgia Association of Christian Schools). The following is a statement from the GACS:
Recognition of GACS Accreditation
The accreditation program of the Georgia Association of Christian Schools has been recognized and approved by the following Georgia state boards and authorities:
The Georgia Board of Education:
The Georgia Board of Education has approved the Georgia Private School Accrediting Commission (GAPSAC) of which the Georgia Association of Christian Schools is a charter member. All schools provisionally or fully accredited by the GACS are entitled to benefits, including transfer of grades and credits to public schools, on the same basis as students from public schools. No additional tests over and above those required by public school students will have to be taken by students from GACS accredited schools, nor any additional measures whatsoever will be required.
Georgia Board of Regents:
The Georgia Board of Regents has approved graduates from GACS provisionally or fully accredited schools for entrance to colleges of the University System of Georgia (USG). However, individual colleges of the USG may place additional requirements, over and above those required for graduation by the Georgia Board of Education, on all students (from both public and private schools) applying to a particular college. Usually these requirements are based on the "Freshman Index", which is a combination of SAT scores and course grades from the student's cumulative grade point average (GPA).
For this reason, we recommend that any student planning to attend a college or university of the USG contact that particular college or those colleges no later than the beginning of the junior year of high school to be assured that the student is on track to meet admission requirements. Information on the Freshman Index may be requested from any college or university belonging to the USG.
Georgia Student Finance Authority (HOPE Scholarship)
Graduates of schools which are candidates for accreditation, provisionally accredited, or fully accredited by the Georgia Association of Christian Schools are eligible for HOPE Scholarships on the same basis as are graduates from public schools in Georgia. Application for these scholarships may be made through the Georgia college or university to which the student has applied.
Q. Are your teachers certified?
A. Yes. Our teachers are certified through the Georgia Association of Christian Schools.
Q. Does my child have to attend Fayette Bible Church in order to attend GRACE?
A. No, but we do ask that our families attend a local church. The admissions packet includes a Pastoral Recommendation Form to give to your Pastor.
Q. How large is each class?
A. Our class size varies by grade, but typically, we like to keep our classes around 20 students.
Q. Are there Honors classes available at the High School?
A. Yes. GRACE offers an option for Honors classes starting in the ninth grade in the following subjects: math, science, English, and social studies. In addition, we offer Advanced Placement Calculus AB and Advanced Placement British Literature.
GRACE's Financial Assistance Program
Q. What is the GRACE financial assistance program?
A. GRACE privately funds a financial aid program for families who need assistance with tuition based on assessed needs through a formal application process and available funding. All families must apply through PSAS (Private School Aid Service) in order to be considered for financial assistance.
Q. Who determines which family receives financial assistance?
Each and every recipient must have formally applied for financial aid through PSAS (Private School Aid Service). GRACE partnered with PSAS in 2009 to help with assessing family needs for financial assistance. From a comprehensive recommendation from PSAS, GRACE administration team in partnership with the GRACE school board decides who will receive the assistance. We trust God’s leadership in these delicate and sensitive matters.
Q. What is PSAS and how do they help with financial assistance?
PSAS (Private School Aid Service) provides a comprehensive service which handles all aspects of the financial aid application and verification process. With the introduction of a third party (PSAS) into the financial aid eligibility and evaluation process, GRACE achieves total objectivity, professionalism and consistency.
Q. Who can receive financial assistance from GRACE?
Financial assistance is offered only to families who apply through PSAS. After PSAS processes your application, they suggest an amount of financial aid for you. Based on the amount of funds available, the aid is distributed to families.
Q. How are the monies generated for financial assistance?
Currently, all funds are privately donated and managed by the GRACE administration team. In process, GRACE is strategically planning for additional funds and more ways to assist families.
Q. How is financial assistance distributed to families?
GRACE normally provides only tuition assistance in the forms of tuition credit or tuition discounts to families. GRACE does not distribute cash or checks to families in need.
Q. Who decides how much assistance is given?
The GRACE administrative team, in partnership with the GRACE school board, determines how much money is available for the school year. From a comprehensive recommendation from PSAS, families are ranked by order of need and ability to pay.
Q. For families who receive assistance, when is the assistance given?
Normally, tuition assistance is credited to your GRACE account on a monthly basis. Therefore, assistance typically begins on the first month of the first semester of each school year and continues monthly thereafter for that school year. Families must reapply each school year.
Q. Can I help raise money for GRACE financial assistance program?
Yes. Please contact the Admissions department for more details on how you can help with this program.
Q. Can I donate money to GRACE for financial assistance to a family in need?
Yes. Private donations can be accepted for families in need and in most cases tax- deductible.
Q. Is a specific amount of financial assistance normally given to families who apply?
Normally, only tuition assistance is granted in the forms of discounts or credits which will vary depending on the monies available and the needs as assessed through PSAS.
Q. How can I apply for financial assistance?
The very first step for each family is the same. You must complete an application and submit a $20 service charge to PSAS so they can process your application. Each year, PSAS reserves the rights to specify application deadlines for you to follow and request additional information as needed.
Q. How do I get an application?
All applications must be picked up from our school office which is open from 8:30 to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday.
Q. When can I apply for financial assistance?
The typical application process begins in January and runs through May 1st. GRACE will publicize when applications are available to be picked up in the school office.
Q. When I apply, how long will it take before I am notified about my application?
The PSAS process is determined by you and based on how long it takes you to complete the process and submit all the necessary forms and paperwork. Please consult their website at PSAS.org for further information.
Q. How will I be notified by PSAS?
PSAS does not notify families about their recommendation. This information is sent to the school.
Q. How will I get notified by GRACE if I am a recipient of financial assistance?
GRACE will send you a notification letter detailing what financial assistance you have or have not qualified for.
Our Before School and After School Program
Before School Program:
Hours: From 6:45AM to 8:15AM
Cost: $4.80 per hour, per student, OR $2.40 per 30 minutes or any part thereof
After School Program:
Billing Hours: From 3:30PM to 6:00PM
GRACE Period for all families: We will begin charging for our Afterschool Program at 3:30 PM for all ages
Cost: $4.80 per hour, per student, OR $2.40 per 30 minutes or any part thereof
Cost after 6:00 PM: $12.00 per student for the first 5 minutes, and a $1.20 for every minute afterwards
Billing and Policies
- GRACE faculty and staff will calculate all charges using the atomic clock
- Statements are sent in the mail the first of each month with charges listed from the previous month
- Statements are due upon receipt, and late charges accrue after the 15th of the month
- Students with accounts past due of 30 days or more will not be allowed in the program
- Students cannot be left on campus unattended in the morning or afternoon without faculty or staff present
- Any student in K3-6th grades dropped off at GRACE before 8:15 AM will be charged for Before School Program
- Any student in 7-12 grades dropped off at GRACE before 7:45 AM will be charged for Before School Program.
- For siblings of students participating in sports or extracurricular activities, the charge is ½ price per hour. This will not include away games, or non school sponsored events.
- Any student who is ill will need to be picked up immediately
- Parents or authorized persons are only allowed to pick up their students. Please complete an authorization form in order to authorize someone else to pick up your student
- Please leave all personal toys at home.
- Cell phone may only be used with permission only, and Ipods or electronic devices are not allowed
Standardized Clothing
Q. What is standardized clothing at GRACE Christian Academy?
GRACE “standards for dress” is an expression of our vision for a strong ministry culture, so our students can honor God with their appearance. It is our way to encourage unity and oneness among our students while discouraging the growth of subcultures, negative peer groups and cliques.
Q. Why would our school want to have standards for dress for all students?
Improves classroom performance, attitude, and school spirit among students, gives all students a chance to develop a positive self image, eliminates the significant peer pressure imposed on them, provides an excellent opportunity to standardize the dress code for our school, provides a less expensive dress alternative than today's costly styles, and makes getting ready for school an easy task for parents and students. In addition, standards for dress may help reduce bullying, branding, and bias while encouraging unity, service and professionalism.
Q. Why are we using Buckhead Uniforms when we are not required to wear a uniform?
For over 60 years Buckhead Uniforms has provided superb customer service, excellent quality of clothing – (guarantees the finest suppliers), extensive range of sizes, inventory availability, and best of all, liberal return policy – (Buckhead Uniforms accepts returns at any time provided the merchandise has not been washed, worn, or altered and the tags are on the garments). In addition, convenient shopping hours - Buckhead Uniforms has extended back to school retail hours, as well as 24 hour a day online internet shopping @ www.buckheaduniforms.com.
Q. What do the standards for dress look like?
The basic standards for dress at Grace requires all of our students grades K3-12th to wear approved GRACE clothing as outlined in the standardized clothing forms. The details for the clothing standards are found posted on edline, or you can pick one up in the school foyer. In addition, a clothing board is displayed in the foyer containing some examples of standards for dress.
Q. Will the standards for dress ever change at GRACE?
Currently, our standards are outlined for only the 2009-10 school year. The standards may enlarge to include additional items; however, we do not plan to change the basic clothing standards any time soon.
Q. Do I have to purchase all of my clothing at Buckhead Uniforms?
No, in 2009, GRACE only requires students to purchase “at least one red knit short sleeve, or long sleeve polo” with the GRACE logo from Buckhead clothing. You may also purchase khaki, black or white knit or cotton approved shirts. ALL approved shirts MUST be purchased from Buckhead clothing. If a student decides to wear a jacket or sweater throughout the day at GRACE, these must be purchased at Buckhead Uniforms.
Q. Do I have to purchase outerwear (jackets, coats and sweaters) from Buckhead Uniforms?
Yes, if you plan to wear these in class or anywhere during school. Any outerwear (jackets, sweaters, vests, coats) that students want to wear all the time, or throughout the day MUST have the approved GRACE logo and purchased from Buckhead Uniforms. You may wear any jacket or coat ONLY to school and AWAY from school, or during outside recess.
Q. Do I have buy additional clothing items from Buckhead Uniforms?
No, you can purchase these items (skirts, shorts, skorts, jumpers, shoes, socks, belts, etc.) from any store as long as they fit the standards as outlined on the standardized clothing form. ONLY purchase standardized shirts from Buckhead Uniforms for now.
Q. Can I take knit polo shirts or clothing purchased from other stores and have Buckhead Uniforms put on the approved GRACE logo?
No, Buckhead Uniforms will not do this for you. You must purchase the approved shirts from them and they are the only ones allowed to imprint our logo for now.
Q. Do I have to wear the standardized clothing every day at GRACE?
You must wear standardized clothing Monday through Friday unless you choose to participate in Dress Down Day. Dress down days are usually held on Friday. Please read the next question for details about dress down days.
Q. What is dress down Friday look like?
Dress Down Day – Students are required to wear standardized clothing OR they can wear approved GRACE Knit polos navy or black jeans or knee-length jean skirts. In addition, they can wear the older version of GRACE red polo shirts, GRACE tee shirt, GRACE sweatshirts or hooded sweatshirts.
Q. Do I have to tuck my shirt in at GRACE at all times?
Yes, all shirts must be tucked in and an approved belt must be worn at all times except dress down days. Fashion fit tops and certain athletic wear shirts for girls only are not required to be tucked in. These shirts may be identified by the slits located on the sides.
Q. When can I place my order at Buckhead Uniforms?
Buckhead Uniforms is ready when you are. You may drive to the store, call in the order or order online at their website.
BUCKHEAD UNIFORMS
1554 Southlake Parkway, Morrow, GA 30260 678-422-9876
2941 McManus Road, Macon, GA 31220 678-422-9876
www.buckheaduniforms.com
Please click here to download (in pdf form) our school requirements for both boys and girls.