====== BOARD POLICIES ======

===== STUDENT & INSTRUCTIONAL  =====

==== 2028 Policy Concerning Readmission After Withdrawal or Expulsion ====

This policy governs when a student seeks readmission to Christian Heritage Academy after an expulsion or a withdrawal that was primarily the result of a spiritual, social or disciplinary concern.

If a student seeks readmission to the school for any reason, and it is known that the student has learning needs that would require the school’s special support, the readmission candidacy would be handled under the Policy Concerning Readmission And Learning Assistance.

This policy pertains to students who were withdrawn or expelled because of a disciplinary situation, a spiritual concern, a social concern, or a breakdown in the ability of school and family to partner together in the stated mission of the school. The school administration will have full discretion to determine which cases do or do not fall into this category.

A student in this category seeking readmission will have his or her case reviewed by a special readmission panel. This panel will consist of a school administrator (not the Head of School), a Board member (not the President), and a faculty member who has knowledge of and experience with the student’s case. The Head of School and the President of the Board will jointly determine the membership of the panel using these guidelines.

A family that enters into the process for re‐admittance after a withdrawal or expulsion must accept, unconditionally, the final decision of the Head of School. At all times the decision to readmit a student is within the sound discretion of the Head of School. The school reserves the right at all times to deny readmission any student in its sole discretion. The re‐admittance procedure is confidential, and families or representatives other than the student’s family will not be allowed to participate, except at the specific request of panel members seeking pertinent information.

This panel will consider several factors in determining the readmission. The panel reserves the right to consider such factors or refrain from considering such factors as it deems necessary at its sole discretion. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the following:

**Counseling**

If professional counseling for academic, psychological, spiritual and other needs was appropriate, the panel will
assess if this counseling was obtained and was appropriate. Outcomes from this counseling will be considered,
including answers to the specific question of the student’s potential fit for Christian Heritage Academy.

**Family ‐ School Partnership**

The panel will assess whether or not the communication and partnership with the school has thus far been indicative
of success in the proposed future communication and partnership. The panel will seek evidence of reconciliation in
those situations where it was warranted.

**Disciplinary Concerns**

If disciplinary issues were a consideration, the panel will consider the student’s and the family’s response to the
event and the discipline. This includes the panel making the best assessment it can of the student’s repentance,
where appropriate. The panel must be convinced that the student is repentant ‐ not only sorry for any infractions,
but also set on a new and right course.

**Legal Issues**

If the circumstances of the student’s departure included legal issues, such as issues with government or law
enforcement, the panel will seek to ensure that the family is in good standing with non‐school authorities, or is
taking every available and appropriate measure to respect and pursue the process to achieve good standing.

**Reconciliation**

If the circumstances of the student’s departure involved a need for reconciliation with other school families, the
panel will assess the appropriateness and efficacy of the steps taken to achieve that reconciliation. This may include members of the panel making confidential inquiries with other families. The family’s demonstrated commitment to CHA’s Matthew 18 Policy as outlined in the Parent‐Student Handbook will be considered.

**Church Participation**

Because it is assumed that the families of Christian Heritage Academy are participating members in the larger body
of Christ outside the school, the panel will assess the steps taken to gain a local church’s help.

The administration will bring to the panel the components for consideration that must be considered in each individual case. This implies that one student’s case may involve consideration of academic issues and not disciplinary ones, while another student’s case may involve counseling questions but not academic. This will be at the discretion of the administration.

The deliberations of the panel will be limited to a reasonable time period. The family of the student may meet with the panel for one session of limited duration. Other students, families or parties will not participate in the process, except in the fact‐finding of the panel concerning reconciliation as outlined above.

The panel will be acting not only in the best interests of the individual student, but also in the best interests of all of the students of the Academy. If any of the components of the review suggest a strong doubt that readmission would allow the student to successfully pursue the mission statement of Christian Heritage Academy, then the panel will recommend that the student not be readmitted. Similarly, if any of the components of the review suggest a strong doubt that the readmission of this student will compromise other students’ successful pursuit of the Academy’s mission, the panel will recommend that the student not be readmitted.

If the panel, upon consideration of all issues deemed appropriate by the administration, judges that the student’s readmission has a reasonable prospect of success for both the student and the student body, it will refer the student’s case to the Head of School, recommending immediate readmission with, or without, a probationary status. The conditions of that probationary status will be determined by the administration in consultation with the panel, and the parents will be informed of all the terms of that probation prior to the student’s reentry. Failure to meet the terms of the probation would result in the student’s departure from the school and would also disqualify the student from future readmission hearings.

Notwithstanding the recommendations of the panel, the final decision rests with the Head of School. In either case, the Board will be informed of the Panel’s recommendation.

A recommendation against readmission ends this process for a full calendar year. The family may request another process after one calendar year from the panel’s decision.

Because the school has the legal right to expunge the records of a student, the panel may examine the disciplinary record of the student and make a recommendation to the administration. Such a recommendation would include consideration of the student's performance upon reentry.

At all times, the decision to readmit is within the sound discretion of the Head of School and no way are any implied rights of re‐admittance created by this policy. The school reserves the right to modify, revoke, or suspend this policy, without notice, in its sole discretion.

//Approved by the Board of Directors 6/20/03
//