What is the difference between homeschool co-ops and Renaissance Christian?
Renaissance Christian and homeschool co-ops should not be equated. Home school co-ops are a good way for homeschooling families to pool their resources and expertise for specific and usually short-term study projects. One parent, for instance, may be especially proficient in math or science and teach a group of students that subject for a period of time. Generally speaking, homeschool co-ops are age-integrated, specialized, parent-run and do not simulate a college structure. In some cases, co-ops also take over the primary responsibility of teaching certain courses instead of integrating the teacher and parent effectively for each course as is done at Renaissance Christian. RCSE is also different by virtue of having specific grade levels, consistent accountability from semester to semester, a full spectrum of courses complete with prerequisites and diploma plans, and a professional administration and faculty (much like a traditional school has) partnering with the parents.
What grade levels does Renaissance Christian offer?
Renaissance Christian currently offers a full academic program for junior kindergarten (staring at age 3) through seventh grade. We plan to add at least one grade each year until we have a full K-12 program.
What curriculum is used at Renaissance Christian? What subjects do you teach?
RCSE uses a variety of curriculum resources for its academic programs. We strive for materials that are academically challenging and supportive of our goal of providing a classical and Christian education. Our core subjects are English, Math, Science and History. Our curriculum is distinctive in that our students study Latin beginning in kindergarten, formal Logic in the eighth grade and Rhetoric and Greek in high school. We also offer several enrichment courses each semester.
What is your schedule and hours?
Renaissance Christian operates on a "university schedule" where students have the option of attending classes on-campus two days a week or going full time three days a week and completing assignments at home on alternate days. Our school day begins at 8:30 a.m. with our morning assembly and ends at 1:30 p.m.
What is the cost of tuition?
Because of the nature of the university-model, the cost of tuition for a full time student will be less than a typical 5-day-a-week school. However, our desire to attract and retain the very best teachers will be reflected in our tuition as well.
Affordability for all families is maintained by allowing students to enroll in as few as one course per semester. Further, we hope to establish a tuition assistance program in the future so that this type of education is accessible on a full time basis by any family. Click here for the latest Tuition & Fee schedule.
Do you offer extended care?
We do not offer extended childcare before or after school beyond our scheduled extracurricular activities.
What are the expectations for off-campus days?
Students receive lesson plans and assignment packets for their work at home for off-campus days. The packets are very parent-friendly and contain all of the instructions, assignments and details for the day's work. Parents of younger children (K-2) need to work hands-on with their children during this time, while parents of older students act more as monitors since older students work more independently.
What if I am not a teacher or if I have never homeschooled?
Parents need not have teaching experience. Renaissance Christian takes the lead in the area of academics. New concepts are introduced and taught at school by paid professional faculty while the application of the concept often takes place at home, much like that of college studies. Renaissance Christian teachers provide detailed course overviews and online assignment sheets each week while maintaining open lines of communication. Parents act as co-instructors under the guidance of the classroom teacher. In addition, Renaissance Christian offers training to parents in various areas including academics and character development. Finally, bear in mind that as a child progresses to higher grade levels, the academic role of the parent gradually migrates from that of co-instructor to proctor/mentor, so that by the time a student graduates he is prepared (trained and experienced) to assume the individual responsibility required for success at the collegiate level.
My wife and I both work full time outside our home. Would Renaissance Christian work for us?
One of the most important ingredients in the success at Renaissance Christian is an available parent who can assist and properly work with the student. For a family in which both parents work outside the home on a full-time, or almost full-time, basis, a more traditional 35-40 hours/week school is probably a better choice.
What if I do not want my child to take an enrichment activity?
Enrichment courses are optional.
How does the school view parental involvement?
At the core of our philosophy of education is that parents are partners. Therefore, we strongly encourage parental involvement in our school and have purposefully structured our program to require this involvement. We also desire our parents to be active in the classrooms, to volunteer for school projects and to visit with the teachers regularly and frequently.
Must I volunteer?
In keeping with our philosophy that an education requires both the school and the parent, parents are required to volunteer 10 hours per semester. In the event the ten parent service hours are not accumulated by the conclusion of the semester, a fee of $100.00 will be due. If parents have accumulated partial service hours but not completed the ten hours a fee of $10 per remaining hour will be due upon the conclusion of the semester.
Is your school associated with a denomination or area church?
Renaissance Christian is a distinctly Christian institution that is committed to the Word of God, the Bible, as the foundation and guide for all we do, therefore we are Church of Christ affiliated. Our Statement of Faith is reflective of historic, biblical Christianity. For more information concerning the Church of Christ or questions concerning our teachings or other biblical questions, please visit www.gototheword.net.
What are the qualifications for your teachers?
All core courses are taught by certified teachers or qualified individuals holding a bachelors degree or higher.
Do you accommodate learning disabilities?
Due to the rigors of our curriculum and the shorter amount of classroom time, we are regrettably unable to accommodate children with serious learning and behavioral disabilities.
How do you place students in grades?
At Renaissance Christian we seek to place students based upon their mastery of the material rather than the child's chronological age. Therefore, it is possible that your child may work at a level above or below their normal age in one subject while still working on grade level for their other subjects. We believe this allows the student to achieve his or her maximum potential. Placement is initially made based upon the results of a pre-admission test.
What about academic standards? How rigorous is your program?
We believe in setting standards that will stretch students of all abilities to reach their fullest potential -intellectually and spiritually. At Renaissance Christian we strive to set the bar high in a way that is both accessible to the average student and challenging to the academically gifted student.
Does Renaissance Christian teach Latin? Why?
Yes, Renaissance Christian students are strongly encouraged to take Latin. The grammatical structure of English is based on Latin, as is about 50 percent of English vocabulary. Consequently, the study of Latin tends to expand students' vocabularies, as well as enhance their grammar skills. Latin also prepares children for the study of other foreign languages: French, Spanish and Italian are all related to Latin. In addition, contrary to popular belief, the study of Latin guards against arrogance. In his studies, a child begins to recognize that his world, his language, his vocabulary and his way of expressing himself are only one way of living and thinking in a big, complicated world. Finally, the very process of learning Latin requires mental gymnastics that strengthen the mind.
What about new students transferring into your program from other types of schools?
This is a legitimate concern of many parents who are considering enrollment of the children but our experience is that most students adjust readily to the new approach and new subjects. Although some new students encounter challenges with the higher standards, the school takes a reasonable approach to new students, allowing them ample opportunity to adjust and catch up, as needed.
Do your students participate in standardized testing programs?
Yes, our students are regularly tested in aptitude, basic skills, concepts, and reading comprehension using nationally recognized standardized tests such as the Iowa Test of Basic Skills.
Do you have extra-curricular activities and a sports program?
We currently have a book club, Junior Master Gardeners and Poetry Corner. Students have the chance to enroll in other activities by participating in Club Imagination.
Our instructional, child-ran sports league for soccer and basketball is open to all RSCE students, home schooling students and children in the community ages 4-12.
Please visit Renaissance Christian Youth League for more information.
What is the student-teacher ratio?
Renaissance Christian's policy is to have no more than fifteen students per class. This low ratio allows teachers to offer significant personal attention to the students.
What is the discipline policy at Renaissance Christian School of Excellence?
Our standards for student behavior are very high. We have no tolerance for disrespect, dishonesty, rebellion, fighting, and obscene language. The goal of all discipline at Renaissance Christian is Christ-likeness and is exercised in a spirit of grace and compassion. Parental responsibility and cooperation in disciplinary matters is expected and strongly emphasized. For complete details, please see the "Discipline Guidelines" in our Family Handbook.
How are students graded at Renaissance Christian?
RCSE uses a traditional grading scale of A (90-100%), B (80-89%), C (70-79%), D (60-69%) and F (less than 60%) for kindergarten and above. Report cards are issued every 16 to 18 weeks. Mid-term progress reports are generally issued in the 8th or 9th week. Parents are kept apprised of student performance regularly and frequently.
What is the school's policy regarding dress codes and uniforms?
Renaissance Christian requires its students to wear prescribed uniforms. The uniform basically consists of burgundy and gray polo shirts with the school logo and navy pants. Items with the school logo must be purchased from designated vendors. For more information please refer to Family Handbook on the RCSE Family Portal.
What kind of lunch program do you offer?
Parents are responsible for providing a snack, a lunch and beverages for students. Microwaves and refrigerators will not be available to students.
Where are you located?
Renaissance Christian currently has two campuses. Our Charlotte campus is located at 4435 E. WT Harris Blvd (on the campus of Northside Church of Christ) in Charlotte, North Carolina. Our Richlands campus is scheduled to open fall of 2009 at 300 W. Hargett Street (on the campus of Richlands Church of Christ) in Richlands, North Carolina.