Humble Hearts School
Humble Hearts School
A ministry of Faith of Jesus Church
Po Box 23 Gadsden, AL 35902
167 South Hawk Drive Rainbow City AL 35906
2020-2021 School Year
Family Handbook
Dear Humble Hearts Family,
I want to be the first to welcome you to the Humble Hearts Homeschoolers Family. I am honored that you have chosen Humble Hearts to assist your family in your homeschooling journey.
In the pages that follow, you will find a brief overview and introduction into our school’s beliefs, mission, programs, events, and rules, as well as your rights and responsibilities as a homeschooling parent in the state of Alabama.
I believe that every parent has the responsibility to educate their children in the way that they can learn best, to give them the foundation they need to live a successful and productive life. I also believe that every parent has the right to choose the education style that is best equipped to meet their children’s educational needs.
Homeschooling is not for everyone. But anyone who wants to homeschool their children can. You do not have to have any special training or certification to teach your children.
The 2020-21 school year is going to be unlike anything we have ever experienced. This applies to all forms of education, including homeschooling. While none of us can predict the future, I do make this promise to you; I will continue to monitor the unfolding situations in government and educational circles to the best of my ability and will use this knowledge to help your family make the most informed decisions possible during this school year.
I am happy to be a part of your educational journey with your children and am here to help you in any way that I can.
Yours in Christ,
Christi Nichols
Principal
Humble Hearts School
Mission
Humble Hearts School operates to help families in Alabama homeschool. We offer services and assistance to families who would otherwise be unable to homeschool.
Vision
Our Vision is based on 2 Timothy chapter 5:
We will continue doing the Will of God
To go out in our community and abroad
To live in peace with each other
Encourage and be patient with everyone
Not paying back wrong for wrong
But always trying to do what is good
For each other and all people
Not holding back the Holy Spirit
We should always be joyful pray continuously
And give thanks to whatever happens
Keeping what is good
and stay way from everything that is evil
This is the light that must shine
So Souls shall be saved
For this is the Will of God.
Legal Education Options in Alabama
As of the 2020-21 school year, there are 9 options in the state of Alabama to comply with current laws.
There is a difference between homeschool and public school at home. With homeschools parents are in control of the content and curriculum their children use to learn. With public schools the government dictates curriculum, hours, days, and even the times of day when students can learn. With Private schools, the school dictates the curriculum. With charter schools, the school dictates the curriculum, but it must meet certain requirements and be approved by government agencies.
Each school choice has it’s own set of rights and responsibilities, and each school has it’s own set of rules and regulations. Each is different in the set of services that it offers.
This booklet will describe the services offered by Humble Hearts School we encourage families to research the rules and regulations, rights and responsibilities for any school that they are considering.
Services Offered
Our church school cover is designed to be for peace of mind for families who want to make sure that all of the reporting requirements are met for legal homeschooling, as well as records kept in order for future educational journeys, such as college or trade schools. Below are a few of the services and freedoms that set Humble Hearts School apart from the rest.
Curriculum
Humble Hearts School believes that every parent should choose the appropriate curriculum for their family. Based on this belief, we do not provide any curriculum or books for our students. We do, however, offer a guidance service which may help you choose the curriculum that will work best for your students and your budget.
Discipline
Every person involved with Humble Hearts School is expected to show love and respect toward all people as we are instructed to do in John 13:34. Following this commandment given to us by Jesus will make any corrective discipline unnecessary.
In the event that corrective action must be taken, it will be handled on a case by case basis in close co-operation and love with the family. Our goal at Humble Hearts School is to educate, and this includes behavior. We want to teach, we do not want to punish.
ID Cards
Id Cards are available upon request. Parents must email a current clear photo showing the face. No sunglasses, hats, masks, or other face coverings will be allowed in the photos. School ID cards are provided to both teachers (parents) and students. No ID cards will be issued without photographs.
One ID card per parent or student will be provided free of charge. Replacements are available at a charge of $2.00 per card.
Payment Plans
Our yearly tuition is $200 per family if paid at the time of enrollment. Enrollment fees of $50 per student are also charged at the time of enrollment.
Humble Hearts School offers a summer enrollment special discount. Between June 1, 2020 and August 15, 2020 enrolling families who pay the full tuition fee in advance ($200) will be able to enroll with no enrollment fees. This no enrollment fee discount is also offered between semesters between December 20, 2020 and January 10, 2021.
Parents who choose to pay by the month have that option. In order to pay by the month, the enrollment fees of $50 per student must be paid at the time of enrollment, and the monthly fee is $30 per month for the months of Sept-May. Payment plan is only available to families who enroll by November 1, 2020. After this date, families must pay the full year’s tuition in full at the time of enrollment.
Late Payments
Payments are due on the first day of each month. A late fee in the amount of $10 will be added to accounts whose payments are not received by the 20th of each month.
Students whose accounts fall 30 days behind, will be subject to withdrawal due to non payment, and will be reported to their local board of education as no longer enrolled with Humble Hearts School. A letter will be send to the family 10 days in advance of being reported as no longer enrolled in an effort to give parents an opportunity to make arrangements to bring their account current.
Refunds
Humble Hearts School has a no refunds policy. However, in the event of a field trip or other planned event being cancelled by HHS or the hosting facility, a full refund of the amounts paid or alternative field trip will be offered at the discretion of Humble Hearts School.
Enrollment
Humble Hearts School accepts enrollment into our programs year-round. We require two documents to be completed for each student enrolling with HHS. These are the Student Registration Form and the Board of Education Church School Enrollment form. Both must be completed and payment received in order for students to be enrolled with Humble Hearts School.
HHS does not require vaccination records, birth certificates, social security cards, or parental ID. However, in the event that a child does not live with both parents, we do require a court ordered custody documents, stating which parent is responsible for enrollment in school must be provided.
All forms required for enrollment are available for download on our website.
Field Trips
Humble Hearts School plans multiple events and field trips throughout the year. Payment is usually required in advance for these events and field trips to secure your place. Payment can be made through US mail. Notifications of these events is given 6 weeks or more in advance and will be posted on both our website and facebook page.
Refunds for events cancelled by HHS or the hosting facility will be provided or a credit toward future field trips or events will be offered.
Personal Information
Your personal information is very important to us. We only obtain and record the minimal information we need in order to provide your family with Church School Enrollment with Humble Hearts School. We do not disclose your information to any 3rd party or entity with the following exceptions:
It is your responsibility to keep your information up to date in our records (address/phone number/emergency contact). We will only send updates, letters, and information to addresses on file for each family.
Withdrawal
The state of Alabama requires that church schools provide written notice to local school boards when students are no longer enrolled. In order to comply with this requirement, we will follow the policy below for withdrawals.
Families wishing to withdraw from our program must notify us of their intent to withdraw in writing or email. We will process the notice and send the appropriate notice to your local board of education.
Families whose accounts fall 20 days behind will be sent a written notice, and be given 10 days to make arrangements to bring their account current. Students whose families do not respond to that notice within 10 days will be withdrawn due to non-payment and letters of withdrawal will be sent to local boards of education.
Dress Code
For school field trips and events, we ask that students and parents wear solid color shirts or school shirts and shorts or skirts must be longer than the fingertips when placed by your sides. Due to the inherent physical nature of many of our field trips, we ask that shorts be worn under skirts for modesty. The bottom hem of shirts must meet or extend past the top waistline of pants or skirts when both arms are raised above the head. Necklines must not extend below the armpits.
Seniors
Seniors will have a meeting scheduled in March to discuss graduation and other events. Graduation fees will be announced at least 6 weeks prior to the meeting, and Seniors will get a letter stating the meeting time and place, as well as the fees.
High School
All requirements for each diploma must be met during the 9th-12th grade school years. Classes taken at college or university for a dual enrollment program will be accepted for credit toward core subjects.
Standard Diploma
Our standard diploma requires the following achievements:
4 Math Credits
4 Language Arts Credits
4 Social Studies Credits
3 Science Credits
Advanced Diploma
Our Advanced Diploma requires the following achievements:
4 Math Credits (at least one of which must be an advanced math, ie: Algebra II, Geometry, etc.)
5 Language Arts Credits (at least one of which must be a foreign language)
5 Social Studies Credits (at least one of which must be government or civics)
4 Science Credits
Student will also be required to take and pass a college or military entrance exam (ACT, ASVAB, etc.)
Honors Diploma
Our Honors Diploma requires the following achievements:
4 Math Credits (at least one of which must be an advanced math, ie: Algebra II, Geometry, etc.)
6 Language Arts Credits (at least two of which must be a foreign language)
5 Social Studies Credits (at least one of which must be government or civics)
4 Science Credits
4 Elective Credits (at least two of which must be college preparatory or ACT prep)
Student will also be require to take a college or military entrance exam and score 75% or higher. (ACT, ASVAB, etc.)
Report Cards
We will prepare and mail or email official report cards upon receipt and processing of grade report forms. Report cards are usually emailed or mailed within 7 days of receipt of grade reports.
Record Keeping
The state of Alabama requires that church schools maintain attendance records for all students. Humble Hearts School requires a minimum of 180 days of instruction per school year (June 1, 2020-May 31, 2021). All families must report attendance for each student by June 30, 2021. Families who do not report their attendance will not be permitted to re-enroll for the next school year until they have done so.
Families who wish to take advantage of our gradekeeping service must report their grades on a monthly basis. Grade forms may be mailed or emailed, but must be received by the 20th of each month following the month of the grades. Example: Grades for September, 2020 must be received by October 20, 2020.
In order to receive a transcript, families MUST have reported grades. This service will not be done retroactively. Grades must be reported in a timely manner in order to be eligible for a graduation or withdrawal transcript.
Grade forms are available for download from our website.
Student Safety
Student safety is of the utmost importance to us at Humble Hearts School. For this reason we require parents to five their permission for HHS staff and administrators to obtain emergency medical treatment for students in their absence. Our staff and administration will make every attempt to contact the emergency contacts on file as soon as is reasonably possible to do in an emergency situation.
We also require at least one emergency contact who lives outside of your home. This person can be a friend, family member who does not live with you, or neighbor. We advise parents to talk with the person they use as an emergency contact and let them know of their decision to use them as a contact person.
Accreditation
Humble Hearts School is not accredited by any state or private organization, nor do we seek to be. To qualify for accreditation, HHS would have to go against our core beliefs that every parent has the right to choose the best education for their children. HHS would have to require parents to use a specific curriculum that is approved by the accrediting agency, and we are not willing to take that freedom away from our families.
Accreditation has no bearing on college or university acceptance. We have many students who have gone on to have great college careers, including several who qualify for multiple scholarships.
School Year
Our school year begins on June 1, 2020 and ends on May 31, 2021. Families may choose year round or school year attendance models. Whatever works best for your family, as long as the minimum number of attendance days is met before the end of the school year.
Humble Hearts School
A ministry of Faith of Jesus Church
Po Box 23 Gadsden, AL 35902
167 South Hawk Drive Rainbow City AL 35906
2020-2021 School Year
Family Handbook
Dear Humble Hearts Family,
I want to be the first to welcome you to the Humble Hearts Homeschoolers Family. I am honored that you have chosen Humble Hearts to assist your family in your homeschooling journey.
In the pages that follow, you will find a brief overview and introduction into our school’s beliefs, mission, programs, events, and rules, as well as your rights and responsibilities as a homeschooling parent in the state of Alabama.
I believe that every parent has the responsibility to educate their children in the way that they can learn best, to give them the foundation they need to live a successful and productive life. I also believe that every parent has the right to choose the education style that is best equipped to meet their children’s educational needs.
Homeschooling is not for everyone. But anyone who wants to homeschool their children can. You do not have to have any special training or certification to teach your children.
The 2020-21 school year is going to be unlike anything we have ever experienced. This applies to all forms of education, including homeschooling. While none of us can predict the future, I do make this promise to you; I will continue to monitor the unfolding situations in government and educational circles to the best of my ability and will use this knowledge to help your family make the most informed decisions possible during this school year.
I am happy to be a part of your educational journey with your children and am here to help you in any way that I can.
Yours in Christ,
Christi Nichols
Principal
Humble Hearts School
Mission
Humble Hearts School operates to help families in Alabama homeschool. We offer services and assistance to families who would otherwise be unable to homeschool.
Vision
Our Vision is based on 2 Timothy chapter 5:
We will continue doing the Will of God
To go out in our community and abroad
To live in peace with each other
Encourage and be patient with everyone
Not paying back wrong for wrong
But always trying to do what is good
For each other and all people
Not holding back the Holy Spirit
We should always be joyful pray continuously
And give thanks to whatever happens
Keeping what is good
and stay way from everything that is evil
This is the light that must shine
So Souls shall be saved
For this is the Will of God.
Legal Education Options in Alabama
As of the 2020-21 school year, there are 9 options in the state of Alabama to comply with current laws.
- Traditional Public School – This is in classroom learning operated by government agencies
- Remote Public School – This is at home learning alongside in classroom learning at your local public school
- Online Public School – This is a slightly different program which is also operated by government agencies, in which students learn at home (example K-12)
- Church School – This is in classroom learning operated by church entities.
- Private School – This is in classroom or online learning operated by a non-religious private entity
- Private Tutor – This is a state certified teacher who is paid to teach in your home.
- Private homeschool – This is homeschooling by parents with no school affiliation.
- Homeschool Church School Cover – This is homeschooling while enrolled in a church school.
- Charter School – This is in classroom learning funded by government but operated by private entity.
There is a difference between homeschool and public school at home. With homeschools parents are in control of the content and curriculum their children use to learn. With public schools the government dictates curriculum, hours, days, and even the times of day when students can learn. With Private schools, the school dictates the curriculum. With charter schools, the school dictates the curriculum, but it must meet certain requirements and be approved by government agencies.
Each school choice has it’s own set of rights and responsibilities, and each school has it’s own set of rules and regulations. Each is different in the set of services that it offers.
This booklet will describe the services offered by Humble Hearts School we encourage families to research the rules and regulations, rights and responsibilities for any school that they are considering.
Services Offered
Our church school cover is designed to be for peace of mind for families who want to make sure that all of the reporting requirements are met for legal homeschooling, as well as records kept in order for future educational journeys, such as college or trade schools. Below are a few of the services and freedoms that set Humble Hearts School apart from the rest.
- We file all of the forms with local school boards for you. We also send you copies of these forms for your records.
- We complete all forms required throughout the year, such as driver license forms, social security forms, insurance forms, etc. (up to 1 week turnaround time in addition to mail times).
- We keep all grades and attendance records (grade recordkeeping is an optional service).
- We prepare official report cards for those families who choose to have us do grade keeping.
- We prepare official transcripts upon request. (up to 10 day turnaround time in addition to mail times)
- We offer parents the freedom to choose the curriculum that works best for their students.
- We offer guidance services for college preparedness, curriculum guidance, and parent support.
- We schedule field trips throughout the year, families may participate in as many or as few as they choose.
- We offer a graduation ceremony.
- We offer student and teacher ID cards upon request
- We offer year-round enrollment.
- We allow students to count dual-enrollment credits toward their core credit requirements.
- We do not require vaccination records.
- We do not ask for social security numbers for any member of your family unless it is required for us to complete a form for you. (example: Enrollment form for Driver’s License, or social security forms)
- We treat all of your private information with the highest security.
- We offer 3 different diplomas for graduates (Standard, Advanced, and Honors)
Curriculum
Humble Hearts School believes that every parent should choose the appropriate curriculum for their family. Based on this belief, we do not provide any curriculum or books for our students. We do, however, offer a guidance service which may help you choose the curriculum that will work best for your students and your budget.
Discipline
Every person involved with Humble Hearts School is expected to show love and respect toward all people as we are instructed to do in John 13:34. Following this commandment given to us by Jesus will make any corrective discipline unnecessary.
In the event that corrective action must be taken, it will be handled on a case by case basis in close co-operation and love with the family. Our goal at Humble Hearts School is to educate, and this includes behavior. We want to teach, we do not want to punish.
ID Cards
Id Cards are available upon request. Parents must email a current clear photo showing the face. No sunglasses, hats, masks, or other face coverings will be allowed in the photos. School ID cards are provided to both teachers (parents) and students. No ID cards will be issued without photographs.
One ID card per parent or student will be provided free of charge. Replacements are available at a charge of $2.00 per card.
Payment Plans
Our yearly tuition is $200 per family if paid at the time of enrollment. Enrollment fees of $50 per student are also charged at the time of enrollment.
Humble Hearts School offers a summer enrollment special discount. Between June 1, 2020 and August 15, 2020 enrolling families who pay the full tuition fee in advance ($200) will be able to enroll with no enrollment fees. This no enrollment fee discount is also offered between semesters between December 20, 2020 and January 10, 2021.
Parents who choose to pay by the month have that option. In order to pay by the month, the enrollment fees of $50 per student must be paid at the time of enrollment, and the monthly fee is $30 per month for the months of Sept-May. Payment plan is only available to families who enroll by November 1, 2020. After this date, families must pay the full year’s tuition in full at the time of enrollment.
Late Payments
Payments are due on the first day of each month. A late fee in the amount of $10 will be added to accounts whose payments are not received by the 20th of each month.
Students whose accounts fall 30 days behind, will be subject to withdrawal due to non payment, and will be reported to their local board of education as no longer enrolled with Humble Hearts School. A letter will be send to the family 10 days in advance of being reported as no longer enrolled in an effort to give parents an opportunity to make arrangements to bring their account current.
Refunds
Humble Hearts School has a no refunds policy. However, in the event of a field trip or other planned event being cancelled by HHS or the hosting facility, a full refund of the amounts paid or alternative field trip will be offered at the discretion of Humble Hearts School.
Enrollment
Humble Hearts School accepts enrollment into our programs year-round. We require two documents to be completed for each student enrolling with HHS. These are the Student Registration Form and the Board of Education Church School Enrollment form. Both must be completed and payment received in order for students to be enrolled with Humble Hearts School.
HHS does not require vaccination records, birth certificates, social security cards, or parental ID. However, in the event that a child does not live with both parents, we do require a court ordered custody documents, stating which parent is responsible for enrollment in school must be provided.
All forms required for enrollment are available for download on our website.
Field Trips
Humble Hearts School plans multiple events and field trips throughout the year. Payment is usually required in advance for these events and field trips to secure your place. Payment can be made through US mail. Notifications of these events is given 6 weeks or more in advance and will be posted on both our website and facebook page.
Refunds for events cancelled by HHS or the hosting facility will be provided or a credit toward future field trips or events will be offered.
Personal Information
Your personal information is very important to us. We only obtain and record the minimal information we need in order to provide your family with Church School Enrollment with Humble Hearts School. We do not disclose your information to any 3rd party or entity with the following exceptions:
- Your expressed written consent. A release of information for us to communicate with your local school board and public school on your behalf is part of the Board of Education form. Any additional release, requires you to sign an additional consent form.
- In order to comply with legal requirements or regulations. We will release your information upon receipt of a properly executed search warrant.
- In order to facilitate emergency medical treatment or respond to other emergency situations. We will release personal information to medical personnel or first responders in the event that a parent is unable to do so.
It is your responsibility to keep your information up to date in our records (address/phone number/emergency contact). We will only send updates, letters, and information to addresses on file for each family.
Withdrawal
The state of Alabama requires that church schools provide written notice to local school boards when students are no longer enrolled. In order to comply with this requirement, we will follow the policy below for withdrawals.
Families wishing to withdraw from our program must notify us of their intent to withdraw in writing or email. We will process the notice and send the appropriate notice to your local board of education.
Families whose accounts fall 20 days behind will be sent a written notice, and be given 10 days to make arrangements to bring their account current. Students whose families do not respond to that notice within 10 days will be withdrawn due to non-payment and letters of withdrawal will be sent to local boards of education.
Dress Code
For school field trips and events, we ask that students and parents wear solid color shirts or school shirts and shorts or skirts must be longer than the fingertips when placed by your sides. Due to the inherent physical nature of many of our field trips, we ask that shorts be worn under skirts for modesty. The bottom hem of shirts must meet or extend past the top waistline of pants or skirts when both arms are raised above the head. Necklines must not extend below the armpits.
Seniors
Seniors will have a meeting scheduled in March to discuss graduation and other events. Graduation fees will be announced at least 6 weeks prior to the meeting, and Seniors will get a letter stating the meeting time and place, as well as the fees.
High School
All requirements for each diploma must be met during the 9th-12th grade school years. Classes taken at college or university for a dual enrollment program will be accepted for credit toward core subjects.
Standard Diploma
Our standard diploma requires the following achievements:
4 Math Credits
4 Language Arts Credits
4 Social Studies Credits
3 Science Credits
Advanced Diploma
Our Advanced Diploma requires the following achievements:
4 Math Credits (at least one of which must be an advanced math, ie: Algebra II, Geometry, etc.)
5 Language Arts Credits (at least one of which must be a foreign language)
5 Social Studies Credits (at least one of which must be government or civics)
4 Science Credits
Student will also be required to take and pass a college or military entrance exam (ACT, ASVAB, etc.)
Honors Diploma
Our Honors Diploma requires the following achievements:
4 Math Credits (at least one of which must be an advanced math, ie: Algebra II, Geometry, etc.)
6 Language Arts Credits (at least two of which must be a foreign language)
5 Social Studies Credits (at least one of which must be government or civics)
4 Science Credits
4 Elective Credits (at least two of which must be college preparatory or ACT prep)
Student will also be require to take a college or military entrance exam and score 75% or higher. (ACT, ASVAB, etc.)
Report Cards
We will prepare and mail or email official report cards upon receipt and processing of grade report forms. Report cards are usually emailed or mailed within 7 days of receipt of grade reports.
Record Keeping
The state of Alabama requires that church schools maintain attendance records for all students. Humble Hearts School requires a minimum of 180 days of instruction per school year (June 1, 2020-May 31, 2021). All families must report attendance for each student by June 30, 2021. Families who do not report their attendance will not be permitted to re-enroll for the next school year until they have done so.
Families who wish to take advantage of our gradekeeping service must report their grades on a monthly basis. Grade forms may be mailed or emailed, but must be received by the 20th of each month following the month of the grades. Example: Grades for September, 2020 must be received by October 20, 2020.
In order to receive a transcript, families MUST have reported grades. This service will not be done retroactively. Grades must be reported in a timely manner in order to be eligible for a graduation or withdrawal transcript.
Grade forms are available for download from our website.
Student Safety
Student safety is of the utmost importance to us at Humble Hearts School. For this reason we require parents to five their permission for HHS staff and administrators to obtain emergency medical treatment for students in their absence. Our staff and administration will make every attempt to contact the emergency contacts on file as soon as is reasonably possible to do in an emergency situation.
We also require at least one emergency contact who lives outside of your home. This person can be a friend, family member who does not live with you, or neighbor. We advise parents to talk with the person they use as an emergency contact and let them know of their decision to use them as a contact person.
Accreditation
Humble Hearts School is not accredited by any state or private organization, nor do we seek to be. To qualify for accreditation, HHS would have to go against our core beliefs that every parent has the right to choose the best education for their children. HHS would have to require parents to use a specific curriculum that is approved by the accrediting agency, and we are not willing to take that freedom away from our families.
Accreditation has no bearing on college or university acceptance. We have many students who have gone on to have great college careers, including several who qualify for multiple scholarships.
School Year
Our school year begins on June 1, 2020 and ends on May 31, 2021. Families may choose year round or school year attendance models. Whatever works best for your family, as long as the minimum number of attendance days is met before the end of the school year.
