Policies and Procedures

Statement of Faith

We believe that the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind. For purposes of doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our governing board is Branches’ final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.

We believe in one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person to reflect His image as either male or female; but that each person is by nature a sinner and alienated from God.

We believe that salvation and reconciliation come only from God, by grace; that God in love gave His only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sin, thereby purchasing the redemption of those who believe in Him.

We believe that marriage is prescribed by God as a sacred, covenant relationship between one man and one woman, symbolizing the union of Christ and His church, and all forms of sexual activity outside of marriage are sin.

We believe that every Christian, through the power of Jesus Christ, is called to live a life set apart that will bear fruit to the glory of God, and sinful behavior, or even advocacy of sinful behavior, dishonors God and should not be encouraged.

We believe that God loves every person and therefore we need to treat others with the compassion, love, kindness, and dignity that He shows us.

Statement of Education

We believe that it is the parents’ role and responsibility to educate their children individually on topics of a sensitive nature, including:

Political Views
Doctrinal Views
Sexuality Views
Dietary Views

Out of respect for each family’s decision on when and how to teach these matters to their children, all teachers, volunteers, parents, and students are discouraged from discussing these topics with other children unless in a clearly defined class.

Instructor/Tutor Policy

Instructors at The Grove work as independent contractors and set their own grading and late work policies. Parents should communicate with instructors to understand these policies.

Throughout the year, instructors will assess students' work and provide recommended grades.

A student should achieve a grade of "C" or higher to demonstrate understanding. If a student's grade is below 70%, an instructor may recommend dropping or retaking the class. Some courses may require a passing grade, prerequisite, placement test, or proof of proficiency before enrolling in an advanced course.

Classes are designed for specific grade levels, as indicated in the course description. Parents should follow these recommendations or discuss placement concerns with the instructor and The Grove administration.

For classroom concerns, parents should first communicate directly with the instructor. If the concern remains unresolved, The Grove administration may assist in facilitating a meeting or determining an appropriate resolution.

Admission Policy

To register for classes, each family must complete a Membership Application, agree to The Grove Parent and Student Agreements, and pay the applicable annual registration fee and class deposits.

Enrollment in a particular class is not guaranteed until registration requirements and required deposits have been completed.

Disability Policy

Because The Grove is a learning center utilizing independent instructors rather than a formal school or parent-led co-op, we may not have the resources or staff to accommodate all students with physical, learning, mental, emotional, or behavioral needs.

Parents are responsible for discussing learning differences, disabilities, or needed accommodations with instructors so they can collaboratively determine whether a class is an appropriate fit and what accommodations may reasonably be available.

The goal of The Grove is to have happy, successful students. Families are encouraged to contact us with questions regarding whether The Grove or a particular class will be an appropriate fit for their student.

Payment Policy

Families are responsible for ensuring all tuition and fees are paid by the applicable deadlines regardless of the payment method used.

Registration Deposit: A non-refundable deposit is required at registration to reserve a student's place in each class. The deposit is applied toward the total class tuition.
Semester Payments: Fall tuition must be paid in full by the first day of Fall classes and Spring tuition must be paid in full by the first day of Spring classes unless a payment plan has been arranged.
Payment Plans: Families may request a payment plan that divides semester tuition into four payments throughout the semester. Payment plans must be arranged with The Grove in advance, and each payment must be made by the agreed-upon due date.
Accepted Payment Methods: Payments may be made through PayPal or ClassWallet using ESA funds.
Past-Due Accounts: Students may not attend classes or Grove activities when required tuition or fees are past due. The Grove may remove a student from a class and offer the space to another student if payment is not received.
Future Enrollment: Families with unpaid balances may be required to pay future tuition in full at registration before enrollment will be accepted.
Additional Fees: Certain classes and activities may have additional fees for supplies, labs, field trips, materials, or special activities.

Adding, Dropping & Changing Classes

The Grove makes financial commitments to instructors based on student enrollment. The following policies apply to class changes:

Three-Class Add/Drop Period: Students may add, drop, or change classes through the end of the third class day of the semester. Changes are subject to class availability and approval by The Grove administration.
Changing Classes: During the add/drop period, the student's deposit and tuition already paid will transfer to the new class. If the new class costs more, the family is responsible for the difference. If the new class costs less, the difference will be refunded.
Dropping a Class: If a student drops a class completely during the add/drop period and does not transfer to another class, the registration deposit remains non-refundable. Any tuition paid beyond the deposit will be refunded.
After the Add/Drop Period: After the third class day, tuition and fees for the current semester are non-refundable, and families remain responsible for any unpaid balance for that semester.
Following Semester: Students are not financially obligated to continue a class into the following semester. Parents must notify The Grove before the next semester begins if their student will not be continuing a class.
Spring Elective Changes: Students may request to change elective classes at the beginning of the Spring semester. Requests must be made before the Spring semester begins and are subject to availability and approval by The Grove administration. If the new elective costs more, the family is responsible for the difference. If it costs less, the Spring tuition amount will be adjusted accordingly. Core academic classes may not be changed between semesters except with approval from The Grove administration.
Official Changes: Parents must notify The Grove administration in writing to officially add, drop, or change a class. Stopping attendance or notifying only the instructor does not constitute withdrawal.
Class Cancellation: If The Grove cancels a class, families will receive an applicable refund or may apply the amount toward another Grove class.

ESA Participation

The Grove accepts ESA funds through ClassWallet for eligible tuition and fees.

Families using ESA funds are responsible for submitting payments early enough to meet payment deadlines and monitoring their ClassWallet account to ensure payments are approved and completed.

Selecting ESA as a payment method does not remove the family's responsibility for tuition or fees. Delayed or denied ESA payments, insufficient ESA funds, or changes in ESA eligibility do not eliminate the family's financial responsibility for amounts owed to The Grove.

Academic Policy

All educational materials will be presented from a Biblical worldview. Instructors will employ a combination of faith-based homeschooling curriculum and custom-designed lesson plans tailored to students' needs.

Parents may request to review educational materials used in their student's classes.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to complete their academic work honestly.

Cheating or plagiarism will result in a zero on the assignment or test. Repeated academic dishonesty may result in additional disciplinary action.

Students may not use artificial intelligence to complete or submit assignments, projects, or tests as their own work unless specifically permitted by the instructor.

Assessment, Grades & Transcripts

The Grove does not issue official transcripts or final grades. Instructors assess student work and provide recommended grades to parents.

As homeschoolers, parents are the primary educators and are responsible for maintaining their student's educational records and creating transcripts. The Grove is available to assist families with this process.

Sick Child Policy

We encourage students to attend classes as much as possible. However, students should remain home if they are experiencing any of the following:

A fever above 100 degrees. Students should remain home until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without medication.
A persistent cough, excessive discharge from the nose or eyes, sore throat, earache, severe headache, general malaise, or fever.
Vomiting or diarrhea.

Parents should notify their student's instructors and The Grove administration when their student will be absent.

Dress Code

Students are required to wear The Grove uniform during regular Friday class days.

The approved uniform, as listed on The Grove website, includes approved white, gray, or dark green polo shirts; black bottoms; and a gray zip-up hoodie when needed.

Students who arrive without the required uniform may be required to borrow or purchase clothing that meets the dress code requirements.

Uniforms are not required for social activities outside of the regular class day unless otherwise specified.

Repeated dress code violations may result in disciplinary action.

Technology Device Use Policy

Students may bring cell phones and personal electronic devices to The Grove; however, the following rules apply:

Cell phones must be placed in the designated phone basket during each class.
Students may not take cell phones with them on bathroom breaks.
Students may not secretly use their own or another student's phone during class.
Laptops, tablets, and headphones may only be used during class with the explicit permission of the instructor.
Unauthorized devices may be confiscated and held until the end of the day.
Students may use devices during designated lunch or study hall periods unless otherwise directed.
Students may not view, share, or engage with inappropriate content while at The Grove or Grove events.
Students may not photograph, video, or record students, instructors, or staff without permission.
Cyberbullying or other digital behavior that harms members of The Grove community is prohibited.

Attendance & Tardiness

Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class period. Parents may be notified by text message if their student is marked absent.

Students are expected to arrive to class on time and remain in class for the entire class period. Consistent tardiness, ditching class, leaving class without permission, or repeated failure to return promptly to class may result in disciplinary action.

Parents are responsible for ensuring students arrive on time and are picked up within 10 minutes of the end of their last class.

Bathroom & Hall Pass Policy

Students must use the designated hall pass when leaving class to use the restroom.

Bathroom breaks are intended for restroom use. Students are expected to go directly to and from the restroom and promptly return to class. Students may not use bathroom breaks to socialize, wander the building, engage in disruptive behavior, or use their phones.

Misuse of bathroom breaks or hall passes may result in disciplinary action.

Campus & Student Safety

Students must remain in designated Grove areas throughout their class day.

Students may not:

Leave campus without appropriate permission.
Go to their vehicle during the class day without permission.
Transport another student off campus without appropriate permission.
Enter offices, unused classrooms, areas behind the stage curtain, or other restricted areas without permission.
Ditch or intentionally miss a scheduled class.

Lunch will take place in the gym, and students must remain in the designated lunch area unless given permission by Grove staff.

Leaving campus without permission may be treated as a serious disciplinary violation.

Student Conduct

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with The Grove's Christian values and to treat instructors, staff, students, families, and facility personnel with kindness, dignity, and respect.

The following behaviors are prohibited:

Bullying, harassment, intimidation, or threats.
Inappropriate sexual comments, jokes, or behavior.
Public displays of affection, including kissing or excessive physical contact.
Fighting or violence.
Horseplay, roughhousing, wrestling, shoving, throwing objects, or other behavior that could cause injury or disrupt classes.
Theft, vandalism, or intentional misuse of property.
Serious defiance of instructors, administration, or staff.
Behavior that creates an unsafe or significantly disruptive environment.

Students are expected to respect the church, classrooms, furniture, equipment, and property belonging to The Grove and others. Parents may be held financially responsible for damage caused by their student.

Alcohol, Drugs, Vaping & Tobacco

Students may not possess, use, distribute, or be under the influence of alcohol, illegal or unauthorized drugs or substances, vape products, or tobacco while at The Grove or Grove events.

The prohibition against possession applies regardless of whether the student uses the item while at The Grove.

Violations of this policy are considered serious disciplinary violations and may result in immediate suspension or dismissal.

Weapons & Dangerous Items

Students may not possess or bring weapons or dangerous items to The Grove or Grove events, including firearms, knives, or flammable materials such as matches or lighters.

Violations may result in immediate suspension or dismissal and, when appropriate, notification of law enforcement.

Discipline Policy

The Grove's discipline policy is intended to maintain a safe, respectful, and productive learning environment while promoting accountability, responsibility, and character growth.

Three-Strike Policy

For ordinary rule violations, The Grove generally uses a three-strike policy. Examples may include repeated tardiness, dress code violations, unauthorized phone use, misuse of bathroom breaks or hall passes, disruptive behavior, being in unauthorized areas, ditching class, or repeated failure to follow staff instructions.

Strike 1: The behavior is addressed with the student.
Strike 2: The behavior is addressed and the parent may be notified.
Strike 3: The student may be suspended from The Grove.

Following a suspension, an additional violation may result in dismissal from The Grove.

Serious Violations

Certain behaviors are serious enough that the three-strike process does not apply. These include, but are not limited to:

Possession, use, or distribution of illegal or unauthorized drugs or substances.
Possession or use of alcohol, vape products, or tobacco.
Violence, fighting, threats, or intentionally causing physical harm.
Weapons or dangerous items.
Theft or serious vandalism.
Serious bullying, harassment, or intimidation.
Leaving campus without permission.
Other conduct that creates a significant safety concern.

A serious violation may result in immediate suspension on the first offense. An additional serious violation following suspension may result in dismissal from The Grove. Particularly serious conduct may result in immediate dismissal.

Disciplinary Process

The Grove administration will address disciplinary concerns based on the circumstances and seriousness of the incident. Parents will be notified when appropriate, and The Grove may investigate an incident before determining consequences.

A student may be required to remain home from Grove classes or events while a serious incident is being investigated.

Possible consequences may include warnings, strikes, suspension, dismissal from The Grove, restitution for damages, or involvement of law enforcement when necessary.

Students are expected to accept responsibility for their actions, and parents are expected to cooperate with The Grove administration when disciplinary concerns arise and support reasonable consequences.

If a parent or student refuses to cooperate with the disciplinary process or repeatedly undermines The Grove's policies or disciplinary decisions, The Grove reserves the right to discontinue the family's enrollment.

The Grove administration reserves the right to determine appropriate consequences based on the seriousness and circumstances of an incident, the student's disciplinary history, and the safety and well-being of The Grove community.