FAQ

9. How do you handle discipline?
Every student is required to sign a contract with his or her parents and their homeroom teacher at the beginning of the year that stipulates that the student will contribute to a positive and constructive learning environment, including not causing disruptions. We also have found that students are less likely to be disruptive when they are enjoying themselves, and our curriculum empowers that enjoyment.

10. Are parents allowed to participate in their child’s learning experience?
We strongly encourage parental involvement at home, and we request that each parent volunteer at least 15 hours every year to the school. We will also have Paragon® Nights every five weeks when parents can come to the school and see their students perform and demonstrate what they have learned during that five week period.

11. What type of volunteer activity is expected of parents?
Parents are asked to volunteer in areas that meet their skills and interests. The specific tasks will vary widely from reading to Kindergarten students, helping in the lunch room, aiding in office duties, and participating in additional activities such as sports and nature walks, to name a few.

12. Can I come to the school and observe my child’s class?
Absolutely.

13. Are the teachers be certified?
Yes. Our teachers, are GA certified and highly qualified in accordance with the federal laws regarding No Child Left Behind.

14. Do you teach foreign language?
Yes, we teach Spanish for every student, beginning in Kindergarten.

15. My child has special needs. How do you provide for specialized services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, etc?
Special arrangements are made to provide these services within the school setting pursuant to the child’s Personalized Educational Plan.

16. What makes Heron Bay Academy different?

• A safe environment where high student achievement is THE focus of the school
• A rigorous educational program that combines core fundamentals with the arts
• A special focus on reading, writing, and math
• Paragon® social studies program engages students and incorporates art, music, and dance into learning.
• A longer school year (192 days) and longer school day (8:00 am to 3:30 pm)
• Foreign language, music, art, and physical education instruction for ALL students in all grade levels

17. How do you handle the standardized state tests? Are these administered as they are in the local public schools?
Students take the CRCT test just like any other public school. We participate in the same tests and use this data to help develop our school improvement plan to move the school to continuously higher levels of achievement. In addition, students take a national norm-referenced test (i.e. the Iowa Test of Basic Skills) to determine academic progress during the school year.

18. Why should parents be confident that the school’s curriculum will help children excel on the state’s standardized tests?
Parents should feel confident that the school’s curriculum will help a child excel on the state standardized test because our curriculum is aligned to the state standards and benchmarks, and our educational program goes above and beyond these standards.

19. How does your method of instruction address the variety of learning styles?
Our proprietary curriculum (Paragon®) is one of many tools used to tap into the students’ multiple intelligences. We also use Personalized Student Achievement Plans to help clarify and focus on the attainment of specific academic and social goals.

20. What are the “Personalized Student Achievement Plans” and how are they determined?
Each student has a Personalized Student Achievement Plan (PSAP). This plan is a document that the student (if age-appropriate), parents and teacher complete. The teacher, to individualize instruction, uses all information gathered on this document. This document helps in the goal setting process as well as the collection of student data. Every quarter, the parent, teacher, and child will review this PSAP.

21. I understand that Heron Bay Academy has a waiting list for the 2011-12 school year; How can I find out if my child is included?
The number of applicants exceeded the number of spaces available. Students who submitted online pre-enrollments by July 15, 2010 were included in an enrollment lottery on Oct 13, 2010.  The results of the lottery along with the waiting lists are posted under the Resources tab of this website.

22. Do homeowners or residents of Heron Bay neighborhood receive priority?
No. The enrollment priorities at HBA are as follows: 1) currently enrolled students and their siblings; 2) students whose parent or guardian is a member of the governing board of HBA or is a full-time teacher, professional, or other employee at HB Academy; 3) any eligible student residing in Henry or Spalding county school systems.

23. Where is Heron Bay Academy located?
Heron Bay Academy is located in Heron Bay Town Center at the intersection of Highway 155 and Heron Bay Boulevard, Locust Grove, GA.

24. Why is Heron Bay Academy open to all residents of Henry and Spalding Counties?
The State of Georgia Charter School Commission requires all charter schools to open enrollment to the communities they serve, which for Heron Bay Academy is Henry and Spalding counties.

25. What is the Heron Bay Academy Parent Advisory Committee?
Heron Bay Academy is vitally linked to the community it serves, and the Parent Advisory Committee plays an important role in forging and maintaining this link. Currently, we have over 100 individuals volunteering their time.