Admission Overview
GENEARAL OVERVIEW
The admissions policy of Hinkletown Mennonite School is designed to be consistent with our philosophy of education and our desire to be God's servants.
Enrollment is open to students of any denomination, race, color, or national origin. Parents of any child enrolled at Hinkletown Mennonite School are required to sign a statement that they agree to support the school philosophy, bylaws and purposes of Hinkletown Mennonite School. New families will meet with the principal and are then recommended for membership in the school community to the school board.
Spiritual Expectations
The primary purpose of Hinkletown Mennonite School is to provide a Christian education for children. It is assumed that parents who desire to enroll their children in Hinkletown Mennonite School will accept and support this purpose. They shall also be willing to support the guidelines, policies, and philosophy of the school.
Parents have the primary responsibility for the spiritual growth of their children. The school is an extension of the home and will support and promote spiritual instruction. "Train up a child in the way he/she should go and when he/she is old he/she will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6) The home, church and school will comprise a unified effort in "training" children.
Community Expectations
Parents are an important part of a child's education. Since the school is viewed as larger than the school day from 8:20 to 2:45, greater involvement is anticipated by students and parents. We encourage parents to participate in various school functions, fund-raising activities and P.T.F. meetings whenever possible. Parent participation during the school day in various capacities will be encouraged and graciously accepted.
Academic Expectations
Hinkletown Mennonite School is able to work with a wide range of student abilities. However, we cannot offer instruction to children with severe learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Decisions concerning such issues will be made on a case-by-case basis. Kindergarten students will be admitted on the basis of their age and their emotional and mental readiness. Placement for children not entering at the kindergarten level shall be determined by evaluating student's records from the school he/she attended prior to his/her transfer and any necessary medical or psychological records.
While at HMS, it is our objective to have students work at their own ability levels. Teachers use a variety of ways to assess student performances, both formally and informally. The Terra Nova standardized tests are given beginning in grade four. Marking periods are divided into trimesters, with report cards being sent home every twelve weeks. Report cards are designed to describe student strengths and weaknesses as well as inform parents what students have learned.
At mid-semester in the first trimester and after the second trimester, parents are encouraged to have a conference with the teacher(s) of their child/children. These conferences are scheduled by the school during afternoon and evening hours.
Social-Personal-Emotional Expectations
It is the purpose of Hinkletown Mennonite School to provide an atmosphere in which students can develop their personal strengths in a supportive Christian environment. Making such an environment work demands cooperation from both faculty and students. The faculty will try to be fair and honest in dealing with each child. Children are expected to be respectful and honest in dealing with other children and with their teachers.