AGE OF SCHOOL ENTRANCE
Experience has shown that students do best in school when they have reached a certain age before beginning their school experience. GBA follows the Stoneham Public School policy for admission age:
Pre-School – 3 years old by September 1
Pre-Kindergarten – 4 years old by September 1
Kindergarten – 5 years old by September 1
First Grade – 6 years old by September 1
Certified proof of age must be submitted on or before the first day of school. All new students will be tested before being placed in a grade. Pre-K and Kindergarten students will be given readiness testing.
ACCEPTANCE PROCESS
To begin the application process the following items are needed:
Completed online application.
Copy of current grade report.
Current Health form showing immunization record.
Three recommendations from teachers and community members.
Records release form given to GBA Office to be sent to the former school.
All first-time students and parents must complete an interview with the principal before acceptance can be finalized. The Admission Committee will consider each application before acceptance is final.
Financial clearance from the GBA Treasurer and Business Manager is also necessary to complete the admission process. Students may not attend classes without completing the admission process.
After a student is accepted to attend GBA, parents will be given directions on how to complete enrollment online.
MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
A complete medical examination is required for students entering grades Pre-school, Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, 4, 7 and and for all new students. A computer printout from the doctor’s office is acceptable, provided that it indicates the student’s current health and shows the student’s immunization record. All students are required by state law to show authorized proof (physician’s signature or clinic stamp) of immunizations against DPT, polio, Hepatitis B, chicken pox (or verified case of the disease), Hib, measles, mumps and rubella before they are allowed to attend school. A copy of this must be submitted before admission is considered complete. Those students with immunization exemptions must have a letter filed with the office every year of attendance.
STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
GBA welcomes those students who earnestly desire a Christian education. Unfortunately, the school is not equipped or staffed to deal with students who demonstrate severe learning, emotional, behavioral problems or who have mobility disabilities.
TRANSFER STUDENTS
An official transcript must be sent from the last school attended so that we can accurately plan for the needs of the student. Placement tests will be given. Students who transfer during the school year must present a report card or official school letter explaining their academic status before registration is complete.
ADMISSION COMMITTEE
All applications for admission are subject to the action of the Admission Committee.
UNPAID STUDENT ACCOUNTS
No student will be admitted whose account from the previous school year has not been paid in full. Financial arrangements will be made at the discretion of the Finance Committee and the School Board.
ENROLLMENT REQUIRED
All students must be fully enrolled including completed financial arrangements before they are admitted to classes.
REFUSAL OF ADMISSION
The Admission Committee reserves the right to refuse admittance to any pupil it deems unlikely to become an asset to the school or who is out of harmony with its principles. Also, no student is knowingly admitted or retained who uses tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs.
OUR MISSION
In a Seventh-day Adventist Christian environment, Greater Boston Academy and Edgewood Elementary School provide the basis for students to develop their fullest potential. In all aspects of the school program, emphasis is places on the life-long development of character founded on biblical principles; high standards for personal scholarship; guidelines for healthful living; and a sense of community, responsibility and service.
Greater Boston Academy and Edgewood Elementary School was founded on the belief that God created humanity and is vitally interested in the destiny of that creation. As a PreK-8 Christian educational institution, we operate with the intention to pursue the development of the mental, physical, spiritual and social powers instilled in us at creation. We believe the Creator continues to be vitally interested in the destiny of all people, in the biblical record of creation, the account of the fall of man, and the subsequent plan of redemption.
We also believe in the biblical teaching that God, in his love for humanity, has freely provided a Savior in Christ Jesus His Son, and that God desires all people to obtain this free salvation and live eternally. We believe in this scriptural teaching that it is essential that we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior in order to obtain eternal life.
Since the word of God teaches that there are only two possible destinies open to humanity – eternal life or eternal death – the faculty and staff of this institution actively attempts to influence all who enter its doors to choose eternal life as their destiny and to develop a character that will have the approval of their Creator and Redeemer. It is the purpose of Christian education to restore in humanity, the image of its Creator.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America operates a system of elementary and secondary education that began in 1872. The Church’s unique philosophy of Christian education is based on the Scriptures and the writings of Ellen G. White.