How is a Christian school like a hothouse for plants?

This Thursday Spring begins! Educating children is like growing young plants. They both need basic nutrition, rich soil free of contaminants, clear air and sunshine. Like young plants, children are not yet ready to put into an environment that is hostile or unhealthy – they need protection at young ages.

The family, church and the school are the child’s best growing environment, just like the hot house is to young plants.

When the roots are deep enough, the trunk strong enough, and the foliage is plentiful, the plant can go into a new world and thrive. So, too, is the child who is grounded in God’s Word and teaching.

The Psalmist describes the blessed man: “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”

It's enrollment time for most Christian Schools and Upper Room is no exception. Our first open house has ended with about 30 applications being submitted. We have one more open house next week. And as in Spring "the early bird gets the worm"! If you are in the Suffolk County area we invite you call and stop in for a tour and interview with our Principal.

Upper Room Christian School is proud to begin another year's enrollment of students. we will be graduating 43 students this year and have openings for about 65 students total. As a father of four grown daughters I have seen the virtue in Christian Education. My daughters have ministered before thousands and say that their children are going to go to Christian School.

Deut 11:19
And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Grace and Peace,

Ed

http://www.discoverchristianschools.com/

Upper Room Christian School Admissions Criteria

Upper Room Christian School does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race or national origin.

In order to provide the best placement for all of our students we have set the following minimum standards for acceptance to Upper Room Christian School. As a guideline, all students should receive a 70% or better or a C+ or better in all core subjects (English, History, Math and Science) as a final grade in the year prior to coming to Upper Room Christian School. Students should not be more than one grade level behind in reading or math as recorded on the standardized test scores from their previous school. Students may not be accepted if their behavior was not acceptable in their previous school. Students should have satisfactory attendance records. We will however, consider applicants on a case-by-case basis if they do not meet these standards.

If an applicant does not meet the above standards, at our discretion, we may consider further evaluation based upon previous school records and or discussions with prior teachers and or administrators as well as evaluation of the uniqueness of your situation. In rare circumstances we may grant conditional acceptance based upon a written individualized academic and or behavioral plan which states our expectations relating to work/study habits, tutoring, district testing, behavior standards, adequate attendance, etc.

All new students are on academic and behavioral probationary status for their first year at Upper Room Christian School. If your child does not meet our academic and/or behavioral standards they may be withdrawn from the school. In all cases we work closely with the home and communicate our expectations and observations as the need arises. Our ultimate goal is to provide every child with a spirit controlled, disciplined, academic environment that is conducive for learning so that they can grow in spirit, soul and body and fulfill their God given destiny.

In His service,

Pastor Ed Dono

Assistant Principal

Dean of Students

Enrollment for 5th-12th Grades

Dear Parents of 5th - 12th Grade Students:

On behalf of the faculty, staff and school administration, I wish to sincerely welcome you and your family to Upper Room Christian School! At this educational institution, we strive to create a Spirit-controlled, disciplined academic environment, where your child can "grow up in Christ, spirit, soul and body".

We want to insure that your child will be successful in our school, especially if they are entering our high school. Your child's academic records, medical records. and standardized test scores for the past three years must be obtained from your child's previous school before an admissions interview can be conducted. At the interview, we will discuss your child's projected schedule, as well as our academic requirements for graduation.

Please be advised that your child will be interviewed by Pastor Dono, the Assistant Principal and Dean of Students, as well as by me. Admission decisions for students in grades 6-12 are based on the results of these interviews. In addition, students entering grades 5-12 are required to take the reading and math portions of the Stanford Achievement Test (a well-known standardized test) at our school, to verify their proper grade placement at Upper Room Christian School.

We sincerely thank you for your interest in our school. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me at (631) 242-5359, ext. 218.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Gregory P. Eck

Principal

Enrollment for Preschool-4th Grade

Dear Parents of Students Going into Grades Preschool - 4th:

Proper placement of children is vital to school success. What does proper placement mean? It means placing children in the grade level that they are developmentally ready for - socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually, according to their developmental age - which may not be the same as their chronological age! This is proper placement.

One of the tools that we use at Upper Room Christian School to determine proper grade placement for children entering our lower primary grades (Pre-school through 4th grade) is the Gesell School Readiness Assessment. This assessment reveals where children are in their process of development, as outlined in the above-mentioned areas. "Norms" or developmental ages have been established, which help in placing children where they will be able to properly handle the demands of school, and have a positive, fruitful experience.

Since development depends largely upon physical maturation, there is nothing we can do to alter it; no amount of prodding or instruction will change it. All individuals have their own individual rate and pattern of growth, according to the unique way the Lord has created them. For example, it is a well known fact that not all children are ready to walk, talk or read at the same time chronological age.

School placement based on chronological birth date makes the assumption that all children do, in fact, develop at the same rate. We at Upper Room Christian School know that this is not the case. God has created us each individually; therefore, we are committed to properly placing children according to His pattern for their lives; not based on an arbitrary date on the calendar.

By carefully evaluating and correctly utilizing the results of the Gesell Assessment, along with other criteria, as well as the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we are able to make both godly AND educationally sound recommendations concerning student placement to ensure their success, rather than inviting failure and frustration by placing young students improperly.

We look forward to meeting with you, and answering more fully any questions you may have concerning our developmental philosophy of education, and the powerful impact it will have on your own child. Upper Room Christian School is committed to working hand in hand with parents and covenanting with God to help your children realize their fullest potential in Christ: spirit, soul and body!

In Christ's Service,

Pastor Gregory P. Eck

Principal

Pastor Samuel R. Hashim's Enrollment Letter

Dear Parents:

Thank you for expressing an interest in Upper Room Christian School. As Pastor of Education, it is my privilege to introduce you to an outstanding educational ministry that is dedicated to spiritual training and academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment. Founded in 1981, Upper Room Christian School is registered with the New York State Board of Regents, with graduates in colleges, universities, and work places all across the nation. It is my sincere desire that you and your family become a part of the growing tradition and standard of excellence that has come to be associated with Upper Room Christian School.

Our admissions package is designed to act as an informative guide to help you enroll your child(ren) in an efficient and caring way. If you are applying for lower elementary grades (Kindergarten through 5th), please read the following post from our Principal, Pastor Gregory Eck, regarding our philosophy of developmental placement. It will be of particular importance to you.

Parents of those students seeking to enter our middle school or our high school (grades 6-12) are asked to read the post from Pastor Eck regarding New York State diploma requirements and specific information related to your middle and or high school student(s).

In addition, I look forward to your meeting and interviewing with our Assistant Principal and Dean of Students, Pastor Ed Dono, who has served as a teacher and an administrator at Upper Room since 1993. He is a loving and godly influence on our students, to uphold what I have long established as " a spirit controlled, disciplined, academic environment that is conducive for spiritual growth, character development, and academic achievement, in a Christ-centered atmosphere of love and acceptance to all students" in our school.

If you would like to visit with us and meet administrators and teachers, along with some of our parents, students, and alumni, we welcome you to attend our next Open House, which is scheduled for Thursday night, March 27th, 2008 at 7:30PM. This meeting will be located in our church lobby. At that time, you may return your completed admissions application and set up an interview with one of our school administrators. For those of you who are already acquainted with our staff and educational facilities, you may call us at any time to schedule an interview at your earliest convenience. Please call our school secretary, Mrs. Dono, at extension 201.

One final thought which will be of help to you is in reference to school busing. All parents/guardians must understand that even if you have not yet been accepted to URCS, you are still required to apply for school bus transportation with the school district in which you reside by April 1, 2008, or you may be denied bus transportation by your district. Therefore, please do this immediately.

In conclusion, I sincerely believe that as we partner together to raise your children up in Christ....spirit, soul and body.... you will build a loving, trusting relationship with our teachers and administrative staff that will grow and prosper throughout your family's tenure in the church-school community at Upper Room.

May God richly bless you and your children during these years.

Sincerely in Christ,
Samuel R. Hashim,
Pastor of Education