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K-8 READINESS Our philosophy of education regarding entrance to school can be summed up simply: Better late than early. Since neurological maturation rates differ widely from child to child, a great deal of damage can be done if a child is started before s/he is ready. We believe it is often best for the child to be at home being taught readiness skills before starting first grade. For many this is not possible, so we offer kindergarten to meet the needs of these students. As a general rule, students should be seven years old sometime during the first grade. It is best if students turn seven before January. Students who enter school at an age younger than five years and three months should spend a year in kindergarten. California law requires an entering kindergarten student to be five years of age by December 2 of the year the student enters school. Even older children should attend kindergarten. Our school is here to meet the needs of children. Occasionally, a younger child is ready for first grade. If a child will not turn seven during the first grade year but first grade placement is being considered, the school will administer a readiness test. The principal, parents, and the teacher administering the test will have a conference to decide on placement. This decision is possibly the most important educational decision ever made for a child. K-8 PROGRAM OF STUDY For the Seventh-day Adventist system of education, curriculum is defined as all learning opportunities, both formal and informal, planned and guided cooperatively by the home, school, and church. The adopted course of study in grades K-8 includes learning opportunities in the following areas: Bible/Religion, Communication/Language Arts, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Physical Education, Practical Arts/Technology, Science and Health, and Social Studies. These areas will include the spiritual, intellectual, physical, and social needs of the learner.

HIGH SCHOOL CLASS MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS FRESHMAN: A first year academy student who is taking at least 60 semester periods. SOPHOMORE: A second year academy student who has satisfactorily competed 60 semester periods and is taking at least 60 semester periods. A sophomore must have completed 25 clocl hours of service learning. JUNIOR: To be considered a junior, a student must have satisfactorily completed 120 semester periods (and have completed the required core classes for freshmen and sophomores) and be taking at least 60 semester periods. A junior must have completed 50 clock hours of service learning. SENIOR: Seniors must be enrolled in at least 60 semester periods and must have completed a minimum of 180 semester periods. A senior must also give evidence of being eligible for graduation at the end of the school year. A senior must have completed 75 clock hours of service learning. Students who do not meet the requirements for a given grade level, who can submit a feasible plan for completion to the Academic Standards Committee, will be considered for class status. ACCELERATION It is recommended that students spend a full four years at the academy getting as broad an education as possible. Students may, by request and upon recommendation of the Academic Standards Committee, accelerate if they meet the following criteria: 1.   Show spiritual, social, and academic maturity. 2.   Have a composite score which places them at the 85th percentile or above on a standardized achievement test. 3.   Have and maintain a 3.5 grade point average. 4.   Demonstrate initiative, have a sense of responsibility, and show emotional stability and self-control.   ADDING OR DROPPING A CLASS Students may not add a class after the fourth week of the grading period nor drop a class after the fifth week of a grading period. Occasional exceptions to this policy may be made at a teacher’s discretion, but any exceptions to the policy must be reviewed by the Academic Standards Committee. CHANGE OF PROGRAM Student program changes must be initiated with the registrar. The proper form must be signed by a parent first and then by the instructor/s involved. Adding a class may only be done with the consent of the instructor. To drop a class, see the Adding/Dropping a Class policy. TRANSFER OF CREDIT San Diego Academy will not accept correspondence, summer school, or evening course credit taken by a student attending SDA unless such coursework has previously been approved by the administration and/or registrar. Correspondence courses will be accepted from accredited schools only. PROFICIENCY EXAMINATION Students may “challenge” a course by arranging to take an examination administered by the course instructor. The grade will be recorded on the student’s transcript. A recording and testing fee of $35 will be charged for each test and must be paid in advance. The course instructor will be paid $25 of the fee as payment for proctoring the test. WAIVER EXAMINATION Students may take a waiver examination to fulfill a specific requirement. The teacher will give a pass/fail grade but will not record semester credits. There is no fee for the waiver examination. REPEATING A CLASS (9-12) A class may be repeated at the discretion of the teacher. Only the higher grade will be recorded and credit will only be given once. However, the transcript will reflect the fact that the class was taken during an earlier semester. REPEATING A GRADE (K-8) While it is generally accepted that repeating a grade may have limited benefit, under special circumstances a teacher may recommend such a repetition. The repeat must have the approval of the parent or guardian, but Academy Standards Cpmmotte will make the final decision. TWELVE-YEAR STUDENTS Twelve-year  students are those students who have attended San Diego for twelve consecutive years from first grade through twelfth grade.