Melody Christian Academy serves VPK-12 grade and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Cognia, and ILCS.

Melody Christian Academy was founded in 1981 by Pastor Bob and Carol Champion as a part of Melody Christian Life Church. A small beginning in one room of the church building, Melody has grown to occupy multiple first class facilities on a beautiful 20-acre campus.

We now have a student enrollment of 200 and have graduates in Universities, business, the medical field, and all walks of life.

Our vision is to develop leaders who turn the world upside down.

We offer weekly chapel services, Bible classes, art, sign language, small groups, a fully equipped computer lab, media training, AP courses, an on-site counselor for our elementary grades, and degreed and experienced teachers.

Our students are also able to participate in local high school sports as well as dual enrollment.

A variety of scholarships are available. Scholarships for students with IEP’s, students that have physical problems, students that have been bullied or a victim of violence, and also students who qualify financially.

Foundational Truths: Knowing that “all truth is God’s truth,” we believe that academic excellence must be built on a foundation of faith, of which Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). Therefore, His Word, the Holy Bible, is fundamental in our preparation of curriculum, and His Spirit is the guiding light of its implementation. Truly, a Christ-centered education is a vital key to dealing with the intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and physical health of children.

Responsibility of the Christian Parents: We hold Christ-centered education to be a mandate of God to the Christian family in order to establish children as disciples of Christ, vessels of honor, and productive citizens. While a Christ-centered education is the responsibility of the parent, the Christian school is a useful ally in meeting those educational needs.

Responsibility of the Church, Home, and School: We believe that a balanced Christian education is both an extension of the ministries of the church and of the home (Acts 5:42). We find Christian education to be the third strand in the chord of agreement between parents, ministers, and educators in the development of young people. Like parents and ministers, educators seek to nurture God’s purpose and plan for each child and to equip them academically so they may realize their full potential in that plan.

Responsibility of the Educator: Our campus is a peaceful and joyous one that values orderliness and honor between faculty and students. We believe that these virtues facilitate a positive, successful learning process. Our administrators, faculty, and staff desire to teach by example as well as by instruction.

Responsibility of the Student: We hope to inspire the spirit of excellence within each child. It is said of Daniel that he was skillful in all wisdom, discernment and understanding because an excellent spirit was found in him (Daniel 1:4; 5:12). That spirit of excellence is the compass by which a child can set the course of their academic career and Christian life. Therefore, each child must determine that they will live up to the vast potential that God has willed for their life. Exhibiting an honorable character, diligent approach to education, and inquisitive nature, each student will succeed as he or she takes responsibility for their own spiritual, mental, social, and athletic progress.

STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT

All members of the School Board, administrators, teachers and all other employees of Melody Christian Academy, regardless of their position, because of their dual roles as servants and educators are to be bound by the following Code of Ethics. Adherence to the Code of Ethics will create an environment of honesty and integrity and will aid in achieving the common mission of providing a safe and high quality education to all students.

Application

This Code of Ethics applies to all members of the Board, administrators, teachers, educational support employees, and all other employees regardless of full or part time status. It also applies to all persons who receive any direct economic benefit such as membership in Board funded insurance programs.

Employees are subject to various other laws, rules, and regulations. To the extent not in conflict with any laws, Board policies or governmental regulations, this Code of Ethics shall control with regard to conduct. In the event of any conflict, the law, regulation or Board policy shall control.

Fundamental Principles

The fundamental principles upon which this Code of Ethics is predicated are as follows:

- Citizenship – Helping to create a society based upon democratic values (e.g., rule of law, equality of opportunity, due process, reasoned argument, representative government, checks and balances, rights and responsibilities, and democratic decision-making).

- Cooperation – Working together toward goals as basic as human survival in an increasingly interdependent world.

- Fairness – Treating people impartially, not playing favorites, being open-minded, and maintaining an objective attitude toward those whose actions and ideas are different from our own.

- Honesty – Dealing truthfully with people, being sincere, not deceiving them nor stealing from them, not cheating nor lying.

- Integrity – Standing up for their beliefs about what is right and what is wrong and resisting social pressure to do wrong.

- Kindness – Being sympathetic, helpful, compassionate, benevolent, agreeable, and gentle toward people and other living things.

- Pursuit of Excellence – Doing their best with their talents, striving toward a goal, and not giving up.

- Respect – Showing regard for the worth and dignity of someone or something, being courteous and polite, and judging all people on their merits. It takes three (3) major forms: respect for oneself, respect for other people, and respect for all forms of life and the environment.

- Responsibility – Thinking before acting and being accountable for their actions, paying attention to others and responding to their needs. Responsibility emphasizes our positive obligations to care for each other.

Each employee and board member agrees and pledges:

- To abide by this Code of Ethics, making the well-being of the students and the honest performance of professional duties core guiding principles.

- To obey the law.

- To support the principles of due process to protect the rights and interests of all individuals.

- To treat all persons with respect and to strive to be fair in all matters.

- To take responsibility and be accountable for his/her actions.

- To avoid conflicts of interest or any appearance of impropriety.

- To cooperate with others to protect and advance Melody Christian Academy and its students.

- To be efficient and effective in the performance of job duties.

Training Requirement

All instructional personnel, educational support employees, and administrators are required as a condition of employment to complete training on these standards of ethical conduct.

Reporting Misconduct by Instructional Personnel and Administrators

All employees, educational support employees, and administrators have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. Examples of misconduct include obscene language, drug and alcohol use, disparaging comments, prejudice or bigotry, sexual innuendo, cheating or testing violations, physical aggression, and accepting or offering favors.

Reports of misconduct of employees should be made to Amanda Davis:

amandareamsdavis@yahoo.com

Reports of misconduct committed by administrators should be made to Laura Baldwin:

lauraleighbaldwin@gmail.com

Legally sufficient allegations of misconduct by Florida certified educators will be reported to the Office of Professional Practices Services. Policies and procedures for reporting misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student are posted throughout the school, classrooms, lunchroom, computer lab and bathrooms.

Reporting Child Abuse, Abandonment or Neglect

All employees and agents have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Call 1-800-96-ABUSE or report online at: https://www.myflfamilies.com

Signs of Physical Abuse

The child may have unexplained bruises, welts, cuts, or other injuries; broken bones; or burns. A child experiencing physical abuse may seem withdrawn or depressed, seem afraid to go home or may run away, shy away from physical contact, be aggressive, or wear inappropriate clothing to hide injuries.

Signs of Sexual Abuse

The child may have torn, stained or bloody underwear, trouble walking or sitting, pain or itching in genital area, or a sexually transmitted disease. A child experiencing sexual abuse may have unusual knowledge of sex or act seductively, fear a particular person, seem withdrawn or depressed, gain or lose weight suddenly, shy away from physical contact, or run away from home.

Signs of Neglect

The child may have unattended medical needs, little or no supervision at home, poor hygiene, or appear underweight. A child experiencing neglect may be frequently tired or hungry, steal food, or appear overly needy for adult attention.

Patterns of Abuse

Serious abuse usually involves a combination of factors. While a single sign may not be significant, a pattern of physical or behavioral signs is a serious indicator and should be reported.

Liability Protections

Any person, official, or institution participating in good faith in any act authorized or required by law, or reporting in good faith any instance of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the department or any law enforcement agency, shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability which might otherwise result by reason of such action. (F.S. 39.203)

An employer who discloses information about a former or current employee to a prospective employer of the former or current employee upon request of the prospective employer or of the former or current employee is immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the information disclosed by the former or current employer was knowingly false or violated any civil right of the former or current employee protected under F.S. Chapter 760. (F.S. 768.095)