Frequently Asked Questions
1. What grade levels does Agia Sophia Academy offer?
We offer a full-day academic program for Primer (Kindergarten) through Sixth grade. We also offer a Montessori-style Early Childhood Education program for ages 3-6. We plan to add at least one grade each year until we have a full Pre-K through 8th grade program.
* For the 2008-2009 school year, we will be offering a full-day academic program for Primer (Kindergarten) through 3rd grade plus our Montessori-style Early Education program for ages 3-6. Read more about this change here.
2. What are the school hours?
The current hours of operation are 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Our Montessoir classes run from 8:30 AM to 12:25 PM (half-day program) or 3:00 PM.(full-day program).
3. What is the student-teacher ratio?
Agia Sophia 's policy is to have no more than fifteen(15) students per teacher in all classes except the Montessori program where we have a maximum of twelve(12) students per teacher. This low ratio allows teachers to offer significant personal attention to the students.
4. What about the academic standards? How rigorous are your programs?
We believe in setting standards that will stretch students of all abilities to reach their fullest potential-mind, body, and soul. At Agia Sophia Academy we strive to "set the bar high " in a way that is both accessible to the average student and challenging to the academically gifted student. Furthermore, Agia Sophia Academy does not advance students from grade to grade simply based upon age. Students must meet the academic objectives set for each grade level, at the discernment of the teaching and administrative staff, in order to go on to the next level.
5. Is Agia Sophia Academy accredited by any agency or organization?
We are in the process of applying for provisional accreditation status through the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. Typically schools must be in operation for at least 5 years before permanent status can be awarded. We will be working with this accrediting agency for the next several years in order to become accredited.
6. Do your students participate in standardized testing programs?
Yes, our students are regularly tested in aptitude, basic skills, concepts, and reading comprehension using nationally recognized standardized tests such as the Iowa Basic Skills Test and the Stanford Achievements Test.
7. Do your students receive instruction in Art, Music, and Physical Education?
Yes, all are taught three days per week. Music and Art are taught by qualified specialists while PE is taught by the classroom teacher. Students are taught Music History and Theory, as well as voice and instrumentation instruction. Art is taught in a multi-media, technique-based format in concert with Art History. We strive to integrate Art, Music, and PE into our core curriculum study (history, math, and literature) as often as possible.
8. Are the teachers at Agia Sophia certified to teach in the state of Oregon?
Although some of our teachers are state certified, state certification is not a requirement for employment at our school. We are a different kind of academic institution with a different set of standards for our teachers. We generally require each of our teachers to possess a bachelors degree, to be an active and faithful Orthodox Christian, to have a true love for teaching children, to be committed to the Classical model of education, and finally to have a love of learning and a passion for their subjects. All of our teachers are specifically trained in Classical and Orthodox Christian education methods.
9. What curriculum is used at ASA? What subjects do you teach?
Agia Sophia Academy uses a variety of curriculum resources and a Trivium-based Classical Education model approach for its academic programs. We strive for materials that are academically challenging and facilitative of our goal of providing a Classical and Orthodox Christian education. We teach all of the basic subjects (Faith History, Reading, Writing, Spelling, Math, Science, History, Greek, Latin, Art, Music, Physical Education, etc.) Our curriculum is distinctive in that our students are taught how to learn, to grow in the gift of discernment, and to be critical thinkers.
10. How long has your school been in operation? What's its history and background?
The 2006-2007 school year is our third year of operation. A Steering Committee worked for over a year to put ASA together. Based upon the model established by the Orthodox Christian Schools of NE Ohio, Agia Sophia Academy works to offer a quality classical education in the spirit of the Orthodox Christianity.
11. What about new students transferring into your program from other types of schools?
This is a legitimate concern of many parents who are considering enrollment of their children. Our experience tells us that some students will adjust readily to the new approach and some may encounter challenges. The teaching staff carefully assesses each student in each subject area and find the most appropriate level for them to begin working. Our small class sizes allow teachers the ability to give specialized attention to new students in order to get them acclimated smoothly to our school culture.
12. Is your school associated with a denomination or area church?
Agia Sophia Academy is a distinctively Orthodox Christian institution that is committed to educating according to the Tradition of the Orthodox Christian Faith and the ideals of Classical Wisdom. The school is associated with the Orthodox Christian Church reflected locally, nationally, and internationally.
13. Does a student have to be an Orthodox Christian to attend Agia Sophia Academy?
No. While Agia Sophia Academy is an Orthodox Christian School, it
does admit students from all faith backgrounds. Agia Sophia Academy is
unapologetically an Orthodox School. We do not alter and water-down
anything we teach especially with regards to the faith. All students,
regardless of background, are expected to participate in church services
as well as in faith class. All who enroll at Agia Sophia Academy are
made aware of these requirements and agree to participate in all
activities and classes during the school day. Agia Sophia Academy
currently has students who are not Orthodox Christians.
14. What is your school's philosophy regarding homework? Do you give excessive amounts?
We strive to keep homework at a reasonable level. Our approach is to work hard on academics during the seven hours each day we have the children with the goal of minimal homework after school. We believe it is important that children have family time. That being said, students often do need some amount of extra practice in specific, new concepts, skills, or facts. In certain subjects (e.g. math or language), there is not enough time in a school day to do as much practice as may be necessary for mastery. Therefore, after reasonable in-class time is spent on the material, the teacher may assign homework to allow for the necessary practice. Homework is never given as punishment or as busywork. For more information, see our Homework Philosophy and Guidelines.
15. What is the discipline policy at Agia Sophia Academy?
The standards for student behavior are very high at Agia Sophia. We have no tolerance for disrespect, dishonesty, rebellion, fighting, and obscene language. The goal of all discipline at Agia Sophia is Christ-likeness and is exercised in a spirit of grace and compassion. Parental responsibility and cooperation in disciplinary matters is expected and strongly emphasized. For more information, see our Discipline Policy.
16. How does the school view parental involvement?
Our core philosophy is that we are an extension and fulfillment of the primary parental responsibility for the education of their children. Our role is to reinforce the values parents are trying to impart at home. Therefore, we strongly encourage parental involvement in our school. We desire our parents to be active in the classrooms, to volunteer for school projects, and to visit with the teachers regularly and frequently. Parents are also expected to work with their children at home to make sure homework is completed regularly.
17. What is the school's policy regarding dress codes and uniforms?
Agia Sophia requires its students to wear prescribed uniforms. For more information, see our Dress Code Policy.
18. Do you offer extra-curricular activities and a sports program?
As our school grows we expect to offer programs in basketball, soccer and other competitive sports. We will also hope to add extra-curricular activities in the humanities, arts and sciences.
19. What kind of lunch program is offered?
Students bring their own lunches.
20. Do you offer tuition discounts or financial aid?
Agia Sophia strives to offer generous need-based tuition assistance to families. For more information, see our printed Tuition Policy and Tuition Assistance Policy.
21. What is the admission's process at Agia Sophia?
The first step is to become familiar with our school and its unique philosophy, speaking to the school director, and this website.
The next step is to complete an Application for Admission and return it to the school office with a $50.00 per child, non-refundable, registration fee ($150.00 maximum per family).
A Priest Recommendation form must be completed by your priest and submitted to Agia Sophia prior to the family interview. Academic assessments will also be administered as part of the application process.
Upon receipt of your completed Admission Applications, Priest Recommendation form, academic records and fee, and interview will be scheduled. At the interview, the family 's questions about Agia Sophia will be answered and the school's expectations will be clarified. Students must participate in the family interview.
The school will contact the parents with the decision regarding acceptance. If accepted, the family will receive a letter of acceptance and an Enrollment Contract.
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS:
Agia Sophia Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the academy. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other academy-administered programs.
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