Mission

Cross Creek Charter Academy's mission guides the daily school routine.  The staff is committed to this mission, which states: "Challenging each child to achieve through academic excellence, parent partnerships, moral focus and student responsibility."

The staff at Cross Creek fulfills this mission through the following four commitments we give in educating our students.

Commitment 1: Academic Excellence
Cross Creek Charter Academy's curriculum provides students with a thorough understanding in the core subjects of language arts, science, math and history. The vast majority of students' time is spent not only learning these core subjects, but also striving to master them. By following Cross Creek's clearly defined curriculum and high standards, students show steady academic progress and, typically, learn at an accelerated rate.


Commitment 2: Moral Focus
Developing children's minds is our first priority. But to achieve our goal of developing students into successful citizens, we must also help them develop strong morals. The teachers at Cross Creek Charter Academy go beyond academics to reinforce the values taught to children in their own homes. They become role models of courage, compassion, and perseverance to their students. The students are consistently rewarded for positive actions, helping them become solid individuals as well as sound thinkers.

Central to Cross Creek's educational focus is the inclusion of universal moral principles. These timeless principles are embraced by people of all faiths and beliefs and are thus appropriate for the charter school setting where children of all backgrounds are represented.

Each new month brings a new character quality to the forefront. These universal moral principles are taught both as specific content matter as well as within the various curriculum subjects. In this way, our students learn about friendship through subjects such as history and reading. Perseverance is learned through science and mathematics. Students more readily absorb the true meaning of character qualities when they are presented in the context of everyday life. Because of this, Cross Creek seeks to make these universal moral principles a part of all of the learning that occurs in our classrooms.
Cross Creek Charter Academy students are also instructed in the importance of selecting appropriate role models and heroes. Unfortunately, our society oftentimes makes heroes out of people based on athleticism, musical ability, and acting competence without taking into account the individual's character.

At Cross Creek, children are taught to look beyond the superficial to characteristics that more closely define people worthy of respect.

Commitment 3: Student Responsibility
Cross Creek Charter Academy believes strongly that a direct correlation exists between good behavior and student achievement. The staff also believes that we must provide a safe environment to learn.

Fortunately, discipline problems are typically minimal at Cross Creek. The commitment to academic excellence on the part of our parents and teachers creates an environment in which classroom learning takes precedence over behavior. Students come to understand that school is for learning and not a place to demonstrate inappropriate behavior.

Student expectations are clearly communicated. Cross Creek Charter Academy takes a very proactive stance in promoting the Student Code of Conduct as outlined below.
• Respect and obey all staff members, adults and those connected to the school. Respect fellow students at all times.
• Respect property of the school, fellow students, staff members and area neighbors.
• Use acceptable language at all times.
• Cooperate in keeping the school building and premises neat and clean.
• Demonstrate honesty, courtesy and kindness in relationships with fellow students, staff members and adults.
• Obey all rules and regulations with respect to the safe and orderly operation of the school.
• Observe the required school dress code policy as outlined.
• Be punctual in attendance except in cases of illness, excused absence or emergency.

Commitment 4: Parent Partnerships
Research shows that the more parents are involved in a child's education, the more likely the child is to be successful. At Cross Creek Charter Academy, parents are an integral part of their child's education. In many ways, they are as important as the teachers themselves. Our environment encourages parents to take an active role in their child's education in a variety of ways. This close interaction among teacher, parent, and child forms a partnership that promotes the optimum learning environment for the child. Most importantly, it keeps parents engaged and helps ensure the child's success.

Parent involvement with our school approaches 100%. Virtually all attend orientation meetings and parent-teacher conferences regularly. Parents are also encouraged to volunteer their time in the classroom, performing a variety of tasks such as reading to students, tutoring or simply helping the teacher with class projects.

Of course, work and other obligations limit the time some parents are available during the school day. Parents may also volunteer during non-school hours in activities such as making classroom art, bulletin boards, etc.