Mission Statement:

Light House Reno aims to be a partner for homeschool families, providing both core and enrichment classes and a healthy academic and social community. Ultimately, Light House Reno staff works with parents to grow students into well-balanced, caring young men and women who are prepared for a Christian life of purpose, service, and leadership. 

Board of Directors: 

Sara Bilton – Lead Teacher

Kari Clauson – Communications and Administrative Director

Kayleen Hagstrand – Director  

Rachel Radmacher – Chair of the Board and Financial Director

Legal Team – Ryan Bilton, Matt Radmacher, Rachel Radmacher

 

About: 

Light House Reno partners with homeschool families to offer an in-person, Christian academic program to facilitate student learning throughout the school year. This is not a co-op but rather a variety of classes in both core subjects and enrichment, instructed by qualified teachers, that meet once or twice a week for lessons, activities, experiments, and social development. Parents will continue to be the most important figure in their child’s education by providing additional learning and practice outside of the Light House Reno classrooms. 

Our staff strives for excellence in education and character development. They support the potential in each child by fostering a love of learning and providing instruction and activities that equally benefit all children regardless of ability, age, culture or economic background. They model and promote healthy Christian, intellectual, physical, social, and emotional growth in children. Teachers and parents work together to build Christ-like character in our children and help them blossom into thriving members of their families and communities. 

 

Core Values

Light House Reno holds these core values; to honor God and people, to uphold honesty and to champion happiness in learning and in life. 

• Honor

1. 1. Honor God

The God of the Bible is represented first and foremost in all aspects of Light House Reno. Staff and students model and encourage Christian character traits and behavior that honors the Lord. 

1. Honor Each Other

All people are created in the image of God and are valued immensely by the Creator. All members of the Light House Reno community serve and treat others with respect, love and compassion. Intolerance, bullying, inappropriate or disruptive behavior will be reprimanded. 

1. Honor Property

Along with people, all property was created by God. The rented building and classrooms are viewed as a gift to be treated with respect and cared for. All staff and students help keep the facilities clean. 

• Honesty

The Bible is the infallible, authoritative, inerrant Word of God, the only truth. The curriculum is founded on and presented with this biblical truth. Staff and students look to the bible for how to act and respond in situations. Integrity and honesty are integral to the academic culture and experience. 

• Happiness: 

Freedom in Christ, freedom to homeschool and freedom to learn are all viewed as precious gifts and are celebrated with enthusiasm and gratitude. Hard work and perseverance in the pursuit of academic excellence and creativity bring joy to the Lord. 

 

Statement of Faith:

We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative, inerrant Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21).

We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:1, Matthew 28:19, John 10:30).

We believe that Adam and Eve sinned in disobedience against God, and their fall became the fall of all posterity. Thus, all are born sinners. Adversity and suffering in the world is a witness of the great evil of moral depravity in the heart of mankind (Romans 3:23).

We believe in Jesus Christ, who was fully man and fully God, (John 10:33), His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:35), His sinless life (Hebrews 4:15, Hebrews 7:26), His miracles (John 2:11), His atoning death as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity (1 Corinthians 15:3, Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 2:9), His resurrection (John 11:25, 1 Corinthians 15:4), His ascension to the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19), and His personal return in power and glory (Acts 1:11, Revelation 19:11).

We believe that God will regenerate all by the Holy Spirit for salvation and that sinners are justified only by God’s righteous grace, through faith alone we are saved, not through works. (John 3:16-19, John 5:24; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8–9; Ephesians 2:8–10; Titus 3:5).

We believe in the resurrection of both the believer and the unbeliever; the believer unto resurrection of life, and the unbeliever unto the resurrection of condemnation (John 5:28–29).

We believe in the spiritual unity of believers as one universal church in Jesus Christ, who is the all-sustaining, all-authoritative Head (Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 12:12–13, Galatians 3:26–28).

We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life (I Corinthians 3:16, 6:19–20, Romans 8:13–14, Ephesians 4:30, Ephesians 5:18).

Our Statement of Faith is not exhaustive of all our beliefs. The Bible, as the inspired and infallible Word of God, speaks with absolute authority regarding the proper conduct of mankind and is the unchanging foundation for all belief and behavior.

We believe that the term marriage has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Genesis 2:18–25). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Corinthians 6:18, 7:2–5; Hebrews 13:4). 

We believe that God wonderfully and immutably created each person as either male or female in conformity with their biological sex. These two distinct yet complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Genesis 1:26–27).

Academic Model and Parent’s Role

Students and Parents should select courses based upon interests and check that the student(s) meet any required prerequisites. Placement tests for some courses are available if needed to see if the class will be the correct fit. 

Light House Reno is a resource for parents that provides courses, instruction, labs, and enrichment activities directed by a qualified teacher during an in-person class period. Each class meets once a week for 45 minutes. The parent assumes full responsibility for the education and will continue to aid a student’s learning by continuing activities and practice related to the classes and curriculum at home. Teachers of core classes may request parents to administer tests at home. The parent is the one who has direct managerial control of the child’s education and is responsible for promoting the child “grade to grade” and graduating the child from their homeschool program. The parent is responsible for directing and maintaining all documentation of the child’s educational experience such as report cards, portfolios, and/or transcripts. Parents and students are ultimately responsible for ensuring high school graduation requirements are met. Student progress will be monitored and communicated to parents by teachers, through a variety of feedback, emails, and progress reports. Light House Reno will not provide an overall course grade for transcripts. The documentation Light House Reno shares with parents may be used as evidence of a student’s progress in or completion of subjects. 

Teaching staff works as a team with parents to educate and build Christ-like character in our children. The Bible says parents are responsible to educate their children in the Lord. Educators must be the delegates of the parents, assisting them in the education of their children, but never usurping their God-given parental prerogative and responsibility. To students and parents, teachers communicate academic progress, current learning goals and plans, and positive/negative behavior. Building these relationships is essential to make our education model effective for home-school families. 

Parents will be updated weekly on their student’s progress.  6th – 12th grade students are encouraged to contact the teacher directly regarding questions or concerns. Email is the best means to contact teachers and board members. Teachers will check emails regularly during the business week and will respond within 48 hours. 

Costs & Fees

Registration Fee

Class tuition Fee

Class tuition Fee for 2+ students enrolled or 2+ classes

Re-enrollment fee if you register for the next school year by June. 

There will be no refunds for withdrawal or expulsion after the second week of classes. There will be no refunds when a student misses a class. 

Registration fee is due at the time registration paperwork is submitted. Half of the tuition balance is due by the first day of classes. Half of the tuition is due by mid-semester or the 8th week of classes. Failure to meet your commitment to maintain a current financial account will impact your student. A past due account may result in late fees and removal from classes until the account is brought current.

Attendance

Parents and Students must attend an orientation night to hear a presentation on policies and procedures, meet teachers and go over course requirements. 

Students are expected to attend all classes, arrive on time, be prepared, and participate according to requirements of each class. 

Please give teaching staff as much notice as possible if a student will be absent. For last minute absences on the day of instruction please call our Attendance Administrator as soon as possible to give notice of absence, tardiness or early pick-up. 

Attendance Admin Phone Number *******************

 

Campus Access and Safety

Teachers and students have access to the building from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Outer building doors will be locked during class time for safety. Please make sure you drop off and pick up promptly. Students should be dropped off at least 5 min before class starts so that instructional time is not wasted. 

Although custodial service is provided, teachers and students should be responsible for certain “housekeeping duties” such as, picking up the classroom, keeping tables and whiteboards clean, and turning off lights when not in use. 

Lunch Time

All 3rd -12th grade students may stay for lunch break but must bring own packed lunch. 

Please keep in mind that our access to the facilities does not include access to refrigerators. An adult will act as a supervisor during lunch break. K-2 students may stay for lunch time if parent/guardian is present. 

Parents who wish to volunteer in a classroom must arrange a date and time with the teacher of the class. The teacher will determine needs and schedule volunteers. 

Study Hall is for ages 12 and up. Younger students must be picked up when not in a class. 

***insert safety procedures here****

Code of Conduct

Light House Reno is committed to providing the best environment for students to learn and grow, which includes providing clear and objective boundaries. We never want students to feel that our goal is to keep a record of their wrongs, but rather to explain the heart behind each rule and point them to Christ. 

The bible instructs parents and teachers as to biblical discipline. We should always encourage an obedient child and correct a disobedient child. Discipline honors Christ, serves others, demonstrates obedience to God and is a witness to the gospel. This is a necessary part of education to prevent any hindrance of the child’s own education or the education of others. Our desire is to shape appropriate social and emotional behaviors through positive strategies. Our parents and teaching staff must work together to build Christ-like character in our children and help them blossom into thriving members of their families and communities. 

Students are expected to:

• Confirm and obey rules and regulations of Light House Reno.
• Demonstrate the Light House Reno core values of honor, honesty, and happiness. 
• Attend all classes, arrive on time and be prepared according to class requirements. 
• Participate in all activities and complete all assignments as requested by the teacher.
• Give their best effort. Students should honestly demonstrate their individual level of competence through assignments so teachers can accurately evaluate progress and improve instruction. 
• Create and submit original work, with their own ideas and results. Any collaboration or use of another’s words or ideas is appropriately identified and credited. Any work directly copied from a classmate’s assignment, an answer key, online or other resources will be considered cheating and reprimanded. 
• Eat food and snacks only during breaks and lunch time. Water bottles will be allowed during class time. Additionally, chewing gum is not allowed at any time. 

Dress Code for All Students

• Clothing must cover the entire torso from shoulders to middle of the thigh. Tops and dresses should have modest necklines. 
• Clothing may not depict or imply vulgarity, discrimination, violence, lewd conduct, weapons, or use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or other controlled substances. 
• Clothing may not depict or imply pornography, nudity, or sexual acts. 
• See-through or mesh garments must have a layer of clothing underneath. 
• Undergarments may not be visible. 
• Pants and shorts should have an inseam at least 4 inches in length. Skirts or dresses should meet at least just above the knee. 
• Shoes must be worn at all times and be safe for the school environment. 
• Clothing or accessories that endanger students and/or staff may not be worn. 

Cell Phones/Devices

 

In addition, each teacher will have the freedom to personalize their classroom discipline system to fit the changing needs of our young students. At the beginning of the school year, your child’s teacher will be happy to share the specifics of their system with parents. 

Infractions

The list below describes the actions that do not uphold the values and rules of Light House Reno and will result in appropriate consequences. 

Minor Infractions

• chewing gum
• inattention, off-task during class time
• tardiness
• running or horseplay inside the building
• disruptive, rude or inconsiderate actions
• meddling with property of Light House Reno or another student
• minor dress code violations
• littering
• possession of unauthorized items (i.e. electronic device, toy, etc.)

 

Major Infractions

• Cheating or lying
• Profanity or obscenity
• Fighting
• Suggestive, inappropriate language or gestures
• Major dress code violations
• Disrespect for staff members
• Major or intentional property damage
• Possession/consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs
• Possession of knives or other dangerous objects or weapons
• Sexual misconduct
• Theft or vandalism
• Truancy
• Any type of threat made against Light House Reno, staff, or students
• Any gross violation of the Word of God

 

Disciplinary Action Plan

Disciplinary actions are documented and communicated with parents. Reoccurring discipline problems should be referred to the Board of Directors. The earlier the parents are brought into the partnership, the greater the likelihood the child will make the necessary changes in his/her behavior. The goals of these disciplinary actions are to instruct, correct, restitution, and reconciliation. 

When possible, a student is corrected in private. Should immediate, public correction be necessary, everything possible will be done to ensure the student’s dignity and respect.  

Consequences: the following are examples of consequences that may be used.

• Verbal warning
• Immediate redirection to another toy or task
• Confiscation of toy or unauthorized device
• Parent contact via phone or email
• Nonparticipation in activity or lab
• Parent visit to class
• Parent-teacher conference
• Expulsion from the class or from Light House Reno

Unacceptable Methods of Discipline

• Assigning additional classwork is not to be used as a consequence. Light House Reno aims to foster a love of learning and hard work brings joy to the Lord.
• Corporal punishment is not allowed. Physical restraint of a student would only ever be used if there is immediate danger to themselves or others. 
• Verbal abuse, sarcasm and/or yelling shall not be used as a means of communication with a student in any circumstance.
• Teaching staff do not have the authority to suspend or expel students from class. Recurring discipline issues should be brought up to a board member and discussions of further actions will be taken seriously. 

Conflict Resolution & Grievances

Conflict resolution should be accomplished as quickly and as simply as possible according to the guidelines of Matthew 18:15-20. Concerns and grievances should first be addressed directly to the party involved, in order that justice and charity be duly served. Parents should be communicating with their child’s teacher often. Concerns about a student’s learning or progress in the classroom should be brought up to the teacher. Concerns about Light House Reno processes and procedures or about any members of the teaching staff should be brought up to a board member. Board members may serve as mediators if necessary.