1. Go to our website ( and click on the Forms and Documents tab.

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November 27, 2012

To: Families of New Applicants Re: 2013-2014 Application Process

Thank you for your interest in joining The Academy Tutorial. We ask that you read everything in the application packet thoroughly and respond exactly as requested. Please mail your completed materials to:

David & Becky Durham 1304 Newman Avenue Nashville, TN 37216 To apply, please follow these steps:

1. Go to our website (http:/www.academytutorial.com/wp) and click on the Forms and Documents tab.

2. Please read the entire Handbook before deciding to apply. (Parents and prospective students need to complete this step.) If our program appears to be what you are looking for…

3. Download the 2013-2014 New Student Application, print it out, and complete it. 4. Mail the recommendation forms to those providing references.

5. Mail the application and processing fee(s) to David & Becky Durham at the above address. Once we have reviewed your application and checked your references, we will contact you to schedule an interview. As we must evaluate the number of available spaces for each grade, interviews will not begin until some time in late January or early February.

For the Academy Tutorial Board, David and Becky Durham, Directors

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Who are we?

The Academy Tutorial is a college preparatory program for home-schooled students in grades 7 to 12. We provide high-level, rigorous classes one day per week, designed to prepare our students for acceptance and success in quality colleges and universities. Our tutors represent a wealth of experience and expertise and are committed to the students’ success. Class offerings cover the totality of required courses for high school graduation in Tennessee, with the exception of physical education and health, as long as there is sufficient demand for the classes. Students are provided inspiration, critical information about what and how to learn, and the chance to discuss in a group setting the best of what the week’s work has produced.

We are NOT a school, and our tutorial model assumes two things:

a. Parents are primarily responsible for the education of their students.

b. Our program is effective only with the active participation and involvement of the parents.

When these classes were first organized almost two decades ago, a dedicated core of families shared the vision that we could be unified in academic pursuits for our children and our shared Christian faith without getting into areas of controversy about doctrine. We wanted a group where tolerance for each person’s faith would be assured. The spontaneous expression of our faith flows through our classrooms, but religious doctrine is rarely a formal part of instruction. We believe that devotion to God should enhance, not hinder, the pursuit of academic excellence. Faith and intellect are not mutually exclusive. We agree that as our children mature, we want to expose them to ideas that might challenge their faith later in life, introducing these ideas while our children are still within our sphere of influence. We want to help them recognize and counter worldviews that deny God’s power in the universe and in His relationship with man. Teaching mature students to think critically, to seek truth and to foster curiosity remains a primary concern.

The format for our tutorial is very simple. Our tutors provide a 32-week lesson plan that is the backbone of each course. Objective work (daily homework) is checked at home under the supervision of the parents. This requires that parents buy student texts and teacher’s texts/keys for some classes. Classes that meet for one hour once a week cannot satisfy academic credit or provide adequate instruction unless the parents and students work together to complete what is required outside of class.

We recommend our program to students with an established record of academic excellence and the ability to work independently. We do not recommend the program for students who

need remedial work or who are not highly motivated.

We are looking for students who want to be a part of an intimate academic and social group that is non-traditional in several ways. Since the adults and students get to know each other very well, we develop a bond akin to that of a large family. As in a family, all ages eat and play together. We do not tolerate any form of social rejection. Students who can only survive in a

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clique are not welcome. We expect kindness and acceptance to be practiced, and we address any lapses immediately.

Tutorial classes meet for 32 weeks from mid-August to mid-May. We break for one week in the fall, one week at Thanksgiving, three weeks at Christmas and one week during the spring with an additional week added if we do not need to take a snow day in the winter months. Classes are held on Thursdays in the Green Hills area, with a few exceptions: additional biology, physics and chemistry labs may meet at different locations on days other than Thursday.

Tuition per class, in most cases, is $320 for the year. Book costs, which can run from $50-$100 per class, are not included in the tuition fees. Administrative fees fluctuate from year to year, depending on expenses and the number of families enrolled in the program. Last year, each family’s yearly, non-refundable confirmation fee was $100, and the administrative fee was $225 per family. (Families may offset the cost of the $225-administrative fee by participating in the Kroger Cares program.) For each first-time applicant, we charge a $25 non-refundable processing fee. These application, confirmation, and administrative fees fund our rent, stipends for our administrators, cleaning costs, telephone costs, postage, insurance, office supplies, and miscellaneous expenses. Fees for future terms are subject to change.

We require:

1. a year-long commitment and the payment of the upcoming year’s full tuition in April.

These fees are non-refundable. No class can be dropped after tuition is paid.

Families who need a payment plan can be accommodated, but we must have post-dated checks and a written contract. We are hiring teachers for a full year and must be able to guarantee their salaries; therefore, tuition is non-refundable. Private schools require a full year’s tuition in advance, and so must we.

2. students to take a minimum of three classes each year. We need committed families who are involved enough to become cohesive members of our tutorial and who will support our tutors and our program, not those with a “consumer” mentality who only use our organization to pick up a class here or there and never become active participants in our group. Further, students in grades 7-9 must also choose two of their three required courses from those suggested for their grade levels.

3. signed liability releases forms. 4. previous home school experience.

NON-DISCRIMINATORY POLICY:

The Academy Tutorial 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 in our group. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and other group-administered programs.

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2013-2014 APPLICATION FOR NEW STUDENTS page 1 The first four pages of this application must be filled out by the applying STUDENT. Parents may supply information the student lacks and should check to make sure all information is correct. Please answer as fully as space allows, using another sheet when necessary.

Student Name _________________________________________________________________________ (Last) (First)

Date of Birth ____________________________ Grade (2013-2014) ______________________________ Address ______________________________________________________________________________ (Street) (City) (State) (Zip) Home Telephone _________________________ Student Email Address ___________________________ Father’s Email ___________________________ Mother’s Email _________________________________ Father’s Name __________________________ Occupation/Company ____________________________ Father’s Work Phone _____________________ Father’s Cell Phone ______________________________ Mother’s Name __________________________ Occupation/Company ____________________________ Mother’s Work Phone _____________________ Mother’s Cell Phone _____________________________ EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION: Please provide us with the name and phone number of someone we can contact in the event of an emergency if parents cannot be reached. This person should be available during school hours.

Name _______________________________________ Phone _________________________________ Relationship to Student _________________________________________________________________ Family Physician _______________________________ Phone _________________________________ Tutorial administrators have my permission to give Tylenol, Advil or a generic version to my son/daughter upon request for headaches or minor pain:

Parental Signature ____________________________________________________________________ HEALTH CONCERNS: Please list any serious allergies, prescription medication that affects classwork, health problems or physical limitations that need to be brought to our attention. Use the back if necessary.

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Page 2: Application for New Students Student Name _________________________

PARENTAL EXPERTISE: Because we sometimes need computer help, legal advice, organizational help, etc., from our parents, please share with us your parents’ areas of expertise:

Father:_________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Mother:________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

SIBLINGS: (List names and ages)

________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

REFERENCES: Give one of the enclosed recommendation letters to a former teacher or tutor. Give the second letter to a church pastor, minister, employer or other personal contact. Give a stamped envelope, addressed to David and Becky Durham (1304 Newman Ave., Nashville 37216) to each reference. Recommendations are to be mailed directly to David and Becky Durham, not returned to the student. Home Congregation _________________________________________ Phone _____________________ Minister or Youth Minister ________________________________________________________________ List any families you know who are currently enrolled in our program: ____________________________

_____________________________________________________________

COLLEGE PLANS: Tell us about your college plans. What is your primary interest as a course of study? What career dreams do you have?

_____________________________________________________________

WORK: If you work, tell us about your job: ________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

How many hours per week do you work? ____________

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Page 3: Application for New Students Student Name _________________________ EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE: If you have attended a public or private school in the last two years, give us photocopies of your final report cards. DO NOT ASK THE SCHOOL FOR OFFICIAL COPIES TO BE SENT TO US. WE ARE NOT A SCHOOL. Our tutorial cannot request official documents. If you have homeschooled for the last two years, provide us with photocopies of the final grades you sent to your umbrella school. (Note: you must have previous homeschooling experience to qualify for our program.)

School last attended _________________________________________ Year ______________________ Did you leave that school as a student in good standing? _______________________________________ If you have ever been expelled or suspended from any school, explain the circumstances:

_____________________________________________________________________________________ List any learning disabilities: ______________________________________________________________ Summarize your educational history. Tell us where you have been to school and what you liked or disliked about each type of schooling. (This includes your home school experience.) Use the back of this page as necessary.

_____________________________________________________

List any home school classes/tutorials you have attended:

_____________________________________________________________

Please list the names/phone numbers of the director(s) of these programs:

_____________________________________________________________

Do you plan to dual-enroll your student in any other tutorial (or college) for 2013-2014?________________________

UMBRELLA SCHOOL: You MUST be registered with an umbrella organization to participate in our program. Name of your umbrella school:

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Page 4: Application for New Students Student Name _________________________ Finish this page with whatever will help us to understand and appreciate you. Don’t agonize over this. Be yourself. Write as neatly and as correctly as you can. Use a dictionary if you like, but accept no other assistance. Include special interests, talents, and hobbies. Show us your sense of humor. Introduce yourself to us in your own way. Let us know what special qualities you possess that will enrich OUR lives and tell us why you would like to become a part of our group:

_____________________________________________________

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REQUEST TO VISIT ACADEMY CLASSES

Name___________________________________ Birthdate ______________ Grade (2013-14)_________ The best way to understand how our tutorial works is to visit our classes. By visiting the classes you think your student may want to take during the 2013-2014 school year, you can best determine whether a particular class is what your student needs. Using the current schedule of classes posted on our web site and the Suggested Course of Study (page 20 in the Handbook) as a guide, list the classes that you would like to visit with your student. Be sure to sit in on at least three classes, as our tutorial requires each student to take a minimum of three classes. In addition to visiting classes that your student is interested in taking, consider also visiting one class of students who are in your student’s current grade level. You are welcome to bring a sack lunch or have pizza with us and spend the lunch hour meeting students and tutors. NOTE: Due to overcrowding in our art classes, it is not possible to sit in on those classes; however, you are welcome to observe briefly from the door and meet our art tutor at his/her convenience.

Things to remember when scheduling your class visit:

1. The classes you visit today will probably not meet at the same hour next year. Let us know the classes your student needs, even if there is a scheduling conflict.

2. The Suggested Course of Study (page 20 in the Handbook) suggests a sequence within each discipline. Do not move students forward until they have mastered the previous steps. USING THE SUGGESTED SEQUENCE WILL LIMIT SCHEDULING CONFLICTS.

3. Both parents are welcome to visit, but at least one parent must be present with the student. 4. Specific information about each class will be available for your review when you visit with us.

8:00 ___________________________________________________________________ 9:00 ___________________________________________________________________ 10:00 ___________________________________________________________________ 11:00 LUNCH 12:00 ___________________________________________________________________ 1:00 ___________________________________________________________________ 2:00 ___________________________________________________________________ PHOTOCOPY THIS PAGE AND BRING IT WITH YOU ON THE DAY YOU VISIT.

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Applying Student: please fill in your name and submit this form to two people (one academic reference, one personal), supplying each of them with a stamped envelope addressed to The Academy Tutorial, c/o David and Becky Durham, 1304 Newman Avenue, Nashville, TN 37216.

LETTER of RECOMMENDATION for ______________________________________

(student name)

This recommendation form is for a student who is applying to a home school tutorial group. We ask the person who is making the recommendation to mail the form directly to The Academy Tutorial at the address above rather than returning it to the student. Thank you for your help.

Person writing this reference: _____________________________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________________________________________ Phone (Home) __________________________ Phone (Office) _________________________________ How long have you known this student? ____________________________________________________ In what capacity / relationship? ___________________________________________________________ Indicate your assessment of the student in the following categories: (If you do not know, please indicate.)

Emotional stability ______________________________________________________________________ Sense of humor ________________________________________________________________________ Academic ability ________________________________________________________________________ Respect for authority ____________________________________________________________________ Ability to work independently _____________________________________________________________ Ability to work with others _______________________________________________________________ Completion of tasks ____________________________________________________________________ Taking responsibility for his/her actions _____________________________________________________ Personal integrity / character _____________________________________________________________ Please attach a statement to describe other attributes that make this person a good candidate for an academic program that requires a high level of cooperation, maturity and academic independence. Also, feel free to share any concerns you may have regarding this student. Should you wish to discuss this student further, please contact Becky Durham by phone at (615) 227-3242 or by email at [email protected].

Do you recommend this student as an asset to our program? ___________________________________ Signature: _____________________________________ Date: _________________________

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HONOR CODE AND PERSONAL COMMITMENT FOR ACADEMY STUDENTS:

I have read the student handbook. I understand fully the concept of the tutorial and agree to support the stated principles.

I will make every effort to be prepared and to participate actively and positively in class.

I make a personal commitment to our host church to protect the church property and to remember that I am a guest.

I will be an accepting, supportive friend to all members of our group. I will be a peacemaker. I will not gossip about others. I will make every effort to include anyone who wants to be a part of my circle of friends.

I accept fully that I am responsible for my academic work. I will not attempt to shirk that responsibility or excuse myself should I fail to do so. My commitment to my academic work precedes my commitment to my job, sports and other extra-curricular activities.

I will be prepared to spend 4 to 6 hours per class per week at home to complete assignments for these classes. I will do whatever is necessary to be fully prepared for classes on Thursdays. I promise to adhere to the highest code of honor in my schoolwork. Even though I may have access to answer keys, I will not use them inappropriately in doing homework or take-home tests. I will ask my parents to administer all tests according to my tutors’ requirements. I will never copy another student’s work when I have failed to do my own or make my work available for another student to copy.

I promise to abstain from tobacco, alcohol, drugs and sex. Not only will I practice total abstinence, but I will also keep my conversation clean and healthy regarding these topics. I will cheerfully do my part regarding set-up and clean-up assignments each week.

I will make every effort to give more than I take in both academic and social settings in this group. I will guard my tongue and my actions in and out of class.

Student Signature: ______________________________________________________________ Date: ________________________________________________________________________

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FAMILY CONTRACT FOR THE ACADEMY TUTORIAL: 2013 - 2014

(Complete one per family)

We, the undersigned, contract with the tutors in whose classes our children are enrolled and with the parents who have organized these classes to fulfill the obligations outlined in the handbook. We understand that our financial contract is for the entire school year and that there can be no refunded tuition as long as the classes continue as they have been presented. We will contribute actively to the success of these classes. We commit to resolve any difficulties that arise by going directly to those involved. We will not encourage gossip or criticism. We will respond quickly to requests from tutors or staff.

We have read the Policy of Disciplinary Action at the bottom of this page; we agree that it is fair and will accept the policy as stated.

We will not share the names and phone numbers of anyone in our group without the specific permission of that person.

SIGN ONLY ONE CONTRACT FOR EACH FAMILY. Please do not sign this contract for other family members. Father: Date: Mother: Date: Student: Date: Student: Date: Student: Date: Student: Date: Witness: Date: Witness: Date:

Policy of Disciplinary Action

Our program does not have a set of rules so rigid that we have a penalty that applies to each offense. Negative consequences will increase with repetition of the offense and may result in expulsion at the discretion of the tutorial board. A student who is expelled relinquishes rights to any tuition refund. We retain the right to take any reasonable disciplinary action to maintain this environment for all students.

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PARTICIPANT/PARENT/GUARDIAN WAIVER, RELEASE AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (Complete one per family)

THE ACADEMY TUTORIAL THURSDAY CLASSES, 2013-2014 CLASSES/ SPORTS/ SOCIAL/ LABS/ FIELD TRIPS/ LUNCH

PARTICIPANT _______________________________________________________________________ PARTICIPANT _______________________________________________________________________ PARTICIPANT _______________________________________________________________________

In consideration of your accepting our child(ren) for participation in the above-named program, activities, and sports (hereinafter, fully and collectively referred to as “program”), I hereby, for my child(ren), myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns waive and release any and all rights and claims for damages that I and/or my child(ren) may have against the above-named organization and/or its agents, employees, representatives, successors, and/or assigns (hereinafter, fully and collectively referred to as “organization”) for any and all injuries, loss and /or damage suffered by myself and/or my child(ren) that arise out of the above-named program.

I warrant that I have the right to authorize the foregoing and do hereby agree to hold the above-named organization harmless of and from any and all liability, loss, and/or damage of whatever nature which may arise out of and/or result from my and/or my child(ren)’s participation in the above-named program.

For the consideration stated above, I further agree that in the event that my child(ren) and/or I should cause any liability, loss, or damage whatsoever arising out of and/or resulting from participation in the above-named program, and/or my child(ren), and/or I, and/or anyone on my child(ren)’s behalf should make any claim against the above-named organization for damages arising out of the above-above-named program, I will personally indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the organization against any and all liability, loss, and/or damage occasioned thereby, including attorney’s fees and costs. I specifically agree to pay, on demand, for any damages arising out of

participation in the above-named program caused to anyone or anything by myself or my child(ren). In

the event I refuse to pay on demand, I understand and agree that my child(ren) may no longer participate in The Academy Tutorial and that I forfeit all fees.

I have read and understand this agreement and have willingly placed my signature below as evidence of my acceptance of all the conditions contained herein.

Signature of Participant _____________________________________________ Date _______________ Signature of Participant _____________________________________________ Date _______________ Signature of Participant _____________________________________________ Date _______________ Parent ___________________________________________________________ Date _______________ Parent ___________________________________________________________ Date _______________ Guardian _________________________________________________________ Date _______________ Signatures of both parents and all persons who have legal custody of these minors are required.

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Family Name:____________________________________________ Date________________

(Complete one per family)

PARENTAL DAILY PLAN

When your student is accepted into this tutorial program, your involvement will be crucial to his/her success. It is imperative that each student spend time daily, working on the assignments for every class. In general, there will be 4-6 hours of work outside of class for every hour spent in class.

To that end, we ask parents of first-time applicants to summarize your daily plan for overseeing your student’s classwork. If both parents work outside the home during the school week, or if a single parent cannot be home during school hours, what plan do you have for supervising the academic work that must take place on a daily basis? (This step is not necessary for

returning families unless your circumstances have changed.)

_____________________________________________________

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT AGREEMENT

Parent volunteers are the backbone that keeps this program running smoothly. Each attending family must have a parent volunteer spend at least one full day (some will need to spend two) at the tutorial classes during the school year. On that day, you may be asked to run errands, supervise outdoor play, assist in serving lunch, etc. Parents will also be asked to help with other tutorial related activities, i.e., event hostess or chaperone, coordinator for Teacher Appreciation Day, etc. Children who are not enrolled in the tutorial may not accompany you on the days you are here from 7:30 – 4:00.

Please read and sign this as your agreement to uphold your responsibility as a tutorial parent. Parents’ Signatures ___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

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2013-2014 NEW APPLICANT CHECKLIST Family Last Name _____________________

RETURN ALL OF THE APPLICATIONS FOR ONE FAMILY TOGETHER. Return one checklist per family. Do not use any form for more than one student, unless noted.

Please have the applying student(s) fill out the four-page application. Parents may complete the remaining forms. After processing your application and checking your references, we will call you to schedule a personal interview.

COMPLETE APPLICATION INCLUDES:

______ NON-RETURNABLE PHOTOGRAPH OF PARENTS AND STUDENT ______ APPLICATION CHECKLIST

______ APPLICATION (Completed by the student and checked by the parent) ______ REQUEST TO VISIT CLASSES (minimum of 3 classes)

______ ACADEMIC RECORD (unofficial photocopy of grades for last two years)

______ TWO REFERENCES (mailed to David & Becky Durham by those writing references) ______ SIGNED HONOR CODE (one per student)

______ SIGNED / WITNESSED FAMILY CONTRACT (one per family) ______ SIGNED WAIVER OF LIABILITY (one per family)

______ SIGNED PARENTAL DAILY PLAN / INVOLVEMENT AGREEMENT (one per family) ______ $25 NON-REFUNDABLE PROCESSING FEE for EACH STUDENT WHO IS APPLYING

(Make check payable to The Academy Tutorial. This check will be deposited within the week it is received unless we already know we have no spaces for that particular grade.)

PLEASE COMPLETE ALL FORMS AND MAIL THEM TO: The Academy Tutorial

c/o David and Becky Durham 1304 Newman Avenue Nashville, TN 37216

As soon as we have completed all of the interviews, we will notify each family regarding their admission status. Upon acceptance into our program, a $100 Confirmation Fee is due along with the final class schedule of each new student.

This section for use by The Academy Tutorial staff.