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SLAM Mission
Mater provides exemplary educational choices by offering an innovative college preparatory curriculum; empowering confident leaders of tomorrow.
SLAM Vision
Our vision is to position students for future success in a global job market, equip them with the skills to pursue their passions, and develop their character to make a positive impact on society.
Anti-Discrimination Provisions
SLAM Academy’s admissions and enrollment policies related to anti-discrimination follow Section 1000.05, Florida Statutes—Discrimination against students and employees in the Florida K-20 public education system prohibited; equality of access required.
This policy is in accordance with state and federal laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Information relating to special accommodations, grievance procedures, and the designated official responsible for compliance with Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504 may be obtained by contacting SLAM Academy.
Florida Educational Equity Act
Discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, or marital status against a student or an employee in the state system of public K-20 education is prohibited.
No person shall, on the basis of any protected characteristic, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any public K-20 education program or activity, or in any employment condition or practice, conducted by a public educational institution that receives or benefits from federal or state financial assistance.
The criteria for admission to a program or course shall not have the effect of restricting access by persons of a particular race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, or marital status.
All classes shall be available to all students without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, or marital status. This does not eliminate programs designed to meet the needs of students with limited English proficiency, gifted students, students with disabilities, or students with specialized talents or skills.
Students may be separated by gender for a single-gender program as provided by law, for a portion of a class dealing with human reproduction, or during participation in bodily contact sports.
Guidance, counseling, and financial assistance services shall be available equally. Materials and promotional events shall stress access to academic and career opportunities without regard to protected status.
Athletic Participation
No person shall, on the basis of gender, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, treated differently in, or otherwise discriminated against in interscholastic, intercollegiate, club, or intramural athletics offered by a public K-20 educational institution.
A public educational institution may operate separate teams for members of each gender when selection is based on competitive skill or when the activity is a bodily contact sport. Equal athletic opportunity shall be provided for members of both genders.
Nonsectarian Policy
SLAM Academy is committed to providing employees and students with the best educational experience possible. SLAM Academy is nonsectarian in its programs, admissions policies, employment practices, and operations as specified in applicable Florida law.
The policies in this handbook serve as a source of information for teachers, parents, and students. SLAM Academy, upon resolution by its Board of Directors, reserves the right to amend, add, or change policies, protocols, or procedures as deemed necessary or as required by law.
General Attendance and Participation Policies
SLAM Academy monitors student attendance, participation, and performance to ensure that students meet compulsory attendance requirements and are making progress toward successful completion of their courses or programs.
School staff, parents, students, and appropriate state agencies are expected to work together to ensure compliance with all applicable attendance laws, including referrals for possible truancy action when necessary.
Tardiness
- Any student arriving after the start of the instructional day will receive a late pass and be marked tardy.
- After ten unexcused tardies, the student may receive a referral placed in the permanent record.
- An excused tardy will only be granted with appropriate documentation, such as a doctor’s note.
Absences
- Parents must contact the office when a child will be absent.
- On the day the student returns, the parent must send a note explaining the reason for the absence.
- For every five unexcused absences, the student may receive a School Based Team referral.
- Students may not exceed ten unexcused absences per school year.
- Excessive absences may affect registration for the following year and may result in referral to the district truancy officer.
- Family vacations are not excused absences.
Health and Immunization
Students who have not been immunized against a communicable disease as required by law may not attend school unless a specific exception applies. A doctor’s note or proof of immunization may be required before returning.
Make-Up Work
Make-up work and homework must be completed within 24 hours per missed day after returning to school. All assignments must be completed or the student may receive an incomplete. Incomplete work may affect the final grade.
It is the parent’s responsibility to contact the teacher regarding missed assignments. If a student expects to be absent for more than two consecutive days, the parent should contact the school to arrange for classwork and homework.
Academic Grading Performance Scale
| Grade | Percentage | Interpretation | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 90–100% | Outstanding | 4 |
| B | 80–89% | Good | 3 |
| C | 70–79% | Satisfactory | 2 |
| D | 60–69% | Minimal; Improvement Needed | 1 |
| F | 0–59% | Unsatisfactory | 0 |
| I | 0 | Incomplete (Secondary Only) | 0 |
The Academic grades are based on each student’s degree of mastery of instructional objectives and course competencies. Grades may reflect coursework, supplemental projects, tests, and other assessments.
Progress reports and report cards serve as the primary means of communicating student progress and achievement of promotion standards.
Students will be enrolled in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and additional elective courses as determined by the school. Students earn 0.5 credit per semester for each passing grade.
- If a student fails one or two core courses, the student may be conditionally promoted and required to complete credit recovery.
- If a student fails three or more core courses, the student may be retained.
- Promotion in extraordinary circumstances may be approved when the administration establishes a feasible credit-recovery plan.
Student Responsibilities
All students are expected to attend school, maintain an appropriate pace throughout each course, and avoid falling behind.
Students must put forth their best effort, complete work, meet deadlines, and strive to earn proficient grades in every class.
If a student experiences difficulty with a course, assignment, or time management, the student should contact the teacher for support and guidance.
Student Code of Conduct
SLAM Academy’s Student Code of Conduct outlines student expectations, interventions, and possible consequences.
- Students are responsible for good behavior and must use computers in a respectful and appropriate manner.
- Obscene, profane, threatening, or disrespectful language is prohibited.
- Students may not cut, copy, or plagiarize Internet content or the work of classmates.
- Copying, allowing others to copy, or misusing Internet content may result in removal from courses or other disciplinary action.
- Students who identify a security problem must notify a system administrator.
- Creating harmful computer viruses is illegal and prohibited.
- Email is not private and should be used responsibly.
- Students should report inappropriate messages or requests for personal information.
- Communication with classmates should be course-related and respectful.
- Students should use only their assigned Colegia email address for school communications.
- Students must protect their passwords and share them only with parents or guardians.
Internet Usage Policy
Internet access is required for students and must be used in a responsible, safe, efficient, ethical, and legal manner.
All Internet data composed, transmitted, accessed, or received through school communication systems is part of the official records of SLAM Academy and may be subject to disclosure to parents, administration, or other authorized parties.
Internet content must not be discriminatory, offensive, obscene, threatening, harassing, intimidating, or disruptive.
Prohibited Activities
- Sending or posting discriminatory, harassing, or threatening messages or images.
- Stealing, using, or disclosing another person’s password or access code without authorization.
- Copying, pirating, or downloading software or electronic files without permission.
- Sending or posting confidential, proprietary, or protected information outside the organization.
- Violating copyright law.
- Engaging in unauthorized transactions or activities that create costs for the organization.
- Viewing or exchanging obscene materials.
- Defaming or slandering another person.
- Attempting to gain unauthorized access to another computer system.
- Refusing to cooperate with a security investigation.
- Using school systems for gambling or unauthorized political or religious activities.
- Jeopardizing the security of school communication systems.
- Sending anonymous email messages.
- Engaging in any illegal activity.
Academic Integrity Policy
What Is Academic Integrity?
Academic integrity is an ethical code under which students guarantee that all submitted work is their own original work.
Why Is Academic Integrity Important?
- Students should not receive credit for material they have not mastered.
- Submitting work created by others may violate SLAM Academy policies.
Examples of Academic Integrity Violations
Plagiarism
Using another person’s ideas, words, or work without proper credit.
- Copying and pasting an Internet report and presenting it as original work.
- Copying any work without properly citing the source.
Cheating
Using deceit or dishonest methods to violate academic rules.
- Providing questions, answers, or work to another student.
- Receiving questions, answers, or work from another student.
Ensuring Academic Integrity
- CopyLeaks: Student work may be compared against Internet sources, databases, and other student submissions.
- Academic Integrity Database: Integrity incidents may be documented and monitored.
- Teacher Expertise: Teachers use their professional experience to assess originality and mastery.
- Discussion-Based Assessments: Teachers may discuss individual work with students to verify understanding and authenticity.
- Reporting: Community members, counselors, parents, and students may report academic integrity concerns.
Consequences
Consequences for cheating or plagiarism may range from resubmission of an assignment to removal from coursework or expulsion. Final grades may be rescinded when a violation is discovered after the grade has been posted.
Student Expectations
- Read and sign the Student/Parent Acknowledgment Form.
- Participate in required welcome calls or orientations.
- Ask questions whenever unsure about plagiarism or cheating.
- Submit authentic, original work.
Parent Expectations
- Read and sign the acknowledgment form.
- Participate in required welcome calls or orientations.
- Help ensure that student work is authentic and original.
- Monitor grades and assignments through Colegia.
- Ask questions when policies are unclear.
Teacher and Instructional Leader Expectations
- Serve as a resource for student questions.
- Coordinate integrity issues with school administration.
- Verify mastery through authentic assessments and discussion.
- Participate in required training and professional development.
- Support consistent implementation of integrity policies and consequences.
Student Code of Honor
A student should never:
- Share a username or password with anyone other than a parent or guardian.
- Use another person’s username or password.
- Obtain or assist another person in obtaining unauthorized network access.
- Post personal information such as an address, email address, or telephone number.
- Post private messages sent by another person.
Home-School Communication
Communication between home and school is essential. Families should keep all contact and emergency information current so the school can respond to student needs.
Please Notify the School Immediately If:
- Your child develops a communicable disease.
- Your family will be out of town.
- Your home or work telephone number changes.
- You need to change or add an emergency contact.
- There is any change in transportation or the person authorized to pick up your child.
Parent-to-Teacher Communication
Conferences with teachers should be arranged directly with the teacher and scheduled before school, after school, or during an approved planning period.
Families should attempt to resolve concerns with the teacher before contacting administration. Concerns should not be posted in classroom group chats, broad email chains, or school social media pages.
Parent/Guardian Responsibilities
- Encourage the student to manage time effectively.
- Check progress in the online gradebook.
- Contact the teacher regarding academic or learning-behavior concerns.
- Report threats of harm to the school or FortifyFL.
- Support academic integrity and ethical decision-making.
A parentally placed private school student with a disability does not have an individual right to receive all special education and related services that would be available if the student were enrolled in a public school under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Privacy Policy
SLAM Academy will follow student privacy guidelines inspired by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
Authorized Access to Student Records
- Principal
- Administrative Team
- Professional Staff, including teachers, guidance counselors, and legal counsel
All students receive a unique password for online course access. Students are responsible for keeping passwords confidential.
Anti-Discrimination Policy
SLAM Academy does not discriminate against students on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by law.
Bullying and Harassment Policy
SLAM Academy prohibits harassment among students, faculty, staff, and third parties directly or indirectly related to the school.
SLAM Academy is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment in which students, faculty, and staff can develop intellectually, professionally, personally, and socially without intimidation, fear, coercion, or reprisal.
Bullying, harassment, and cyberstalking may include conduct that causes physical or psychological distress or the electronic communication of words, images, or language that causes emotional distress and serves no legitimate purpose.
Any action by a student or parent deemed inappropriate may be fully investigated by the appropriate school administrator.
Consequences may include a student-teacher-parent conference, suspension of email privileges, removal from courses, or other disciplinary action.
Disciplinary Actions
SLAM Academy will determine the appropriate disciplinary action for violations of the Code of Conduct. The severity of the offense will determine the consequence.
Possible consequences include written or verbal warnings, parent notification, temporary removal from class, suspension, or expulsion.
Items Not Permitted in School
Students may not bring toys, weapons, or non-educational electronic devices into the classroom. Visible electronic devices may be confiscated and held in the office until retrieved by a parent.
Electronics and Cell Phones
Students are not permitted to use cell phones, game consoles, smart watches, tablets, smart glasses, or similar personal electronic devices during the school day.
In an emergency, students may use the telephone in the Main Office. SLAM Academy is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged electronic devices.
Use of Student Photographs or Video
Photographs and videos of classroom activities may be taken throughout the year and may appear on the school website, in newspapers, or in school advertising. A student’s name may also be included when the student is recognized for an accomplishment or event participation.
Parents who object to such use should contact the Main Office upon registration.
Parent Acknowledgment Form
We have read the SLAM Academy Student/Parent Handbook and understand and agree to cooperate with all policies contained herein.
I understand the importance of this Handbook and agree to adhere to its policies and regulations. I understand that failure to follow school regulations and policies may jeopardize student eligibility to register for the following academic year and may result in dismissal from the program.