Higher Ground Academic Academy
ABOUT US
OUR PHILOSOPHY
At Higher Ground Academic Academy (HGAA), our main goal is to optimize a developmentally appropriate curriculum. The curriculum includes the whole spectrum of development: social, emotional, physical and intellectual areas (all of which are interrelated), in a wholesome Christian environment.
Special interest is placed on accepting the child as a special, unique individual, with his/her own particular set of abilities. We strive to meet each child’s needs through stimulating and challenging activities, accompanied by teacher encouragement and support, so that each child may experience success and growth. Our curriculum is uniquely designed to support and maximize the learning style of your child. Using the A-Beka curriculum, we provide a developmentally appropriate program that places emphasis on phonics, mathematics, language and science. We also feature gross motor education, foreign language, music, and much more.
We celebrate diversity and encourage activities that provide positive self-esteem and respect for others. Our staff is aware of the importance in the early childhood stages. We will strive to assist your child with any learning or social skills that are required to prepare him/her for the elementary years.
OUR
MISSION
Higher Ground Academic Academy is concerned with the development of the “whole child” – the spiritual, physical, and the social growth of every child. Our staff will strive to provide academic excellence in a safe, loving environment for the children of our community.
At HGAA, we create opportunities for each child to enrich their learning and understanding by providing:
-
To help the children socially by learning, working, playing and eating together happily
-
To help the children grow in their ability to express themselves through language, art, music and creative expression.
-
To provide opportunities to develop cognitive development as well as literacy and language development.
-
To develop good healthy habits such as, good safety skills, proper eating, cleanliness and large motor skills development.
-
Daily small and whole group activities
-
Observation based assessments that track your child’s progress toward developmental milestones and school readiness skills.
-
Regular teacher family communication and parent teacher conferences
-
An education appropriate to their stage of development
FAQ'S
Have a question you need an answer to? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions to see if your question can be answered right away. If you don't see an answer to your question, send us a message on our contact page and we'll get right back to you!
-
What are your hours of operation?HGAA is open from Monday - Friday, 6am to 6pm.
-
What are the different class types you offer?We offer 3 different class types. -2 year old class -3 year old class -Pre-K
-
How many meals a day do you serve?We serve two meals and two snacks. -Breakfast -Lunch -A morning snack and afternoon snack.
-
Do you have a daily schedule my child will be following?Yes. HGAA has a daily outlined schedule for day-to-day activities and learning for parents to follow can be found here . We also provide parents with a school calendar to few all activities and trips scheduled for the year.
-
What type of food will be served?HGAA follows a strict nutrition schedule that we obtain from the state of Missouri. Our menus can be found on our forms page.
-
Will HGAA be offering transportation services during this time?At this time HGAA is not offering any transportation services. Transporation services will resume once it is safe for students and staff to be within close proximity again.
-
When are tuition fees due?All tuition payments are due each Friday no later than 4:00 p.m.
-
Where do I pay my child's tuition at?HGAA offers a variety of methods to pay for your child's tuition. You are able to make the payment in person via cash, check or money order. We also offer the option to pay online through MyProcare at myprocare.com.
-
What are some of the things HGAA is doing to keep our children safe during this pandemic?As we continue to navigate the global pandemic, we have added more preventative measures to ensure our students & staff are protected. Our facility is a Temperature Check Facility. Everyone that enters the building will have their temperature taken. If any student or staff temp exceeds 99.9F, they will not be able to stay on the premises. They may return only when their temperature has dropped below 99.9F. Increased handwashing Social distancing and facial coverings will also be required during class times. Tables, chairs, sinks and door handles , toilets light switches will be sprayed or wiped with disinfect products to help control the viruses on surfaces throughout the day. Children will be encouraged to wash their hands when they arrived, before and after seat work, meal time, play time and before departure time to help the spread of the virus. Videos about the virus, social distances, hand washing and masks wearing will be shown to the student weekly. We will also be prohibiting backpacks in the building this year to help control the spread of the virus on surfaces.
-
If a child or staff is diagnosed with COVID-19 what is the procedure?Every parent will be notified and ask to have their child or children tested and to not return until the test results are back. If the child has a negative test results they will be able to return immediately. If the test results are positive the child will have to be quarantined for 10-14 days and can not return until the child has a negative test results Documentation must be presented to the school. The entire learning area will be cleaned by our professional cleaning company within 24 hours.
-
Who is required to wear masks?Masks will be worn by all teachers and staff daily. Masks are not mandatory for children 2 and under. We do encouraged masks for students 3-5ys old. All school agers and parents must wear masks daily while in the building.
-
Who will be allowed in the Learning Area?To ensure the health & safety of our students, staff and their families, only students and staff are allow in the learning area during this time.
-
How will HGAA be able to uphold the 6ft social distancing requirement?Our teacher /student ratio has been changed by DHSS due to COVID-19. The classroom ratio is now 9-1 student/teacher for ages 2-5yrs. Children will be spaced out while doing seat work and encouraged to practice social distances during play times.