Policies
We expect both parents and children to treat teachers and volunteers with respect at all times.
Refund Policy
We are a non-profit organization and our program is in high demand. If you think you may not stay in the program or if you are too busy to ensure your child completes homework and attends regularly, please do not register so that another child may have the space.
​
In the rare instance that a child is withdrawn from the program by September 26, 2024, a partial refund will be granted. We will retain the $150 deposit for administration fees and $40 for each class that has occurred up to and including the date of withdrawal (regardless of whether the child attended) and refund the difference. No refunds will be given after September 26, 2024. No exceptions.
Other Policies
We reserve the right to cancel a class prior to the September starting date if we do not receive a sufficient number of registrants for the class. In this case, the $150 deposit will be returned.
In the event of an emergency (such as a severe snowstorm), the class may be canceled. Refunds will not be granted in this situation. Parents should check the Archimedes Math Schools website for information regarding canceled classes during snowstorms.
In the rare event that the church we rent requires the space on short notice, parents will be informed by email and the class will be rescheduled. Refunds will not be granted in this situation.
We will only register students who will be in Grades 4, 5, or 6 as of September 2024.
Archimedes Math Schools reserves the right to accept only those students whom we feel, in our discretion, will benefit from the program. School report cards may be requested prior to admittance.
Acceptance into the program is on a year-to-year basis. We do not guarantee that children who attended previously will be accepted into the program the following year.
Our program was designed to supplement the education of children who attend official day schools. Homeschooled children may be considered, at our discretion, if space is available in September, but a proficiency test will be required prior to the acceptance and space will not be held until proficiency has been demonstrated.
Student behavior and attendance policy
Our program is designed to ensure that students achieve their fullest potential in mathematics. We have high expectations in terms of behaviour, work ethic, and attendance. The following school policies should be respected to ensure success and true engagement in our program.
Behaviour
Children are expected to be polite and respectful towards their teachers, program volunteers, and classmates and to work quietly when asked to do so. Children are expected to come with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. In order to help the learning process, students who are unruly, disruptive and consistently negatively impacting the learning of other students (as observed by Archimedes Math Schools staff) may be placed on probation and ultimately asked to leave the program.
Punctuality
Students must arrive to class on time and parents should refrain from picking children up early since either situation can be disruptive to the learning environment. If in special situations, this is unavoidable, parents should email their child’s teacher in advance of class to inform them that they will be picking their child up early. Parents are expected to pick up their children on time.
Regular attendance required
Our program runs for 28 weeks and students are expected to attend class regularly during this entire period.
If sports, vacations, or attendance in other after-school programs will interfere with your child's ability to attend class regularly, we ask that you refrain from registering and allow another child to have the spot in the program. We have a strict attendance policy because our program is in high demand and we want to ensure that children who can benefit from the program, and are able to attend regularly, receive a spot in the program when possible.
​Often absences are not preventable and we are understanding in those situations. Excused absences include, but are not limited to, illness and family tragedy. Unexcused absences include, but are not limited to, family vacations, appointments that can be made at other times, and recreational/sports activities.
​
If a student accumulates three unexcused absences, they may be asked to leave the program. Students who are not in the program will not receive access to weekly materials provided by our program (electronic or otherwise).
Note that we do not run classes during Christmas break, university reading week, and March spring break.
Missed classes
If a child must miss class, parents are expected to inform their child’s teacher by email prior to class. Parents are also responsible for collecting the missed material from the teacher electronically after the class occurs and ensuring that it is completed before the following class. We do not provide materials to parents until after the class has occurred.
If space permits, it may be possible to attend class on a different day that particular week, as long as it is approved by the head teacher and program supervisor.
Class Assignment
Children may be grouped with other students who have a similar educational background rather than by age/grade. Regular classes will be assigned by the teachers and the program directors within the first two weeks of classes based on a combination of factors which include the following:
-
Whether the child has previously attended the program,
-
Our observation and assessment of the child's math experience and knowledge.
Homework
Mathematics is best learned by regularly working through problems that reinforce material learned in class. We will be assigning a reasonable amount of homework every week and it must be completed and returned to the next class.
Contract
On the first day of classes, each child will be sent home with a behavior/attendance/homework contract that must be signed by both the child and a guardian and returned to the next class.