Child Protection Policy
Surprise Scholé Academy
Child Protection Policy
Revised: 06.30.2026
General Purpose Statement
Surprise Scholé Academy seeks to provide a safe and secure environment for the children who participate in our programs and activities. Our goal is to protect the children of Surprise Scholé Academy from incidents of misconduct or inappropriate behavior while also protecting our workers and parents/adults from false accusations.
Definitions
For purposes of this policy, the terms “child” or “children” include all persons under the age of eighteen (18) years. The term “worker” includes both paid and unpaid persons who work with children. The term “parent” means parents or legal guardians of Surprise Scholé Academy students. The term “adult” refers to other adults (i.e.: grandparents of students) who may be on campus.
Requirements for Parents, Other Adults & Childcare Workers
Families wishing to participate in programs and activities of Surprise Scholé Academy will be screened. This screening includes the following:
a) Family Application
All persons seeking to join Surprise Scholé Academy must complete and sign a written application in a form to be supplied by us. The application will request basic information from the applicant and will inquire into church membership, home school philosophy, and general information. The family application form will be maintained on file at the Surprise Scholé Academy.
b) Personal Interview
Upon completion of the family application, an interview may be scheduled with the applicant to discuss the family application. This interview will be conducted by no fewer than two board members.
c) Criminal background check required.
Requirements for Childcare Workers
All persons who desire to work with the children participating in our programs and activities will be screened. This screening includes the following:
a) Written Application
All persons seeking a paid position in our Little Learner’s classroom must complete and sign a written application in a form to be supplied by us. The application will request basic information from the applicant and will inquire into previous experience with children, reference and employment information, as well as disclosure of any previous criminal convictions. The application form will be maintained in confidence on file at the Surprise Scholé Academy.
b) Personal Interview
Upon completion of the application, an interview may be scheduled with the applicant to discuss his/her suitability for the position. This interview will be conducted by no fewer than two board members.
c) Reference Checks
Before an applicant is permitted to work with children, at least two of the applicants’ references will be checked. It is preferable that these references be of an institutional nature as opposed to personal or family references, preferably from organizations where the applicant has worked with children in the past, however the age of the applicant will be considered in determining the suitability of references provided. Documentation of the reference checks will be maintained in confidence on file with Surprise Scholé Academy.
d) Criminal background check required.
Criminal Background Check
A national criminal background check or valid* fingerprint clearance card issued by the State of Arizona is required for all parent members of Surprise Scholé Academy (regardless of position), childcare workers (18 years and older), and all other adults who will be present on campus for the purpose of participation in SSA three (3) or more days (not counting Symposium days) per academic year. Parents and other adults are required to obtain their own background checks and provide a copy to Surprise Scholé Academy. Parent background checks must be submitted no later than August 1st of the academic year. All background checks must be up-to-date and not more than two (2) years old at the time of submission. Thereafter, continuing members will need to provide an updated background check (not more than 2 years old) every five years. A disqualifying offense that will keep an individual from working with children will be determined by the Surprise Scholé Academy Leadership Board on a case-by-case basis in light of all the surrounding circumstances. Generally, convictions for an offense involving children and/or for offenses involving violence, dishonesty, illegal substances, indecency and any conduct contrary to our mission will preclude someone from being permitted to be on campus during the academic year. Failure to disclose a criminal conviction on the application form will also be a disqualifying event. The background check authorization form and results will be maintained in confidence on file with Surprise Scholé Academy.
*expired fingerprint clearance cards or those rendered invalid by the issuing authority will not be accepted by SSA.
Two Adult Rule
Surprise Scholé Academy strives to have at least two unrelated adults present whenever children are being supervised during programs and activities. The Academy recognizes that, due to the size of our community, volunteer-led structure, and the open, highly visible layout of our meeting space, some classes may be led by a single adult mentor.
Our co-op is not a drop-off program. Parents, guardians, grandparents, or other designated responsible adults are generally present on-site throughout the day. Many classroom spaces are located within an open floor plan, utilize temporary dividers, and are visible to other community members through open access and large windows.
Surprise Scholé Academy does not permit children to be isolated in a private or non-visible setting with an unrelated adult. The two-adult guideline remains a best practice and an important child-protection measure; however, a single adult leading a class in a visible and accessible environment is permissible under this policy.
Classroom mentor assignments and schedules are communicated to the community. All community members share responsibility for maintaining a safe environment and are encouraged to promptly bring any concerns regarding child safety, supervision, or policy compliance to the Governing Board.
Bathroom Use Policy
Separate bathrooms are designated for use by age and biological sex. Little Learners will generally use the restrooms located near the Music Room, but may be attended by adults/childcare workers in any restroom deemed necessary in urgent situations. Grammar age students use the restrooms closest to the Music Room. Dialectic/Rhetoric Students will use the mens/womens bathrooms in the Narthex near the office/chapel. Adults will use the Family restroom near the office/chapel. Adults should knock prior to entering any restroom and only enter if there are no students in the bathroom. Surprise Scholé Academy visitors should be informed of the policy by any member of the community.
Buddy System
Grammar age students will employ the buddy system at all times. No grammar age student should be alone in any classroom, hallway, bathroom, outdoors, or any other place on campus and should always be accompanied by a buddy. Grammar age students observed without a buddy should be immediately sent to find a buddy to attend them. Best practice requires that students continue to utilize the buddy system into the Dialectic and Rhetoric levels, but this is not always practical (restroom breaks, etc.). Mentors should use discretion when permitting Dialectic and Rhetoric students to use the restroom or leave class alone.
Open Door Policy
Classroom doors should remain open when practical unless there is a window in the door or a side window beside it. Doors may be closed to eliminate excessive noise from other classrooms or events in the building.Doors should never be locked while persons are inside the room.
Teenage Workers
We recognize that there may be times when it is necessary or desirable for babysitters (paid or volunteer) who are themselves under age 18 to assist in caring for children during programs or activities. The following guidelines apply to teenage workers:
•Must be at least age 16.
•Must be screened as specified above with the exception of a background check.**
•Must be under the supervision of an adult and must never be left alone with children.
**background checks are available only to persons over the age of 18 years.
Responding to Allegations of Child Abuse
This policy is established and applies per the following Arizona statutes: ARS § 8-201(2) & 8-201 (25).
For purposes of this policy, “child abuse” is any action (or lack of action) that endangers or harms a child’s physical, psychological or emotional health and development. Child abuse occurs in different ways and can also, in addition to the definition given in the Arizona statute, include the following:
•Physical abuse– any physical injury to a child that is not accidental, such as beating, shaking, burns, and biting.
•Emotional abuse – emotional injury when the child is not nurtured or provided with love and security, such as an environment of constant criticism, belittling and persistent teasing.
•Sexual abuse – any sexual activity between a child and an adult or between a child and another child at least four years older than the victim, including activities such as fondling, exhibitionism, intercourse, incest, and pornography.
•Neglect – Unwillingness or inability to provide a child with his or her essential needs, such as adequate food, water, shelter, and medical care.
Childcare workers may have the opportunity to become aware of abuse or neglect of the children under our care. In the event that an individual involved in the care of children at Surprise Scholé Academy becomes aware of suspected abuse or neglect of a child under his/her care, this should be reported immediately to the Board Chair for further action, including reporting to authorities as may be mandated by state law.
Specific Action
In the event that the Board Chair receives a report of abuse or neglect the following protocol will be implemented:
· In the event that abuse is suspected, the Board Chair will gather all pertinent information and notify the necessary authorities.
· If the police/DCS deem that an investigation is necessary, the Board Chair will notify the remaining board members that such action is being taken.
· If charges are filed, the Board Chair will notify all co-op parents affected of the issues. If necessary, the SSA Board will move to eliminate any employees or families who are under investigation.