WE NEED YOUR HELP! GEORGIA STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
If you or your Company pay any Georgia State Income Tax and would like to have control over how part of this money is used, GASSO can help you direct some of your tax dollars to Private Schools for Scholarships. In May 2008, the State of Georgia passed new legislation (HB 1133) which allows tax payers to have some control over how their tax dollars are used. This legislation allows taxpayers to “Donate” part of their Georgia Income Tax for use at Private Schools to provide Scholarships for children in Pre-K through 12th grade. The “Donor” receives a dollar for dollar credit off of their Georgia Income Tax for their “Donation”. The law allows up to $50 million per year in tax credits for Donations to Private Schools.
Every approved contribution to Georgia Student Scholarship Organization can be used as a 100% tax credit on a Georgia Income Tax Return. The total amount donated to Georgia Student Scholarship Organization can be used as a dollar for dollar credit towards any income tax liability to the State of Georgia. The donor would also be eligible to take a charitable contribution deduction on their federal return. Georgia tax credits are allocated on a first come first served basis. $50 million maximum in credits is allocated annually for the entire program. Starting in 2012, this credit limit will be adjusted according to rate of inflation.
Forms are available in the Downloads. Please contact the school office for more information.
ADMISSIONS FOR 2012-2013 SCHOOL YEAR
OPEN HOUSE EVENTS: 2/7/2012 is our last open house for the 2012-2013 school year and will begin at 9am in the Chapel. RSVP is required to ensure your availability to shadow a class. Independent Studies at Johnson Ferry is currently accepting applications for the 2012-2013 school year.
Independent Studies at Johnson Ferry
Independent Studies at Johnson Ferry is Accredited with Quality through the Georgia Accrediting Commission, Inc. This accreditation can assure that your student’s graduation has the recognition and approval of a professional accrediting group. Georgia Accrediting Commission, Inc.’s programs are accredited and approved by the Board of Regents for the State of Georgia (i.e., the program is recognized by the University System of Georgia for admission into college.) A student graduating from this program who has met the grade point average requirements is eligible for the Georgia HOPE Scholarship.
Our Vision
The vision of the ministry is to provide a Christ-centered, accredited program of excellence for independent study students. The goal of the ministry is to serve as a partner with independent study students by monitoring study habits, overseeing individual academic achievement, providing professional evaluation and program development, and developing a transcript for successful independent study students. Students enrolled in ISJF are expected to attend all prescribed classes, i.e. parents and/or students may not choose which or how many classes to attend. Students follow a consecutive course of study to ensure they meet both graduation and college admissions requirements.
Although we would like to be able to provide academic studies for all students, we are unable to accommodate learning disabled students, including ADD and ADHD. Independent Studies is a college-preparatory program. Students begin high school level of courses in the 8th grade.
Our program follows a modified classical approach offering Latin, logic and rhetoric. Students need to be academically prepared and motivated to accomplish high school level courses; beginning Latin in 7th grade and Algebra 1 (honors option) and Physical Science (honors option) in 8th grade.
Independent Studies is a program of independent learning. Classroom instruction coupled with diligent work on the part of the student at home will provide your student with an excellent education. Students that cannot work independently or have poor work habits will not be successful in our program.
Independent Studies at Johnson Ferry is governed by a church-appointed Board of Directors. The ISJF Board of Directors is responsible for general policies, operations, and guiding philosophy of the School.
Entrance Requirements
Students may apply as early as their 4th grade year or as late as the beginning of their 11th grade year by:
- Completing application requirements;
- Completing the interviewing process; and
- Paying required fees.
Applications will be accepted from new applicants in January of each year.
Commitment
- One parent must attend the 1st day of school activities.
- Parent must attend Parent Meetings as required.
- Parents with 8th–12th grade students will review Graduation Requirements and determine appropriate course of study yearly.
- Parent and Student will sign the Academic Performance Contract document.
- Parent and Student will sign the School Policies Parent/Student Contract document (located at the end of the Student Handbook).
- Parent and Student will sign the Statement of Faith document.
- Parent will complete the annual Medical Consent Form.
- Parent commits to attend consultation appointments as necessary.
- Parent commits to testing requirements as determined through consultation.
- Completion of pre-testing is required.
- Parent commits to ITBS Testing conducted annually through ISJF (additional cost outside of annual tuition).
- Parent and Student must have access to the Internet and email.
- Student must have access to Microsoft programs including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Academic Counseling and Tutoring
Education counselors are available through Independent Studies at Johnson Ferry. Recommendations for tutoring and additional programs that meet the requirements for Independent Studies at Johnson Ferry are also available. Counseling appointments are available most Tuesday afternoons and Friday afternoons.
Report Cards, Progress Reports and Transcripts
Independent Studies students are expected to be purposeful and attentive in receiving and apply instruction. Students are to be motivated to follow through on assignments independently. Students must exhibit resourcefulness to get help when help is needed. Students are to be efficient and effective in using their time, both in class and out of class. Students are to be organized with their time and materials. Students must be willing to be a productive member of the independent study environment and have a serious academic attitude.
Independent Studies utilizes an on-line parent-teacher-student communication tool. Parents and students have instant access to homework, grades, assignments, school calendar, school news and more.
Students are evaluated for homework completion at the 4, 9, 13 and 18 weeks weeks each semester. Students are expected to maintain a 90% or better homework grade completion average for each class.
Students are required to maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average each semester.
Student who do not demonstrate proficiency in a course, especially a foundational high school course (core subject) may be required to repeat that course regardless of the grade received.
An accumulative transcript is available at the end of each semester. If an ISJF student needs a transcript sent for college admission purposes, please use the Transcript Request Form located in your student’s Graduation Requirements Notebook. There is no charge to ISJF graduates and active students for this service, otherwise a $25.00 transcript request fee is required.
Our Ministry Offerings
Independent Studies at Johnson Ferry:
- Develops a transcript of your student’s academic credits as well as holds copies of his/her test results, monthly attendance records, and Achievement Testing results and safeguards these documents. This includes but is not limited to the maintenance of your student’s academic transcript, hours spent on each course and grades from tests administered through the center as well as grades assigned for independent course work by the parent or tutor;
- Provides consultation and development of an academic program that meets your student’s individual needs as related to graduation requirements and college admissions;
- Provides exposure to curriculum materials and books to be used in your student’s independent study program;
- Provides group enrichment and socialization activities including competitive opportunities in academic subjects as well as recreation;
- Provides over 8 hours of informational seminars for parents each year;
- Provides Standardized Testing using ITBS.
Lastly, during your student’s time in our program, if needed, we will assist with your student’s transfer to other schools and help in the evaluation for grade placement of your student.
Our Leadership
Our center is managed by Kimberly Maiocco and Renea Schunk. Kimberly holds a B.A. in Accounting and a Masters in Business Administration. Renea holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.