THE CONSTITUTION
of
CALVARY CLASSICAL SCHOOL
Hampton, Virginia
(First approved by the School Board 11/15/93, and by the Session 12/14/93;
Revised 10/17/95, 4/15/96, 6/16/98, 6/8/99, 3/28/00, 12/04/00, 10/29/02, 3/24/03, 6/23/03, 6/22/04, 12/17/13, 05/08/14, 08/26/15)
PREAMBLE
Because we believe that all knowledge, wisdom, and understanding come from God, and subsequently that
education should be God-centered in character and content, and that it is our duty and privilege to assist parents
in providing a distinctively Christian education for their children, we do hereby make and adopt the following
articles:
ARTICLE I - NAME
This organization shall be known as Calvary Classical School.
ARTICLE II - STATEMENT OF FAITH
Section 1. We believe that the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms (as adopted by the Presbyterian
Church in America) accurately summarize the system of doctrine taught in the Word of God. Those documents
constitute our complete statement of faith.
Section 2. The following is a concise reiteration of a few of the important doctrines explained in the Confession
and Catechisms:
A. Scripture. We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit, inerrant in the
original writings, and the final authority in faith and practice.
B. God. We believe in one living, sovereign, and true God, existing eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit, coequal in power and glory, and having the same essence and attributes.
C. God's Purpose. We believe that the eternal purpose of God includes all events; is holy and wise; does not
deprive man of responsibility, nor make God the author of sin. Before the foundation of the world, God the Father
chose for Himself in Christ a people whom He gave to His Son that they should be holy and without blame before
Him.
D. Sin. We believe that all men are sinners because Adam and Eve, their first parents, were tempted by Satan,
disobeyed God's command, and by their own choice fell from their original state of innocence and fellowship with
God, and came under the power and penalty of sin. All men fell in Adam, being sinners by imputation and by
choice, separated from God, and under His condemnation.
E. Christ. We believe that Jesus Christ was born of the virgin Mary, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit. He
was both fully human and fully divine. He lived a sinless life, died a voluntary substitutionary death to save His
people from their sins, and was raised bodily from the dead and exalted to the right hand of God the Father.
F. Salvation. We believe that all who are born again by the Holy Spirit receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ and are
justified on the grounds of His shed blood, not because of any works they have done. They are indwelt and sealed
by the Spirit until the day of redemption, are secure in Christ, and together form the true Church.
G. Return of Christ. We believe in the personal, bodily, and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to judge the
world, the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting punishment of the lost, and the
everlasting bliss of the saints.
H. Marriage. Marriage is to be between one man and one woman, in accordance with the Word of God.
ARTICLE III - PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
Section 1. Our philosophy of education rests on the following three fundamental principles:
A. True knowledge is impossible without recognition of God (Proverbs 1:7; Romans 1:18-23). God, the Creator of
heaven and earth in six normative (approx. twenty-four hours) days, cannot be rightly separated from history,
literature, mathematics, science, or any other academic discipline. The whole range and content of education
must be centered on God and His Word, so that students develop a thoroughly Biblical view of all of life.
B. Man's chief purpose is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever (Psalm 73:25-28; 1 Corinthians 10:31). In His
providence and goodness, God has bestowed on mankind the ability to explore, investigate, and discover truths
about the universe, in order to exercise dominion over it and to bring Him glory. Christian education must
diligently strive to develop each individual's God-given capacities so that they may be used to God's glory.
C. Parents are to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:4-7; Ephesians
6:4). The primary responsibility for education rests not on the school, but on the parents to whom children are
entrusted by God. Parents have a covenantal responsibility to provide for their children a distinctively Christian
education; nevertheless, it is proper for parents to associate with others in this task, and enlist the aid of Christians
especially equipped with the gift of teaching.
Section 2. Based on these three fundamental principles, our education program has the following seven specific
objectives:
A. To teach the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments in such a way that the students realize that the meaning
and purpose of life are found in them, and that they speak authoritatively in every area of life.
B. To prepare each child academically by making available a challenging, balanced curriculum covering the full
range of academic disciplines appropriate for his age and abilities.
C. To teach both the underlying concepts of each subject area and the basic facts and skills needed to apply these
concepts correctly.
D. To teach effective study habits and self-disciplines, and to instill a conviction that learning is a lifetime endeavor.
E. To encourage proper respect for authority and the practice of good manners.
F. To encourage parents to be fully involved in their children's education.
G. To make a high-quality, Christian education available to all parents who want it for their children, regardless of
financial status or ethnic origins.
ARTICLE IV - APPROACH TO INSTRUCTION
The approach to instruction is to emphasize the following in all subjects:
A. Grammar: The fundamental rules of each subject.
B. Logic: The ordered relationship of particulars in each subject.
C. Rhetoric: How the grammar and logic of each subject may be expressed clearly.
ARTICLE V - PURPOSE
The purpose of Calvary Classical School is to assist parents in providing for their children a distinctively Christian
education. Because we recognize that all knowledge comes from God, we are committed to integrating the truth
of Scripture into every aspect of the program and to training children to think biblically about every area of life.
Because we recognize that God expects the very best from His people, we are committed to academic excellence.
ARTICLE VI - ORGANIZATION
Section 1. Calvary Classical School (hereafter referred to as the school) is administered by the board of directors
(hereafter referred to as the School Board). The School Board is appointed by and operates under the oversight of
the Session of Calvary Reformed Presbyterian Church (hereafter referred to as the Session). The School Board is
the policy-making body for the school. In addition to setting policy, the School Board also carries out the duties
listed in Article X. Regarding primary and secondary doctrine, doctrinal issues that are not resolved by a
unanimous School Board vote are automatically communicated to the Session.
Section 2. The School Board is headed by a chairman, who is appointed by the Session. The other officers of the
board are a vice-chairman, secretary, and treasurer, who are elected by the board.
Section 3. The School Board fulfills its responsibilities under the guidelines established in its constitution.
ARTICLE VII - SCHOOL BOARD
Section 1. The School Board shall consist of up to eleven voting members, each of whom must either be a member
of Calvary Reformed Presbyterian Church (hereafter referred to as the church), or a member in good standing in
another evangelical church, or a Teaching Elder actively serving the church. The Session shall appoint these
members, who may be of either sex. There can be no more than four non-CRPC members (with the exception of
the CCSA representative who may or may not be a CRPC member) on the Board at any given time. School Board
members may not be employees of CCS under the authority of the Principal. However, Board members may serve
as short-term substitutes with prior approval of the Board. The Principal will be an ex-officio member of the
School Board.
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Section 2. The term of office will be three years, expiring on June 30 of the third year, except for the Association
Board member, whose term will be outlined in Article IX. No School board member may serve a subsequent term
without a year’s sabbatical.
Section 3. Whenever additional School Board members are needed the School Board shall submit a list of
prospective candidates to the Session for approval. No prospective candidates should be approached by the Board
until after Session approval.
Section 4. All School Board members shall declare their unconditional agreement with Section 2 of the Statement
of Faith (Article II) , the Philosophy of Education (Article III) , the Approach to Instruction (Article IV) , and the
Purpose (Article V) of Calvary Classical School.
Section 5. The School Board shall meet at least once each month. Called meetings of the School Board may occur
at the request of either the chairman of the School Board or three other School Board members.
Section 6. To constitute a quorum a simple majority of the School Board members must be present.
Section 7. The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order, Revised shall govern School Board meetings in all cases
to which they are applicable, unless these rules are inconsistent with the constitution of the School. At the
beginning of any meeting, these rules may be suspended for the duration of that meeting upon unanimous vote.
Section 8. Copies of the minutes of the School Board meetings shall be submitted to the Session on their request.
Section 9. Oral or written reports will be given to the Session on a quarterly basis by the Chairman of the School
Board (March, June, Sept, Dec). These reports will be brief, general in nature, and include a finance report. The
Chairman will make himself available to the Session to answer questions about the school upon the Session's
request.
ARTICLE VIII - RESIGNATION OR DISMISSAL
Section 1. A School Board member retains the right to resign at any time. A replacement appointee will be
designated by the Session to fulfill the remainder of the term of the resigning member. In emergency situations,
an interim appointee may be designated by the Session to serve until a replacement can be appointed.
Section 2. A member may be removed for cause whenever, in the judgment of two-thirds of the School Board, it is
deemed in the best interest of the school. Such dismissal is subject to review by the Session. (Note: the power to
appoint School Board members vested in the Session in Article VII, Section 1 recognizes by implication the
Session's right to remove School Board members without prior Board action.)
ARTICLE IX - OFFICERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD
Section 1. The chairman of the School Board is appointed by the Session and is expected to serve in that capacity
until the end of his term, unless the Session designates a shorter period of service. The positions of vice-chairman,
secretary, and treasurer shall be elected by the School Board annually, at the first meeting in July.
Section 2. The chairman shall preside over all meetings of the School Board and enforce the provisions of the
constitution. The chairman is an ex-officio member of all committees and shall be notified of all committee
meetings. The chairman may call a special meeting of the School Board when he deems such a meeting necessary.
Section 3. The vice-chairman shall assist the chairman whenever necessary in discharge of his duties. In the
absence of the chairman, the vice-chairman shall assume the duties of the chairman.
Section 4. The secretary, who may or may not be a School Board member, shall be custodian of the official
documents of the School Board. He shall enter into the records of the School Board the minutes of all meetings.
Section 5. The treasurer, who may or may not be a School Board member, shall oversee the school funds and
authorize all disbursements. One other School Board member shall also be empowered to make disbursements.
All monies received by the school shall be deposited in the name of the school and disbursements shall be made by
check, except payments from petty cash. Non budgeted items must be approved by the School Board. The
treasurer shall report regarding the finances of the school at the stated meetings of the School Board. The School
Board shall conduct an annual audit of the financial affairs of the school at the end of each fiscal year. This audit is
to be delegated to a qualified person, persons, or firm to be determined by the School Board.
Section 6. The School Board may delegate to one or more of its members, or to any of its officers, agents,
employees, or committees, such powers and duties as it would deem appropriate and proper. In the absence of
such delegation, either generally or specifically, no member of the School Board shall have any authority to act for
the School Board. Each member of the School Board shall have a status co-equal with that of each other member,
and each member shall have the right to vote on any and all questions coming before the school.
ARTICLE X - POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE SCHOOL BOARD
Section 1. The School Board of Calvary Classical School has the authority to perform the following duties:
A. Determine school policies in harmony with the constitution and in accordance with the policies of the Session.
In general, Session approval of policies is not required; however, the Session may request a review of adopted
school policies, and may instruct the School Board to make changes to those policies.
B. Select and hire a Principal who is qualified to oversee school programs and answer to the School Board
concerning school matters.
C. Approve and hire the teachers and staff for each school term.
D. Assume responsibility for all fiscal matters in the operation of the school.
E. Purchase equipment unique to the school.
F. Affiliate with an appropriate accreditation agency.
Section 2. The School Board does not have the authority to own any real or tangible property (including that
equipment unique to the school), or to enact provisions in its constitution or policies that would violate or
supersede the legal documents, certificate of incorporation, constitution, or by-laws of the church.
Section 3. School Board Business is normally to be carried out at either regular (monthly) or special (called)
meetings. However, if in the opinion of the Chairman an item should be acted upon prior to the next regularly
scheduled board meeting, and if in the opinion of the Chairman the item is not of such a serious nature as to
require that it be deliberated upon by the entire school board at a special (called) meeting, the Chairman has the
right to act on behalf of the board. Such action requires the concurrence of at least one other school board
member. Any action taken in this manner is to be reported at the next regularly scheduled school board meeting,
for inclusion in the official minutes of the meeting. References: Article IX Section 6.
ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
Section 1. Subject to the provision of Section 2 below, the constitution of the school may be amended by a twothirds vote at any regularly scheduled meeting of the School Board, subject to subsequent approval by the Session.
Two weeks in advance of the meeting to discuss a proposed change to the constitution, written notice must be
sent to each School Board member stating the proposed change fully and precisely.
Section 2. The constitution of the school may also be amended by a majority vote of the session at any regular
stated meeting. However, the Session will only consider such changes after notifying the School Board sixty (60)
days in advance of the changes being voted upon.
Section 3. Articles II, III, V, and XI of the constitution may not be amended by the School Board. Any portion of the
constitution may be amended by the Session according to provisions of Section 2 above.
ARTICLE XII - ESTABLISHMENT
Approval by all five members of the initial School Board and by the Session establishes this constitution for Calvary
Classical School.