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HOUSE
As we strive to promote the Christian community,
we do so by growing closer to Christ. One of our
key commitments is to seeing education holistically—as something that involves the whole person.
The four pillars of our house system (selfgovernment, leadership, honor & integrity, and
community service) nourish the values of teamwork, cooperation and the opportunity to edify the
God-given talents of individuals and to build
strong citizens.
RAYS HOUSE SYSTEM:
INTRODUCTION
House systems have gained popularity in Classical Christian Schools, both traditional and non-traditional,
over the past several years; largely in part to its positive benefits. Houses expand the boundaries of fellowship across all grade lines, create an atmosphere conducive to positive role models and positive peer pressure. Houses inspire a vibrant walk with God and foster a love of learning and academic excellence. Its an
age-old tradition beginning in the Middle Ages and still thriving in British and American Classical schools today.
RAYS house system is based on four pillars:
• Self Government: is a principle inherent in the founding of this country. Just as the Founders created a
republic built upon the self government of each individual Christian under God, RAY’s House System gives
students the opportunity to take ownership through self-governance of their respective Houses, their studies, their actions and interactions with others- so that they too may become educated and responsible citizens of His Kingdom and this nation."Men become citizens by living and acting as citizens under the tutelage of good laws and in an atmosphere of civic virtue."-John Stuart Mill
• Leadership: The House System prepares students for a lifetime of leadership roles in family, church,
school, business and government. The goal of house systems are to train ethical, leaders of character and
wise thinkers to shape culture for the glory of God. This system provides many formal and informal opportunities for each of our students to lead ethically based on wise decision and artful persuasion to nurture an
academic environment conducive to vigorous and joyful learning in the presence of God.
• Honor & Integrity: The House System provides an environment where vigorous students learn, debate
and play with zeal and honesty. A sense of Christian community blossoms through good natured competition between houses, activities such as athletic and academic “challenges”, meritous point system to gain
the coveted “Philadelphia Cup,” and especially through students living consistently as Christians in a fashion that brings honor. For a good "name is like oil poured forth."-Song of Solomon
• Community Service: Is the heart of the House System; leadership is worth nothing if a leader's heart is
not turned towards service. Students are taught that service is passion put into action, so that they might
be inspired to shape the culture we live in and to submit to the passions God gives them- as they can be
the precursor to changing our world. Each house participates in service projects that assist RAYS co-op
days and events and other organizations or individuals the Lord brings our way. “For even the Son of Man
came not to be served but to serve others..” ~Matthew 20:28
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RAYS HOUSE SYSTEM:
STRUCTURE
There are two basic levels of organization: house members
and apprentices. Students from 5th grade and up will be assigned to a house by the “house council” which are parents
who serve as committee chairpersons. They will do their best
to insure an equal distribution of academic aptitude, athletic
ability, extracurricular engagement, gender, and personality.
Family members are placed in the same house. Once a member of the house, always a member of the house. Students below 5th grade are apprentices and are assigned a house as
their “guardian” house. Houses are responsible to “mentor”
these apprentices both by serving and acting as role models.
Upon entering 5th grade or a new student 5th grade or above
enrolling in RAYS, will receive a house initiation ceremony. In
developing the houses, we have sought to emphasize a “key”
virtue from the key Christian virtues which are: faith/fidem,
hope/spem, love/amare, wisdom/sapientiae, justice/justitia,
courage/fortitiudo, integrity/integritas, and perserverance/
patientia. Houses will have monthly “House Chapel” during
General Assembly and quarterly “House Meeting” during the
Parent Quarterly Meeting. Chapel is a special time once a
month for each house to worship together in a more intimate
atmosphere. Students will sing hymns, read God’s Word, share
and discuss challenges, edify each other in Christ, and pray for
one another.
HOUSES: RAYS houses, with their colors, patrons, and key
virtues are as follows:
• Washington House, after George Washington who is notably one of our nation’s great historical leaders and founders.
He led the Continental Army to victory over the British. He
was overwhelmingly voted in as the first president of the
United States. He believed in a strong federal government
which greatly influenced the nation during his eight years in
office. He did not allow others to trap him as royalty. He
worked on the principle of merit. He forged new ground and
established policy and foundational platforms that have
stood the test of time. He was a man who lived out his faith.
Virtue: Fortitudo/Courage. Like Washington, the virtue of this
house is to forge new ground and leave a legacy that will impact lives to come behind them as well. They have been afforded this time to work together in community in obedience
to Christ to be active contributors to God’s kingdom. Color:
Red which symbolizes fortitudo.
• Madison House, after James Madison who was elected the
fourth President of the United States (1809-17). Known as the
"Father of the Constitution," he was the last of the founding
fathers to serve as President. In his youth, he received a classical education as he learned Latin and Greek. Since all of
his teachers were clergymen, he was also continually exposed to Christian thought and precepts. As President, Madison showed wisdom under tense situations. His wisdom can
be seen in his famous statement, “A watchful eye must be
kept on ourselves lest, while we are building ideal monuments of renown and bliss here, we neglect to have our
names enrolled in the Annals of Heaven.” Virtue:
Sapientiae/Wisdom. Like Madison, the virtue of this house is
to think clearly and to speak and write persuasively in order
to boldy present the Truth of the Gospel. They will be given
the time to reason together under His truth revealed to be active contributors to God’s kingdom and the preservation of
this Great Christian Nation. Color: Gold which symbolizes
sapientiae/wisdom.
HOUSE PARENT: Each house has a “House Parent” which
must be a parent of one of the students in that house. House
Parents serve to enhance, support, and edify the current house
system by assisting the house in three main areas of support:
• Assistance in planning, organizing, and/or executing houserelated events (i.e. socials, service projects, etc.) on an “as
needed” basis.
• Communicating house-related information to other parents
and securing help or needed items from parents within the
houses for house related events.
• Bridging the gap between the house system and the RAYS
Parent Committees and Directors.
HOUSE OFFICES AND DUTIES: Each house has its own “student government” and its officers are elected each year at the
beginning of the year by the house itself. The first project every
year is an “election” cycle typical of how we elect our officials
in this country. Offices are as follows:
• House Captains: Are the spiritual leaders and official representatives of their house. They make sure their house is in
compliance with dress code, academic requirements, etc.
The captains preside over House Meetings (once a month
“Assembly” and once a “quarter” meeting) and works closely
with the House Parent. They lead their house during assigned “co-op days” including General Assembly.
• House Recorder: Is responsible for the collection and distribution of data and all records associated with their house.
They collect all points earned or lost for their house and report to the house captains and house parent. They take pictures throughout the year at all house activities and maintain
a historical record throughout the year through social media,
website, and video.
• House Chaplain: Assists their house in preparing short devotionals and leading prayer both in house meetings and
general assembly. They promote spiritual growth in their
house such as posting prayer requests, encouragement, etc.
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RAYS HOUSE SYSTEM:
MERITORIOUS
Overall House responsibilities, events, and competitions
include helping RAYS in sponsoring social events, planning and sponsoring community service projects, and
Co-Op days duties. Houses are encouraged to recommend monthly academic bowls or game days such as
math, latin, history, debate bowls; or lego challenge,
checker/chess competition, kick ball, ultimate frisbee,
track-n-field days, bowling, etc.
HOUSE POINTS: Of course, much of the impetus behind
the system is ongoing friendly competition. Houses earn
points towards the “House of the Quarter” honor. All
tutors/teachers and administrators are involved in the constant rewarding (merits) or docking (demerits) of points
based on individual student behavior and attitude.
Points are cumulative towards the ultimate honor of being
awarded the prestigious,“Philadelphia Cup” at the end of
the year, which is presented during Commencement.
The Philadelphia Cup stands for the Philadelphia Church
in Revelation, meaning “spiritually alive”. As well, it represents our country’s freedom symbolized in the Liberty
Bell, which also portrays to us that all “men” are free indeed in Christ our Lord.
House point totals are recorded via PraxiSchool by administrators and tutors/teachers. House Recorders receive
tallies monthly before the monthly “house chapel” during
General Assembly.
Each quarter, houses start fresh with 500 points. Daily
behavior and attitude points or deductions are recorded
in PraxiSchool.
Monthly academic bowls or game days also award
points to the house. Poor sportsmanship can lose points
for the house. Standard points for an event are 10003000, but can vary.
Students can win tutor/teacher points for participation in
class such as great answers, cross-curricular thinking,
kindness, hard work, assignment completion, etc. Stu-
dents can also lose points by being disrespectful, tardy,
incomplete assignments, poor participation, etc.
Community Service and Philanthropy points are awarded
as well. Any student volunteering to help around the CoOp or who mentor the “apprentices” can receive points.
Houses who have a “tutoring” program can earn points
for peers helping peers in their academic areas of struggle or accountability partners in assisting one another in
diligently completing their assignments. Houses are assigned “Co-Op days”, where their house arrives a few
minutes early to: assist tutors/teachers in set-up, RAYS
store, assist in General Assembly, lunch routine, and assist in end of day dismissal and clean up. Houses are
awarded points for serving, arriving on time, and doing a
job of excellence. Points can also be taken away for arriving late, not fully cooperating with a joyful attitude, etc.
Community service points can also be rewarded for outside of the Co-Op deeds of service, both collectively and
individually.
Quarter-Ending House Points Scale:
Category
1st Place Points
2nd Place Points
Highest House GPA
600
450
Most Tutor/Teacher
Accommodations
500
350
Most Service Hours
400
250
Highest Co-Op Days
Points
400
250
Fewest Tardies
300
150
Highest Mentor Points
300
150
Dress Code
300
150
Total Points Awarded
for monthly bowls/
games
tallied
tallied
Most Extracurricular
Points
200
100
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