Past-Present-Future:
Past: West Melbourne Christian Academy held its first class in August of 1996 ministering to students in grades Kindergarten to 8th grade. WMCA was established after months of prayer and planning between Pastor Kerry Siler (former Lead Pastor), Pastor Bruce Siler (Current Lead Pastor), Mrs. Peg Siler (Consultant/Director), Mrs. Carol Godbout (Principal), and members of the church board. It was decided that West Melbourne Christian Center (now known as New Hope Sanctuary) will sponsor a school for grades K-8th and add a grade level every year. The vision came around after Pastor Kerry and Pastor Bruce did not want to see their children and grandchildren attend public school. They wanted to see their family members in an environment that could raise future scholars and to gain knowledge of Jesus and His love for them. In 1999 Mrs. Peg Siler took over the duties of Principal and held that position until her passing in 2004. In 2004 Pastor Kerry Siler became the Principal and named Pastor Mark Siler the Assistant Principal. Pastor Mark became the Principal in 2005 and is currently WMCA’s Principal.

Present: WMCA is currently a Kindergarten to 12th grade school and with guidance of the Holy Spirit, strives to the BEST school in Brevard County.

Future: The mission and foundation that gave birth to WMCA will never change even though changes are made to continue to see growth in our students and school. As we continue towards the future it is our goal to see students attending our school to be:

1. Academically prepared for the next level ahead of them.
2. Spiritually prepared
3. Mentally/physically prepared

Mission Statement: The purpose of WMCA is to establish and maintain a school for the daily instruction of our children. The ultimate goal is to provide academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment. WMCA seeks to maintain itself by fostering those ideas and standards that are consistent with an understanding and acceptance of the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Philosophy: The main educational purpose of WMCA is the preparation of students for higher education and the development of the spiritual, academic, social, aesthetic, and athletic values that will enable them to live happy, rewarding, and productive lives in Christ Jesus.

The Bible, God’s truth, is the foundation for all aspects of our Academy. God’s truth will be the basis of a balanced curriculum from which students will learn Christianity as a way of life. The development of Godly character and the accumulation of knowledge go hand in hand. The ultimate goal of our school is to teach our students to glorify God in all aspects of life. We require that every subject be presented and understood in light of God’s word. Our children must see Christ as the focal point of all areas of life. A Christian education enables them to view the world more clearly from a Christian perspective. We must equip them with a biblical frame of reference and a Christian world and life view. Children can then relate the challenges and questions they encounter to a set of principles and truths, which are Godly, eternal and absolute.

Standards of Ethical Conduct
West Melbourne Christian Academy

 (Adapted from the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida and Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida)

1. Our school values the worth and dignity of every person, the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, acquisition of knowledge, and the nurture of democratic citizenship. Essential to the achievement of these standards are the freedom to learn and to teach and the guarantee of equal opportunity for all.
2. Our primary concern is the student and the development of the student’s potential. Employees will therefore strive for professional growth and will seek to exercise the best professional judgment and integrity.
3. Concern for the student requires that our instructional personnel:
4. Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning and/or to the student’s mental and/or physical health and/or safety.
5. Shall not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of learning.
6. Shall not unreasonably deny a student access to diverse points of view.
7. Shall not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a student’s academic program.
8. Shall not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
9. Shall not intentionally violate or deny a student’s legal rights.
10. Shall not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background and shall make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination.
11. Shall not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage.
12. Shall keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.
13. Aware of the importance of maintaining the respect and confidence of colleagues, of students, of parents, and of the community, employees of our school must display the highest degree of ethical conduct. This commitment requires that our employees:
14. Shall maintain honesty in all professional dealings.
15. Shall not on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition if otherwise qualified, or social and family background deny to a colleague professional benefits or advantages or participation in any professional organization.
16. Shall not interfere with a colleague’s exercise of political or civil rights and responsibilities.
17. Shall not engage in harassment or discriminatory conduct which unreasonably interferes with an individual’s performance of professional or work responsibilities or with the orderly processes of education or which creates a hostile, intimidating, abusive, offensive, or oppressive environment; and, further, shall make reasonable effort to assure that each individual is protected from such harassment or discrimination.
18. Shall not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague.

Training Requirement
All instructional personnel, educational support employees, and administrators are required as a condition of employment to complete training on these standards of ethical conduct.

Reporting Misconduct by Instructional Personnel and Administrators
All employees, educational support employees, and administrators have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators, which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. Examples of misconduct include obscene language, drug and alcohol use, disparaging comments, prejudice or bigotry, sexual innuendo, cheating or testing violations, physical aggression, and accepting or offering favors.

Reports of misconduct of employees should be made to Pastor Mark Siler, 321-725-7281
Reports of misconduct committed by administrators should be made to Mrs. Mandy Siler or Mrs. Dana Siler, 321-725-7281

Legally sufficient allegations of misconduct by Florida certified educators will be reported to the Office of Professional Practices Services. Policies and procedures for reporting misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student are posted on bulletin board in main school office, teacher supply room, and on our Web site at https://wmcaknights.com/about-us/

Reporting Child Abuse, Abandonment or Neglect
All employees and agents have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Call 1-800-96-ABUSE or report online at: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report/.

Signs of Physical Abuse The child may have unexplained bruises, welts, cuts, or other injuries; broken bones; or burns. A child experiencing physical abuse may seem withdrawn or depressed, seem afraid to go home or may run away, shy away from physical contact, be aggressive, or wear inappropriate clothing to hide injuries.

Signs of Sexual Abuse The child may have torn, stained or bloody underwear, trouble walking or sitting, pain or itching in genital area, or a sexually transmitted disease. A child experiencing sexual abuse may have unusual knowledge of sex or act seductively, fear a particular person, seem withdrawn or depressed, gain or lose weight suddenly, shy away from physical contact, or run away from home.

Signs of Neglect The child may have unattended medical needs, little or no supervision at home, poor hygiene, or appear underweight. A child experiencing neglect may be frequently tired or hungry, steal food, or appear overly needy for adult attention.

Patterns of Abuse: Serious abuse usually involves a combination of factors. While a single sign may not be significant, a pattern of physical or behavioral signs is a serious indicator and should be reported.

Liability Protections

Any person, official, or institution participating in good faith in any act authorized or required by law, or reporting in good faith any instance of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the department or any law enforcement agency, shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability which might otherwise result by reason of such action. (F.S. 39.203)

An employer who discloses information about a former or current employee to a prospective employer of the former or current employee upon request of the prospective employer or of the former or current employee is immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the information disclosed by the former or current employer was knowingly false or violated any civil right of the former or current employee protected under F.S. Chapter 760. (F.S. 768.095)