This school is open to young people of the Seventh-day Adventist church and other religious faiths who come for the purpose of doing earnest and faithful work, and who have a desire to develop Christian characters. Students are welcome to attend providing they show due respect to the Word of God and all those with whom they come in contact on a daily basis. By accepting admission into Richmond Academy, parents and students are indicating that they will observe the regulations of the school contained in this handbook. Only those who are in full sympathy with the standards of Seventh-day Adventist Christian education and who cheerfully endeavor to live in harmony with the principles of the school should apply for admittance.

It is the policy of the Seventh-day Adventist church in all of its church operated schools to admit students of any race to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at its schools, and to make no discrimination on the basis of race in administration, policies, application for admission, scholarship programs, and athletic and extracurricular programs.

A prospective student must submit to a formal application procedure. Students applying should be in good and regular standing in their present school and must submit proof of a successful completion of the previous grade or its equivalent. Students entering kindergarten must be 5 by September 15; students entering first grade must be 6 by September 15. Students in grades 7-12 may not enroll after the first 12 school days of school unless they are transferring from another school.

An admissions committee has been established to screen students who apply for admission. This committee uses the step by step Admission Check Sheet for the purpose of determining parental support as well as student conduct, motivation, and scholastic ability. ALL new students applying must complete ALL parts of the admissions process worksheet before admittance to the classroom is granted. (A copy of this form is available in the office.)

Since the school does not have the necessary equipment or staff for offering special education, it is unable to accept pupils who have a serious mental, physical, social, or scholastic disability. Students diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, or mild learning disabilities are accepted on an individual basis and must complete all parts of the admissions process worksheet. Once the application process is complete, the applicant will be notified by the Admissions Committee to confirm his or her status. Parents should not expect to bring a student to school without this confirmation.

All new students will be admitted to RA on a one-month trial basis. Behavioral or learning problems, which would make it inadvisable for a student to continue at RA, are occasionally identified. Parents or guardians will be asked to withdraw that student after a conference with the student's teacher(s) and the principal. Students returning under probation from the previous school year must fulfill the terms of probation to remain enrolled at RA. Students who have been expelled the previous year will be considered for readmission on a case-by-case basis. The school board reserves the right to refuse admittance to a student and to dismiss a student whenever such action is considered necessary for the welfare of the student or the school.

All students K-1 must have proof of a physical examination upon initial enrollment. The physical must be presented before a place in class is granted. Transferring students must present proof of current immunizations before enrolling, and have proof of a physical examination within 12 months of enrolling. Virginia State law requires immunization against measles, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and polio. Students entering 6th grade must show proof of immunization against Hepatitis B. No student (new or returning) will be admitted to class without proof of immunizations. In the case when parents refuse immunizations individual consideration will be given following state guidelines.

Only a child whose account from the previous school year has been paid in full will be admitted. Members of constituent churches need to contact their representative to receive the subsidy granted by their church.