Frequently Asked Questions
This is where you will find most answers. Should you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
HANDBOOKS
General
Bookcliff Christian School is located at the corner of 12th Street and Patterson Road in Grand Junction, Colorado. This central location allows families to easily travel to and from school while maintaining the schedules of our busy lives. With interstate access only minutes away, families can commute from Fruita or Palisade in about 15 minutes. The school building is the large brick structure at the center of the property, not to be confused with the church building located on the southwest corner of the property.
Office hours are 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM (or by appointment) while school is in session.
Please make every effort to transact business during these hours. Students should go to the office only on business or with a parent. Preschool, school, and church offices are off limits to all students unless they have permission from their teacher.
District code: BCS-CO
Yes, all teachers are qualified and trained specific to their grade level to ensure quality instruction for each individual student. Staff and faculty are required to participate in ongoing training to continually improve performance and create opportunities for growth.
Yes, aftercare is an option.
Before School Care: 7:30-7:45 AM
After School Care: 3:20-5:30 PM
Aftercare invoices are sent at the beginning of each month for the entire preceding month.
Class sizes average around fifteen students per class; however, final numbers depend on enrollment numbers for the current school year.
In the event of inclement weather, delays and cancellation notifications will be sent via Text message, Brightwheel message, and email message. The notice will also be posted on the school Facebook page.
Parents always have the option of keeping students home if they consider the roads or conditions hazardous. Students who do not attend school will be marked absent but have the opportunity to complete make-up work without penalization.
We currently offer intramural sports such as golf, volleyball, track & field and basketball.
Bookcliff Christian School is committed to establishing and maintaining a safe learning environment. Therefore, BCS reserves the right to routinely inspect and specifically search school buildings, grounds, and lockers, as well as anything brought onto school property or school facilities in accordance with Colorado state law.
Visitors are required to use the southwest entrance during business hours (M-F: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM).
All doors remain locked at all times, so please ring the chrome doorbell to the right of the door for permitted entrance into the building.
Families are also to use the southwest entrance between 7:30 AM and 4:00 PM. If you are picking up a student after 4:00 PM, please use the northwest entrance by ringing the chrome doorbell to the right of the northwest door.
Please be advised, when picking up a student you will be asked to provide proper identification every time until staff members can confidently identify you as an approved pick-up contact for that student.
ENROLLMENT & ENTRANCE POLICIES
Enrollment applications typically open in February, after current & continuing students are re-enrolled to ensure their guaranteed placement.
How do I enroll my child?
Our preschool provides an early learning program for children ages 3 to 5 years old.
All students/families must submit:
- A birth certificate
- Immunization records
- General Health Appraisal form signed by a physician
Students/Families who have opted out of immunizations can submit an opt-out form signed by a physician in place of immunization records.
Students must be 5 years old by August 15th.
New students are evaluated for “Kindergarten Readiness” by BCS Preschool or the current Kindergarten teacher before enrollment is approved.
Incoming Families:
- Student must be 5 years old by August 15th
- Be evaluated for “Kindergarten Readiness” by BCS Preschool or the current Kindergarten teacher
Current Families:
- Students who have been enrolled in our Preschool for one full year are regularly evaluated by our teachers in social, emotional, and academic areas. As such, they may enroll in Kindergarten.
- Students who have not been enrolled in our Preschool for one full year will be required to have an interview with the Kindergarten teacher before enrollment.
All new applicants will be evaluated by the appropriate grade-level teacher to determine academic readiness for the requested grade level and ensure a successful fit within our school community.
Evaluation could include:
- Teacher conference
- IXL Testing
- Previous school records
All new applicants will be evaluated by the appropriate grade-level teacher to determine academic readiness for the requested grade level and ensure a successful fit within our school community.
Evaluation could include:
- Teacher conference
- IXL Testing
- Previous school records
Tuition, finances, and fundraising
Please visit the Tuition Page.
Our school hosts fundraisers throughout the school year to raise funds for student scholarships, student organizations, and special projects. Various organizations and companies around town and online give back to schools. Here are ways to be included:
City Market- If you have a value card, go online or on the City Market app to register your card number with our school through the “Payments & Resources”
tab. Present this card at checkout and a portion will be donated to BCS every quarter.
Office Depot – When purchasing at Office Depot mention the “Back to Schools Program.” They will then look up our school ID number 70017948 and give BCS 5% on qualifying purchases.
American Furniture Warehouse – During check-out, mention our school or our Partner IDBCS174. For online orders, use the “Special Comments” at the payment screen to submit this information. AFW will donate 2% on all purchases (4% on Beautyrest & Serta mattresses); 2-4% back to support our school.
Box Tops for Education – Use the Box Tops App to scan store receipts for participating products. Our school will automatically earn cash with every Box Top product purchased.
Food & Hot Lunch Programs
Students are required to pack a lunch Monday-Thursday. Please avoid bringing food that needs to be microwaved.
On Fridays, students have the option to pack a lunch or purchase a hot lunch from the school. All Friday lunch orders must be submitted via FACTS by 10:00 AM the preceding Wednesday.
For full-day preschoolers, breakfast is served from 8:00-8:15 AM
At BCS, we encourage healthy eating habits. Any candy, juice, or sugary items that are in your child’s lunch will be sent back home. Unhealthy, sugary items may affect your child’s behavior and the success of daily learning.
Please avoid sending your child with foods that require microwaving, as Preschool and Elementary students do not have access to a microwave.
Full-day students have the option to pack a lunch or purchase a hot lunch from the school.
All Friday lunch orders must be submitted via FACTS by 10:00 AM the preceding Wednesday.
Half-day students will be picked up before lunch is served.
Preschool
Bookcliff Christian Preschool provides flexible days and hours to allow you to choose a schedule that works best for your family. Full-day preschoolers are scheduled from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, whereas half-day preschoolers are scheduled from 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
We ask that personal toys not be brought to school except on an occasional show ‘n’ tell day. Children may not bring toy guns, war toys, or things of this nature that may contribute to aggressive behavior.
The school is not responsible for personal belongings or money brought to school by any child. Please make sure to label any item your child brings to school with their name.
Children may bring either a blanket or a sleepy friend for rest time. Please make sure items fit in the child’s cubby and have their name on it.
Children must be fully potty-trained before enrolling into our preschool program.
Pull-Ups are not considered potty-trained, and therefore are not permitted.
Children are initially placed in classes by age, at which point teachers evaluate them to determine if their classroom is the best fit for the child. Students who are re-enrolling may be placed in the classroom environment that works best for the child.
Happy Hoppers
Happy Hoppers is a 3-year-old preschool classroom. Here, they take their first steps into a learning environment and begin to develop independence. Happy Hoppers start practicing recognizing their own names and begin working on scissor hold and cutting. They also work on many social skills, the biggest one being able to use their words and communicate with teachers and other students. Happy Hoppers also work on their sitting skills by sitting during morning circle and during Bible story.
Caring Critters
Caring Critters is a 3-4-year-old preschool classroom. Caring Critters takes a bigger step toward working on independence. Caring Critters introduces many skills they will be learning in Pre-K, such as advanced shapes and letter sounds. Caring Critters work on writing their names daily and begin to learn the difference between uppercase and lowercase letters. Caring Critters build on their daily Bible stories and Bible activities.
Busy Bees
Busy Bees is a 4-5-year-old Pre-K classroom. Busy Bees will be 5 years old late winter into the spring. Busy Bees is a rigorous learning environment. Busy Bees have a base on writing their own name and begin to work on penmanship. They also continue to improve in learning letters, sounds, and numbers. Busy Bees begin to work on addition and subtraction. Busy Bees improve on their Bible knowledge and are taught daily with many hands-on activities.
Shining Stars
Shining Stars is our 5-year-old Pre-K classroom. Shining Stars for students who just missed the Kindergarten birthday cut-off and/or for students who would benefit from an extra year in Pre-K. Shining Stars is a rigorous learning environment with high expectations for each student. Shining Stars continue to improve their names in preparation for Kindergarten. They are introduced to sight words and focus on recognizing letters with their sounds. Students continue to improve their math skills. Shining Stars are taught a deeper understanding of the Bible.
Get Involved
Purpose of PTF:
- To build and strengthen a spirit of unity and fellowship among BCS Families
- Provide encouragement and support for BCS Teachers, staff, and parents
- Enrich and promote quality Christian education at BCS
Duties could include:
- Assisting in fundraising initiatives
- Supporting BCS Events
- Volunteer opportunities
- Raising funds for PTF Events
- Networking with the community
- Submitting pictures to the Media Coordinator (Miss. Misty) for use in social media, marketing, and advertising
PTF Members hold monthly meetings in collaboration with BCS Admin. Officers are elected each school year to help coordinate events, fundraisers, and PTF initiatives.
Summer Program
Summer Program tuition and fees can be viewed on our Tuition Page.
All BCS students who are continuing, incoming, or outgoing and their siblings.
Enrollment is open each year in April and closes in May. Early enrollment is available by appointment.
The Summer Program enrollment packet can be found in your FACTS Family Portal.
Simply go to:
Family Portal >
Menu > Apply/Enroll >
Enrollment/Reenrollment >
Click to Open Enrollment > Start Enrollment Packet.
You must complete an enrollment packet for each attending child.
All students and their siblings from preschool through middle school are eligible.
The 8-week program will begin early June and will end late July.
The program hours are 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. All students must be picked up by 4:00 PM.
You must complete a payment agreement through your FACTS account.
You will be prompted to finalize this step when you complete your enrollment packet.
All summer curriculum and supplies are covered by the enrollment fee, there is no additional curriculum fee.
Yes, there is a 10% discount for each additional sibling enrolled in the Summer Program.
The BCS summer program billing is separate from the school year billing; therefore, your child can attend the summer program while you continue to pay off past due balances before the next school year.
However, all previous balances must be paid before attending the next fiscal school year.
We highly recommend signing your child up for the full 8-week program; however, some circumstances require that a student attend only half of the summer. Half-program commitments can be approved by an administrator and will be billed accordingly.
No, this is a schedule-based program. You can bring your child on the days you select during the enrollment process. Although attendance is not required, the payment made on June 1st is non-refundable, no matter the attendance.
We will implement a faith based curriculum. There will be a balance of structure as well as crafts and free time.
Non preschool-aged children will not be required to take a nap.
However, all students will participate in an afternoon Quiet Time to allow preschool-aged children the opportunity to rest.
There will be separate classes for age groups; however, there will be times that students will be combined (e.g. early morning drop-off and late day pick-up).
BCS follows Colorado State Licensing standards for staff to child ratios: 3-4 year olds 1:8, School age 1:15.
Uniforms are not required during the summer program; however, we do require that student attire is modest and complies with Summer Program Dress Code expectations. There will be weekly water days where we suggest that children wear water-wicking fabrics (e.g. athletic material, jersey material)