Student Orientation Manual & Policy Handbook

This page summarizes key policies; the full, official handbook is available as a PDF:

📄 Open Updated Handbook PDF

Quick Table of Contents

Welcome & Purpose

Welcome to Altruistic Academy! This handbook explains the standards, policies, and day-to-day practices that keep our learning environment professional, safe, and supportive. Unless otherwise noted, policies apply to all programs and learning modalities (on-campus and distance education).

FERPA Rights

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) grants eligible students (18+ or attending a postsecondary institution at any age) rights over education records, including:

• Inspect and review education records within 45 days of a written request.
• Request amendments to records believed to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of privacy rights.
• Provide written consent before disclosure of personally identifiable information (PII), except where FERPA permits disclosure without consent.
• File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education for alleged FERPA noncompliance.

To request access or an amendment, submit a written request to Administration identifying the record(s) and your rationale. If an amendment request is denied, you will be notified of your right to a hearing.

Copyright Policy

We comply with U.S. copyright law (Title 17). Assume printed/digital materials are protected unless they are public domain, qualify as fair use, or you have written permission/licensing. Unauthorized use, uploading, or downloading (including peer-to-peer sharing) may lead to penalties and school discipline.

Code of Conduct

We are committed to a professional, inclusive learning environment. Students must treat peers, instructors, staff, and clients with courtesy and respect and follow instructor direction. Unprofessional conduct may result in counseling, discipline, or dismissal.

• Illegal drugs; misuse of alcohol or prescription meds; attending class while impaired
• Profanity, harassment, offensive or disrespectful behavior
• Refusal to follow reasonable instructions
• Cheating, theft, or unethical behavior
• Any conduct that compromises safety or causes harm

Classroom & Online Expectations

• Arrive on time, prepared, and ready to participate.
• Complete assigned online coursework before on-site classes and follow each course syllabus.
• Respect school property and maintain clean, professional work areas.
• Phones/smart watches/notification devices on silent during class (see device policy below).
• Grades are confidential; practice professional communication.

Parking & Building Access

Student Parking

Park at the Pierce Street entrance in spaces marked “R” or unmarked spaces.

Student Entrance

Enter and exit through the Student Entrance on the Pierce Street side (except during emergencies). For safety—especially at night—leave in groups when possible and report exterior lighting outages.

Advising, Counseling & Accommodations

Counseling

Individualized counseling is available for personal matters, professionalism, and academic progress (attendance and grades). Community resources are available upon request.

Administration Hours

School Administration is generally available Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM by appointment.

Educational Support & Accommodations

If you need accommodations beyond standard teaching/testing methods, meet with Administration no later than your 10th day of attendance. Documentation may be required. Any additional staffing required to implement accommodations is at the student’s expense.

Health & Safety

Do not attend class if you have a contagious condition or fever. Follow all safety, sanitation, and health practices at all times.

Vaccination Policy

Vaccinations are not required for admission. Vaccination decisions are personal medical choices.

Distance Education: Standards

• Complete assigned online theory before related on-site clinical classes; comprehension may be assessed through testing.
• Students who fall behind on required online content may be held from subsequent on-site classes at instructor discretion.
• Choose a quiet, distraction-free space; do not invite non-students into online classes; do not share access codes; no unauthorized recording.
• Graduation requires passing comprehensive academic and practical finals, including any state-required competencies.
• Academic credit earned via distance education may not transfer or qualify for licensure in other states.

Technology Requirements

• Tablet/iPad (included in kit), desktop, or laptop with current Chrome (preferred), Firefox, or Microsoft Edge.
• Reliable high-speed internet (15 Mbps+ recommended; 4G LTE/5G acceptable for cellular data).
• When using CIMA/LMS: log out manually (don’t just close the browser); use one tab; don’t log in on web and mobile simultaneously; avoid ad-blockers/privacy extensions that interfere with time tracking.

Hours Calculation & Reporting

The Educator pulls LMS clock hours each Tuesday (for the prior Monday–Monday week) and posts them to the Stars Student Portal by end of day Tuesday. Students should review hours by Friday and report discrepancies to the Director of Education.

User Abuse Safeguards

Distance learning hours must reflect regular and substantive interaction. Excessive time logged due to improper behavior/misuse may be excluded from total hours earned.

Attendance & Academic Progress

• Complete any missed hours before graduation. If hours are incomplete by your contract graduation date, a certificate/diploma will not be issued until hours are complete.
• Additional days after the graduation date are granted only at Administration discretion.
• Students may not exceed 100% scheduled attendance without prior administrative approval.

Tardiness, Absences & Early Release

Tardiness

Tardiness is arriving more than 15 minutes after the scheduled start of class. Late arrivals may be excused at instructor discretion. After three (3) unexcused late arrivals, you will be counseled to create an improvement plan. Ongoing tardiness may lead to dismissal. Time missed is deducted from attendance in 15-minute increments.

Absences

Notify your instructor in advance when possible. All hours missed must be made up. Excused absences may be granted for medical, legal, or obituary-documented reasons with proper documentation listing your full name and permitted dates of absence and return date. Undocumented absences (personal/vacation) are unexcused.

• No more than five (5) unexcused absences are permitted within a calendar month.
• After five, you will be placed on 30-day probation; any additional unexcused absence during probation may result in termination.
• Students missing fourteen (14) consecutive scheduled days will be administratively withdrawn unless on an approved LOA.

Early Release

Leaving early requires instructor or administrative permission. With a doctor’s note, you may return the same day (if applicable) or schedule make-up hours per the Make-Up Hours Policy.

No Call / No Show & Veterans Policy

No Call / No Show

• After three (3) consecutive on-site class days absent (excluding holidays/breaks), Administration will attempt to contact you.
• If you state you will not return, you will be withdrawn and must submit a written notice of withdrawal.
• If the Academy cannot reach you or your emergency contacts within ten (10) business days, you will be considered withdrawn.
• If you state you will return, you must attend the next scheduled on-site class and maintain positive attendance. Additional fees may apply (including faculty time for missed hours and a re-registration fee, subject to schedule availability) and you must meet with Administration to agree on corrective actions.

Veterans’ Attendance Policy

Early departures, class cuts, and tardiness count as an absence for that class period. Students exceeding 20% total absences in a calendar month may be terminated from VA benefits for unsatisfactory attendance.

Make-Up Hours & Work

Register make-up hours with your instructor. The Academy typically offers two (2) make-up days per month (dates announced in advance). Make-up must mirror the original modality (online for online; on-site for on-site).

• Schedule all make-up hours with your instructor and clock in/out.
• Remain only for the number of hours needed to replace missed time.
• Participate in the class tied to the hours you are making up and follow all Academy policies during make-up hours.
• Make-up work must be scheduled with your educator; it is your responsibility to review missed content and be prepared for assessments.

Leave of Absence (LOA)

The Director of Education may approve a Leave of Absence for up to 180 total days. Submit the online LOA Request Form for absences exceeding seven (7) consecutive days (excluding scheduled school closings). Requests must specify an expected return date and include required documentation for medical/emergency reasons when applicable.

If you do not return as scheduled and fail to notify the Academy, your contract may be terminated effective the scheduled return date. Upon return, scheduling may change based on availability.

Alcohol, Drug, & Tobacco Policy

We maintain a drug- and alcohol-free campus. Prohibited: illegal drugs; misuse of prescription meds or alcohol; possession/manufacture/distribution/sale of substances on campus or during school activities; arriving under the influence; or using substances that impair safety/performance. If taking medications that may impair you, notify your instructor/administration before performing services.

Tobacco Use

Smoking and smokeless tobacco are discouraged. If used, do so outdoors and away from entrances/non-smokers/eating areas; dispose of cigarette butts properly; cleanse/deodorize before returning to class/services.

Student Assistance

Resources are available to students seeking help with substance-use concerns. Requesting help will not, by itself, result in penalties.

Disciplinary Action

Violations may result in termination of enrollment. The Academy reviews its prevention program every two years and distributes updates.

Emergency Preparedness & Campus Security

Emergency Response & Evacuation

• Call 911 (designated staff will initiate emergency calls as needed).
• Remain calm and follow staff instructions; exit via the nearest safe exit; assist your client only if safe.
• Rally Point: Nature’s Food Patch parking lot (1225 Cleveland St) for roll call.
• If a dangerous situation unfolds, remain with your instructor until directed by law enforcement or Administration.

Timely Warnings & Notifications

• Facebook: Altruistic Beauty Academy
• Student email notifications
• Mass/individual text messages via the Academy text line

Campus Security Policies

Report safety/security/criminal concerns to Administration immediately. When in doubt, report.

• Annual Security Report: available each year by Aug 1 from Administration.
• Weapons: prohibited on school grounds (may result in immediate termination).
• Sexual Harassment & Sex Offenses: not tolerated; report immediately.
• Respectful Language & Inclusion: inclusive environment free of discriminatory or demeaning language/conduct.

Student Clinic Policies

The Student Clinic is a professional training environment open to the public. Services are performed by students under licensed instructor supervision. Students are evaluated on professional conduct, technical skill, and client experience.

• Follow dress code at all times; no food in Clinic.
• Devices on silent; phone use only as approved by instructor (ex: client photos with consent).
• Be ready to greet clients and begin services within five (5) minutes of arrival.
• Remain with your client until the instructor arrives for consultation; educator completes a final check before the client leaves.
• Keep stations clean/organized; sanitize stations to be ready for State Board inspection.
• Do not leave Clinic without informing your instructor; unapproved absences may result in being clocked out in 15-minute increments.

Swapping Services

Students may not perform services on themselves or other students in the Clinic without instructor permission. Product-use fees may apply for elective services performed on students.

Satisfactory Progress Reports

At the midpoint of your program, you will receive an individualized progress report from the Director of Education (grades, hands-on progress/attendance, and program notes).

Disciplinary Process

Students who fail to meet minimum requirements (attendance, academic progress, or Code of Conduct) may receive written warning letters and enter probation. After the first warning, you have five (5) scheduled school days to resolve the issue. If unresolved or additional violations occur, a second warning may be issued. A maximum of three (3) warning letters may be issued within a program; exceeding this limit may result in dismissal.

Dress Code

Maintain a professional appearance at all times. Uniform standards apply on campus and in Clinic.

• Tops: Academy-provided shirts or solid black scrub tops. Torso (including armpits, back, stomach, chest) must remain covered during all movements. No pullover sweaters/hoodies/ponchos over uniform. Solid long-sleeve base layers under top permitted.
• Bottoms: Solid black scrub pants (no holes/frays; hems must not drag).
• Undergarments: must not be visible through uniform or during movement.
• Footwear: closed toe and encased heel; heel-toe differential ≤ 2 inches; clean sneakers/canvas acceptable.
• Hair/Makeup: hair secured; makeup kept moderate; facial hair groomed.
• Nails: short and filed; polish discouraged. If worn: neutral gel/dip only; nails must not extend past fingertips.
• Accessories: colored scarves permitted; no casual hats/ball caps/beanies.
• Jewelry: remove before giving/receiving services. Academy not responsible for lost/stolen items.

Cell Phone & Personal Devices

• Devices may be used on breaks.
• Keep devices on silent and out of sight during class unless part of an instructor-led activity.
• Use in Clinic only as authorized by instructors (ex: client photos with consent).

School Closings & Holidays

Observed holidays are listed below. * = federally observed date when the calendar holiday falls on a weekend.

Holiday	2026	2027
New Year’s Day	Thu, Jan 1	Fri, Jan 1
Martin Luther King Jr. Day	Mon, Jan 19	Mon, Jan 18
Memorial Day	Mon, May 25	Mon, May 31
Juneteenth	Fri, Jun 19	Fri, Jun 18*
Independence Day	Fri, Jul 3*	Mon, Jul 5*
Labor Day	Mon, Sep 7	Mon, Sep 6
Veterans Day	Wed, Nov 11	Thu, Nov 11
Thanksgiving & Day After	Thu–Fri, Nov 26–27	Thu–Fri, Nov 25–26

Complaints & Grievance Procedure

We aim to resolve concerns quickly and fairly. Submit grievances in writing within 10 days of the incident.

• Step 1 – Instructor/Staff: Raise the concern with applicable faculty within 10 days.
• Step 2 – Administration: Submit a written grievance to Administration; receive a written response within 10 workdays.
• Step 3 – COO Review: If still unresolved, submit a written statement to the COO; receive a response within 30 days of the committee’s resolution.
• Step 4 – External Appeal: Florida Commission for Independent Education (CIE), Florida Department of Education, 325 West Gaines St., Ste 1414, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400.