When Students Struggle

When Students Struggle: How BHCA Approaches Discipline With Grace and Growth

By Mrs. Natasha Brady, Head of School

Let’s just get this out there:

Kids are human.

Shocking, I know.
They make mistakes. They test boundaries. They make poor choices.
Sometimes they take things that aren’t theirs and hide them in their desk like a baby raccoon storing snacks for winter.

When this happens, parents often ask:

“How does BHCA handle discipline?”

So let’s talk about it — honestly, biblically, and with a little humor to keep us all sane.

First: Discipline is not punishment. It’s discipleship.

If you hear nothing else today, hear this:

We don’t punish kids to shame them.
We disciple kids to guide them.

Our goal is not:

• humiliation

• fear

• threats

• power struggles
  
  

Our goal is:

• repentance

• restoration

• growth

• responsibility

• wisdom
  
  

We want your child to learn how to choose what’s right even when no one is watching — not just avoid getting in trouble.

Second: We deal with the heart, not just the behavior.

If a student steals something, we don’t just say:

“Give it back and say you’re sorry.”

Because kids can “I’m sorry” their way out of anything if they want to.

Instead, we talk about:

• Why they took it

• What was going on in their heart

• What temptation felt like

• Why honesty matters

• How sin hurts relationships

• How forgiveness and restoration work

• How to rebuild trust
  
  

We want the student walking away thinking:

“I understand why that was wrong — and I want to do better.”

Not:

“Note to self: next time hide it better.”

Third: We look at patterns, not isolated moments.

Every kid will:

• talk too much

• get distracted

• roll their eyes

• forget assignments

• blame the wrong kid

• get sassy

• hide a stolen marker in their sleeve like a tiny criminal mastermind
  
  

These things happen.
We address them, but we don’t declare the child a villain.

But if a pattern is forming?
That’s where we step in intentionally — with communication, accountability, and partnership with parents.

Patterns reveal habits.
Habits form character.
And character is where we do our best work.

Fourth: We communicate with parents (even when it’s awkward).

Nobody likes getting the “Hi, so we need to talk about what happened today…” message.

Not me, not you, not your child.

But transparency is everything.

We let parents know when:

• something concerning is happening

• a child needs support

• a behavior is becoming repetitive

• we need teamwork to address it

BHCA is not a “hide issues and hope for the best” school.

We’re a “let’s work together and help this child grow” school.

Fifth: We believe in natural consequences (not punitive ones).

If a student misuses freedom — freedom gets reduced.

If a student shows they can’t handle responsibility — responsibility gets adjusted.

If a student breaks trust — trust is rebuilt slowly.

But everything is done with:

• dignity

• fairness

• calmness

• consistency

We are not reactive disciplinarians.
We are proactive shepherds.

Sixth: We believe in redemption. Every. Single. Time.

No student at BHCA is defined by their worst moment.

We don’t freeze-frame a kid in their sins.
We don’t label them “the thief,” “the troublemaker,” “the dramatic one,” or “the child who can’t stop poking people.”

Every day is a fresh start.

Every conversation is a chance for growth.

Every student is a child made in the image of God — worthy of grace, guidance, and another chance.

Finally: We love your kids. Truly.

We don’t discipline because we’re annoyed.
We discipline because we care.

We want your child to:

• grow in character

• learn self-control

• become wise

• understand consequences

• walk with Christ
  
  

And honestly?
Sometimes the moments that start the worst end up becoming the most powerful opportunities for discipleship.

I’ve had more spiritual breakthroughs from “small sins” than from any classroom lesson.
God works in the messy moments.

In Conclusion: Discipline at BHCA Is About Growth, Not Guilt.

We’re not a school that looks away from problems.
We’re also not a school that crushes kids under discipline.

We walk the middle — the biblical middle — where:

Correction is paired with compassion.
Truth is paired with grace.
Structure is paired with relationship.

And every kid gets another chance to try again tomorrow.

🐝💛