Dominion Christian School

Summer News | July 31, 2026

Issue 5

Welcoming

Ricci Mason

We are pleased to welcome Ricci Mason as our School Resource Officer.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ricci Mason began his life of service shortly after high school when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a Military Police officer, graduating with honors. Following his military service, he embarked on a distinguished law enforcement career spanning more than 30 years. 

READ MORE ▶

More information? Contact

Mr. Chris Ward

Student Spiritual Life Director

cward@dominionmail.org

Back to School Prayer Blessing

Thursday, August 6 | 2:00 - 3:00

As we prepare for a new school year, we invite all students and families to join us for a special Back-to-School Prayer Blessing. This is an opportunity to intentionally pray over your student, their teachers, friendships, and the year ahead as we dedicate this school year to the Lord.

Families are welcome to walk the campus together or alongside our faculty as we pray over classrooms and school spaces. A special prayer of blessing for students and families will be led by Spiritual Student Life Director, Chris Ward at 2pm. This is a come-and-go event, so families are welcome to arrive anytime between 2:00 and 3:00 PM. 

We are excited for all that God has in store for our school family this year! We are praying for you and your family and look forward to seeing you on August 6!

IgKnight! 2026: New Family Orientation

Thursday, August 6 5:30-7:30pm

Reminder: RSVP to our annual IgKnight! 2026: New Family Orientation. This is a required event for all new families in which administrators, teachers, and current families share all about Dominion Christian and how we do things. 

At IgKnight, you will learn about things like... 

• FACTS Family Portal 
• Ordering lunches
• Carpool and Carline
• Dominion basics: front office, medications, making payments, field trips, etc. 
• Getting involved in PTF and similar 
• And more! 

After attending information sessions, it's time to eat! Dinner is provided for this event, so come hungry and bring the family. In between sessions and during the dinner, the Used Spiritwear and Swag store will be open as well as info tables for medical, lunches, FACTS, PTF, finances, and an opportunity to meet our new K-5th Lower School Principal, Janie Niswonger! 

Seniors! Welcome to your final year at Dominion!

As we kick off our final year together, let’s start strong by stepping onto campus in full formal attire for the first day of school. Seniors are invited to set the standard for the entire student body with a polished look:

Ladies: Wear a school-appropriate black dress;

Guys: Suit up in khakis with a button-down shirt, or a full suit.

It’s a substantial milestone moment that sets a great tone for the journey ahead, and we look forward to seeing everyone looking their best as we start your senior year!

(Of course, in lieu of the above, standard school is expected.)

Student Schedules

Student schedules are available through ParentsWeb. Please log into your ParentsWeb account and click on Student Information > Schedules. If you have questions, please send an email to mlightrner@dominionmail.org.

Bell Scedule

The bell schedule has been slightly adjusted to accommodate 45-minutes of true instructional time per class. Below is structure for M, Tu, Th, F schedule.

Back to School Night & Orientation

Welcome back! We are excited to welcome new and returning families to Dominion. On Monday, August 10, we will have our Back-to-School night. 

5:00 -- Welcome & Introduction

5:30 -- Schedules, locker assignments, and meet your teachers

5:30 -- Volunteer/involvement opportunities (Annual Fund, Parent-Teacher Fellowship and other events)

Note: Lockers do not have combinations. Students will be allowed to bring their own combination lock for their assigned locker.

First Day of School, Full day 9:00 start

Wednesday, August 12

Wednesday and Thursday are uniform days. Friday is a Jeans Day for all students. Please adhere to DCS dress policy for "jeans days."

Welcome our new faculty & staff

Chris Ward, Student Spiritual Life Director

Janie Niswonger, Lower School Principal

Ricci Mason, Student Resource Officer

Johnathan Hall, MS/HS PE & Football Coach

Cathy Osborne, HS ACCESS Program Director

James Willison, HS Bible

Ryan Morgan, MS Bible

David Setzler, MS History

Welcome to a new school year! As we prepare for the year ahead, we ask all families and students to take a moment to review our updated Student & Parent Handbook. While we have highlighted a few key updates and reminders below, the handbook serves as our complete guide for the standards and expectations that help our school community thrive.

Cell Phone & Electronic Device Standards

Dominion Christian School has a cell phone/electronic device standards for all students, aiming to create a focused learning environment. The core expectation for both groups is that phones, smartwatches, and earbuds/headphones must be stored in lockers or bookbags throughout the school day and remain out of sight.

The policy outlines device-usage during class time for both middle and high school students: cell phones, earbuds, and smartwatches are prohibited throughout the school day. While general electronic devices like tablets and laptops are also restricted, an exception is made for Dual Enrollment courses, where their use is permitted at the teacher's discretion. 

Academic Credit & Exams

No more than 12 absences (excused or unexcused, for any reason, with the exception of absences for which we have specific doctor’s excuses) in each class per semester will be allowed. Once a student accumulates 12 absences in any individual class, 2 points will be deducted from the student’s final average in that course for each additional absence. Special consideration may be given by the Principal in cases of prolonged personal illness, court appearances, or serious illness or death in the immediate family. Approved school sponsored activities or pre-approved activities deemed educationally beneficial by the administration will not be counted against the student.

Semester Exam Standards

All High school core courses (English, Math, Science, Social Studies) will administer a final exam. Students who have at least a 90 average in the course, based on the semester average, and who have 7 or fewer absences (excused or unexcused) during the semester will be allowed to exempt their exam. All Middle school students will take a final course assessment, but not a final cumulative exam.

AP & Dual Enrollment Exams Standard

All students enrolled in an AP or Dual Enrollment being taught in person at Dominion must take their semester exam. No exemptions will be allowed. If a student takes the College Board AP exam in the Spring, they are exempted from their second semester exam. For online Dual Enrollment courses, students will follow the course syllabus for that class.

God is doing amazing things here at Dominion Christian. Choosing the right school is a significant decision and we are so very grateful that you, our families, have chosen to send your children to Dominion.

Our mission is to equip students to love God and love others through Christ-centered education. We want to provide an environment where students can grow both academically and spiritually in order to be successful in life beyond graduation. Our best marketing is the testimonies of our families.

SPREAD THE WORD with our “REFER-A-FAMILY” Program. Refer a family to Dominion Christian and receive a $500 tuition credit for new families.

Key Contacts During the Summer

Mrs. Willis (jwillis@dominionmail.org): Admissions, certificate of attendance, books/curriculum

Mr. Lightner (mlightner@dominionmail.org): Class schedules, summer courses, Dual Enrollment, transcripts/grades, advising, service hours, Parent Portal (FACTS), dress code, policy/standards, employment inquiries

Mrs. Collins (bcollins@dominionmail.org): Accounts, tuition and fees, financial aid

Coach Hall (jhall@dominionmail.org): Football, summer conditioning/acclimation

Coach Gold (mgold@dominionmail.org): Summer sports programs/open gym, DCAA, athletics/eligibility

Mr. Morris (emorris@dominionmail.org): SSO scholarship fund, facilities, fund raising/annual fund, employment inquiries

Dominion requires all high school honor, AP, and dual enrollment English students to read assigned summer books for their English classes prior to the first day of classes.

There is no summer reading for on-level high school English classes. There is no middle school summer reading required.

Convenient Ordering >> Online Book Store (EdTech)

The Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program is a powerful way for individuals and businesses to positively impact lives by making K-12 education accessible to deserving students who otherwise could not afford it.

By contributing to GOAL, Georgia taxpayers receive a 100% state income tax credit, while directly supporting tuition assistance for exceptional students desiring to attend Dominion Christian School.

All DCS families are invited to join the DCAA Booster Club. The Booster Club provides financial support for the sports equipment, transportation, and other items not provided by student participation fees or the DCS annual athletic budget.

Your booster club membership grants you free admission to ALL regular-season home games for any of our Dominion sports at both the Middle School level and the High School level.