Welcome to Be Elite Academy! We are thrilled to have your child join our after-care and summer camp community. Our program is designed to provide a seamless transition from the classroom to a world of enrichment, creativity, and physical activity. We understand that choosing a program for your child is a significant decision, and we are committed to providing a space that feels like a second home—one where safety is paramount and every child is encouraged to explore their unique interests.
Our primary goal is to foster a supportive environment that complements your child’s academic day while introducing new experiences through our diverse summer modules. Whether it is through STEM challenges, creative arts, or collaborative team sports, we aim to inspire confidence and curiosity in every student. This handbook serves as a comprehensive guide to help you navigate our policies and ensure a positive experience for your family. We look forward to a rewarding partnership in your child’s growth and development.

Be Elite Academy is an out-of-school time provider dedicated to excellence in Child Care and enrichment. Founded on the principle that learning never stops, our business operates with a professional mindset that prioritizes high-quality service, modern facilities, and a curriculum-driven approach to out-of-school care. We pride ourselves on being a community-centric organization that maintains the highest standards of accountability and transparency for all our families.

Our Mission: To empower students through innovative out-of-school care programming
that builds character and academic resilience.

Our Vision: To be the leading provider of enrichment-based care that parents trust and
children love attending every day.

Our Culture: We believe in a culture of respect, diversity, and continuous improvement for
both our staff and students.

The culture of our program is defined by the "Scholar Mindset." We encourage students to take initiative, respect their peers, and participate actively in all scheduled events. By maintaining a professional yet warm atmosphere, we ensure that every participant feels valued and challenged. We continuously invest in our resources and facilities to ensure that our environment remains modern, safe, and conducive to the various developmental needs of our students.

Be Elite Academy operates in compliance with all New Mexico ECECD licensing regulations.

Location:
Las Cruces Catholic School
1331 N. Miranda St, Las Cruces. NM 88005

Age Groups Served:
Children age 3 through 13 years old.

Hours of Operation:
School Year (After Care Program): Monday through Friday, approximately 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM and 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Summer Program: Monday through Friday, approximately 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Program Activities:
Daily programming includes a variety of supervised activities designed to support children’s development and engagement, including:
• Homework support and quiet study time
• Outdoor recreation and organized sports
• Arts and crafts activities
• STEM and enrichment projects
• Team-building and cooperative games
• Reading and educational enrichment
• Free play and supervised social interaction

Activities are designed to encourage physical health, creativity, teamwork, and positive peer relationships.

Facility

The program operates within the facilities of Las Cruces Catholic School. Classrooms, playground areas, and other designated spaces will be used to support both indoor and outdoor program activities. The facility provides appropriate safety features including emergency exits, restroom facilities, and designated play areas.

Enrollment

Enrollment is open to children attending Las Cruces Catholic School as well as other eligible families in the community. The program may accept children whose families participate in the New Mexico Child Care Assistance Program.

A. Staff Qualifications
Our educators and counselors are the backbone of our program. We employ a rigorous selection process to ensure that every team member possesses the necessary educational background and passion for child development. Lead counselors are required to have a minimum of an associate’s degree in education or a related field, or at least three years of experience in organized youth programming. This ensures that our staff can provide more than just supervision; they provide mentorship and instructional support.

B. Screening and Background Checks
To maintain a secure environment, all employees must pass a multi-tiered background check process before their first day of work. This includes federal and state criminal history reports, sex offender registry checks, and child abuse clearances. Furthermore, staff members undergo annual training in CPR and First Aid, as well as specialized training in mandatory reporting and behavioral management. We believe that professional standards are essential for maintaining parent confidence and child safety.

Maintaining a safe and respectful environment is a shared responsibility between students,
parents, and staff. We expect all participants to adhere to a code of conduct that promotes kindness and mutual respect. Bullying, physical aggression, or disrespectful language towards peers or authority figures will not be tolerated. We strive to model positive behavior and expect the same from everyone who enters our facility.

Student Responsibilities: Students are expected to follow instructions, respect program property, and use kind words when interacting with others during activities.

Parent Responsibilities: Parents are expected to communicate respectfully with staff, adhere to program hours, and support the disciplinary policies outlined in this handbook.

Our staff members are held to high professional standards and are expected to interact with families with transparency and integrity. Any concerns regarding staff behavior should be directed to the Program Director immediately. Conversely, we expect parents to refrain from approaching other children in the program regarding behavioral issues; all concerns must be channeled through the official administrative staff to ensure a fair and supervised resolution.

Be Elite Academy’s tuition rates are structured to support high-quality staffing, enrichment materials, and facility maintenance. We offer various enrollment options to accommodate the needs of working families, including a full-time summer program, with before and after camp care, as well as part-time out of school-care during the school year. Child Care assistance – We accept NM Child Care Assistance.

We are pleased to offer a multi-child discount of 10% for the second and subsequent children from the same household. Tuition for summer camp is due on or before the start of each weekly summer camp dates. This does not apply for those who have NM Child Care Assistance. Please note that credit for missed days due to illness or personal vacation is not provided, as our staffing and overhead costs remain constant. Consistent failure to meet payment deadlines may result in the suspension of services for your child.

Operational consistency is vital for working parents. Our out-of-school-care program follows the local school district calendar, and our summer camp operates for 6 consecutive weeks during the summer break. We provide clear schedules for drop-off and pick-up to ensure a safe transition for students and to maintain our staff-to-child ratios throughout the day.

A. Illness and Medication
To protect the health of all students, children must be free from fever, vomiting, or diarrhea for 24 hours without the use of medication before returning to the program. If a child becomes ill during program hours, a parent or guardian will be notified and must pick up the child within one hour. Any medications to be administered on-site must be in their original packaging, accompanied by a signed physician's authorization form and a parent consent waiver.

B. Security and Emergency Protocols
The safety of our facility is managed through restricted access entry and a strict authorized pick-up list. No child will be released to an individual not listed on the enrollment form without prior written consent and a valid photo ID. We conduct monthly fire drills and quarterly "secure-in-place" exercises to ensure students and staff are prepared for emergencies. Our facility is also equipped with continuous video surveillance in all common areas to monitor program activity and enhance overall security.

Our approach to discipline is rooted in positive reinforcement and redirection. We believe that most behavioral challenges can be resolved by engaging the child in a different activity or discussing the impact of their actions. However, when behavior becomes a safety concern or consistently disrupts the program, we follow a structured disciplinary process to ensure fairness and clarity for both the student and the parents.

Step 1: Verbal Warning and Redirection: The student is given a clear explanation of why the behavior is inappropriate and is helped to find a positive alternative.
• Step 2: Parent Notification: If the behavior persists, a formal incident report is written, and a parent meeting is scheduled to discuss strategies for improvement.
• Step 3: Suspension or Dismissal: For severe incidents involving physical harm or repeated defiance, the program reserves the right to suspend or permanently
dismiss the student.

We aim to work collaboratively with families to support students who may be struggling with social or emotional transitions. Our staff is trained to document incidents objectively and to communicate with parents early before issues escalate. Our ultimate priority is maintaining a safe and productive environment for all participants, and we appreciate your support in reinforcing these expectations at home.