Privacy Policy

AZ Rush Education Sports Academies
Effective Date: June 1, 2025

Applies To: All students, parents/guardians, employees, contractors, volunteers, and visitors of AZ Rush Education Sports Academies dba NEWS Point Academy (“the Academy”).

1/ Purpose of This Policy
AZ Rush Education Sports Academies (“the Academy”) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of student, family, and employee information. This Privacy Policy explains how the Academy collects, uses, stores, and shares personal information in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, including:

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act)
CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act)
Arizona public records and charter school regulations

2/ Information We Collect
The Academy collects only the information necessary to operate a safe, effective, and legally compliant educational environment.

2.1/ Student Information

Name, date of birth, address, and contact information
Enrollment and attendance records
Academic records, grades, transcripts, and assessments
Health and emergency information required for school operations
Special education or 504 information (if applicable)
Athletic participation records
Technology usage logs (school‑issued devices or networks)
Photos, video, or audio recordings for educational or school‑related purposes

2.2/ Parent/Guardian Information

Contact information
Emergency contacts
Enrollment and consent forms
Communications with the school

2.3/ Employee and Volunteer Information

Employment records
Background checks (as required by law)
Training and compliance documentation

2.4/ Website and Technology Data
When using school‑managed websites, apps, or devices, the Academy may collect:

IP addresses
Device identifiers
Browser or usage data
Learning‑platform activity
Security and access logs

3/ How We Use Information
Information is used solely for educational, operational, and safety purposes, including:

Enrollment and student record management
Instruction, assessment, and academic support
Athletic program administration
Communication with families
Health, safety, and emergency response
Compliance with state and federal reporting requirements
Technology services and cybersecurity
School improvement and program evaluation
The Academy does not sell personal information or use it for commercial advertising.

4/ How We Share Information
The Academy shares information only when permitted or required by law.

4.1/ Permitted Disclosures

Parents/guardians of the student
School officials with a legitimate educational interest
Contracted service providers (e.g., student information systems, learning platforms) who are bound by confidentiality agreements
State and federal education agencies for reporting and compliance
Health or safety officials in emergencies
Athletic associations for eligibility and participation
Law enforcement, when legally required

4.2/ Directory Information
The Academy may designate certain information as “directory information” (e.g., name, grade level, participation in activities, awards).

Parents/guardians may opt out of directory information release by submitting a written request.

5/ Student Data and Technology Use
The Academy complies with CIPA and COPPA and uses filtering, monitoring, and security tools to protect students online.

Student data is used only for educational purposes.
Online tools used by the Academy must meet privacy and security standards.
Students may not use personal devices on campus except under approved, case‑by‑case exceptions.
School‑issued devices and networks may be monitored for safety, security, and compliance with the Acceptable Use Policy.

6/ Data Security
The Academy uses administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information, including:

Secure student information systems
Access controls and authentication
Staff training on data privacy
Encryption where appropriate
Incident‑response procedures for data breaches
No system can guarantee perfect security, but the Academy takes reasonable steps to protect all data.

7/ Data Retention and Destruction
Records are retained according to:

Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records retention schedules
Federal and state education laws
When records are no longer required, they are securely destroyed.

8/ Parent and Student Rights (FERPA)
Parents/guardians and eligible students (age 18+) have the right to:

Inspect and review education records
Request corrections to inaccurate records
Provide or withhold consent for disclosure (except where permitted by law)
File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education for violations
Requests to review or amend records must be submitted in writing to the school administration.

9/ Third‑Party Service Providers
The Academy partners with educational technology providers who must:

Use data only for school‑authorized purposes
Maintain confidentiality and security
Comply with FERPA, COPPA, and applicable laws
Delete data upon request or contract termination
The Academy does not partner with vendors who sell or monetize student data.

10/ Public Records
As a public charter school, certain records may be subject to Arizona public records laws.

Student education records protected by FERPA are not public records and will not be disclosed.

11/ Changes to This Policy
The Academy may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in law, technology, or school operations.

Revisions will be posted on the school website and communicated to families.

12/ Contact Information
Questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy may be directed to:

AZ Rush Education Sports Academies / NEWS Point Academy
6321 S Ellsworth Rd Field House C
(480) 986-4321
mlarson@rusheducation.org