Our commitment to your child's well-being is at the very core of who we are. We believe in nurturing every aspect of their growth – mind, body, and spirit – through a truly wholistic approach. This commitment extends to how we understand and navigate health, including the important topic of childhood immunizations.

First and foremost, it's essential for all families to understand the legal landscape.

In the state of Missouri, all students attending both public and private schools are required by state law to be immunized or have record of exemption. This is a mandate from the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to protect public health. As a recognized educational institution, Heartstone Academy is legally bound to comply with these regulations. We are required to maintain immunization records for all enrolled students.

While we fulfill our legal obligations, our personal convictions as natural health providers, parents, and educators, we emphasize a more integrated view of health. We believe in empowering the body's innate ability to thrive when provided with optimal conditions – through foundational nutrition, healthy movement, minimal chemical burden, and a robust, resilient spirit.

Our health philosophy is centered on supporting a child's overall vitality and immune system through their lifestyle and diet. We support the immune system when it needs it, calm it down when it creates too much damage, and prepare in advance for upcoming exposures. This is, however, a matter of choice, and we encourage you to make an educated one.

When making an educated decision, it is important to understand the implications from a variety of difference sources. It is not difficult to find sources that will encourage you to vaccinate, but the opposing argument is not so simply laid out. As a beginning resource, we recommend looking to the Children’s Health Defense website and progress toward reading the actual research articles to confirm.

For parents who, after careful consideration choose not to vaccinate, Missouri law does provide pathways for exemption.

The three main types of exemptions recognized by Missouri law are:

Medical Exemption: This applies if a licensed physician determines that a specific immunization is medically contraindicated for your child. A written statement from the physician is required.

‍Religious Exemption: This applies if a parent or guardian has a religious belief that is contrary to immunization. A written objection is required.

‍Parent/Guardian Exemption: This applies if a parent or guardian generally objects to immunization. This applies only for non-school age children (daycare & preschool). A written objection is required.

For a comprehensive understanding of these exemption options and to access the official forms and detailed guidance, we highly recommend visiting the Informed Health Choice Missouri (IHCM) dedicated page on Missouri exemptions. They provide valuable resources to help families navigate this process.

Heartstone Academy honors parental choice and strives to provide atransparent environment where families can make informed decisions that alignwith their beliefs and needs.