Merit Quest Academy (“we,” “our,” or “the Academy”) values your trust and is committed to safeguarding the privacy and personal information of our students, educators, parents/guardians, and visitors. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose, and protect your personal data when you visit or use our website at https://meritquestacademy.com (the “Site”) or utilize any of our educational services (the “Services”).

1. Information We Collect

We collect various categories of personal and sensitive information directly from users, automatically via our platform, and through third-party integrations for the purpose of delivering high-quality educational services.

A. Information Provided by Students

• Full legal name.

• Date of birth.

• Contact details (email address, phone number, home address).

• Username, passwords, and account credentials.

• Profile photo or uploaded video.

• School level and grade level

• Enrollment status and class assignments.

• Grades, transcripts, test results, and attendance records.

• Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and special accommodations.

• Disciplinary history, if applicable.

• Feedback, assignments, and messages sent through the platform.

• Images, audio, or video recordings used for academic purposes.

B. Information Provided by Teachers

• Full name and contact information.

• Teaching certifications and qualifications.

• Assigned class rosters and lesson plans

• Curriculum and instructional materials.

• Performance evaluations and feedback.

• Communication with students, parents, or staff.

C. Financial Information

We may collect payment-related data through third-party processors:

• Billing name and address

• Payment history

• Financial aid status (if applicable).

Note: We do not directly store credit card numbers or bank account details. All financial transactions are processed securely by third-party services (e.g., Stripe, PayPal, WeChat Pay).

D. Automatically Collected Information

When users access the platform, we may collect:

• IP address and geolocation (via mobile apps or browsers)

• Device identifiers, browser type/version, and operating system

• Session data (login times, clicks, user preferences)

• Cookies and analytics data (see Section 8)

E. Content and Communications

We may collect and store:

• Messages exchanged between users (e.g., forum posts, chat logs)

• Uploaded documents, images, or video content

• Feedback submitted via surveys or forms

F. Consent and Legal Documents

• Signed parental consent forms

• Terms of Service or Privacy Policy acknowledgment

• Custodial or guardianship documents (if required)

2. How We Use Your Information

We process your information to provide you with a safe, personalized, and effective learning environment. Specifically, we use your information to:

• Provide and manage educational content and services tailored to your grade level and progress

• Monitor and evaluate academic performance and compliance with school standards

• Enable communication between students, teachers, and parents/guardians

• Support learning accommodations, IEPs, or other specialized education needs

• Maintain user accounts and security, including login credentials and password resets

• Conduct academic research, where appropriate, using anonymized or aggregated data

• Comply with legal obligations, including child safety, education reporting, and data protection laws

• Process tuition payments through secure third-party platforms

• Manage support requests and user inquiries

We do not use your information for advertising, unsolicited marketing, or sales promotions.

3. Children’s Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

As an educational platform serving minors, we strictly adhere to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and other applicable privacy laws.

• Parental Consent: We obtain verifiable parental or guardian consent before collecting personal information from children under 13 years of age.

• Review and Deletion: Parents may review or request deletion of their child’s personal information at any time.

• Access Restrictions: Children under 13 cannot create accounts or submit information without verified parental permission.

To manage your child’s data, contact us at: admin@meritquestacademy.com

4. Data Sharing and Third-Party Services

Merit Quest Academy does not sell, rent, or otherwise share user data with third parties for commercial marketing purposes.

We may share user information with:

• Authorized teaching staff, who are granted access only to the student data necessary for their instruction

• Third-party payment processors, solely for the purpose of tuition and fee processing

• Educational research partners, under strict anonymization protocols and only with explicit consent for publication

• Legal and regulatory authorities, if required by law or court order

We require all third-party service providers to agree to strict data protection standards.

5. Data Storage and Security

All personal information is stored on secure servers located in the United States and managed by Merit Quest Academy.

To protect your data, we implement the following safeguards:

• SSL encryption on all data transmissions

• Firewall protection and real-time server monitoring

• Access restrictions, ensuring only authorized personnel can view or modify personal data

• Encryption at rest for sensitive user data

• Routine backups to prevent data loss

• Regular security assessments and audits

6. Data Retention and Deletion

User data is retained for two (2) years after a user has left the platform, unless a longer period is required by law. Upon request, users may request:

• Permanent deletion of their account and associated data

• Opt-out from data use in educational research

Users may delete their own profiles via the dashboard, or contact support at admin@meritquestacademy.com for assistance. Where data deletion is scheduled but the user account remains active, we will notify the affected user in advance.

7. Your Rights and Choices

As a user, you have the following rights:

• Access: Request access to your personal data held by the Academy

• Correction: Update inaccurate or incomplete information

• Deletion: Request the deletion of your data

• Withdraw Consent: Decline or revoke participation in data-related studies

• Receive Notice: Be informed about material updates to this Privacy Policy

To exercise any of these rights, please email admin@meritquestacademy.com

8. Use of Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies to enhance user experience and ensure platform functionality. These include:

• Essential cookies: For login, navigation, and security

• Functional cookies: For storing language preferences and session progress

• Analytics cookies: For monitoring usage trends (non-personalized)

We do not use cookies for personalized advertising.

9. International Users and Data Transfers

If you are accessing our Services from outside the United States, including the European Union or China, please be aware that your data will be transferred to and stored in the United States.

By using our website and providing information, you consent to this transfer and processing in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

10. Links to External Sites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, tools, or educational platforms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those external sites. We encourage users to review the privacy policies of any site they visit via external links from our platform.

11. Policy Updates and Notification

We reserve the right to update or amend this Privacy Policy at any time. Users will be notified of significant changes via:

• Prominent notices on our website

• Email alerts to registered users (if applicable)

The updated version will take effect as soon as it is published online.

12. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact:

Privacy Officer
Merit Quest Academy

3400 Cottage Way, Ste G2, Sacramento, CA 95825
Email: admin@meritquestacademy.com

Phone: +1 205-239-6162; +86 150 1306 5418