Merit Quest Academy
Effective Date: [Insert Date]

This Parental Consent Form (“Consent”) is provided by Merit Quest Academy (“we,” “us,” “our,” or “the Academy”) to the parent or legal guardian (“you”) of a minor child (“Student”) who wishes to enroll in and use our online educational services and website at https://meritquestacademy.com (the “Site”).

We are required under U.S. federal and state laws, including the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), to obtain your explicit consent to collect, use, and store your child’s personal information and media content.

1. Information We May Collect

By signing this Consent Form, you authorize Merit Quest Academy to collect the following categories of information from your child:

• Full name, email address, phone number, home address

• Date of birth, school level, class assignments, and academic progress

• Grades, attendance, assignments, and test results

• Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and accommodations (if applicable)

• Profile photo or video, voice recordings, and participation in class recordings

• Uploaded content, forum/chat messages, and survey responses

• Technical information (IP address, device ID, cookies, usage analytics)

• Payment-related information processed through third-party platforms (e.g., Stripe, PayPal, WeChat Pay)

2. How the Information Will Be Used

Your child’s information will be used solely for educational purposes, including:

• Enrolling in classes and managing academic progress

• Communicating with teachers, peers, and staff

• Delivering personalized learning content and accommodations

• Conducting academic assessments, grading, and reporting

• Improving our educational programs through research (with data anonymization)

• Ensuring platform functionality and user security

Your child’s data will not be sold or shared with advertisers or used for any commercial purposes.

3. Consent to Media Use

You grant permission for:

• Your child to appear in class recordings for internal educational use;

• Your child’s photo, video, or voice (if captured during online learning) to be used in class materials, internal presentations, or for research purposes;

• Merit Quest Academy to publish anonymized and aggregated student data in academic research journals or reports related to education, edtech, or pedagogy.

If you wish to opt out of media use, you may notify us in writing at admin@meritquestacademy.com

4. Data Storage and Security

All personal data will be:

• Stored on secure servers located in the United States;

• Protected using industry-standard security protocols (e.g., SSL encryption, firewalls, access controls);

• Retained for a maximum of two (2) years after the child exits the program, unless longer retention is required by law;

• Deleted or anonymized upon request, unless otherwise prohibited by legal obligations.

You may request access to your child’s data, request corrections, or request deletion at any time.

5. Your Rights

As a parent or legal guardian, you have the right to:

• Review all personal data collected from your child;

• Withdraw your consent at any time and request data deletion;

• Decline participation in any research-related activities involving your child’s information or media;

• Be notified in the event of a data breach affecting your child’s personal data;

• Opt out of any new uses of your child’s data not previously covered by this form.

6. Contact Information

If you have any questions about this Consent Form or wish to make a request regarding your child’s data or privacy rights, 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

7. Acknowledgment and Signature

By signing below, you confirm that you:

• Are the parent or legal guardian of the named student;

• Have read and understood the terms of this Parental Consent Form;

• Grant Merit Quest Academy permission to collect, use, and manage your child’s data as described above.

Student Name: ____________________________________
Date of Birth: ____________________________________

Parent/Guardian Name: _____________________________
Relationship to Student: ____________________________

Signature: _______________________________________
Date: ___________________________________________