frequently-asked questions
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2023-2024 Lottery Waiting Lists: Grade K | Grade 1 | Grade 2 | Grade 3 | Grade 4 | Grade 5
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Apply for the 2023-2024 School Year
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What is a charter school?
Charter schools are innovative tuition-free public schools of choice designed to deliver programs tailored to the needs of the communities they serve, and held accountable for student results. Most charter schools in Texas are funded directly by the state on a per-student basis.
How are charter schools different from traditional public schools?
Charter schools are independently-operated public schools with unique educational programs that provide additional choices for parents within the public education system. Parents and students can choose to attend charter schools if they feel the school is a good fit for their educational needs.
How are students selected for admission to the school?
All students eligible to attend public school within our Geographic Boundary (Allen ISD, Aubrey ISD, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, Celina ISD, Dallas ISD, Denton ISD, Frisco ISD, Garland ISD, Lewisville ISD, Little Elm ISD, McKinney ISD, Plano ISD, Prosper ISD, Richardson ISD, and Wylie ISD) may apply to be admitted to the school between January 10 - March 15 of each year. Application forms are available on our website. If we receive more applications than we have space available for at any grade level, all applicants for each oversubscribed grade level will be entered into a random lottery process to determine admission. Students must be 5 years old by September 1st in order to be admitted to Kindergarten. Students with a documented history of any criminal offense, juvenile court adjudication, or disciplinary problems under TEC Chapter 37, Subchapter A, resulting in suspension, expulsion, or removal to an alternative education program will not be admitted to the school, per the school's charter with the state of Texas.
Will siblings receive preferential admission?
Once a student is admitted to the school, his/her siblings will be placed on a sibling waiting list for admission to the school, if there is space available.
How does the lottery process work?
Names are drawn for placement on a waiting list through a random lottery process for each grade level. As openings become available in each grade level, we contact families in order of the names drawn. If a student that has been admitted to the school cannot attend for any reason, we will contact the next student in line from the waiting list until each student spot has been filled.
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What are your class sizes?
Approximately 25 students per class (~20 students per class in Kindergarten).
Are your teachers state-certified?
All teachers are highly qualified to teach in Texas charter schools, which means they have a Bachelor's degree and have passed the state certification exam for their content area, as well as ESL state certification.
Do students have to take state testing?
Yes, as a public charter school, all students will have to participate in the annual state-mandated STAAR examinations.
What additional standardized testing is given?
We utilize the computer-adaptive STAR Renaissance assessment, which is administered three times a year to help us evaluate student progress.
Do you provide special education services?
Yes, we provide Special Education, 504, and Dyslexia services to our students.
Is a separate program offered for students identified as Gifted/Talented?
As our school will be implementing an internationally-recognized program of education frequently used to serve the needs of G/T students, we do not offer a separate program for students identified as gifted/talented, since the instructional strategies and methods used are considered to be best practices in education.
Is your school authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization?
Yes! Imagine Lone Star International Academy received full authorization from the International Baccalaureate Organization to offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme for students in grades K-5 in the spring of 2022.
What subjects are offered as part of the school curriculum for the Primary Years (Grades K-5)?
In grades K-5, students receive instruction in Language A (English), Language B (Spanish or Hebrew), Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Arts, and Physical/Social/Personal Education.
What foreign language do you offer and in which grades?
Spanish and Hebrew is offered beginning in Kindergarten through Grade 5.
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What can students expect from the school with regards to student behavior?
The school has a strict Code of Conduct, and students violating the Code of Conduct will be subject to suspension and/or expulsion. As a school of choice, students should choose to come prepared daily to participate respectfully in an environment with high expectations of them.
This requires a strong commitment to academics on the part of each student, including:
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a willingness to work hard and develop personal study habits, such as self-discipline, time management, and self-motivation
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being challenged by teachers to think critically and develop inquiry skills
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a commitment to learning and participating in an environment with high behavioral expectations
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an interest in developing skills in a second language
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an international outlook with genuine concern for others
Does the school provide transportation?
No, we do not provide transportation to the school.
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