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Meet LISA Academy

 
Who is LISA Academy? 
 
Tuition-free, STEM-focused, College Prep, K-12 Charter Schools
 
Since 2004, LISA Academy has earned the reputation of providing a distinct, high-quality education to students across Arkansas. LISA Academy is a tuition-free public charter school with a comprehensive college preparatory program focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. All LISA Academy schools have been accredited by the Arkansas Department of Elementary and Secondary Education since opening.
 
mission vision pillars
 
Mission
The mission of LISA Academy is to provide an academically rigorous college preparatory program, in partnership with students, families, and the community, and guide all students in gaining knowledge, skills, and the attitude necessary to direct their lives, improve a diverse society, and excel in a changing world by providing dynamic, resource-rich learning environments.
 
Vision
Our vision is to prepare students to succeed in education and in the workplace of their choice, while encouraging and providing pathways for students to enter STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics careers. This student-focused approach will lead to students becoming productive and responsible citizens and even Nobel Laureates.
 
The Four Pillars of LISA Academy
LISA is an abbreviation of "Little Scholars of Arkansas" but also stands for the four pillars of our district: Learn, Innovate, Support, Achieve.
  •  LEARN - Learning will engage all students in a personalized environment and will embrace diversity.
  • INNOVATE - Innovative approaches that encourage creativity, including project-based learning, blended learning, and 21st century skills, will allow staff and students to be pioneers in leading STEM-focused education in the state.
  • SUPPORT - Support for all students, staff, and the community will involve a safe and caring learning environment, engaged families, and collaboration with other schools and community organizations.
  • ACHIEVE - Achievement will be realized through student success, state and national level recognition, competitions, community involvement, and students achieving their highest potential as individuals and teams in areas including STEM, sports, arts, and languages.
High-performing, award-winning schools
  • #1 Little Rock Area High Schools (US News, 2022)
  • #4 Arkansas High Schools (US News, 2022)
  • #2 in Best School Districts in Pulaski County (Niche, 2022)
  • #1 Most Diverse School District in Arkansas (Niche, 2022)
  • 95%+ Graduation rate
  • 90%+ College Acceptance rate
 
Excellent school quality
  • Small, safe school environment
  • Caring faculty and staff
  • College preparatory program
  • Reliable and Experienced school district
  • Serving students across Arkansas since 2004
  • District received longest charter renewal (13 years) in Arkansas history
 
Embracing Diversity
  • Named "Most Diverse School District" in Arkansas (Niche, 2021-22)
  • 64% Free and reduced lunch participation
  • 80% minority enrollment
  • 35+ languages spoken by LISA families
  • Host of annual district-wide language and culture festival
 
Emphasis on family involvement and extracurricular engagement
  • LISA Academy is committed to teaming with our students' families in support and encouragement through regular communication, home visits (200+ visits in the last year), conferencing, and programming, as well as an open-door policy. 
  • LISA students engage in over 880+ hours of volunteer work each year. Every campus also offers a wide range of high school athletic teams, esports teams, fine arts courses, and after-school clubs such as Girls on the Run, Robotics, language clubs, and competitive Math and Science clubs.
 
Leaders in STEM education
  • 1st in 2022 State Science Quiz Bowl
  • 27 CARSEF and NWARSEF Winners
  • 1st in All-Region Coding Competition
  • 1 Governor's Distinguished Scholarship Recipient
  • 1st MATHCOUNTS State Competition
  • 4 Engineering Olympics Gold Metals
  • 16 Governor's School Participants
  • 10 Broadcom Masters Nominees
  • 17 ACTM Regional Winners
  • 28 Students received Seals of Biliteracy
 
History
  • 2004: LISA Academy opened as 6-8th grade middle school with 300 students
  • August 2008: LISA North opened
  • 2014: LISA North and LISA West merged to become one district
  • 2016: LISA Academy district received a 13-year charter renewal, the longest granted to any school in the state
  • August 2019: LISA Springdale campus opens after merger with OMA to serve 230 students K-8 in NWA
  • Fall 2021: LISA Academy Arkansas Hybrid School opens
  • Fall 2022: LISA Rogers-Bentonville campus opens
  • Fall 2023: LISA Fayetteville campus opens
  • Coming Fall 2025: LISA Rogers-Bentonville secondary campus to open
  • Coming Fall 2027: LISA Fayetteville-Springdale secondary campus to open
Four Pillars of LISA: Learn, Innovate, Support, Achieve
 
Learn: All students will learn effective educational practices
Innovate: LISA seeks to be on the forefront of education, implementing cutting-edge educational practices
Support: With the support triad of teachers, students, and parents, we can work as a team to help students succeed
Achieve: Effective practices, interventions, and family support allows student to achieve academically
 
4S Leadership model:
The leadership of LISA Academy adhere to the 4-S model of leadership: Serve, Supervise, Support and Succeed. The faculty and staff at LISA Academy diligently work to mold responsive, productive, and civic-minded individuals. LISA educators use a "hands-on approach" with attention placed on the details. The LISA faculty and staff have the profound privilege of inspiring our students to follow their dreams while making the world a better place for themselves and others.
At LISA Academy, we embrace the future by embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Through the outpouring of our #LISAlistens campaign, we formed the LISA Academy DEI committee.
 
Some of the topics of focus for the committee have included:
- Recruitment and retention of a diverse staff that more closely represents our current student body
- Diverse representation of students and staff at conferences, competitions, and events
- Review of the academic outcomes of diverse populations, student health index and student menus to improve the diverse student experience, and School Nurse services to better serve our diverse community
- Increased equity in policy, practice, and perspective
- Inclusion via power, voice, and organizational culture
 
We look forward to continuing this important work as individuals and as a district. If you would like to learn more about LISA Listens or our work in the areas of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion please contact our district office at 501-916-9450. 

LISA Academy is an open-enrollment public charter school, meaning our schools are:

  • Tuition-free: families do not pay admission to attend
  • Open Enrollment: any school-aged student residing in the state of Arkansas (regardless of what school zone or district you live in) can apply
  • Enrolled by lottery: Available seats are entered into a blind, random enrollment lottery that takes place each Spring
 

How to Apply

Applications may be submitted online at https://apply.lisaacademy.org . LISA Academy follows the following admission process according to applicable LISA admission and enrollment policies. LISA Academy requires applicants to submit a complete application form in order to be considered for admission. A lottery is to be conducted if the number of applicants exceeds the maximum enrollment and a waiting list is developed. As space becomes available, applicants will be called from the waiting list beginning with applicants with the lowest number assignment.

Lottery Procedures and Date when a grade or class is oversubscribed: A lottery is to be conducted if the number of applicants exceeds the maximum enrollment. The lottery shall take place within fifteen days after the closing date of the application period. The lottery will be conducted via lottery selection software. The principal or designee of each campus will conduct the computerized lottery. This ensures that the winner list and the waiting list are selected randomly.

Development of a Waiting List: The lottery will be paused momentarily after the computerized lottery fills all available seats allowed by the enrollment cap. The drawing will then continue, and the randomly-selected numbers will be used to create a waiting list. As space becomes available, applicants will be called from the waiting list beginning with applicants with the lowest number assignment.

Admission Process of Returning Students: Returning students (students who currently attend the school and intend to return the next school year) are given priority in admission if they notify the school of their intent to return for the next school year by the published re-enrollment deadline.

Siblings Policy and Children of the School's Founders and Employees: Siblings of returning students currently enrolled at a LISA campus who apply by the published application deadline are given priority in the lottery and, space permitting will be offered enrollment. For this policy, "sibling" shall mean a biological or legally adopted brother or sister residing in the same household as the applicant. Cousins, nieces, nephews and unrelated children sharing an address with the applicant are not siblings. Sibling enrollment is dependent on available space and does not guarantee enrollment of each listed sibling. Children of the school's founders, teachers, and staff (so long as the total number of students allowed constitutes only a small percentage of the total enrollment) are exempt from lottery requirements, as permitted by federal guidance on the Charter Schools Program.

Applications that are submitted outside of the designated application period: If a student applies to the school outside of the designated application period, the student will be placed on a waiting list in the order of the date in which the application is received.

Students with documented histories of a criminal offense and/or misconduct: Students who have a documented history of a criminal offense or juvenile court adjudication will be excluded from enrollment. Students who have been expelled from other schools or districts may not enroll in the LISA Academy.

Documents and Information Applicants are Required to Provide: Applicants must submit a completed application form in order to be considered for admission. The application form must be digitally signed and dated by the parent(s) and must include all required information.

Applicants are not required to provide a transcript or other academic records until after they are offered admission.

Upon submitting all required information and documents for registration, we begin the process of welcoming you into our campus family:

  • Family Orientation: Learn what to expect as a LISA Academy parent/guardian for your student to succeed
  • Check-In Days: Pick up your uniforms, select your courses, meet your teachers
  • The fun begins! Start your adventure as a member of the LISA family on the first day of school!
 
Non-discrimination Statement as Part of the School's Admission Policy
It is the policy of LISA not to discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, or disability in its programs, services, or activities as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, please contact Section 504/ADA Coordinator at (501) 916-9450 located at 10825 Financial Centre Pkwy. Suite 360, Little Rock, AR 72211.
LISA Academy serves over 4,300 students in 11 schools across 9 campuses throughout Arkansas:
 
  • LISA West High School (9-12th grades) 6711 W Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205
  • LISA West Middle School (6-8th grades) 23 Corporate Hill Dr., Little Rock, AR 72205
  • LISA West Elementary (K-5th grades) 12200 Westhaven Dr., Little Rock, AR 72211
  • LISA North Middle-High (6-12th grades) 1 LISA Academy Way, North Little Rock, AR 72117
  • LISA North Elementary (K-5th grades) 5410 Landers Rd., Sherwood, AR 72117
  • LISA Springdale (K-8th grades) 301 Holcomb St., Springdale, AR 72764
  • LISA Rogers-Bentonville (K-8th grades) 590 S. Horsebarn Rd., Rogers, AR 72758
  • LISA Fayetteville (K-5th grades) 1166 W. Van Asche, Fayetteville, AR 72705
  • LISA Academy Arkansas Hybrid School (K-12th grades) with 2 Satellite Campus Learning Centers:
    • Little Rock - 21 Corporate Hill Dr. Little Rock, AR 7220
    • Rogers-Bentonville - 590 S. Horsebarn Rd, Rogers, AR 72758

 

Applications for the 2023-24 school year will be available as of November 1st, 2022 at apply.lisaacdemy.org. For more information regarding admissions and applications, please see the links below and the "Admissions and enrollment" drop-down tab on the side of this page.