LISA Academy/

Ozark Montessori

Partnership Proposal

LISA Academy Video

Arkansas STEM Festival Video

It is the mission of LISA Academy to an academically rigorous

college preparatory program, in partnership with students, families, and

the community, and to all students in gaining knowledge, skills,

and the attitude necessary to direct their lives a diverse

society, and in a changing world by providing dynamic, resource-

rich learning environments.

Our Mission and Pillars

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Why STEM Education Matters

Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are where the jobs are.

STEM workers can expect higher salaries.

The United States is failing to produce enough skilled STEM workers.

The United States is fast losing its competitive edge.

American students aren’t keeping up with students in

other countries in math and science.

The decline in STEM knowledge capital is reducing

the basic scientific research that leads to growth.

American STEM shortcomings mean crucial research and development

that pushes the frontiers of innovation is waning.

Other nations are racing to establish dominance in math and science.

The STEM gap is costing Americans jobs and money.

-excerpted from a publication by the National Math+Science Initiative

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Why College Prep Matters

Current Structure Currently, LISA Academy serves 2100 K-12 students on both sides of the Arkansas River in Central Arkansas.

In West Little Rock, there are three buildings. The Sherwood campus currently has one building for K-12. Approval has been given for a new building for LISA North middle and high school to open in 2019-2020 and the cap has increased to 2700.

LISA North

K-12

Pop: 820

LISA West

MS 7-8

Pop: 350

LISA West

HS 9-12

Pop: 450 LISA

Chenal K-6

Pop: 600

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What makes LISA Academy

successful?

Planning Academic Success for all

students

Embracing Diversity

Preparing all students for College and

Career

Embedding STEM

Involving Parents

Collaborating with others

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Academic Performance

On the 2017 ACT Aspire scores,

LISA Academy out-performed the State and other local districts in Central Arkansas.

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9 LISA North High School had the highest growth in the state of Arkansas

LISA: Beyond the Classroom •Science Fair Participation

•Academic Competition Teams

•Athletics

•Music

•Other Extracurricular Programs

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Diversity at LISA Academy LISA Academy has steadily increased low income and minority

student populations each year since its inception.

In fact, LISA Academy has been recognized as the most racially diverse school in the State of Arkansas (Public School

Review, 2016).

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College and Career Preparation

• 95% or more College Acceptance

Rate.

• 100% Graduation Rate.

• U.S. News recognized LISA North

and LISA West High Schools as the

#3 and #7 Best High Schools in

Arkansas for 2017.

• The Washington Post recognized

LISA North and LISA West High Schools as #2 and #4 in Arkansas

among America’s Most

Challenging High Schools for 2017

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STEM Exploration • Learning Blade- STEM career exploration on-

line program used in Career Orientation and

Science classes.

• Girls of Promise Coding Summit.

• PLTW Launch-used in elementary.

• Space Camp –annual elementary trip.

• Science Fair Projects – all middle school

students participate each year

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• STEM Festival – host annual event for entire

state. Students prepare & demonstrate

projects.

STEM Festival

• LISA Academy & UALR initiated in 2015. • 2017- LISA welcomed more than 2,000 public school students from

across the state. • 4th annual STEM Festival was held on March 9, 2018, with over 2,000

students in attendance from across the state. • The 5th Annual Arkansas STEM Festival will be held on March 8, 2019.

www.arstem.org

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LISA Solar Car Debut

May 31, 2018

• The LISA Academy Solar Car Team publicly

introduced Jig-Jag, their newly engineered solar

car. Governor Asa Hutchinson attended the

ceremony to take part in an honorary test drive in

the car; and help cut the ribbon that signifies the

future of STEM at LISA Academy and the state of

Arkansas. This project has took over a year to

complete. The LISA Jig-Jag team competed in

the Solar Car Challenge where students drove

from Texas to California in July 2018.

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Parental Involvement

Home Visits

Family Activities, including:

Doughnuts with Dads, Muffins

with Moms, and Cookies with

Grandparents, Pot-Lucks

Thanksgiving Dinner with

Intervention Students/Families

Watch D.O.G.S

Parent-Teacher Communication

Weekly newsletter

Open-Door Policy

PTO

Homeroom Picnics

Open Houses

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Teamwork between families and school is

crucial for student success:

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Collaboration and Sharing Best

Practices

Visiting teachers from Helena-West

Helena Schools

5th Grade Math Tournament- Dec. 2, 2017

Over 800 attendees from across the state

LISA Academy has

been a part of a

pilot of the

Arkansas Circles

program to help

special education

students develop

personal plans for

transition to higher

education and/or

career services.

Visiting staff and Superintendent from NLRSD

LISA Academy provided a

Conference for Arkansas

Educators to share effective

practices

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Demand for LISA Academy Enrollment Growth

School Grade Level Waiting List #

LISA Academy Chenal

K 492

1 323

2 356

3 307

4 332

5 293

6 712

LISA West Middle 7 324

8 406

LISA West High

9 319

10 151

11 106

12 72

LISA North Elementary

K 297

1 192

2 175

3 122

4 136

5 145

LISA North Middle

6 174

7 104

8 100

LISA North High

9 58

10 74

11 45

12 21

LISA Academy TOTAL K-12 5836

163

2158

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

En

rollm

en

t

School Year

Current Waitlist

LISA Draft Growth Plan

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LISA Chenal K-6

LISA North Elementary K-5

LISA West Middle 7-8

LISA West High 9-12

LISA North High 6-12

Central Arkansas Hub

North West Arkansas Hub

LISA Rogers K-8

LISA/OMA Springdale K-8

LISA Fayetteville K-8

LISA NW AR 9-12

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ELA Math Graduation

Springdale SD 54.23 50.54 87.14

Ozark Montessori 40.51 22.5 NA

LISA Academy 59.98 57.98 100

LRSD 42.14 37.91 80.02

NLRSD 43.61 35.54 73.3

PCSSD 49 41.6 78.02

STATE 52.55 47.12 87.02

2017 ACT Aspire and Graduation

LISA Academy District Leadership

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Benefits of Partnership With

LISA Academy

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LISA Academy has developed a strong school system, serving

students in Central Arkansas for 15 years

Currently serving over 2,200 students on 4 campuses in Central

Arkansas.

Proven track record in student achievement and growth.

Established district level support staff and systems.

Experienced leaders and staff.

Positioned to provide leadership and support through a partnership

with OMA.

LISA Academy is committed to working with parents, students and

staff in providing high quality, college-prep STEM educational

opportunities for the current students of OMA.

LISA Academy is grateful for the confidence that the OMA, the Department of

Education, and APSRC have shown in presenting this opportunity.

2018-19 School Year

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LISA Academy will provide support and consultation

Begin with evaluation and analysis of school’s current status:

Academic, Operational, and Fiscal.

Communicate with all stakeholder groups to get their input and

support.

Utilize NWEA or another diagnostic test to determine all students’

current academic levels.

LISA will provide a part-time Project Manager, as well as part-time

ELA and Math leaders to support OMA.

Grades 2-8: Restructuring Math and ELA Instruction based on

analysis of the diagnostic results.

Additional Math/ELA Teachers/Interventionists

Technology, Instructional Materials and other Resources

LISA Academy has requested grant funding from a third party to

cover the costs involved in providing these resources and services.

LISA Academy will advise and support OMA in maintaining a

balanced budget with current staffing but will expect OMA to make

necessary budget adjustments to remain financially solvent.

OMA Board and administration will retain accountability.

2019-20 School Year

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OMA as a LISA Academy School* Amendment Request and cap increase for the merger of OMA into

LISA Academy for the 2019-2020 school year will be presented to

the Charter Authorization Panel in December to be included on the

February agenda

All current OMA students will be offered reenrollment for 2019-2020

school year

LISA Academy intends to continue the Montessori Curriculum for

kindergarten

Staffing needs will be reevaluated and necessary adjustments will

be made

The salary schedule will be changed to align with LISA Academy’s

more competitive rates

Restructure the facility as needed

Request additional instructional resources and furnishings as

needed

Enroll new students to reach enrollment goal

LISA Academy will include transition costs (restructuring the facility,

furniture, resources, operational budget, etc.) in the proposed

budget grant request from a third party

*Subject to OMA and LISA Board Approval and ADE approval

Questions&Comments

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