Admissions FAQ

Do you want to know more about how your student can become a part of the LISA Academy family? Click through the drop-down sections below to learn more about LISA Academy, our admissions process, yearly enrollment lottery, and what makes LISA Academy a great place to Learn, Innovate, Support, and Achieve.

Why Choose LISA?

What does LISA stand for?

LISA (said like "Lee-sah") stands for "Little Scholars of Arkansas." It also stands for the school's Four Pillars of Success: Learn, Innovate, Support, Achieve.

Who is LISA Academy?

LISA Academy is a free public school that anyone in Arkansas can attend. It focuses on STEM-C (science, technology, engineering, math, and computing) and helps students from kindergarten through 12th grade get ready for college. LISA Academy has been serving students in Arkansas since 2004. To learn more about the school, its history, and which grades are taught at each campus, check out the "About Us" section on the website.

Who operates LISA Academy?

LISA Academy is run by the LISA Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Little Rock, Arkansas. The foundation manages LISA Academy schools in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Sherwood, Springdale, Rogers-Bentonville, and Fayetteville, Arkansas.

What is a charter school?

A charter school is a type of public school that families can choose instead of a regular public school. It does not teach religion. Each charter school has its own plan or "mission" that explains what the school wants to do, who it will teach, how it will check student progress, and how it will reach its goals. Charter schools run on their own, with state supervision, which means they can decide how to teach, who to hire, and how to use their money. In exchange for this freedom, they must show they are doing a good job to parents and the community.

Does LISA teach religion?

No, LISA Academy does not teach any religion. Since it's a public charter school, LISA Academy follows the same state rules as other public schools. For over 15 years, LISA has focused on teaching math and science and has had great academic results. The school follows the rules set by the Arkansas Department of Education and focuses on providing a strong education for kids in Arkansas.

What ethical standards are in place at LISA?

At LISA, we aim for excellence in everything we do, and this includes our students, teachers, staff, Board of Directors, vendors, and anyone connected to our schools. We carefully select and train our teachers, who must:

- Treat everyone with respect.

- Be honest about their education and qualifications.

- Keep students, colleagues, and others safe.

- Use the right knowledge and skills for their job.

- Keep private information confidential.

- Not act in ways that benefit their own financial interests.

- Avoid using their job or school property for political or religious purposes.

- Not accept gifts that could influence their decisions.

Why Choose LISA?

Why should parents consider sending their children to LISA?

LISA Academy offers a college prep program that focuses on science, technology, engineering, math, and computing (STEM-C). We want to help students choose STEM-C careers, succeed in the workplace, and contribute to the state, country, and world. At LISA, we believe every child can learn, grow, and become a successful adult. By combining this belief with our 20 years of knowledge and experience, we create a great place for students to learn and build a bright future.

We also teach character, encouraging students to be honest, brave, and determined. Our students wear uniforms and follow clear discipline rules. Our teachers and leaders are experienced, dedicated, and keep a close eye on how well the school is performing. Our teachers are high-quality educators, and our goal is for every graduating senior to attend a top university.

What makes LISA Academy different from other charter and public schools?

LISA Academy sets high expectations for both academics and behavior. Our teachers and staff are dedicated, hardworking, and receive regular training and support. They work as a team to help all students succeed, no matter their situation or challenges.

LISA Academy also offers a unique online school that combines online and in-person learning, available to students across Arkansas. For more information about the LISA Academy Online School, click here.

To learn why families choose LISA Academy for their children’s education, click on one of the links below.

LISA Testimonies

Does LISA have a special program for gifted and talented students?

Yes, LISA has a program for gifted and talented students. This program, which has been recognized as top-performing by the state, helps students learn in a way that fits their needs and challenges them. Teachers, parents, and community members work together to make sure these students have the best chances to grow and succeed in life. Services in the classroom and outside the classroom, including summer camps, are designed to make learning fun and challenging for all learners.

Courses Offered at LISA Academy

Robotics team — Elementary students working on Robotics

Online school students — Online School students sharing tips for a coding game

Senior playing the piano — West High senior learning to play the piano

student in the makerspace — North High senior in the STEM lab

North Elementary student sharing his project at the Arkansas STEM Festival

College and Career Readiness

LISA Academy helps students get ready for different choices after they finish school, like college or jobs. They offer many Advanced Placement (AP) classes, which are special courses that can help students learn more and prepare for college. Here are some of the AP classes available:

In schools like LISA Academy, students are encouraged to learn important subjects in both regular and advanced classes, starting as early as 9th grade. By taking AP classes, students can start learning at a college level before they even go to college.

Some LISA Academy programs also offer classes that help students explore different jobs, such as:

The goal of LISA Academy is to help students do well in school and in their future jobs. They want to inspire students to consider careers in STEM-C: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Computing.

Application and Admissions Process at LISA Academy

Fill Out an Application: Go to lisa.schoolmint.com to complete your application.
Lottery Drawing: All completed applications are put into a random lottery every Spring. This lottery decides who gets a seat in the school.
Preference for Some Students: The first seats go to students who have a preference because they are staff members, alumni’s children, or siblings of currently attending students.
Waiting List: If your application is not chosen in the lottery, you will be put on a waiting list based on your lottery number.
Late Applications: If you turn in your application after the lottery, it will be added to the end of the waiting list.
Seat Offer: If a seat becomes available, the school will send an email to the student’s parent or guardian. They must accept the offer within 3 days; otherwise, the offer will go to the next student on the waiting list.
Registration: Once the seat is accepted, the parent or guardian must complete the online registration forms and upload the needed documents within 5 days, or the seat may be lost.

Admissions

Who can apply for LISA?

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

Tuition-free: families do not pay to attend
Open Enrollment: any school-aged student living 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 do I get more information regarding LISA Academy before I apply?

Complete the LISA Academy Interest Form and a member of our admissions team will reach out to you shortly.

Are students tested to be accepted at LISA Academy?

LISA Academy does not test students as part of the admission process.

Students who have been expelled from other schools or districts may not enroll in the LISA Academy.

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.