AA looks to expand its horizons
Photo of American Academy Charter School taken from Elk Rdge Park.
Article by Kathy Dunker
The Board of Directors and the Administration of American Academy (AA), looking at its long-term vision, are exploring the feasibility of opening a second campus in Douglas County in 2013-2014.
Once determining whether or not a second campus is feasible, they hope to announce the details, including location options being considered, at the 2012 Spring Gala.
By means of a survey, AA reached out to the families of the 2,300+ students on its waitlist to ask for their help in substantiating community demand to attend AA. This would demonstrate support for AA’s desire to expand its well-performing school. American Academy currently boasts being recently ranked fifth in the state.
The number one reason for the expansion is to allow AA to serve more kids. AA hosts Prospective Parent Information Meetings in November, December, and January during enrollment season, and the AA cafeteria is often packed with 100 or more excited parents.
With 2,300 potential students on the waitlist and only 50-60 openings each year (mostly in kindergarten), Head of School Erin Kane remarked, “All I can think is only one of you will be back; maybe. It makes me sad, and I want to let them all it! With a second campus, we can!”
Kane stated, “We are thrilled to be able to offer our waitlisted families a new opportunity to attend American Academy. Only three days into the survey we already had 600 kids on the waitlist for the NEW campus, so we know there is great interest in joining the school. We appreciate the support and encouragement of all our current families, and look forward to broadening our American Academy community in the near future.”
Anyone interested in attending AA who is not currently registered on the waitlist, can submit their information on AA’s online waitlist system at www.americanacademyk8.org/waitlistentry.aspx. AA would also like to encourage interested families to take the second campus feasibility survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/AAWaitlistSurvey. Not only will your feedback be valuable, but you will also be included in communication updates related to this endeavor.
