American Leadership Academy
Federal & State Programs
Every student at American Leadership Academy is given the opportunity to receive the best educational experience possible in a moral and wholesome environment, no matter what personal or familial challenges they are facing.
In support of the family, provide the best educational experience to as many students as possible in a moral and wholesome environment.
Title I
Title I
What is Title I?
Title I provides financial support to educational institutions with qualifying numbers of children from low income families to help ensure that all children meet state academic standards. American Leadership Academy works to make sure these funds are being used to meet the real-life needs of our individual students.
How is Title I Funding being used?
At American Leadership Academy, we have used these funds to strengthen our educational experience: hiring more highly-qualified teachers and staff for reading and math intervention programs; instituting STEM-based programs that enhance learning in science, technology, engineering, and math; and Parent and Family Engagement events for our Title I Schoolwide Sites.
Which Campuses Participate in Title I?
ALA campuses that currently participate in Title I include:
- Anthem South K-12
- Ironwood K-12
- San Tan Valley K-6
- Sierra Vista K-12
- Signal Butte K-6
- ALA Virtual K-12
Free/Reduced Lunch Program
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program that provides nutritious, low-cost, or free meals to eligible students in participating schools.
Free and reduced prices for breakfast and lunch are available to students who qualify (based on family income).
District Points of Contact
Heather Olmstead
Federal Programs Coordinator
holmstead@alaschools.org
480-420-2101
Tina Letchworth
Federal Programs Director
tina.letchworth@alaschools.org
480-420-2101
National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
National School Lunch Program
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program that provides nutritious, low-cost, or free meals to eligible students in participating schools.
Current Participating (On-Program) ALA Schools:
- Anthem K-12
- Applied Tech 7-12
- Ironwood K-12
- Radiance K-12
- San Tan Valley K-6
- Sierra Vista K-12
- Signal Butte K-6
Non-Participating (Off-Program) ALA Schools:
The following campuses do not currently participate in the federally assisted NSLP, but continue to provide standard campus dining options. Please see the designated meal policies below for these locations.
- Gilbert North
- Gilbert South
- Mesa North
- Gilbert Elementary
- Queen Creek
- Vistancia
- West Foothills
District Points of Contact
Dawn Torres-Rivas
Food Programs Director
dawn.torres-rivas@alaschools.org
Madison Gomez
NSLP Meal Benefit Specialist
madison.gomez@alaschools.org
Important Links & Resources
Nondiscrimination Policy Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
McKinney-Vento
McKinney-Vento
What is the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act?
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Act is a federal law that ensures educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness. It was enacted in 1987 and requires public schools to provide equal access to education, remove barriers to enrollment, and support academic success for homeless students.
What is American Leadership Academy Students in Transition?
American Leadership Academy Students in Transition is our program for students transitioning from homelessness. This program allows for a shortened enrollment process as well as special accommodations for the student.
Who is considered homeless?
Students with an irregular or inadequate nighttime residence can be considered homeless. This may include:
- Students living in shared housing due to loss of housing or financial hardship
- Students living in public spaces, cars, hotels, or campgrounds due to lack of adequate accommodations
- Students living in shelters or transitional housing
- Students who live unaccompanied, whether they have run away or have been denied housing by their families
What resources are available to help ALA students in transition?
American Leadership Academy staff works to provide resources and support to Students in Transition as soon as they are identified. This may include help providing uniforms, school supplies, and basic toiletries, as well as other forms of support. Needs will be identified on a case-by-case basis.
What should parents do during this transition?
Parents should contact their child’s current school and explain the situation. Obtain any records the school has (including immunization records) and provide the school with a new address, if possible. Also, enroll your child in school as soon as possible, to expedite the process and avoid problems.
District Points of Contact
Naiela Cortez
McKinney-Vento Family Liaison
naiela.cortez@alaschools.org
480-896-9960 ext 4356
Sibia Valdez
McKinney-Vento Transportation Coordinator
sibia.valadez@alaschools.org
480-420-2101
Important Links & Resources
Foster Care
Foster Care
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) contains key provisions to promote educational stability and success for students in foster care.
- Children in foster care should remain in the school they attend before entering foster care or before a placement change (school of origin).
- The transportation of a child in foster care, to their school of origin, is a shared responsibility between the LEA and the child welfare agency.
- The only reason a child in foster care would have to change schools is that it is in their best interest to go to a new school.
- If it is in the best interest of a child in foster care to go to a new school, the new school would need to immediately enroll that child, even without relevant paperwork.
District Point of Contact
Heather Olmstead
Foster Care Coordinator
holmstead@alaschools.org
480-420-2101
We update this page annually to align with the latest state and federal guidelines. For further information, complete details, or specific questions about our federal programs, please contact the district representative listed on this page.