Frequently Asked Questions
Will ALA Vistancia be holding information sessions?
Yes! Dates and times will be announced soon and will be shared via newsletter to those on our interest list as well as on our social media pages.
- Enrollment
- Back to School
- Communication
- General
- Preparing for Kindergarten
- Pick-Up & Drop-Off
- Before & After-School Care
- Student Discipline
- Dress Code
- Health and Safety
- Academic & Classroom Environment
- Special Education
- Technology
- Lunch
- Transportation
- Extracurricular Activities
- Volunteers
- Tours
Enrollment
- How do I apply for admittance?
- My child is transferring from another school. Will you notify my child’s school of the transfer?
- At the K-6 level, when will I find out who my child’s teacher is?
- May I request that my child be placed in a class with a friend, relative, or specific teacher?
How do I apply for admittance?
My child is transferring from another school. Will you notify my child’s school of the transfer?
At the K-6 level, when will I find out who my child’s teacher is?
May I request that my child be placed in a class with a friend, relative, or specific teacher?
Back to School
Communication
General
- What time does the school day begin and end?
- What type of school calendar is the school on?
- Where can I find your school calendar?
- What school supplies will my child need?
- Is the school a closed campus or an open campus?
- Are the school’s teachers certified?
What time does the school day begin and end?
K-6
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School Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 3:00pm
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Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm
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Early Release Hours: Days vary, 8:00am - 1:00pm
JUNIOR HIGH/HIGH SCHOOL
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School Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:15 am - 2:55 pm
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Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
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Early Release Hours: Days vary, 8:15 am - 1:00 pm
What type of school calendar is the school on?
Where can I find your school calendar?
What school supplies will my child need?
Is the school a closed campus or an open campus?
Are the school’s teachers certified?
Preparing for Kindergarten
- Is my child required to be potty trained?
- Will Kindergarteners take naps?
- Will there be staggered entry for Kindergarten?
- Will my child be required to take a Kindergarten entry assessment before school starts?
- At the K-6 level, when will I find out who my child’s teacher is?
- May I request that my child be placed in a class with a friend, relative, or specific teacher?
- Will my child get a chance to see their classroom before school starts?
- Will I be able to drop off my Kindergartener at their classroom, the playground, school gate, or front office on the first day of school?
- Can I pick up my child at their classroom or at the front office?
- Should I get out of my car to pick up my Kindergartener?
- When will I find out what the driveline route, drop off/pick areas, and procedures will be?
- Can I volunteer in my child’s classroom on the first day of school?
- Will someone be available to help my child during lunch?
- Will students be able to use a microwave to warm up lunches they bring from home?
- Will my child be required to use a daily planner?
- Will my child have homework every night?
- If my child will attend after-school care, how will they get there?
- If my child will attend an on-campus after-school activity, how will they get there?
Is my child required to be potty trained?
Will Kindergarteners take naps?
Will there be staggered entry for Kindergarten?
Will my child be required to take a Kindergarten entry assessment before school starts?
At the K-6 level, when will I find out who my child’s teacher is?
May I request that my child be placed in a class with a friend, relative, or specific teacher?
Will my child get a chance to see their classroom before school starts?
Will I be able to drop off my Kindergartener at their classroom, the playground, school gate, or front office on the first day of school?
Parents may escort their child to the gate for final first-day hugs and kisses. It's important for students to be in class on time so we strongly encourage families to use the driveline. Staff will assist students in getting to the playground.
During Meet the Teacher Night, students will be given a “1st Day of Kindergarten” sticker to be worn on the first day of school.
Kindergarten Aides, support staff, and administrators will be outside every morning to ensure that all students safely get to their classrooms. We take great care in making sure our students are safe and well cared for while at school.
You can help prepare your child for this transition by:
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Placing their “1st Day of Kindergarten” sticker on their polo shirt.
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Practicing their teacher's name with them so staff can help direct them.
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Sitting down and talking through what the drop-off will look like prior to the first day of school.
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Communicating to them that they can ask anyone in a yellow or orange vest for help.
Can I pick up my child at their classroom or at the front office?
No. Students will follow school dismissal procedures which will either involve them being walked by a staff member to the bus, to aftercare, to a parent pick-up gate, or to the driveline where they will be assisted into your car.
Parents will not be admitted to classrooms after 2:30pm, and students may not be signed out early after 2:45pm to prevent disruption to end-of-day instruction & procedures.
Students will begin exiting the building at 3:00pm. Please do not sign out students early to beat the driveline traffic. Every minute of classroom time is important.
Should I get out of my car to pick up my Kindergartener?
When will I find out what the driveline route, drop off/pick areas, and procedures will be?
Can I volunteer in my child’s classroom on the first day of school?
Will someone be available to help my child during lunch?
Will students be able to use a microwave to warm up lunches they bring from home?
Will my child be required to use a daily planner?
Will my child have homework every night?
If my child will attend after-school care, how will they get there?
If my child will attend an on-campus after-school activity, how will they get there?
Pick-Up & Drop-Off
Before & After-School Care
- Is before and after-school care available for elementary students?
- Is before and after school care available for Junior High/High School students?
Is before and after-school care available for elementary students?
Yes. Before and after school care is available through The Academy Before & After program.
Is before and after school care available for Junior High/High School students?
Student Discipline
What are the school’s expectations for student behavior?
We hold high expectations for student behavior. All students are expected to abide by all school policies and procedures. The discipline plan reflects the RAISE Leadership Values. Students are expected to be self-governed and to respect the rights and property of others. Students should conduct themselves with courtesy, refinement, and professionalism throughout the school day and any time they represent the school in extra-curricular activities, field trips, or any other school-sanctioned event.
Does the school have a discipline policy?
Yes. School rules are designed to protect all students and foster an environment of order and discipline. It is important that parents/legal guardians and students understand the consequences of misbehavior. School Administration enforces adherence to school rules, policies, and procedures using a progressive discipline system. School Administration has discretion with respect to its enforcement authority. When considering disciplinary action, School Administration will seek to balance the severity of the conduct and the resulting discipline using a Conduct and Consequences Matrix (CCM).
Dress Code
- Are students required to wear uniforms?
- Must my child be in full school uniform on the first day of school?
- How do I purchase school uniforms?
- Where can I purchase uniform pants, skirts, jumpers, and shorts?
- Must my child’s polo shirt have the school logo on it?
Are students required to wear uniforms?
Must my child be in full school uniform on the first day of school?
Yes. We require students to wear uniforms to school to support the school’s mission. Compliance with the Uniform Dress Code (UDC) is mandatory.
To attend class, all students must be in compliance with all aspects of the UDC. Furthermore, the UDC applies when students are riding the school bus and when attending extra-curricular events. The UDC can be found at the school’s website.
In general, students must present a clean, modest, and neat appearance. Clothing must be worn right side out, of appropriate size, and worn correctly. Clothing shall not have holes or be intentionally torn. Clothing items must be one solid color.
Throughout the school day and at extracurricular events, Staff will conduct a dress code check to ensure the students are in compliance. Staff have authority to determine whether clothing is inappropriate or a distraction.
When students are deemed to be out of compliance, the following discipline procedure will apply, at the discretion of Staff:
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The school may notify parents/legal guardians and require parents/legal guardians to bring compliant clothing to school for their child; and/or
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Students may receive a yellow card; and/or
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Repeat violations will result in further school discipline; and/or
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Consequences described in the Conduct & Consequences Matrix (“CCM”).
How do I purchase school uniforms?
Where can I purchase uniform pants, skirts, jumpers, and shorts?
Must my child’s polo shirt have the school logo on it?
Health and Safety
- Does the school participate in safety drills?
- Does the school have a school Nurse/Health Aide on site?
- How do I inform the school of my child’s health condition/health needs?
- Is the school an allergy-free or nut-free school?
- If my child has a food allergy, is there a safe place for them to eat lunch where they can avoid exposure to certain foods?
Does the school participate in safety drills?
Does the school have a school Nurse/Health Aide on site?
How do I inform the school of my child’s health condition/health needs?
Is the school an allergy-free or nut-free school?
If my child has a food allergy, is there a safe place for them to eat lunch where they can avoid exposure to certain foods?
Yes. Students with an allergy may choose to either sit with their class at the general lunch table or at a designated table for students with food allergies. We follow specific cleaning guidelines to ensure that the tables are cleaned appropriately in order to avoid exposure to/the spread of potential allergens. Students who sit at this table may invite a friend to sit with them as long as there are no foods in the lunch that could potentially trigger an allergic reaction.
Academic & Classroom Environment
- What is the average class size?
- Do K-6 students have recess time?
- Are students required to complete homework?
- Will my child be required to use a daily planner?
- Do K-6 students switch classes?
- Do Junior High and High School students (7th-12th grade) switch classes?
- At the Junior High/High School level, how many class periods are there per day?
- How long is the Junior High/High School lunch period?
- How long are the Junior High/High School passing periods?
- Is an Academically Gifted program available for elementary students?
- Is an Academically Gifted program available for Junior High/High School students?
- What supports are offered for students who demonstrate the need for intervention?
- What is the school’s instructional model?
- What curriculum is used?
- Are Specials offered at the elementary school?
- Are there electives at the Junior High/High School?
- Is after-school tutoring offered?
- What is the school's grading scale?
- How are grades weighted?
- Will students take State and benchmark assessments?
- When is RAISE Leadership taught?
What is the average class size?
Do K-6 students have recess time?
Are students required to complete homework?
We believe that meaningful homework is integral to the learning process and should be provided at all grade levels for the following purposes:
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To provide additional practice on previously learned skills
(For example: completing math drills & problem sets, reading, researching and/or writing).
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To enrich the learning experience
(For example: sharing ideas with parents/legal guardians or using creative thought to complete a project or assignment).
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To provide students the opportunity to complete unfinished class assignments or make-up work due to absences.
Your child’s teacher will provide clear expectations on all homework assignments. Concerns related to homework should be directed to your child’s teacher and campus administration.
Will my child be required to use a daily planner?
Do K-6 students switch classes?
Do Junior High and High School students (7th-12th grade) switch classes?
At the Junior High/High School level, how many class periods are there per day?
How long is the Junior High/High School lunch period?
How long are the Junior High/High School passing periods?
Is an Academically Gifted program available for elementary students?
Our Academically Gifted program begins in 2nd grade. Students are identified for the program through a referral process (parent & teacher) in grades 3rd-6th and Universal Testing in 2nd grade by taking the CogAT aptitude testing. Students may be referred for testing once per calendar year with testing taking place in the fall and spring of each school year. Students may only take the CogAT once per calendar year.
Is an Academically Gifted program available for Junior High/High School students?
What supports are offered for students who demonstrate the need for intervention?
Teachers utilize assessment data, observations, and classroom assessments to determine where students may have gaps in learning. Teachers then work with students to fill in gaps during independent practice times and/or the enrichment block (K-6 campuses) to build missing skills. If students need more intervention, teachers build intervention plans utilizing the Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) structure. When a student is referred to MTSS, parents are notified and asked to be part of the process.
What is the school’s instructional model?
What curriculum is used?
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Accredited status opens doors for college admission
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Core Knowledge (not common core) curriculum, so comprehensive, in-depth learning
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Eureka Math connects math to the real world in ways that take the fear out of math
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Strong focus on literacy and mathematics at all levels
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Homework assigned appropriate to each grade level
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Time-proven, traditional classroom approach that is as effective as one-on-one tutoring
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R.A.I.S.E. Leadership curriculum incorporated into daily learning
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Lessons planned for optimal engagement
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Lessons presented in small, manageable pieces that allow for quick mastery
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Well-rounded curriculum with opportunities to dive deep into multiple subjects
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Extracurriculars available and encouraged, included sports, fine arts, and robotics
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Before and after-school tutoring programs are available
Are Specials offered at the elementary school?
Are there electives at the Junior High/High School?
Is after-school tutoring offered?
What is the school's grading scale?
How are grades weighted?
Will students take State and benchmark assessments?
When is RAISE Leadership taught?
Special Education
- Will special education services be provided for students who have IEPs?
- Will your school allow my current service provider (such as an ABA therapist or nurse) to attend school with my child?
- What curriculum will be utilized for students who have been diagnosed with Dyslexia?
Will special education services be provided for students who have IEPs?
Will your school allow my current service provider (such as an ABA therapist or nurse) to attend school with my child?
To ensure a Free and Appropriate Public Education is provided to all students, we will employ the staff required to provide the special education services outlined in each eligible child’s IEP. This allows the school to appropriately manage the staff on campus and to remain responsible for special education services.
What curriculum will be utilized for students who have been diagnosed with Dyslexia?
We use Amplify Core Knowledge Arts (CKLA) for all students. This program was built based on the science of reading and sequences deep content knowledge with research-based foundational skills.
CKLA applies:
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Early and consistent phonological awareness
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Explicit and systematic phonics and word recognition with intensive repetition
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Diagnostic screening to determine skill deficits
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Simultaneous development of background knowledge and vocabulary for effective reading comprehension
Technology
Lunch
- Is the school an allergy-free or nut-free school?
- Do you have a cafeteria space?
- Can students bring lunch from home?
- Are there dietary restrictions on what students can pack in their lunch from home?
- Will students be able to use a microwave to warm up the lunch they bring from home?
- Do you offer a hot lunch option?
- How do I pay for my child’s hot lunch?
Is the school an allergy-free or nut-free school?
Do you have a cafeteria space?
Can students bring lunch from home?
Are there dietary restrictions on what students can pack in their lunch from home?
Will students be able to use a microwave to warm up the lunch they bring from home?
Do you offer a hot lunch option?
How do I pay for my child’s hot lunch?
Transportation
Is bus transportation available?
Limited transportation may be available.
Please indicate your interest in bus transportation by completing the Transportation Request Form.
IMPORTANT: Please note that this does not guarantee your child will have a seat on the bus or that a route will be available in your area. The school’s transportation department will contact families once routes have been finalized and before school begins regarding acceptance on the bus.
Bus stops will be determined based on the location of students requesting transportation.
Is there a fee to ride the bus?
Yes. The fee schedule can be viewed on our Transportation website.
Extracurricular Activities
- Will the elementary school offer extracurricular activities?
- If my child (elementary school) will attend an on-campus after-school activity, how will they get there?
- Will Junior High/High School Athletics and Fine Arts programs be offered?
- Are Career and Technical Education (CTE)* courses offered at the Junior High/High School level?
- Are Foreign Language* courses offered at the Junior High/High School level?
Will the elementary school offer extracurricular activities?
If my child (elementary school) will attend an on-campus after-school activity, how will they get there?
Will Junior High/High School Athletics and Fine Arts programs be offered?
Yes. We are committed to developing championship Athletics and Fine Arts programs.
Athletics**
- Football
- Cheer
- Pom
- Cross Country
- Girls Volleyball
- Girls Basketball
- Boys Basketball
- Wrestling
- Boys Soccer
- Girls Soccer
- Baseball
- Softball
- Track
*NOTE: Athletics offerings are subject to change based on staffing, student interest, and facility availability.
Fine Arts*
- Art
- Band
- Choir
- Orchestra
- Theater
- Dance
*NOTE: Fine Arts offerings are subject to change based on staffing, student interest, and facility availability.