FAQ

1. Are uniforms required?

Uniforms will not be required. However, a dress code is in place.

2. What is the start date?

Please refer to and check our usual communication channels for information about the start date of the current school year.

3. What will the hours of operation be?

School hours are 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Drop-off is as early as 7:30 a.m. Doors open at 7:30 a.m.

4. Will you have an after-school program in place?

We do not currently offer an aftercare program. 

5. If my child currently has an IEP or is in need of Special Education services, will those be provided?

FCA WLR will adhere to all Arkansas and federal requirements regarding the education of students with disabilities including academic, non-academic, and extracurricular activities. In accordance with state and federal law, to the maximum extent possible, students with disabilities will be expected to participate with their non-disabled peers in all academic, non-academic, and extracurricular activities.

Plans for addressing the needs of students with disabilities will be developed based on the Individual Education Plans (IEP) of each child.

6. What kind of sports/music programs will be offered?

The establishment of extracurricular activities will be driven by student interest. We currently offer both boys and girls basketball, track and field, volleyball, and cheerleading in our athletics program. Current academic and extracurricular activities include Beta Club (middle and high school level), Student Council, Drama Club, Glee Club, GSA, and we are the first, and currently only, High School NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) on Campus Club.

7. Will there be a free/reduced school lunch/breakfast program?

FCA WLR will participate in both The School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program. Meals will be provided through a vendor and will meet both the National School Lunch Program Standards, as well as those guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

8. Will Founders Classical Academy - West Little Rock provides an admission preference to siblings?

Yes, as permitted under state and federal law, Founders Classical Academy - West Little Rock will provide an admission preference to siblings of students already admitted to Founders Classical Academy - West Little Rock. The policy supporting sibling preference is to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, families stay together. The following are the four most common scenarios demonstrating exactly how sibling preference works.

Example 1: You already have a child attending Founders Classical Academy - West Little Rock. You now have Child 2 applying for admission to Founders Classical Academy - West Little Rock. If there is a vacancy in the grade for which Child 2 has applied, Child 2 will automatically be offered admission. If there is NOT a vacancy in the grade for which Child 2 has applied, Child 2 will be placed on the waiting list behind any other children with admission preference.

Example 2: You do not already have a child attending Founders Classical Academy West Little Rock. Two siblings have applied for admission to Founders Classical Academy - West Little Rock during the open-enrollment period. Sibling 1 has applied for a spot in Grade 6, while Sibling 2 has applied for a spot in Grade 8. A lottery is NOT required for the grade for which Sibling 1 has applied. If there is a vacancy in the grade for which Sibling 2 has applied, Sibling 2 will automatically be offered admission. If there is NOT a vacancy in the grade for which Sibling 2 has applied, Sibling 2 will be placed on the waiting list behind any other children with admission preference.

Example 3: You do not already have a child attending Founders Classical Academy - West Little Rock. Two siblings have applied for admission to Founders Classical Academy - West Little Rock during the open-enrollment period. Sibling 1 has applied for a spot in Grade 6, while Sibling 2 has applied for a spot in Grade 8. A lottery is required for both grades. The lottery begins with Grade 6. Sibling 1 is selected for a spot in Grade 6. If there is a vacancy in the grade for which Sibling 2 has applied, Sibling 2 will automatically be offered admission. If there is NOT a vacancy in the grade for which Sibling 2 has applied, Sibling 2 will be placed on the waiting list behind any other children with admission preference.

Example 4: You do not already have a child attending Founders Classical Academy - West Little Rock. Two siblings have applied for admission to Founders Classical Academy - West Little Rock during the open-enrollment period. Sibling 1 has applied for a spot in Grade 6, while Sibling 2 has applied for a spot in Grade 8. A lottery is required for both grades. The lottery begins with Grade 6. Sibling 1 is NOT selected for a spot in Grade 6. Sibling 2 is later selected for a spot in Grade 8. Sibling 1 is NOT automatically offered admission for Grade 6 because the lottery has already been conducted for Grade 6 and there are no vacancies. Sibling 1 will be placed on the waiting list behind any other children with admission preferences.

9. If my child is currently taking AP courses, how will this school challenge them?

Students have an opportunity for concurrent credit enrollment at the high school level. Founders Classical Academy - West Little Rock does offer advanced placement (AP) through Virtual Arkansas.

10. Will my child be able to skip a grade? Will you offer the proper placement testing prior to or during the school year?

There will be no specific testing for the purpose of “skipping” a grade prior to the beginning of this first school year. Testing may occur for placement purposes when information about the previous educational experience is inadequate. Interim assessments will be done throughout the school year that will demonstrate student growth. Additionally, we must follow the Arkansas Testing Calendar.

11. What security measures will be taken to ensure my child’s safety?

Visitors entering the front door will have to wait to be “buzzed” in by the receptionist. Founders Classical Academy - West Little Rock utilizes an electronic management system that performs a background check on every visitor that enters the building. All visitors will be required to submit IDs for the background checks. Once cleared through the management system, visitors will be required to sign the Register in the school office. They will then be given instructions, as well as a Visitor’s Pass or Identification Badge, and, if necessary, provided with an escort. Visitors will be required to present their Visitor’s Pass or Identification Badge to staff members once inside the building. Upon completion of the visit, visitors will return to the office, leave a pass or badge, and enter the departure time in the Visitor’s Register.

12. Will tutoring services be available if needed?

Tutoring schedules will be determined as needed by the student’s teacher and the administration. All staff members are available until 4 p.m. daily for any student to schedule additional time.

Additionally, we offer a flexible schedule with Personalized Learning Time (PLT) built into every student's schedule. Each student will have multiple opportunities throughout the day to schedule additional time outside of their scheduled class time with their teachers. This time can be requested by the student and/or the teacher. This schedule can be found here. 

13. What is the cell phone policy?

• There are no cell phones, smart watches, or electronic devices allowed on campus.*

• If a student is seen with a cell phone or electronic device, or the phone/device is seen or heard, the phone/device will be taken, and the device will be given to the headmaster. It will be the student’s responsibility to notify their parent or guardian that the device will need to be picked up by the parent or guardian from the headmaster, at the headmaster’s convenience. A $25.00 fee will apply.

• A second offense will result in a $50.00 fee and a parent conference will be required to regain possession of the phone/device.

• A third offense will result in permanent loss of the phone/device and possible suspension from school. 

• Any student refusing to give the phone/device to school staff shall be subject to disciplinary penalties in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. 

* If there is a legitimate need for a student to have a cell phone for after-school use, then a student may bring a phone to school; however, the cell phone MUST remain turned off during school hours and in the car line. ANY phone, smartwatch, or electronic device seen or heard during the school day will be collected and given to the Headmaster.

14. Will we be able to access grades online?

Yes. You will be given a login and password to HAC (Home Access System). Both students and parents will have their own login. We encourage our students to check HAC regularly.  

15. May I come to have lunch with my child?

Yes. Parents wishing to have lunch with their children will be required to follow all campus visitor guidelines. Please be prepared to show ID when coming to campus. 

16. Will there be a Parent/Teacher Organization?

We do have a PTO. Please click here for more information.

17. Is state testing still required?

All Arkansas State mandated testing and assessments will be administered.

18. Will you teach Arkansas History?

Yes.

19. Are you a peanut-free school?

No, but there can be designated areas for those with such allergies.

20. How can I pay for my child's lunch? 

We are utilizing an online payment service called k12PaymentCenter, and are currently not accepting cash payments. You can visit https://www.k12paymentcenter.com/ to set up an account and load money onto your student's lunch account. 

 

(Updated 07/15/2020)