Parents FAQ

Q. What is Gateway Preparatory Academy?
A. Gateway Preparatory Academy, or GPA for short, is a Kindergarten through Eighth grade non-profit Charter School.  The curriculum is divided into three environments based on age:

  • 6-9 environment: Kindergarten and grades 1-3
  • 9-12 environment: Grades 4-5
  • 12-15 environment: Grades 6, 7 and 8

Q. What is a Charter School?
A. Charter Schools are public schools that have their own school board responsible to the parents of their students and to the State Board of Education. Charter Schools usually have a special educational focus and progressive teaching styles that sets them apart from School District Public Schools.

Q. What is GPA’s special educational focus?
A. GPA is focusing on increased individual attention to improve student learning, as well as allowing students to progress at their own pace.

Q. What else is special to GPA?
A. Our focus on teaching the tools of learning, especially reading, writing and mathematics. These tools allow students to learn more on their own. We also focus on providing a safe, respectful, disciplined, and supportive learning environment.

Q. How can I obtain information about the qualifications of GPA’s educational staff?
A. Information pertaining to the qualifications of GPA’s educational staff may be requested through the school’s front office during business hours.

Q. How are Charter Schools funded?
A. Just like other public schools, Charter Schools are funded with tax money, grants and private donations. As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, donations to GPA are tax-deductible.

Q. Will I have to pay tuition for my child to attend Gateway?
A. No. As a public school, no tuition is charged. All forms of parental involvement are strongly encouraged, including donations of time and money, and volunteering.

Q. What is required of a parent of a child enrolled in GPA?
A. Charter schools rely heavily on parental involvement. We expect parents to be willing to donate their time to help make their children’s education better.  GPA has volunteer opportunities available to fit anyone’s skills and interests. Volunteer opportunities include things like helping to monitor recess, reading to children, helping with lunches, assisting with fundraising, etc.

Q. Does GPA have a dress code, like some other Charter Schools do?
A. Yes. View GPA’s dress code here. We do not require any specific colors of clothing.

Q. How do I register my child as a student at GPA?
A. Simply fill out an online enrollment application and submit it to be considered at GPA’s next open enrollment period.

GPA accepts 75 students per grade level on a first-come, first-served basis. If there are more applications than openings during a particular open enrollment period, preference will be given first to siblings of children already enrolled in the Academy.

Upper-grade students will be enrolled before lower-grade students. A random lottery will be held to determine who will fill any openings for which there are more applications than space available in the class.

Learn more about GPA >>>