Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have detailed volunteer options?
Our Family Advisory Council is currently outlining what on-campus volunteer opportunities will look like. We are excited to incorporate families on campus to the greatest extent possible.
What is your primary area of attendance?
Promesa Academy is open to any child in Bexar County who wishes to attend.
What are your school hours?
An optional, free breakfast will be served from 7:15-7:45 a.m. Classes begin at 7:45 a.m. and students are dismissed at 3:45 p.m.
What calendar do you follow?
Our start day is Monday, August 10th. The last day of school is on Wednesday, May 26th, the same day as San Antonio Independent School District. We have several long weekends, as well as holiday breaks. Our Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring Break all closely follow the San Antonio Independent School District.
How do you approach discipline?
We believe in educating the whole child and equipping them with tools to grow and manage their emotions instead of using a punitive discipline system in our school. Our philosophy is based in Conscious Discipline, which equips adults to be responsive to student needs in a loving but firm way to improve the outcomes for all students.
What curriculum do you use?
The majority of our curriculum is built out in-house by our Founder, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and founding teachers. No mass-distributed curriculum met our needs, so we decided to build out in-house a scope of study that went deeper and was more meaningful than what we could buy, connecting the big ideas across subjects to relevant, engaging classroom content. That being said, we’ve purchased high-quality pieces like Saxon Phonics for phonics and Fountas and Pinnell for reading assessment, both of which are excellent.
What does technology usage look like?
We believe in using technology where it has a place and where it makes a positive impact on student learning. This includes things like intervention programs, creating a project using an app such as Seesaw, or using technology to capture artifacts of student work. Technology can also be a great assistive aid for students needing extra support.
Do you have special area teachers? (i.e. Art, Music, P.E.)?
Yes! We have an Art, Music, and P.E. teachers. All students on our campus will see them at least twice a week.
Do you offer dual language?
We do not offer a dual language program yet, but we have a high-quality ESL program for students who qualify. In the future, we’d love to offer dual language.
What are your class sizes and student/teacher ratio?
Our classes are capped at 22 students per teacher. In addition, we have teaching assistants who will float from class to class across a grade level to offer teachers and students support where needed. Our school administrative staff will also be available for support if necessary.
What does assessment look like?
The data we collect from student assessment should be valid and useful, and not just a test given for the sake of testing. Students will take developmentally appropriate, in-class assessments to assess learning when appropriate. In addition, we test reading levels three times a year using Fountas and Pinnell, and give NWEA MAP testing in English and Mathematics three times a year to assess student growth.
What are the before/after-school options for my child(ren)?
How do you accommodate for Special Education?
What does parent and family engagement look like at Promesa?
At Promesa we believe that the relationships we build with our families are essential not only to who we are but who we will become.
What is your homework philosophy?
While we are not advocates of homework, we want to leave the option open should teachers have a meaningful extension or activity that students can engage in with parents or guardians at home. Homework is not an essential part of our philosophy and is not required for our teachers to give. If given, homework will be brief and meaningfully connected to their in-class learning.
What options are there for transportation?
We offer FREE transportation within our attendance zone. For families living outside of our attendance zone, children may still take the bus if they can be transported to the nearest available bus stop.
What is your meal program?
We commit to offering fresh, healthy meals and will address and accommodate any allergy concerns or needs.
What is your student supply list?
We are still developing our student supply list for the 2020-2021 school year. We’ll share it here as soon as we have it!
Who can attend Promesa Academy?
How do I submit an application for my child?
You need to submit an online application through our website. If we receive more applications than available seats, we will run a lottery to determine who gets accepted.
Is there a cost for my child(ren) to attend?
No. Promesa Academy is a tuition-free, open-enrollment, public charter school. There is no cost to you for your child to attend.
Where are you located?
How does the enrollment process work?
Charter schools have a limited number of seats. When more students apply than there are spaces available, the school holds a random lottery to determine which students get offers. All other students are placed on a waiting list and may receive an offer during the school year.
Do you accept students with special needs?
We are a public school and accept any child who wishes to attend. We are both legally bound and wholly committed to ensuring that we meet the needs of each and every child who attends our school.