How much is tuition? There is NO tuition. Attendance is FREE to all K-12 students.

Does the school offer preschool? Yes, the school offers preschool for $325 per month, with $325 registration. When students are 5 years old by September 1st, attendance becomes free.

What is the focus of the school? Bright Ideas is a college preparatory school. Our mission is to prepare students for high achievement in college and successful competition in the 21st century global society. We begin talking about college to students when they’re in the first grade. Students are constantly coached in work habits to prepare them to be successful in college. 100% of our students attend college before graduating high school. (link to concurrent enrollment)

What kinds of students can attend? All kinds of students come to Bright Ideas. Students must be Texas residents and generally come from a 60-mile radius of Wichita Falls. Children of all backgrounds and ability levels in grades K-12 who reside with the designated geographic boundary are eligible to attend Bright Ideas Charter School. (link to map) In addition, students who reside outside of the geographic boundary may be admitted if space remains once all applicants who reside within the boundary and who timely applied are enrolled.

What students are excluded from the school? Students with a documented history of criminal offense, juvenile court adjudication, or discipline problems under TEC Chapter 37, subchapter A may not attend. (link to application)

Why do parents bring their children to the school? Most parents are frustrated because their child’s needs are not being met. They want a better education for their child. They want their child to be prepared for college, and they’re terrified that they won’t be ready. They want a smaller environment and more security. They want accountability and they want it now.

What is the economic and racial breakdown of the student population? 43% of the students qualify for Free-Reduced Lunch. 22% of our students are minority.

What is the enrollment process?

Student Eligibility. Under its charter, Bright Ideas Charter School is authorized to serve 200 students. Bright Ideas Charter School does not discriminate in admission based on gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, disability, academic, artistic, or athletic ability, or the district the child would otherwise attend. Bright Ideas Charter School admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational or admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other school-sponsored programs. Bright Ideas School does not admit students who have a documented history of criminal offense, juvenile court adjudication, or discipline problems under TEC, Chapter 37, Subchapter A. Bright Ideas accepts students who reside in Archer City, Burkburnett, Byers, City View, Henrietta, Holliday, Iowa Park, Midway, Petrolia, Wichita Falls, and Windthorst. However, students who reside outside of the geographic boundary may be admitted once all eligible applicants who reside in the boundary and who submitted a timely application have been enrolled.

Re-enrollment process. Currently enrolled students receive a Re-enrollment Form on March 1. This form asks students to state whether they intend to return the following school year and to identify any of their siblings who wish to attend the school the following school year. The form must be returned by March 31. Currently enrolled students expressing a desire to return are automatically enrolled for the following school year upon timely receipt of the Re-enrollment Form. Vacancies in each class are then determined, and the siblings of returning students as well as the children of the school’s founders are given priority in admission.

New Applicants/Lottery/Waiting List. Applications from new students are accepted from April 1 through April 30. If the number of eligible applicants does not exceed the number of vacancies, then all applicants who timely applied are offered admission at the end of the application period. If there are more eligible applicants than available spaces in a class, then a lottery will be conducted on May 1. A name is drawn for each vacancy that exists, and each applicant whose name is drawn is offered admission. The remaining names are then drawn and placed on a waiting list in the order they were drawn. If a vacancy arises before the commencement of the school year or during the school year, the individual on the waiting list with the lowest number assignment will be offered admission and then removed from the waiting list. If an application is received after the application period has passed, the applicant’s name is added to the waiting list behind the names of the applicants who timely applied.

What makes Bright Ideas Charter School different from other public schools in Wichita Falls? Bright Ideas is vastly different from the area’s schools. Students are taught to think, to behave, and to be kind. Academic standards are higher and the work is harder. Like other innovative schools around the country, we put the needs of the child first, and the needs of the school system second. Students are allowed to work at a challenging level, whether that is ahead of or behind the grade level they would ordinarily be in according to their age. If a student is having difficulty in any area, tutoring is arranged. We work hard to fill gaps in learning that students may have. For a large portion of the day, students work on projects of their own design that integrate the humanities and science. (link to Curriculum and to IAVS)

How will Bright Ideas meet the needs of my child? Most importantly, we start with the child’s needs. We ask the parents, “What do you want for your child that his present school is not giving him?” Then we proceed to find ways to deliver what he needs. The school is constantly adapting to the needs of its students.

What do students at Bright Ideas think about the school? They feel safe and welcome. One of the comments frequently heard by new students, “Kids are so nice to me here,” and “Teachers really listen to what I have to say”. Students are enthusiastic about learning, perhaps for the first time. At the end of the day, they don’t want to go home. (link to pic gallery and Letters)

What do parents think about Bright Ideas? Parents love that we care about their child and about their family. They love the focus on learning. Some parents learn about culture and science along with their kids! They’re glad that we believe any child can be successful in college, and that we insist that the kids work hard enough to be prepared. They appreciate the emphasis we put on developing students’ character and integrity.

How do students do when they graduate from Bright Ideas Charter? All high school students take college courses before they graduate. They have a concurrent advisor that helps them to be successful in their college courses. By the time they graduate high school, all have learned the skills and behaviors that allow them to be successful in college. All of Bright Ideas Charter School’s graduates have earned degrees or are in the process of earning degrees. (link to concurrent enrollment)

What is the largest number of college hours that a student has earned through concurrent enrollment? Noah Wilkes, one of our 2002 graduates, holds the record for number of college hours earned: 124. He graduated from Bright Ideas’ high school AND Midwestern State University with a Mathematics degree and Physics minor when he was 18 years old. He’s receiving his master’s in Electrical Engineering in the Fall of 2005 and is now working for Intel. (link to Noah Wilkes story)

How fast can my child progress? Your child can accelerate through as many grade levels as he and you are comfortable with. There is no limit. The state will pay for a child to go to public school from the age of 5 until he either graduates or turns 21. On the other end of the scale, if your child needs to spend longer in one or more grade levels, that’s possible too. 13% of our students are accelerated 1-3 years. 13% are working at a grade below their age-grade, or decelerated. We believe that students need to be placed in a grade level that’s challenging, yet doable. The first thing we do when a child comes to us is to find the correct level for placement in math and reading. (link curriculum)

What are the academic standards for passing to the next grade level? Students must pass the TAKS and their courses to pass to the next grade level. Students who fail either are allowed to retest on TAKS and to take Credit by Exams for courses failed. We also have summer school.

What are the standards for graduation? Students must have the required credits for a Texas diploma, pass the TAKS, and pass the Accuplacer, which is the state’s college entrance exam, or state-approved equivalent.

Don’t the kids make fun of kids who are placed either below or above their grade level? No, at Bright Ideas it’s normal for students to work at different grade levels. The students are in multi-graded classes, so kids of 3-4 different age levels are in the same class. (link to Curriculum) The kids aren’t interested in ages or grades. It almost never comes up. Besides, making fun of others is a running offense. We don’t tolerate it. (link to Code)

How big are the classes? Preschool through the 5th grade are limited to 22 students. Middle and high school classes are limited to 25.

What are the credentials of your teachers? All teachers must have at least a bachelor’s degree. Some have master’s degrees. Teachers meet all applicable federal and state requirements. All special education and related services and all bilingual education will be provided by personnel who are appropriately certified or licensed in the area of assignment. The school’s teachers have a combined experience of 143 years. (link to Staff credentials)

How do parents find out how their kids are doing? The students’ grades and many of their assignments are posted on www.TeacherEase.com. Parents have logins and passwords to access information about their children. This gives parents instant access to their child’s current average. They can also keep abreast of their child’s assignments that are due. Students have passwords to access their online work. This allows them access to their work even at home.

If my child goes to Bright Ideas, and then transfers to another school, will the new school accept his grades? Of course! Bright Ideas is a TEXAS PUBLIC school. Other Texas schools are required by law to accept their grades and transcripts.

Is Bright Ideas Charter School part of the WFISD district? No. Bright Ideas Charter is considered a separate school district.

I want to volunteer, but my school discourages even my presence on campus! As a parent, I want to be involved with my kid’s learning. Does Bright Ideas allow this? Yes! We want you to come to school any time you can. Many parents spend the day with their child at school. But watch out! We’ll put you to work in the classroom. No slackers here! ? Also, we have a Parent Advisory Team (PAT) that meets once a month. Anyone can bring his concerns or suggestions to the PAT. The PAT then makes a report to the school board. (link to PAT)

How long has the school been in business? The school opened in 1985. Lynda Plummer founded it because she could not find a school interested in serving her children’s needs. It began with 9 children as a parent cooperative. (link to History)

What is the biggest discipline problem? Talking in class.