FAQs
Academics
Q: What is the education model that EKHLA will offer?
A: EKHLA uses the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and the Texas College and Career Readiness Standards as the basis for its curriculum. EKHLA uses a variety of techniques, including differential instruction and the workshop model, to ensure that the quality of education is strong. In addition, EKHLA complies with all of the educational requirements that public schools in Texas must meet. All children at EKHLA are motivated to work at the highest level of their abilities.
Q: What is the maximum number of students per class and per grade level at EKHLA?
A: The maximum number of students per class at EKHLA is 22 students per class in grades K-4 and 25 students per class in grades 5 and above. Grade levels at EKHLA currently have either one or two classes per grade level. EKHLA anticipates growing to two classes in every grade level in the future.
Q: Are Special Education programs offered at EKHLA?
A: Yes, EKHLA offers Special Education programs in compliance with state and federal laws.
After School Activities
Q: Are on-site after school activities available for EKHLA students?
A: Yes. EKHLA offers UIL sponsored sports for grades 5-8 (Soccer, Volleyball, and Basketball) and a wide range of after school Enrichment clubs, like Adventures in Reading, Making Makers Club, Chess, Transitional Breathing Awareness, Spanish, Art Club, Yoga, Table Tennis, Futsal, Judaics, Hebrew, and Tennis Club. Contact [email protected] for more information on Sports and Enrichment clubs. In addition to our sports and clubs, EKHLA offers a thriving After School care program from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Contact [email protected] to sign up for ASP.
Q: When does EKHLA begin and end its school year?
A: EKHLA begins its school year in mid-August and ends its school year in the first week of June. For each school year, EKHLA posts its calendar to its website when finalized.
Q: On which days during the school year is EKHLA closed?
A: EKHLA is closed on traditional American holidays, and on other days when student attendance would be expected to be low. For each school year, EKHLA posts its calendar to its website when finalized.
Cost
Q: How much do students have to pay to attend EKHLA?
A: Students do not have to pay to attend EKHLA. As a public charter school, EKHLA is free for all students that enroll in the school.
Daily Schedule
Q: At what time each day does EKHLA’s school day begin and end?
A: EKHLA’s school day begins at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m.
Donations
Q: If I am interested in making a donation (of money, services, goods, etc.) to EKHLA, who should I contact?
A: EKHLA welcomes donations. If you wish to make a donation to EKHLA, please contact the EKHLA Central Office 210-890-7267 or any EKHLA Board Member.
Grade Levels
Q: Which grade levels are offered by EKHLA?
A: EKHLA currently offers grades kindergarten through eighth grade (elementary school and middle school). EKHLA anticipates opening a high school in the future, and expanding to kindergarten through twelfth grade.
Hebrew
Q: How much Hebrew is taught at EKHLA?
A: EKHLA is an English/Hebrew Dual Language Charter School. Students at every grade level have a daily Hebrew class as part of their studies. This daily Hebrew class is 60 minutes per day in kindergarten through fifth grade, and 50 minutes per day in grades six and higher. All other classes at EKHLA are taught primarily in English, though Hebrew is used and reinforced on a limited basis in some of these classes.
Q: Are students required to have Hebrew language skills prior to enrolling in EKHLA?
A: No, there is no expectation that EKHLA students have Hebrew language skills prior to enrolling in EKHLA. For children who enroll in EKHLA at a grade higher than first grade, there is a beginning level Hebrew class given at the same time as the grade level Hebrew class to accommodate the students’ various levels of Hebrew language skills.
Location
Q: Where is EKHLA located?
A: EKHLA is located at 11327 Dreamland Drive San Antonio, Texas 78230.
Size of School
Q: How many students attend EKHLA?
A: We currently can accommodate up to 525 students. We have three classes in K-3, two classes in grades 4-7, and one 8th grade class. We are building our district to service a 700 student population in grades kindergarten through 8th grade.
Q: What is EKHLA’S maximum number of students?
A: EKHLA’s charter allows for a maximum enrollment of 700 students in grades kindergarten through twelfth grade.
Student Application and Selection
Q: How do new students apply to attend EKHLA for the next school year?
A: The Initial Application Period for new students for the next school year is February 1-28(29) of every year. During the Initial Application Period, interested families can submit an application to have their student attend EKHLA for the next school year. The number of students per class is limited to 22 per class in kindergarten through fourth grade and 25 per class in grades five and above. Grade levels have either one or two classes per grade level. If there are more applicants during the Initial Application Period than seats available for a particular grade level, a lottery will be conducted for that grade level. The lottery will determine which applicants from the Initial Application Period will be offered seats for the next school year and which applicants will be placed on a waiting list. If there are fewer applicants during the Initial Application Period than seats available for a particular grade level, all applicants from the Initial Application Period for that grade level will be offered seats at the school for the next school year. After the Initial Application Period ends, EKHLA will continue to accept applications for the next school year and will offer seats to applicants on a “first-come-first-served” basis until an applicant’s grade level becomes oversubscribed. If an applicant applies for a seat in a grade level that is oversubscribed after the Initial Application Period, the applicant will be placed on EKHLA’s waiting list for that grade level.
Q: Do current EKHLA students need to reapply to attend EKHLA each year?
A: No, current EKHLA students do not need to reapply to attend EKHLA each year. Instead, each year in January, EKHLA provides families of current students the opportunity to confirm that they will return to EKHLA for the next school year.
Q: Are there any other selection methods that will be used when selecting students to attend EKHLA?
A: No. EKHLA is an open enrollment public charter school and any student is eligible to attend (with limited exceptions) so long as there is a seat available in that student’s grade level. Priority will be given to returning EKHLA students and to siblings of EKHLA students, and then to students who apply for a seat during the Initial Application Period of February 1-28(29).
Transportation
Q: Does EKHLA provide public transportation for its students to get to and from school?
A: No, EKHLA does not provide public transportation for its students to get to and from school.
Uniforms
Q: Does EKHLA require that its students wear uniforms?
A: Yes, EKHLA requires that its students wear uniforms.