Foreign Language Academy

KCPS-Signature • K-8
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Our Mission

At Foreign Language Academy, we prepare students to enter high school having met or exceeded state standards in all tested areas; to be proficient readers, writers and speakers of the target language (Spanish or Mandarin); and to be responsible citizens.

The ABCs of FLA: Academic Excellence, Bilingual Leadership; and Critical and Compassionate Thinkers

Tuition: NO Tuition
Transportation provided
Before and After-Care Available

Points of Pride

Kansas City’s only fully authorized International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program
Partnership with UMKC whereby our 8th grade students earn 3 world language credits upon successful completion of coursework and assessments
Annual capstone field trip to Puerto Rico to immerse students in the language and culture of Puerto Rico

Foreign Language Academy

3450 Warwick Blvd
Kansas City, MO 64111
816-418-6000
View Website
Website: https://www.kcpublicschools.org/schools/signature/fla
Apply to FLA
Apply: http://www.enrollkc.org

School Details

Total Enrollment: 613
School Type: KCPS-Signature
School Hours: 9:15 am - 4:15 pm

Tuition

Tuition: NO Tuition

Demographics

Feeder Schools

6%
Receive Special Ed Services
28%
English Language Learners

Specialized Programs

  • IB
  • Language Immersion

Arts Programs

  • Band
  • Costume Design
  • Drawing
  • Drum/Percussion
  • Jazz
  • Literature
  • Painting
  • Poetry
  • Sculpture
  • Visual Arts
  • Vocal Music

Sports Programs

  • Basketball (Boys)
  • Basketball (Girls)
  • Cross Country (Boys)
  • Cross Country (Girls)
  • Soccer (Boys)
  • Soccer (Girls)
  • Track and Field (Boys)
  • Track and Field (Girls)
  • Volleyball (Girls)

Clubs & Activities

  • Chess Club
  • Coding
  • Debate
  • Journalism/Newspaper
  • Math Team
  • National Honor Society
  • Robotics
  • Step Team
  • Student Government

Social Services

  • Dental Services
  • Health Clinic
  • Interpreters
  • Learning Support Specialists
  • School Breakfast
  • School Counselor
  • School Lunch
  • School Nurse
  • Therapist
  • Uniform Closet
  • Vision Services

Family Engagement

  • Classroom Volunteers
  • Evening Family Events
  • Field Trip Chaperone
  • Parent Communication App
  • Parent Education Programs
  • Parent-Teacher Association
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences
  • Schoolwide Volunteers

Application Details

Although many schools have application deadlines, most continue to accept applications for available seats on an ongoing basis.

Application Open: November 11, 2023
Application Close: February 16, 2024
Kindergarten Cutoff: August 31
Residence: Students must live within the KCPS boundaries.

How to Apply

Grades 2-8: Students entering after 1st grade must pass a grade-level appropriate test in either Spanish or Mandarin.

All students must have a GPA of 2.5 or better, a 90% or better attendance record, discipline record with 3 or fewer Class 3 or 4 violations.

Submit applications online here, or in person at the Board of Education building, 2901 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64109. Applications CANNOT be submitted at the school.

Apply to FLA
Apply: http://www.enrollkc.org

Enrollment Requirements

  • Completed application
  • Birth Certificate
  • Current Immunization Record or Religious Exemption Statement
  • Most recent report card/transcript (not required for kindergarten applicants)

Public schools also require:

  • Proof of Address (also called “Proof of Residency”)
  • Parent or guardian photo ID

Standardized Test Results

English

* Indicates data has been suppressed due to a small student sample.

Math

* Indicates data has been suppressed due to a small student sample.

Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) tests are scored (or graded) according to four achievement levels: Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, and Advanced. The number shown here is the percentage of students who scored Proficient or Advanced. When comparing scores between years, please remember that the test Missouri gives has changed several times.

Please note that private schools are not required to participate in these exams.

In 2019, the average English score in Missouri was 48.7%; the average Math score was 41.9%, source

Attendance Rate 90/90

85%

Schools strive to have at least 90% of their students achieve a 90% attendance rate because kids learn best when they’re in school.

In 2019, 87.3% of Missouri students were in attendance at least 90% of the time, source.

Third Grade Reading Scores

32%

Third grade is the important time when kids switch from learning to read to reading to learn and is an important benchmark for a student’s educational development.

In 2019, the average 3rd grade reading score in Missouri was 48.7%, source

Student Growth

English Language Arts

Exceeding

This data determines if individual students, compared to their peers, are making achievement gains over time in English Language Arts.

There are three categories possible: Floor (minimum), On Track (doing just fine), and Exceeding (outperforming their peers).

Mathematics

On Track

This data determines if individual students, compared to their peers, are making achievement gains over time in Mathematics.

There are three categories possible: Floor (minimum), On Track (doing just fine), and Exceeding (outperforming their peers).

Michelle Aguirre-Hill, Parent

My kindergartner loves attending the Foreign Language Academy. Even though he has only been there for one year, the high quality academics, along with the student-focused administration, both have convinced us we made the right choice. Our family thought long and hard about where we would send our children to school and FLA was easily our first choice. Not only is our son gaining a life-long skill in learning another language, but the academic standards and excellence of FLA set it apart from other schools in the area. Not only has the school attained full accreditation on their own, but they are currently a candidate school in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, putting them on a path to international recognition for excellence.

The school provides two, age-differentiated playgrounds and tons of green space for kids to enjoy– despite its urban location. We also noticed the district’s commitment to upkeep since they just renovated the HVAC system the year our son started.

Although we are new parents at the school, we have noticed an active PTO group and events that highlight the work of the students and multicultural nature of the school. Our son’s teacher is always inviting us to engage in the classroom during events and sending home resources to help empower us to further our son’s education at home.

The school has many opportunities before and after school. The Local Investment Commission (LINC) provides high-quality enriching before and after school care at no cost to families. The school also offers clubs to students that are targeted at a diverse set of interests.