KCPS-Signature • K-8
Foreign Language Academy
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
Points of Pride
School Details
Tuition
Demographics
Feeder Schools
6%
Receive Special Ed Services
28%
English Language Learners
Specialized Programs
- IB
- Language Immersion
Electives
- 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.
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).
Lauren Bakian-Aaker, Parent:
“My children attend the Foreign Language Academy in the Mandarin Immersion Program. We are thrilled that Kansas City offers a FREE public school where our children can be immersed in a new language and culture. The school provides numerous opportunities for parent involvement, and we are grateful for that. Learning Mandarin at a young age offers significant cognitive benefits and will help our children develop important skills in both English and Chinese—skills that will open doors in the future.
The native-speaking teachers at FLA are highly attentive and organized, creating a welcoming and supportive environment for their students. If you are deciding between Spanish or Mandarin, we invite you to consider the Mandarin program, where you will find a tight-knit community of families and smaller class sizes. This allows for more personalized attention, giving your child the opportunity to grow and fostering meaningful relationships during these crucial early years.”