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Hope Leadership Academy is a K-4th grade charter school located in the heart of Kansas City, MO. Students who live within the boundaries of Kansas City Public Schools are eligible to attend. Students can walk to school from the surrounding neighborhood or they can ride the bus. -
Students also have a large blacktop area complete with basketball hoops that they can use during recess. -
Outside, students have a playground for sunny days. -
At Hope Leadership Academy the gym is a multi-purpose room. It also serves as the cafeteria and auditorium. *Note the cafeteria tables in the back and the lunch window on the left. -
In gym class, these fourth grade students do cardio drills with their teacher. -
These third grade students have already designed their own bookmark and have now selected a classmate’s design to decorate. -
In Art class, these third grade students are designing their own bookmarks along with some help from their teacher. -
Here, two classmates rush to the board to “swat” the musical fly. The team with the most points wins. Students at Hope Leadership are a close knit community. Because there is only one class per grade level, students bond with one another and stick together year to year. -
In music class, these second grade students are playing a game with their classmates. -
In the upper elementary grades, students move from working in collaborative table groups to individual desks. Technology (note the laptops on the student desks) is available to third and fourth grade students only. Teachers use the lower elementary years to reinforce basic skills. -
These first grade students work to finish their assignment after getting input from their teacher. At Hope Leadership, as students get older, teachers emphasize them working more independently. This focus is reflected in teacher student interaction and classroom organization. -
These first grade students work on an assignment from their teacher independently while their teacher supports another group. -
Hope Leadership has safety nets in place including pull out reading and math teachers like this one for students who need additional help. The school also partners with organizations like Lead to Read where adults take their lunch break and come help students improve their reading skills. -
In first grade, students are encouraged to set goals for themselves. Here, students wrote down things that they are not good at...yet. To support students, teachers are trained in trauma-informed care and focus on holding all students to high expectations while providing the additional tools they need for learning. -
Posters like these are found in rooms reminding students of how to sit during circle time. Students are also taught what a whisper voice and an inside voice sound like so that they can manage their voices effectively. -
In all classes, students have areas of the room designated for reading. Here, the kindergarten classroom has a library of books for students to choose from. They also can come to this area to get small items for individual choice time. -
While some kindergarten students are working on holiday decorations, their teacher has a small group of students at her table to practice their handwriting. -
In kindergarten, these students are working in a group to create decorations for Dia de los Muertos. -
Outside of all classes, students hang their belongings on hooks like these. Classroom space is reserved for learning materials only. -
The transitional kindergarten classroom also has areas for realistic play. Here is a kitchen area and there are other structured play areas around the room as well. -
Hope Leadership Academy has a transitional kindergarten class specifically for four year old students. In this class, students who are not quite ready for kindergarten are taught soft skills like working together, sharing, listening, and following directions along with kindergarten basics. These students are working on writing their names. -
Hope Leadership has an emphasis on student responsibility and control. When students are having a rough day, they come here to the counseling office where they learn techniques for managing their emotions before heading back to class. -
In the front office, Mrs. Walker welcomes students and families to Hope each day. Students at Hope Leadership Academy wear uniforms daily including khaki or navy bottoms and green, gray or white shirts. -
Annelise London is the Principal at Hope Leadership Academy. She wants families to know that Hope students are safe and kind to each other.
Hope Leadership Academy (K-4)
Hope Leadership Academy
School Leader(s)
Robert N. Milner, Principal- NO Tuition
- Availability for 2021-2022
- Transportation provided
- Before and After-Care Available
- Participating SchoolAppKC School
Quick Facts
Our Mission
To provide a world-class neighborhood school whose students excel in a culture of academic rigor, character development, and caring relationships.
Points of Pride
- Nurturing a culture of high expectations while developing leaders of tomorrow who are conscientious, focused, and compassionate.
- Restorative justice - personal accountability.
- Low student teacher ratio 18-1.
School Hours
- School Hours: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
- Before Care Hours Start: 7:30 am
- After Care Hours End: 6:30 pm
School Details
- Year Established: 2010
- Total Enrollment: 118
- Affiliation: Charter
- School Type: Charter
Charter Sponsor
- University of Central Missouri - Warrensburg
Tuition
- Tuition: NO Tuition
Our Demographics
Receive Special Ed Services
English Language Learners
Programs and Features
Specialized Programs
- N/A
Arts Programs
- Drawing
- Painting
Sports Programs
- Basketball (Boys)
- Basketball (Girls)
- Soccer (Boys)
- Soccer (Girls)
- Softball
- Volleyball (Girls)
Clubs + Activities
- N/A
Family Engagement
- Parent-Teacher Conferences
Application Process
Application Details
Although many schools have application deadlines, most continue to accept applications for available seats on an ongoing basis.
- Application Open: November 13, 2021
- Application Close: March 1, 2022
- Kindergarten Cutoff: July 31
- Offer Date: March 7, 2022
- Decision Date: March 14, 2022
- Residence: Students must live within the KCPS boundaries.
How to Apply
Hope Leadership Academy is one of 18 Kansas City charter schools working together to simplify their initial application process into one easy 8-question form – SchoolAppKC – that you can fill out on any electronic device.
Note: If they do not have space, you may choose to remain on their waiting list.
Admission Preferences
Siblings
Student Performance
Standardized Test Results
English
Math
Why It Matters
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
Why It Matters
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
Why It Matters
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
On Track
Why It Matters
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
Exceeding
Why It Matters
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).
Parent Perspective
Santesa Gentry, HLA Parent
My daughter started out another local charter school and honestly I’ve always worried about her going to school because she is very selective with those she opens up to. When you think extreme introvert you would think of her. But from the first day at HLA in the TK classroom has been anything but a struggle. She loves going to school and loves her teacher. Since starting Hope Leadership Academy she has not had one bad thing to say about it. This school has restored my sense of security. If they can get through to my baby girl, I know any child can succeed in this community (school). I am truly grateful for this wonderful school right in the heart of our city.