Application Process

 

Focus Academy is a public charter school and therefore a school of choice. Families must follow the Admissions Policy, which includes an application and a personal interview. Documentation must be included for an application to be considered complete.

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Please review our updated Admissions Policy below. If you need more information after checking out our Frequently Asked Questions page, we would be happy to speak with you further and answer any questions.  Please call our office at 813.443.5558. Our office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 

During the first week of Open Enrollment in November, tours will be offered to families who would like a closer look at the school. If you missed tour week, but are still interested in seeing the school, please complete our online Tour Request  or call the main office at 813.443.5558. Prospective families can also schedule a virtual tour to learn more about Focus Academy's programs, and have the opportunity to ask questions relevant to their individual student.

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​We have minimal openings each year with interest in student placement rapidly growing.  When the number of student applications exceeds the number of available seats we hold an open, public lottery.

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Process

 

Applications to Focus Academy may be submitted through the following methods:

 

• Online via the website application page.

• Email to admissions@focusacademytampa.org

• Mailed to Focus Academy, 304 Druid Hills Road, Temple Terrace, FL 33617, Attention: Admissions

• Hand-delivered to the Administration Office during school hours (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., M-F)

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In addition, applications should include the following student information:

 

• Current Individual Education Plan (IEP). If the student is currently enrolled in a private school, please send the last IEP that the student received. Applications cannot be accepted without the IEP.

• Current school transcripts

• Middle School/High School report cards

• Psychological evaluation/testing from district school psychologist or certified individual psychologist

• Behavior plan, if applicable

• Current photo of student​

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Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.

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Admissions Policy

 

To be eligible for admission to Focus Academy, a student must meet the following criteria:

 

1. Be 11 to 22 years of age

2. Have a current IEP (Individualized Education Plan) or be eligible for an IEP.

3. Have an educational designation of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectually Disabled (IND), or Other Health Impairment (OHI).

4. Submit a completed application.

5. Submit a copy of the student’s most recent IEP.

6. Submit the most recent school transcript and report cards.

7. Provide copies of recent evaluations conducted by the school district school psychologist or certified independent psychologist.

8. Pursue a Standard Diploma on an Access Points curriculum.

9. Be capable of functioning independently without the services of a one on one aide.

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Open Enrollment Period

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Focus Academy’s open enrollment period will be held in November and end in January.

 

1. Focus Academy will post the Open Enrollment dates on the school’s website 30 days prior to open enrollment; see the box at right.
    

2. Applications received during the open enrollment period will be:

    

• Reviewed by the IEP Team for determination of eligibility
   

• Included in the school lottery when the number of applications exceeds the number of available openings
   

• Focus Academy will continue to receive all applications submitted after the open enrollment deadline.  If the number of applications exceeds the number of openings during the open enrollment period, a lottery will be held some time in April.  A pre-determined date and time and will be announced on the web site.

  
  If a lottery is held, the remaining applicants within the open enrollment period will be drawn, given a number, and placed on the waiting list.  Applications received after open enrollment will be numbered and placed on a class waiting list.
   

• If the number of applications received during the open enrollment period does not exceed the number of openings, a lottery will not be necessary.  All applications will be reviewed for eligibility by the IEP Team, based on the date the application was received by the school.  Upon an IEP Team one on one interview with student and family, the student will be offered an opportunity to enroll until all openings are filled.

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