Search Results

Telra High School Interest Survey Take Survey > Telra Institute is a tuition-free public K-8 charter school in South Charlotte with an approach that nurtures challenge , encourages tailored acceleration , and crafts a unique learning journey for each child . We enable advanced learners to realize their potential by going beyond the conventional educational model. Many families have asked us about expanding the Telra model to high school, and we'd like to understand how strong the interest would be for a school that extends Telra's advanced learning model to grades 9-12. Please complete the survey to let us know your thoughts. Take Survey >

We believe that social emotional learning (SEL) is critical for educating the whole child. Gifted or advanced learners have unique needs due to their asynchronous development. We have a threefold approach to SEL. Social Emotional Learning We believe that social emotional learning (SEL) happens best through experience Gifted or advanced learners sometimes have unique needs due to their asynchronous development — the difference between their cognitive, emotional, and physical ages—which can manifest in challenges with perfectionism, self-esteem, peer relationships, and empathy. At the same time, conventional, heavy-handed SEL programs are seen as too artificial and are often shrugged off by precocious, often cynical, advanced learners. We believe that, in contrast to most academic learning, social-emotional skills are not well-suited for direct instruction. Rather, they are best learned as they have been for thousands of years - by role models, through stories, and through experience. We have a threefold approach to SEL. 1 OUR STAFF: Telra teaching staff are trained to identify the unique needs of advanced and gifted children Myth : Gifted children are more prone to suffer mental and emotional distress Truth : High cognitive ability students are not at increased risk of psychological maladjustment. 2 OUR PEER MODEL: We surround asynchronously developing students with peers who are facing similar challenges. This helps them understand their struggles are not unique, and they can more easily make and keep friends. The best coaches understand the importance of psychosocial strength training, or “mental toughness,” for elite athletic performance. A good teacher recognizes that students also need to develop their inner game to realize their full academic and personal potential. 3 OUR CURRICULUM: Adopting a more advanced curriculum has multiple SEL benefits. Teaching to material that has more depth and complexity allows us to weave SEL into the day naturally. Children can learn empathy and moral imagination through literature. They can learn emotional literacy and resilience through play, sport, and challenging work. Higher challenge encourages children to develop the attitude and the skill sets associated with learning and perseverance. These build a foundation for success in higher education and beyond. Our Curriculum

Telra UNC Charlotte Learner Investigation Program - TULIP is a collaboration between Telra Institute and the Cato College of Education at UNC Charlotte to identify and cultivate academic talent in children. Our long-term goal is to broaden and strengthen the pipeline of future scholars by supporting young learners and their families with educational resources, guidance, and programming to fully develop their potential. T elra U NC Charlotte L earner I nvestigation P rogram TULIP is a collaboration between Telra Institute and the Cato College of Education at UNC Charlotte to identify and cultivate academic talent in children. Our long-term goal is to broaden and strengthen the pipeline of future scholars by supporting young learners and their families with educational resources, guidance, and programming to fully develop their potential. 2022-23 Program Offerings Math Enrichment with the Charlotte/Mecklenburg Math Club The Math Club began in 1987 to provide enrichment and challenges for students who have interest and ability and mathematics. In monthly meetings, students work individually and in small groups, supported by mentors, to solve problems from various areas of mathematics and hear occasional presentations. Various divisions available for grades 4-12, and no registration is required. In-person meetings at Telra Institute , 4150 McKee Rd, Charlotte, NC 28270 October 8, 9:30am November 12, 9:30am (Special presentation from Angelina Quan, NCs top scorer in the AMC 10, at 11:30) Ja nuary 14, 9:30am-12:30pm February 18, 9:30am-12:30pm March 18, 9:30am-12:30pm April 22, 9:30am-12:30pm Po-S hen Loh 2023 Math Tour How to S urvive the ChatGPT invasion Prof. Po-Shen Loh is a social entrepreneur and inventor working across mathematics, education, and healthcare. He is a math professor at Carnegie Mellon University and the national coach of the USA International Mathematical Olympiad team. He has pi oneered innovations ranging from a scalable way for people to learn challenging math live online from brilliant people to a new way to control pandemics by leveraging self-interest Telra Institute , 4150 McKee Rd, Charlotte, NC 28270 Wednesday May 23, 7:00pm Tickets are free, but seats are limited Pre-registration required Prior Offerings Virtual Seminar - Challenges of Parenting a Gifted or 2E Kid Presenter: Alyse Bone , MS, CRC, LCMHC, RYT-200 Watch recording below. February-April 2022: Asynchronous Development in Elementary-aged students (rising K to rising grade 5) We know that talented young learners often develop in asynchronous ways, with some sets of capabilities maturing faster than others. Research staff from UNC Charlotte are offering a free multi-dimensional set of assessments that measure overall development, with a particular focus on language, reading, mathematical, and social-emotional development. Parents are also asked to complete a set of rating scales to help gain a full picture of your child’s social-emotional development. Why participate? Gain a better understanding your child – All the assessment results will be provided to you. Receive tailored guidance Educational resources or next steps for your child recommended by UNC Charlotte education experts Social-emotional advice and support resources provided by a psychologist who specializes in working with gifted and 2E children (student identities are not disclosed to the psychologist) Receive more personalized education For Telra students, the results can help staff to better understand and accommodate your child’s learning needs For non-Telra students, you can choose whether or not to share the results with your child’s school Certify your child for school gifted and talented programs Most schools do not provide free testing for gifted qualification until late 2nd or 3rd grade Securing this suite of assessments on your own could cost hundreds of dollars Note: TULIP offers a very common set of assessments, but we make no guarantee that these are accepted your school. Please check your own school/district policies regarding gifted/AIG/TD identification. Surface indications of any learning differences, such as ADHD or ASD, that could benefit from early identification and management. Help advance UNC Charlotte’s research on asynchronous development in children, with a particular focus on gifted and 2E learners. Assessments details Depending on your child’s age, they would participate in most or all of the following assessments: Screening Assessment for Gifted Elementary and Middle School Students (SAGES-3 ) Test of Phonological Awareness (TOPA-2+) Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-5) Expressive Vocabulary Test (EVT-3) Raven’s Progressive Matrices (RPM/RCPM) The overall assessment time is 2-2.5 hours, plus 30-60 mins across multiple play breaks. Parents of participating children will be asked to complete a set of surveys related to your child’s academic, development, and social-emotional development. Completion of these forms should take 55-75 mins. Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC-3) Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (Vineland-3) Parenting Stress Index (PSI-4) Questions? TULIP@telra.org

Enrollment of Early Entrants to Kindergarten Eligibility criteria A child who has passed the fourth anniversary of the child’s birth on or before April 16 may qualify for early admission to Kindergarten. (A child who reaches the age of five years on or before August 31 qualifies to enter Kindergarten through the regular enrollment process . ) The Principal, along with a committee of professional educators, will consider the following factors in determining the eligibility of a four-year-old child to enter Kindergarten: 1. Aptitude and Achievement tests a. Aptitude: The child should score at the 98th percentile or higher on a standard individual test of intelligence such as the Stanford-Binet, the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, the Kaufman Anderson, or any other comparable test administered by a licensed psychologist. If using a test other than those named here, a parent or guardian should ask the Principal to ensure that it qualifies. b. Achievement: The child should score at the 98th percentile or higher on either reading or mathematics on a standard test of achievement such as the Metropolitan Readiness Test, the Stanford Early School Achievement Test, the Mini Battery of Achievement, the Woodcock-Johnson, the Test of Early Mathematics Ability, the Test of Early Reading Ability, or any other comparable test administered by a licensed psychologist, a member of the psychologist’s professional staff, or a professional educator who is trained in the use of the instrument and who has no conflict of interest in the outcome of the assessment. 2. Work sample The parent or guardian shall submit a sample of the child’s work that shows outstanding examples of ability (well above age peers) in any area including, but not limited to, art, mathematics, writing, dramatic play, creative productions, science, or social interactions. 3. Recommendation letters The parent or guardian shall provide two recommendation letters with specific documentation of physical and social maturity from preschool teachers, childcare workers, pediatricians, or others who have direct knowledge of the child. Useful documentation checklists include the California Preschool Competency Scale, the Harrison Scale, or any other comparable scale of early social development. The documents should show that the child demonstrates social and developmental maturity sufficient to participate in a structured setting for a full school day. 4. Interviews The Principal shall conduct an informal interview with the child and a more structured interview with the parent or guardian to assess the child’s reading skills and to determine if the child displays a thirst for knowledge and seeks new and challenging learning situations. Enrollment timeline and provisional lottery entry A four-year-old child may participate in Telra admissions lottery and enrollment process on a provisional basis provided the parent or guardian follows the timeline described below: 1. The parent or guardian must contact the school and indicate the intent to apply for early admission to kindergarten before entering an application. 2. The admissions and wait list process will proceed as normal for the child, however if the child is assigned a seat it will be considered provisional . 3. The parent or guardian must submit (a) the Aptitude and Achievement tests, (b) Work sample, and (c) Recommendation letters by April 30. If the required documents are not received by this date, the child may be withdrawn from any provisionally assigned seat. 4. The school will reach out to schedule the interviews no later than three weeks after receiving the required documentation. 5. The school shall decide whether to grant early admission within three weeks of receiving all required documents and completing the interviews. 6. If enrollment is granted, it will be considered conditional for up to 90 days to observe whether the child is able to adjust to the school setting. If, within this period, school staff determine that the child is not appropriately placed, the parent or guardian will be invited to assist in the development of intervention strategies for the child. If these strategies are not successful, the school shall provide the parent at least 10 days notice before exiting the child. Admissions Overview

School Calendar 2025-2026 Calendar (Grades K-8) School hours 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 2025-2026 Calendar (Grades 9-12) School hours 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 2025-2026 Calendar (Remote Academy) Looking for staff calendars? K-8 9-12 2026-2027 Calendars

Student Health Telra Institute has a Health Manager based on our K-8 campus to handle our day-to-day needs with treatment of minor injuries, triaging ill children, administration of approved medications, and maintenance of health records. You can find the required forms for State health compliance and school reporting on this page. If you have any questions or concerns about your child, please reach out to WellnessCenter@telra.org On this page Required Health Documents New students 7th grade 12th grade Optional Health Documents Medication Asthma Allergy & Anaphylaxis Required Health Documents Health Assessment Form (new students) North Carolina state law requires a health assessment for all K-12 children presented for admission into the public schools for the first time. The statute applies to all students of any grade who are new to North Carolina Public Schools, such as students who are: Entering Kindergarten for the first time Moving to North Carolina from another state or country Switching from a private or home school (and never attended NC public school before) The required Health Assessment Form may be completed by your child's doctor or at a participating local health department. By law, this form must be submitted within the first 30 days of the child's school attendance or the child will not be permitted to attend and may lose their assignment at Telra. Immunization Requirements (7th and 12th grade) North Carolina state law requires rising 7th and 12th grade students to provide proof of updated immunizations. 7th grade immunization requirements 12 grade immunization requirements Please obtain a Certification of Immunization from your child's doctor or medical provider and submit that to the school. By law, this form must be submitted within the first 30 days of the child's school attendance or the child will not be permitted to attend and may lose their assignment at Telra. Required Optional Optional Health Documents Medication Authorization If your child requires medication that they will need to take during the school day or while attending after-school activities, they must have a signed Medication Administration Authorization Form. This form is required to be signed by a physician and students will not be able to take medication at school without it. Medication can only be turned in by a parent or legal guardian and may not be brought to school by the student. Asthma Action Plan If your student has asthma, the following form is required so that they can be treated effectively if their asthma presents during the school day or while attending after school activities. This form is required to be signed by a physician. Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan If your student has an allergy, the following form is required so that they can be treated effectively if their allergy presents during the school day or while attending after school activities. This form is required to be signed by a physician. Medication authorization Asthma action plan Allergies action plan

A diverse and differentiated curriculum needs instructional strategies that are well-adapted for its parts. Telra deploys a variety of research-backed approaches based on the content area, student readiness, and curricular learning goals. Instructional Influences An eclectic approach A diverse and differentiated curriculum calls for well-adapted instructional strategies. Telra employs a variety of research-backed approaches based on the content area, student readiness, and curricular learning goals. We use what works. Students can learn in multiple ways, so Telra’s approach is not limited to a single teaching philosophy. We identify and deploy the best of what we can find. We are open to change. Our curriculum will evolve over time as we identify better sources, tailor them to our students, and find ways to improve our instructional delivery. At Telra, the teacher’s role is paramount Over the last 20 years, many in education have promoted a shift in the teacher’s role from "sage on the stage" to "guide on the side . " But while some view it as antiquated to ask students to focus on their teacher; we believe there is an important role of teacher-orators to impart wisdom. Moreover, students need to develop skills related to sustained concentration and directed attention as part of their executive function toolkit in order to be successful long term. Sages are encouraged to join us. Recent research shows that students (and especially above-average students) learn better in a classroom that is balanced with teacher-directed learning. Students need teachers who will ignite passion, convey content and meaning, and model critical thinking . At Telra, we enthusiastically adopt this ten-thousand-year tradition of holding teachers in high esteem. A great teacher is key to limitless and lifelong learning. The future is integrative As adults, most of what we do harnesses expertise across multiple disciplines. Some of the most interesting problems and the greatest opportunities for innovation lie in this kind of integrative work, an assertion that also is supported by Bloom’s Taxonomy . Bloom's Pyramid Curriculum The foundation of this taxonomy is knowledge and understanding. Project-based learning can deepen learning and foster creativity, but this is most effective after students have mastered the fundamentals.

Simply make a purchase of qualifying supplies, provide Telra's school ID at checkout (in store and online), and Telra will receive 5% back in credits for FREE supplies! It's a small act that can make a huge difference. Office Depot Give Back 1. Simply make a purchase of qualifying supplies 2. Provide Telra's school ID 70246829 at checkout (in store and online), and 3. Telra will receive 5% back in credits for FREE supplies! Shop Now Forgot to give our school ID at checkout? Click the button above to enter your purchase and make sure Telra gets credit.

Link to the latest stories as shared on our Instagram page @telrainstitute

Earn money for the school by doing the things you already do! Mabel's Labels will donate 20% to Telra when you select our school before shopping the site. Telra receives 20% of all Mabel's Labels purchases Visit campaigns.mabelslabels.com Type “Telra Institute ” into the dropdown Shop the site for waterproof, durable labels to curb germ spread and to keep your child's items coming home instead of sitting in the lost and found. Go now

Meet Our Staff Contact us using our standard email address convention Firstname.Lastname@telra.org Elisha Rearick K-3 Principal Elisha Rearick began her career in education as a classroom teacher at a charter school in Harrisburg where she taught third and fourth grade. She loved being a classroom teacher and always worked to challenge her students to help them reach their full potential. After her son was born, Mrs. Rearick decided to pursue her Master's in Academically and Intellectually Gifted Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and became a Talent Development teacher in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. Her passion for serving advanced learners is what drew her to Telra's approach to education. Outside of school, Mrs. Rearick loves spending time with her husband and four-year-old son, Miles. Together, they enjoy going to bookstores, hiking at parks, and playing board games. Mrs. Rearick and her family also love trying new restaurants and coffee shops, so she is always looking for recommendations! Education: Master's in Special Education: Academically and Intellectually Gifted; University of North Carolina at Charlotte BA in Psychology; Georgia State University Elementary Education Certificate; Moreland University Back to Directory

Telra Institute Remote Academy Boundless Learning across North Carolina Creating advanced learning opportunities is our core mission at Telra Institute. We've been doing it since 2021 for our in-person students in Charlotte, and now our Remote Academy is designed to extend this mission to even more families all across North Carolina. We are bringing the Telra Institute mindset of innovation and excellence to the world of remote learning, and you can participate, tuition-free . Admitting grades K-11 in 2025-26 and growing through 12th with our students Applications open Dec 15 School begins July 6, 2026 (school calendar ) Join us Learn more A Human-Centric online program Personalization built for acceleration Flexibility for modern families and busy kids Embracing the Telra community Is remote learning right for you? How to join Contact & FAQ A Human-Centric Online Program An online curriculum that understands the importance of human connection Real teachers on-screen with charisma and passion to inspire young learners High production value video captures attention, designed like the content students consume outside of school Based in cognitive science - Short direct instruction lessons followed by interactive activities & retrieval practice to validate and cement learning Personalization built for Acceleration Advanced learning for everyone Your individual readiness , not your age, determines the courses & grade level you qualify for Advance through multiple levels each year if you are motivated. Teachers set a recommended pace, but ultimately each student follows their own trajectory at Telra Earn high school credit in middle school, and even college credit with AP offerings & more Course library of over 65 options, and growing English courses 🞗 ELA 6th 🞗 ELA 7th 🞗 ELA 8th 🞗 English 1 🞗 English 2 🞗 English 3 🞗 English 4 🞗 College Writing 🞗 AP English Language & Composition World Languages 🞗 Spanish 1 🞗 Spanish 2 🞗 Spanish 3 🞗 French 1 🞗 French 2 🞗 AP French Language & Culture 🞗 ASL 1 Mathematics courses 🞗 Math 6th 🞗 Math 7th 🞗 Math 8th 🞗 Integrated Math 1 🞗 Integrated Math 2 🞗 Integrated Math 3 🞗 Advanced Math & Trigonometry 🞗 AP Statistics 🞗 Pre Calculus 🞗 Algebra 1 🞗 Geometry 🞗 Algebra 2 Arts courses 🞗 Introduction to Art 🞗 Drawing 🞗 Photography 🞗 Art History 🞗 Music Production / Digital Media 🞗 AP Music Theory 🞗 AP Art History Science courses 🞗 Earth & Space Science 🞗 Life Science 🞗 Physical Science 🞗 Environmental Science 🞗 Biology 🞗 Chemistry 🞗 Physics Elective courses 🞗 Intro to Communication & Speech 🞗 Online Learning & Digital Citizenship 🞗 Strategies for Academic Success 🞗 Cryptocurrency 🞗 Financial Literacy 1 🞗 Financial Literacy 2 🞗 Intro to Engineering 🞗 Intro to Computer Science 🞗 Intro to NFTs 🞗 Senior Seminar Social Science courses 🞗 Ancient World History 🞗 World Cultures & Geography 🞗 US History 🞗 World History 🞗 US Government & Politics 🞗 Economics 🞗 Philosophy 🞗 AP US Government & Politics 🞗 AP Psychology Health & PE courses 🞗 Health 🞗 Physical Education 1 🞗 Physical Education 2 Looking for coursework beyond what you see here? Reach out! We're always building and may be able to accommodate. Flexibility for Modern Families and Busy Kids School that works on your time Asynchronous learning so students can log in anytime and balance school with personal commitments, sports, arts, & family Platform agnostic so you can learn from your laptop, tablet, or phone Extended calendar so students have more time to complete courses if needed, or take days off and still not feel rushed 24-7 real-time feedback from AI, backed by online technical & instructional support from humans Multilingual-friendly with many courses available in Russian, Arabic, Spanish, and Ukrainian Homeschool-friendly Part-time enrollment available (at least 2 courses per semester) Earn credits recognized at all public schools in NC Show proficiency on NC standardized exams Build a broader transcript for college applications Embracing the Telra community Telra Institute has a relentless focus on building the advanced learning community in NC Participate in Telra extracurriculars, sports, competitions, field trips, and social events as your interest and location allow Build friendships among peers who share a passion for advanced learning Priority transfer rights if you decide to join the in-person school in Charlotte or future locations throughout NC Math Counts champions Academic competitions Basketball team Sports Washington, DC Field trips Math Counts champions Academic competitions 1/5 Is remote learning right for you ? Characteristics for success: focus, discipline, independence, and techno-fluency Remote students.... ...must be able to maintain focus on the teacher and learning materials. ...must have the discipline to use their technology for schoolwork and avoid the potential distractions of an internet-connected device and of their physical remote environment. ...need to be self-directed and resourceful to take ownership of their learning and any hurdles that might arise. ...should have basic familiarity with technology to optimize learning conditions, address minor troubleshooting issues, and type effectively for chat communication. Telra Institute Remote Instruction Plan Want to learn more to help you decide? How to Join Your Mission, should you choose to accept it Learn about eligibility, timelines, lotteries, and the enrollment process When you're ready, follow these enrollment steps Contact and FAQ Need to know more? Have questions? Want to chat? Connect with us at: RemoteAcademy@telra.org FAQs Why are you doing this? Because we're not just a school; we're a movement. At Telra, we believe young people can go farther, faster, than the establishment believes. And we don't think bureaucracy or inertia should hold any student back from realizing their potential. We may be just a scrappy upstart, but our ambition is to bring excellent instruction and unbounded education to students everywhere. And did we mention it's tuition-free ? When does the school year start? With an asynchronous program, we can provide maximum flexibility to families by beginning our school year in July. That way, families have access to the online platforms for 12 months through the following June. Students are best-positioned for success if they join at the start of the school year on 7/6/25 and participate in orientation. What if students need more time to complete a course? That's fine. It's more important to work at a pace where you can learn the content than to finish on a prescribed time table. At Telra, students follow their own trajectories through the curriculum - sometimes faster, other times slower. How is attendance tracked? Students need to log in and perform an action in the online platform each day to be counted as present. Can students attend part-time? Yes! See more . Are there in-person requirements? Only for required testing like End-of-Grade and End-of-Course exams. Students would need to travel to our Charlotte location ~once per year, but we are exploring having testing centers in other cities where there is a concentration of students. Can students transfer to the in-person program later? Yes! Remote Academy students have priority transfer rights. Remote students in good standing can transfer to the in-person program if space is available (without needing to participate in the in-person enrollment lottery). Because the curricula are different, additional placement testing is required. What kind of device or technology is required? You will need a solid internet connection and a laptop/desktop. Many lessons can be accessed on a tablet or phone, but you may need a keyboard for some longer responses. A microphone/camera is also recommended so that you can video chat with Telra teachers during check-ins. Where will this go in the future? The program is expanding to include grades K-4 in 2026 (stay tuned for more details), along with 11th grade. The 27-28 year will be a full K-12. We are also considering possible physical expansion, and some other out-of-the box ideas too early to even hint at. Early adopters will get to join us on this rocketship. Sounds intriguing, but what if it doesn't work for us? Remote learning isn't for everyone, but if you've been turned off from app-based virtual school before, we are offering something different. Students can get disengaged going over material they already know and speedrun through boring lessons. Our platform is different, because we leverage the human connection . Give us a try for 30 days, and see if the engagement is there. (You might even start part-time and switch to full-time once you see how it's working for you.)