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  • Grades | Telra Institute

    Grades and Trajectories All of our students follow the Telra Institute course of study. However, each student follows their own trajectory through that course of study. That means students can progress at different rates in different subject areas, some may go fast er or slower at times, some may need extra support or enrichment, some may skip over content they already know, and some may need to repeat content to gain mastery. Zone of Proximal Development The concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) is critical to Telra’s approach. Students learn best while experiencing the “productive struggle” of working in their zone of proximal development – not so easy that it leads to boredom, not so hard that progress is hopeless. In Telra’s grading system, scores of 70-89% indicate that a student is working within this zone. That’s our target and it's reflected in the visual depiction of the Telra standard grading scale. Unlike the traditional A-F scale, which encourages students to optimize for A's rather than optimizing growth, our focus is keeping most students in the Z to Z+ zone.* This can require some adjustment for families who might be accustomed to earning A's and scoring 95% and above. At Telra, scores in that range are a signal a student is not being sufficiently challenged. When data indicates that a student is significantly and consistently above or below their ZPD, it suggests that an intervention may be needed. * E xception: Telra aw ards A-F grades for high school credit courses but high school courses taken prior to 9th grade do not factor into a high school GPA A student's position relative to their ZPD (in each subject area) affects their trajectory through Telra In ZPD - Standard Advancement Below ZPD - Support Interventions Above ZPD - Extension Interventions Placement decisions No two students are alike. Why would we expect them to follow identical trajectories through school? In the Zone - Standard Advancement Students performing at an average of 70-89% in their classroom assessments are receiving the appropriate level of challenge within their ZPD or ZPD+ . These students remain in their active instructional groupings and are on track to proceed to the next course in Telra's course of study for that subject area. In general, this means that, at year end, we would be able to answer yes to the two questions below and these students would receive a standard grade-level promotion at year-end. Standard Grade-Level Promotion Criteria Looking back over the past school year, has the student performed in their Zone of Proximal Development (or above) at the grade-level minimum course (or above) in each subject area? If not, has the student met the alternate qualification by surpassing standardized test thresholds? Looking ahead to the next school year, do we believe the student will be able to perform in their Zone of Proximal Development (or above) at the grade-level minimum course (or above) in each subject area in the next grade level? InZone Below ZPD - Support Interventions When students are performing in the Sub ZPD zone (60-69%), they enter our early intervention process, which begins with in-class reteaching of content and could involve support during Flex or Explore and independent practice. If students enter their ZPD after early intervention, they remain in their instructional group. However, if students do not enter their ZPD, they enter our intensive intervention process. When students are performing in the Out of ZPD zone (<59%) or early interventions have not helped students enter their ZPD, students enter intensive interventions . In intensive intervention, our first option is always an instructional group change, if available. When an instructional group change is not possible or does not allow a student to enter their ZPD, they begin to receive small group intervention in addition to the early interventions. This can take place during Flex or Explore, or during other times as offered by Telra, which may include before or after school, weekends, or during school breaks. Grade level retention conversations begin when students enter our intensive intervention cycle. When intensive interventions are unable to close gaps to allow a student to be successful under standard promotion, grade level retention is considered. Grade Level Retention Questions When considering grade level retention, we ask the following questions: Does data suggest the student has not demonstrated proficiency in one or more subject areas? Are better fitting instructional groups unavailable to the student under standard promotion? Does data suggest that the student is unlikely to meet performance expectations across subject areas if promoted? Is standard promotion with intervention unlikely to close gaps within the academic year? Will grade retention offer a better fit in terms of ability to access appropriate curriculum content and support academic growth in the student’s ZPD than standard promotion? When answering these questions, we may also look at the trajectory for the student over multiple years. Additionally, we consider many sources of data when determining readiness, including course grades, placement testing, and standardized test scores. We understand that the topic of grade retention can be fraught, and that some schools have different perspectives on the matter. Similarly, many families have widely divergent takes on the practice; some welcome giving their children more time to master material, while others are concerned about "keeping up" with an age group. At Telra, we are working to normalize the idea that every student needs to follow their own trajectory in the same way that we are normalizing mixed-age grouping for instruction. Academic considerations (the student's ability to access their ZPD) drive Telra's instructional group and grade-level placement decisions. Social promotion, while seemingly empathetic in the short-term, does a disservice to children in the long-term. Moreover, social promotion is not supported by North Carolina State Law (see § 115C-83.7 - Elimination of social promotion). Accordingly, Telra does not engage in social promotion. The promotion and retention criteria discussed here apply uniformly to all students. There are no exceptions to this requirement. This means that s tudents who may have been retained before and students who receive special services (such as Individualized Education Plans or 504 accommodations) must also meet these expectations for promotion. Above ZPD - Extension Interventions When students are performing above their ZPD (90-100%), they enter our extension intervention cycle. When making instructional group changes in these situations, students often need to bridge the gap between their current placement and the next instructional group. This could be a small-group pre-teach of content, more intensive additional instruction, or independent assignments. This can take place during Flex or Explore, or during other times as offered by Telra, which may include before or after school, weekends, or during school breaks. Grade level acceleration conversations begin when students cannot access the most appropriate instructional groups for them based on their current numerical grade level. Grade level acceleration question When considering grade level acceleration, we ask the following questions: Is the student consistently scoring Beyond Zone of Proximal Development (B+) on assessments? Are better fitting instructional groups unavailable to the student in their current grade or under standard promotion? Does data suggest the student would be able to perform in their ZPD in classes offered in each subject area in the accelerated grade? Can interventions reasonably close any gaps created by acceleration? Does the accelerated grade offer a better fit in terms of ability to access appropriate curriculum content and support academic growth in the student’s ZPD than the alternative? Since the Telra model permits frequent and flexible subject acceleration, grade-level acceleration is often not necessary. Nonetheless, sometimes grade-level acceleration is the best option for a student, and it is consistent with the Telra vision of individualized trajectories to maximize learning. While other schools frequently raise social/emotional objections to grade-level acceleration, research on both short and long-term impacts shows that these concerns are unwarranted. Above Below Placement Decisions Instructional group and grade level promotion, retention, and acceleration decisions are advised by a team with knowledge of the student and their performance. The team may include members such as school leadership, classroom teachers, interventionists, exceptional children’s teachers, and parents. Ultimately, all placement, promotion, retention, and acceleration decisions are at the discretion of the student's school Principal as is authorized by State Law. Decisions

  • Our Location | Telra Institute

    In Fall 2022, Telra Institute moved to its new home at 4150 McKee Rd where our next door neighbor is St. Francis United Methodist Church, and we look across the street to see McKee Rd Neighborhood Park and McKee Rd Elementary. We are excited to be part of the McKee Road community. Our Locations One school - Two locations In Fall 2022 , Telra Institute opened its K-8 building at 4150 McKee Rd where our next door neighbor is St. Francis United Methodist Church, and we look across the street to see McKee Rd Neighborhood Park and McKee Rd Elementary. Take a virtual tour . Starting in the 2025-26 school year, our high school students will be 4 mi down the road at 3130 Campus Ridge. This new facility is walking distance to the CPCC Levine Campus, where our students benefit from a tightly integrated dual-enrollment (college + high school) experience. K-8 Telra to Telra High school High School construction Updated through Dec 2025 Bathroom tiles outside basketball hoop familiar colors 70s paneling? Classroom coming together bathroom tiling in progress Common room with lots of light fresh sidewalks fresh sidewalks Show More Looking back on McKee construction Fall 2021 to Fall 2022 Watch the video above for the location announcement from Telra Institute's Chancellor and Founder, Ronak Bhatt. Groundbreaking ceremony, September 2021 Grading, November 2021 December 2021 Update: Foundations poured for the Telra academic building and gymnasium January 2022 Update: Foundations in place and wall panels being poured. February 2022 Update April 2022 Update

  • Arrival & Departure | Telra Institute

    Telra's school day starts at 8:15 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m.  Our doors will open at 7:55 a.m. Here are the procedures for BSC, car lines, late arrival, early dismissal, dismissal, and ASC. Arrival & Departure The K-8 school day starts at 8:15am and ends at 3:30pm Our doors will open at 7:50 am. The High School day extends from 8:30am - 3:00pm. Doors will open at 8:15am. Looking for the Telra School Calendar? Quick links K-8 Campus (4150 McKee) Daily schedule Car line flow and rules Arrivals Departures High School Campus (3130 Campus Ridge) Daily schedule Drop off and pick up location Arrivals Departures Dismissal and Arrival plans K-8 Campus (4150 McKee) Daily schedule 7:45am – Cars allowed to enter drop-off line. 7:50am – Morning car line unloading begins; walkers may arrive. 7:55am – 8:05am - School buses arrive 8:10am – Shuttle bus to High School departs K-8 campus 8:15am – K-8 Morning bell - Arrivals after this time must park and sign in tardy. (See how to avoid tardies. ) 1:00pm – Dismissal changes cut off – no changes accepted after this time. 3:00pm – Latest time for early dismissal. 3:05pm – Cars allowed to enter pick-up line. 3:30pm – Afternoon bell. Shuttle bus from High School returns to K-8 campus. 3:35-3:40pm – Students begin exiting for car line, buses, vans, walkers, and after school care. 3:55pm – End of car line. 4:00pm – Pickups after this time will incur after-care charges . Car line flow and rules The map below shows how traffic flows during arrival and dismissal times. Car line time restrictions – Cars will not be allowed to enter the property for car line before 7:45am in the morning or before 3:05pm in the afternoon. The car line blocks access to our building which we need to keep open for staff, before care, and early dismissals. If you arrive early, you will be turned away. Please do not try to circumvent this by queuing up on the road or in the church parking lot. One way flow. Please note that the main entrance to the school is on the west end of campus from the road that runs between the Baptist church and St. Francis church. We have two driveways directly on McKee Rd – one for buses only and one is exit only. Do not try to enter these driveways. Three-lane drop zone with driver side entry/exit. Our car line queue expands to 3 lanes , and we’ll use all 3 for drop off and pick up. The near lane loads/unloads first, then after it empties, the 2nd lane goes, and after that, the far lane. Access is from the LEFT side of the car. Please make sure your children are ready to load/unload from the driver’s side . If you must access from the passenger side, be sure to take lane 3 (furthest to the right) Parents should stay in the car. PLEASE REMEMBER! If you are in the middle or far lane, please keep your children in the car until a staff member approaches to open your door. If you need to help your child settle into a car seat, wait until you can pull forward around the curve and then off to the side. Arrivals Telra's K-8 academic day starts at 8:15am, and students need to be in their classroom at that time to avoid being marked tardy. We know the morning routine at home can be tough, but be sure to arrive well-in time to make sure your child starts the Telra day on the right foot. We want to teach students that punctuality matters. The K-8 morning car line opens at 7:50 am. Aim for the Green zone ! Cars arriving 7:50 - 8:05 am - Green zone - Your child will have plenty of time to visit their locker/cubby and get to class. Maybe even chat with their friends and relax a bit before school begins. Cars arriving 8:05 - 8:10 am - Yellow zone - Your child will likely be on time, but you haven't left much cushion in case there is traffic on the road or in our drop off area. (And if you have a child hoping to ride the shuttle bus to the high school, you likely missed it.) Cars arriving 8:10 - 8:15 am - Red zone - There is a good chance your child will be tardy. Best case scenario, they'll be rushing to get to class. Cars arriving to the loading zone after 8:15 am - Tardy - You will need to park and sign your child in. Before School Care Families dropping off for Before School Care can stop in the curve and approach the walker entrance (located at the gym - to the right of the main entrance and flag pole.) The parking lot is open only for staff and Before School care between 7:00-7:45am You can sign up for Before School Care here . Walkers Walkers will use the main front door Families must pre-register with frontdesk@telra.org to be walkers (limited to families who live within a 1 mi. radius on the north side of McKee Rd) Late Arrivals If you arrive after 8:15am , please park in the pavilion parking lot of the school and walk your child to the front door to sign them in. The Operations team will then issue your student with a late pass before sending them to their classroom. Do not pull into the bus entrance at the back of the school. Departure Students will be dismissed at 3:30pm, but it takes time to leave the building. The car line doesn't start loading until around 3:35. Car riders, please follow the same traffic flow of arrival. Please do not line up for afternoon pickup before 3:05 pm. If you arrive early, you will be blocked from driving on campus and that risks creating a back-up on McKee Rd. (This is one area in life where it's not good to be too early! Many parents plan to arrive around 3:45, and can get through car line in 10-20 mins) C ar tags - All cars must have their car tags hanging on the rear view mirror (or a clearly visible piece of paper on the dashboard with your family's assigned car line number, family name, and children's names.) If you are carpooling with another family, find out their number and display both tags or a home-made sign in clear lettering Bus riders/van riders will be collected and taken to their bus or van. Walkers will be collected and taken to the playground. Parents of walkers should assemble near the playground gate (do not enter the playground). A member of staff will walk students out to you. K-8 K-8 schedule Car line K-8 arrivals K-8 departure High School Campus (3130 Campus Ridge) Daily schedule 8:10am - Shuttle bus departs from K-8 8:15am - Telra HS classrooms open for student check-in 8:25am - Shuttle bus arrives at HS 8:30am – Classes begin - Arrivals after this time marked tardy 1:00pm – Dismissal changes cut off – no changes accepted after this time. 3:00pm – Dismissal; car pickups at Telra High School 3:05pm – Shuttle bus departs Telra High School for K-8 campus 3:20pm – Shuttle bus arrives at K-8 campus Shuttle bus schedule Drop-off and Pick-up location Families dropping off and picking up children at the high school should follow the directions in the image below and drop off near the orange arrows at the front of the school. Arrivals Telra's High School academic day starts at 8:30am , and students need to be in their classroom at that time to avoid being marked tardy. We know the morning routine at home can be tough, but be sure to arrive well-in time to make sure your child starts the Telra day on the right foot. We want to teach students that punctuality matters. Car drop-offs at the High School Arrive between 8:15-8:25am so that students have time to walk to class Car drop-offs at CPCC Students who have classes beginning at 9am or earlier may be dropped off directly at CPCC If your first class of the day is a CPCC class beginning after 9am , you are expected to come to the high school at 8:30am and check in first. Car drop-offs or walkers at the K-8 campus Arrive no later than 8:05am so that students have time to catch the shuttle departing at 8:10am If you are late, keep driving and head to the high school campus Bus riders Bus routes should arrive at the K-8 in time for the interchange to the shuttle bus But don't dally! Head straight to gather in the arranged location for the shuttle. Late Arrivals If you arrive after 8:30am , you are tardy. Head directly to class if it is already in session. Check in at the Telra high school as soon as possible. Departures Students will be dismissed at 3:00pm. Car riders can be picked up in one of two locations At the high school campus shortly after 3:00pm Via the K-8 campus car line shortly after 3:30pm The inter-campus shuttle departs the high school at 3:10pm and arrives at the K-8 campus by 3:25pm allowing transfers to another school bus or to the K-8 car line High School HS schedule Drop off pickup HS arrivals HS departures Setting and changing dismissal plans End-of-Day Dismissal Set your end-of-day dismissal preferences and make changes through our Microsoft Dismissal & Absences tool available from our Quick Links page. You will need to log in with your child's Telra Microsoft Credentials Dismissal changes must be submitted by 1pm (at latest) on the day of dismissal. (24-hours notice is preferred.) Changes to regular dismissal method will not be made after 1pm. Early Dismissal (for K-8) Parents can sign their children out of school early prior to 3 :00pm. From 3:00pm onwards students will not be dismissed early. Change in dismissal method also must be communicated prior to 1pm. See above. If you need to collect your student from school early, please complete your request using the Microsoft Dismissal and Absences tool . Pick up is from the front door of the school and you must bring photo identification to sign your child out. Early dismissal finishes at 3:00pm, no exceptions. We understand that occasionally appointments need to be scheduled during school hours, however, please don’t make it a regular occurrence as this cuts into the instructional time that your child receives Early Dismissal / Late Arrival (for High School) Most high school students have some independent or asynchronous study periods, and we encourage families to use these for scheduling necessary appointments. Parents can, upon request and approval from the high school Principal, schedule a recurring late arrival or early dismissal if it is compatible with a student's schedule. Dismissal plans

  • Our Partners | Telra Institute

    Thank you to our partners in the community who have helped make Telra Institute a reality. Dandelion Counseling, Tricia Tam Marketing & Design, Little, Hughes Realty Advisors, BCCG Construction Group, PASS Lawyers, and Truist. Here are our current RFP's... Our Partners Thank you to our partners in the community who have helped make Telra Institute a reality. Alyse Bone MS, CRC, LPC, RYT-200 Technology Telra students and staff have access to think-cell to create professional-level charts and presentations as they learn to understand and tell stories with math. Learn more at https://www.think-cell.com/ New partners Telra Institute welcomes new partnerships that can enhance our ability to accomplish our mission of delivering effective, advanced learning. We are particularly interested in research and teaching collaborations. Please reach out to partnerships@telra.org with your interest. Note: Telra Institute will occasionally contribute funds to joint projects with other institutions, but our policy is to pay only for directly-attributable costs. (Indirect costs will not be funded.)

  • Social Emotional Learning | Telra Institute

    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

  • Admissions Overview | Telra Institute

    Telra Institute is now accepting applicants for grades K-3 in the 2021-2022 academic year. Telra is a nonprofit tuition-free public charter school authorized by the State of North Carolina. We adhere to an open admissions and enrollment policy. Admissions Overview 26-27 Lottery is complete Join the waitlist! Welcome and thank you for your interest in becoming a part of the Telra Institute family. Telra is a nonprofit tuition-free public charter school authorized by the State of North Carolina. We adhere to an open admissions and enrollment policy. Here's how the process works: 1. Submit an online application (it takes just 5 minutes on your smartphone or computer) 2. Receive acceptance/ waitlist notification Wait for the lottery results and offers. Applications received after the lottery are added to the wait list in the order they are received after applying any applicable admission preferences. Learn More or Apply Now 3. Complete enrollment by submitting documents FAQ's Who can apply? Should I apply? When do I apply? How are students selected? How does the lottery work? How do I apply? What's next if my child is admitted? What about future years? What are the documentation requirements? Does Telra use admissions screening? Where is the school? Why did my child move backward on the waitlist What about transportation, meals, uniforms, etc? FAQs Who can apply Who can apply? We invite applications from all children who meet AGE and RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS : AGE - A child who reaches the age of five years on or before August 31 qualifies to enter Kindergarten. Limited exceptions apply. NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENCY - Attendance is open to applicants from any county or school district area as long as the child's primary residence is in the state of North Carolina. DOCUMENTATION - Documentation is not required at the time of application, but if your child is admitted, proof of eligibility must be provided to complete enrollment. Should I apply Should I apply? We want every child to find the best school environment that helps them realize their potential. We invite you to review Choosing A School to learn what makes Telra special. When do I apply When do I apply? We want every child to have an equal opportunity to attend our school. All applications received during Open Enrollment will be given equal consideration. The order in which Open Enrollment applications are submitted has no bearing on chances for selection. You can also apply after the Open Enrollment period. However, late applications will be only be considered after the Open Enrollment applications are processed (see below). How are stuents selected How are students selected? When the Open Enrollment period ends, we compare the number of applications we received to the number of available seats in each grade and section. If more seats are available than applicants, we accept all eligible children who applied during Open Enrollment. If we have fewer seats available than applicants, a computerized lottery will take place to determine which students get a seat and which students are placed on the waiting list. Admissions preferences can provide an advantage in the lottery. We urge parents to review them and learn if any apply to your child. The application form will give you the opportunity to claim any relevant admission preferences. Children who apply after Open Enrollment closes are processed in the order their applications are received and placed on the appropriate list - admitted or waitlist. If your child is on the waitlist, don’t be discouraged! Seats will open up throughout the spring and summer. We will send you updates as the waitlist moves and continue to send you school information. Note that admissions preferences also apply to applicants on the waitlist. If you discover, after you have been waitlisted, that one of the admissions preferences apply to your child, you can update your application and improve your chances of selection. Who runs the lottery How does the lottery work? At the end of Open Enrollment, we determine - for each grade and section - whether a lottery is needed. Applicants are then assigned a random number and their applications are then sequenced from lowest (at the top of the list) to highest number (at the bottom of the list). Offers are extended in this sequence until capacity is reached. We do not know ahead of time what the capacity will be in each grade, nor can we predict likelihood of admission. That is a somewhat dynamic question as space and staff are allocated depending on multiple factors, including overall demand, relative demand at each grade, and turnover. Admissions preferences are an exception to the random lot assignment. Many families may qualify for one or more admission preferences, so it is important to review them closely and see if any may apply to your child in order to maximize your chances of admission. How do I apply How do I apply? Choose your format Families can apply for the Telra's in-person program, the Remote Academy (virtual) program, or both. Go to the correct application link: In-person program : https://telra.almastart.com Remote Academy: https://telraremote.almastart.com Log in or create an Alma Start Account A responsible parent or guardian must log into or create an Alma Start account. If you have applied to Telra in previous years, you can use the same Alma Start login credentials. If you choose to apply to both programs, you can use the same login credentials for each. Need help on navigating Alma Start? Access the walkthrough videos with the password: Sparkpotential Select or Add the Student If you have children already on your profile, click on their name to select them. If the prospective student is not listed, click "Add Student" to provide their name and then select them. Begin Process Once a child is selected, you can click on the "Begin New Process" Select the school year for the new application (2026-27), and the child's current Grade Level (in 25-26). Click on the Admission 2026-27 process box that appears below. Then click "begin" to launch the process. Complete Forms New applicants will start in the Admissions intake stage . Click there to complete the required forms. Submit Application Once you have completed all the forms, click the green submit button to move your application to the Wait List stage. Make sure to complete this step by the end of open enrollment (January 22) if you want to participate in the Lottery. Wait You will know that your application is complete because it will show as being in the Wait List stage . You will not receive an immediate email confirmation. However, prior to the lottery you will receive an email that assigns your application a unique code that you can use to identify your child in the lottery and waitlist. Lottery The lottery was held on January 23, 2026. We shared a virtual meeting link on our home page for those who are interested in joining live to watch us use the RAND() function in Microsoft Excel to assign a random number to each applicant. The lower the number, the earlier an applicant will be in the assignment sequence (adjusted for any other lottery priorities ). Sequencing Within one week of the lottery (i.e., by January 30), Telra will publish assignment sequences. You'll know your random number on the lottery date, but you won't know where you are on the list until the Sequence date . Offers After the sequencing is complete, the school begins offering seats , beginning with applicants at the top of the sequence and proceeding down. Some seats will be available and offers will be extended right away. Other seats may not become available until later in the spring, so assignments for those will be deferred. The assignment process takes several months throughout the spring, and some assignments even stretch into the summer. Our advice: if you are determined to be a Telra family, be patient and remain on the list. Every year, some families who had almost given up hope receive the happy news of an offer. Reaffirmation Because the assignment process can take time, we understand that some families on the wait list make other educational plans. If you do, please let us know so that we can remove your applicant from the waitlist, which expedites the processing of offers. From time-to-time, we will send out an email to all families on the waitlist to ask whether they wish to "reaffirm" their interest in Telra to remain on the list. Families who do not respond to a reaffirmation email will be removed from the wait list. Late applicants Applications received after the end of Open Enrollment will be added to a wait list in the order they are received, and behind all of the applications that were received during Open Enrollment. Later wait list additions will receive an email at the end of the month they register with the unique ID they can use to look up their waitlist position. While you are waiting, keep an eye on opportunities to learn more about the school, take a tour, and participate in placement testing. If you don't have access to internet, need translation support, or would like to apply another way, please reach out to applications [at] telra.org or call the school at 704-727-2530. Apply for in-person Apply for remote Whats Next What's next if my child is admitted? You will receive an email notifying you that your child has been admitted and how you can respond to accept or decline the offer. You will have up to 7 days to respond , but we request that you be prompt, as your decision impacts other families. (See below for exceptions from this timeline.) If you accept, you will receive an email explaining how to proceed to enroll your child and explaining the documentation requirements. You will have up to 7 days to provide the requested documents and complete the registration forms (also on Alma Start). (See below for exceptions from this timeline.) After you submit your registration forms, they will undergo a validation process that can take up to a week. You may be contacted if a form was incorrectly completed or an uploaded document is not valid or legible. When validation is complete, you will receive an email welcoming you to Telra. If you haven't received this email after a week, be sure to check your spam folder before reaching out to inquire. Any admissions from the waitlist more than 30 days after the date of the lottery may have shortened timelines (2 days) for response. What about future years What about future years? If you are planning to continue attending Telra, once enrolled, a student does not need to submit another application nor enter a lottery to remain a Telra Institute in subsequent years. (Once you're in, you're in!) If you decide to move to another school (mid-year or at the end of an academic year), you will need to re-apply if you change your mind and decide you want to come back to Telra. Also note that, because Telra's curriculum and grade level system are different from that of other schools, if you do leave Telra, we cannot predict how another school will map your Telra courses and grade level to theirs. They may go simply by your nominal Telra grade level or they may take into account the specific coursework you have completed at Telra and give you an accelerated placement. Ultimately, these decisions are made by the school leadership at your destination school. Doc Reqs What are the documentation requirements? Parents or guardians will be required to submit certain documentation to complete enrollment. This will include: Identification Copy of child's birth certificate or other proof of age and legal name North Carolina residency - Acceptable proof of residency documents must include the parent or guardian's name. Any of the following documents may be used: A utility bill dated within the past 60 days, such as gas, water, electric, telephone, or cable A financial statement dated within the past 60 days such as payroll stub, bank statement, or credit card statement Current vehicle registration Dated within the past year: Vehicle Tax Bill, Property Tax Bill, W-2, or Medicaid Card Copy of residential deed or record of most recent residential mortgage statement Notarized Residency Affidavit ( form ) Residential lease HUD closing statement Letter from approved agency or group home Refugee resettlement letter Exceptions to the proof of residency requirement apply for a child whose parent or legal guardian is on active military duty and is transferred or pending transfer pursuant to an official military order. Please review the requirements here and contact Telra if you think this may apply to you. Immunization North Carolina law requires all children in the state to receive certain immunizations as listed here . McKinney-Vento Telra Institute complies with the McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Assistance Act. Children experiencing homelessness may enroll, even if lacking normally required documents. Please contact Telra if you think this may apply to you or reach out to Lisa Notini at Lisa.Notini@polarisims.com 828.287.7897. Additional resources are available here: https://hepnc.uncg.edu/ no admissions screening Does Telra have admissions screening? We know many other schools (charters, privates, and district magnets) screen applicants based on standardized tests, portfolio reviews, auditions, etc. These processes often include cognitive aptitude tests to identify "giftedness", but those can be unreliable for preschool-aged children. Since many of our applicants are only 4 years old, such an exam would be of limited use for us. Moreover, the advanced learning curriculum we offer works fabulously well for many gifted students, but not all of them. At the same time there are other students who have the passion and drive to thrive at Telra (and in life!), but may not carry the "gifted" label. Instead of focusing on admissions screening and binary labels, we offer placement assessments that students can take if they are requesting a non-default placement in reading or math. These assessments are similar to those our enrolled students take regularly - they correlate directly with our grouping model and they inform which grade or math/reading instructional group a student is eligible for. Every Telra student will take a placement assessment when they join us; we also offer applicants the option of taking them prior to joining. We recommend participating in the early placement assessments if you believe your child needs to be placed at a math or reading level different from their default grade level (noting that their default grade level at Telra may not be the same as their grade level placement elsewhere). Placement results do not affect an applicant's lottery or waitlist position. However, they can affect a student's instructional grouping and/or grade level placement. As a result, they can indirectly impact assignment because we (sequentially, in lottery order) consider each applicant against available space in each of the classes / grade levels into which that applicant is recommended for placement. Please note: Placement results can be a rude awakening for many families, especially in North Carolina, where schools often report inflated grades , misleading families about students' true proficiency level. At Telra, grade advancement is earned through demonstrated knowledge, not conferred due to age. This may require a grade level adjustment upon joining our school, but we find this positions students for maximum academic growth in their time at Telra. Choosing A School Backward Waitlist Why did my child move backward on the waitlist? We know no one wants to see their child move to a higher number on the waitlist, but this can happen when another applicant has an admission preference applied. As much as possible, we try to identify admission preferences prior to the lottery, but sometimes these are not recognized until after the lottery is run, and sometimes families that apply after the lottery may qualify for an admission preference which can advance them on the waitlist. Where is school Where is the school? Telra Institute K-8 is located at 4150 McKee Rd, Charlotte, NC 28270 Telra Institute High School is located at 3130 Campus Ridge Rd, Matthews NC 28105 See more on our Location page Transportation Meals Uni What about transportation, meals, uniforms, etc? If you are interested in our in-person program, please read more about Attending Telra . Our school uniform and dress code principles can be found here .

  • Before & Afterschool Enrichment | Telra Institute

    Before and Afterschool Enrichment Care Program Our Before and Afterschool Enrichment Care (BASE) program accommodates the wrap-around care needs of our families from 6:45-7:45am and from 3:30-6:00pm Telra adopts the Let Grow Play Club approach to help kids build confidence, resilience, and self-reliance through independent play. We value risk-taking within safe limits, and during Play Club activities, staff supervise for safety only, not to lead or guide play. Kids solve disputes, negotiate their own rules, and invent their own games. Conflict resolution support only provided when truly necessary. Join the Play Club Benefits of Play Clubs... 1. Foster independent & cooperative play 2. Build social skills & cross-grade relationships 3. Promote responsibility and self-regulation 4. Encourage creativity & imagination 5. Develop problem-solving & conflict resolution skills 6. Support physical activity & wellness 7. Ease the morning transition 8. Reduce after-school stress & overscheduling 9. Support working families Morning Play Club Drop off your Telra student at the Gym (or, if directed by the signage, at the Playground) as early as 6:45am Schedule 6:45 - 7:30am - Arrival and Indoor/Outdoor Play Club 7:30 - 7:45am - Bathroom breaks, calming activities (stretching, breathing), and preparation for school 7:45am - Transition to classrooms Pricing Daily: $15 Weekly: $50 Monthly: $150 Sign up Afternoon Play Club Afterschool care is provided up to 6:00pm, pick up your child at the gym Schedule 4:00-4:15pm - Check-in and snack (brought from home) 4:15-4:45pm - Indoor/outdoor Play Club 4:45-5:30pm - Academic time, homework help, and themed enrichment activities 5:30-6:00pm - Wind-down time (reading, creative play, journaling) Pricing Daily: $25 Weekly: $100 Monthly: $300 We understand traffic and emergencies happen. Please pick up your child promptly by 6 pm. Late fees accrue at $15 per 15 minutes. Sign up TWAC Student Rules and Expectations 1. Be Safe Walk indoors — no running inside the building (except when allowed in the gym) Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself. Stay in designated program areas at all times. Follow staff directions immediately and respectfully. Use materials and equipment properly. 2. Be Respectful Speak kindly to others — no teasing, name-calling, or inappropriate language. Listen when others are speaking. Respect personal space and belongings of others. Follow the “quiet voice” rule during indoor activities. Be respectful to program staff and peers. 3. Be Responsible Clean up after yourself. Use your time wisely (during homework, enrichment, etc.). Keep your backpack and personal items organized. Tell a staff member if you need help or feel uncomfortable. Stay with your group or assigned area until dismissed. 4. Follow the Schedule Arrive and check in on time. Participate in all scheduled activities unless excused. Help transitions run smoothly by listening to signals and instructions. 5. Electronics Policy Personal electronics (phones, tablets, etc.) are not allowed unless given permission for academic use. Telra Institute is not responsible for lost or damaged items. 6. Snack & Food Guidelines Snacks are only eaten during designated snack times. No sharing of food due to allergy protocols. Clean your area after snack time. As this program is a Telra Institute program, all school and BASE rules apply. Failure to follow these rules will be referred to Telra Institute Operations Leadership. Consequences may range from school-based interventions to removal from the enrichment program.

  • QUICK LINKS | Telra Institute

    Quick links for enrolled families Quick Links for Enrolled Families Dismissals View and change your child's dismissal plans Student info School bulletins, classes, schedules, and contact info Absent Report a planned absence. Provide a doctor's note

  • Advanced Learners | Telra Institute

    Does your child like moving fast? Have you ever had the experience of asking your child what they learned at school today, only to hear, "Nothing," in response? Have they ever complained about being bored in school or acted out because of it? We Does your child like moving fast? Finish school work quickly? Often bored? Restless and active ? YES Moving Fast > > > > > > > Advanced Learners Word Cloud Maybe you recognize your child here... Advanced or gifted learners often show some of these traits, but no individual has them all. You can read more here: NAGC Davidson Institute MCGT Parents frequently tell us that when they ask what their child learned at school, it's disheartening to hear, "Nothing," as the response. Boredom in school can lead to behavior problems and lower achievement. Many children will learn better , if we let them move faster . At Telra, we nurture challenge and encourage tailored acceleration . Most of our students will finish 5th grade one to three years ahead of the standard course of study. This isn't (usually) because they skip grades. Rather, we compact the curriculum. Think about it this way: A student who starts with Telra in Kindergarten and moves through the curriculum 17% faster than "standard" will be one full grade level ahead by they time finish 5th grade. (Since Telra students work beyond grade level, they are not assessed at "grade level standards." We use our own Telra Institute Standards, which go somewhat beyond grade level.) Our middle school students earn high school credits, and our high school students take college courses (and most will earn an Associate Degree) by the time they graduate. Only a small fraction of kids are ready to skip an entire grade, but many children will learn content at least 20% faster if given a chance. If Telra sounds like a good fit for your child, read about our admissions process here. Admissions Overview

  • Choosing A School | Telra Institute

    Every child is unique. Every child is deserving. Every school is different. Every family should be able to select a school that best fits their child's needs. See if Telra is right for you. Choosing A School Every child is unique with their own interests, strengths, and motivations Every school is different with its own character, curriculum, philosophy, and approach to education Every child is deserving of an education that helps inspire and prepare them to realize their full potential + + = One size does not fit all Every family should be able to select a school for their child that fits them best—where they believe their child can thrive Is Telra right for my child? Does our philosophy align with yours? Learn More > Yes Does our educational approach fit your child's needs? Learn More > Would your child be excited by our curriculum? Learn More > Yes Yes Would your child appreciate our instructional influences? Learn More > YES

  • TULIP | Telra Institute

    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

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4150 McKee Rd, Charlotte, NC 28270

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Student records request? Email studentrecords [at] telra.org

Telra Institute does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in admissions, employment, programs, or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Questions or complaints regarding our grievance or non-discrimination policies can be directed to our Chancellor and Office of Civil Rights Coordinator at rights[at] telra.org

Questions, reports, or complaints regarding Title IX can be directed to the school Principal and Title IX Coordinator at TitleIX [at] telra.org or by calling 704-727-2530.

Individuals may also reach out the Federal Office of Civil Rights for questions, or to file a complaint.

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