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Telra Institute is a tuition-free public charter school in Charlotte, NC that provides a rigorous and accelerated experience for advanced learners. A challenging and accelerated experience for advanced learners Welcome to Telra Institute Telra Institute is a tuition-free charter school Enrolling grades K-11 in Fall 2026 Telra will expand through K-12 in Fall 2027 How to enroll Register for placement testing or tours Admission lottery: results and video New applications will go on waitlist in order received Watch our information session videos for prospective families 1. Why Telra Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied 2. Mission Curriculum Placement Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Telra Institute is a tuition-free public school in the south Charlotte metro. Read about our location, calendar, transportation, meals, uniforms, and more. Let's Go! countdown What makes Telra different? Our Approach Our grouping model optimizes instructional time 15-35% More learning What program do we offer? Our Curriculum The Telra experience looks different for every student Each child follows their own trajectory through Telra Learn More

Telra Institute recognizes the benefit that dress code and uniform standards have in creating a distraction free environment for learning and in contributing to school identity and spirit. In establishing our dress code, we strive to strike a balance between safety, simplicity, and flexibility. School Uniforms Telra Institute recognizes the benefit that dress code and uniform standards have in creating a distraction-free environment for learning and in contributing to school identity and spirit . In establishing our dress code, we strive to strike a balance between safety, simplicity, and flexibility. We aim for a common style and standard while allowing parents the freedom to use the vendors of their choice for convenience and cost-effectiveness. Dress Code Principles Support active kids Children will be physically active every day. Ensure clothing, shoes, and accessories are safe and appropriate for kids running, playing, and jumping. Minimize distraction All clothing items (with the exception of shoes and coats for outside wear) must be solid colored and free of stripes, p atterns, graphics, logos, or text. (Subtle clothing brand logo may be ok. Ask if you are not sure.) No visible tattoos or glitter allowed. Hair should be natural - no coloring, wigs, or visible inserts such as fairy hair Subtle make-up or nail polish colors ok, but should be free of symbols or designs. No recording or communication devices. This means no cell phones, smart watches, smart glasses, etc. Reinforce pride in self and in school All clothing must be neat, clean, well-fitting, and in good condition (no holes or rips). Outfit components must follow the style, length, and color standards. The school style is simple and understated. Indeed, attire at Telra should not make a statement. We never want financial constraints to prevent a child from taking advantage of the unique education that Telra can provide. Email frontdesk@telra.org if you need some help in purchasing a school wardrobe for your child or if you would like to be a Uniform Angel to help another family. Dress code standards You can read up on all the details of the dress code standards below, but if you'd prefer an audio explanation (and don't mind a little silliness), have a listen here. Queue it up on a car ride with your kids. Telra dress code explainer 00:00 / 13:48 The basic Telra uniform is a polo top and dress bottoms (specific colors described below). All Telra uniform items (including optional items) must be solid-colored Various combinations are possible, and parents may purchase uniform components from any vendor. While general guidelines are provided here, we understand no set of dress code standards will address every scenario. In the event of doubt, reach out to frontdesk@telra.org for assistance in interpreting these standards. Required Basics Optional Layers Footwear Accessories Outerwear Colors Spiritwear Standards Telra Uniform Storefronts To take the guesswork out of shopping, we've h and selected items and colors from high quality uniform vendors lines of apparel. When you shop at the links below, you know that the items comply with Telra's dress code standards. Telra's School Code for French Toast: QS61ANV Shop French Toast> Shop Lands' End> Lands' End offers Telra uniforms and spirit wear storefront Required Basics Step 1: Required Basics Pants Dress-style. No corduroy or knit material. No athletic or jogger pants. Neat cargo pockets ok. Length : Full-length to ankle (no capris, should not drag on ground) Color : Telra neutrals Shorts & Skirts Dress-style. No corduroy or knit material. Neat cargo pockets ok. Skorts ok. Modesty shorts required under skirts. Length : No longer than knee-length and no shorter than 2 inches above the knee Color : Telra neutrals Shirts Polo-style cotton or synthetic collared shirts. No puff sleeves. Standard collars - no peter pan collars or decorative stitching. Length : Long sleeve or short sleeve. Tucked in for grades 2-8 Color : Telra blue or orange; navy, red, light blue, or light pink. Dresses Polo-style, one-piece collared dresses (short or long-sleeve) over modesty shorts Length : No longer than knee-length and no shorter than 2 inches above the knee Color : Telra blue or orange; navy, red, light blue, or light pink. Optional Layers Step 2: Optional Layers Top layers sweaters, vests, cardigans, zip ups, sweatshirts Fleece or tightly knit or woven fabric, without a hood. Must be worn over an approved shirt or dress Length: Waist/hip length or above (no long sweaters) Color: Telra neutrals; Telra blue or orange; navy, red, light blue, or light pink. Jumpers Dress-style. No corduroy or knit material. Must be worn over approved shirt and modesty shorts. Length: No longer than knee-length and no shorter than 2 inches above the knee Color: Telra neutrals Sub-layers undershirts, camisoles, turtlenecks Permitted if worn underneath approved shirt or dress Length: Tuck in if needed to ensure hem not visible Color: Telra blue or orange; navy, red, light blue, and light pink; white. Tights or Leggings Permitted if worn underneath approved bottoms or dress Length: Full-length to ankle Color: White; Telra neutrals; Telra blue or orange; navy, red, light blue, or light pink. Footwear Step 3: Footwear Sneakers / tennis shoes Solid or patterned , but nothing distracting (no lights, charms, sequins, etc.) Style: Toes must be enclosed and no high tops permitted. No Natives, Keens, Crocs, etc. Color: No neon colors Dress shoes, heels, boots Not allowed - However, students may wear weather-appropriate boots to-from school or for recess on rainy/snowy days if they change into tennis shoes once inside. Sandals, Crocs, flip flops, Natives, Keens, anything with open toes or tops Not allowed Socks Solid , but subtle logos ok Color: Telra neutrals, white, or black Accessories Step 4: Accessories Belts Not required, but functional belts may be worn with pants, shorts, or skirts that have belt loops. Color: Black, brown, or Telra neutral Jewelry Light, stud earrings or small nose stud permitted, but no other facial piercings or hoops. A light necklace is permitted if tucked under the uniform top, A single bracelet or watch on each wrist is ok, but should not be excessively large or dangling. Smooth and non-bulky rings are ok. These restrictions minimize the risk of injuries during recess and PE. Headwear Hats, bandanas, or other head coverings are not allowed indoors. Thin headbands (solid colors and minimalistic) are ok for hair retention Outerwear Step 5: Outerwear No restrictions on coats or other outerwear when worn outside. Any length. Any color. Just ensure there are no school-inappropriate images or language. Colors School Colors & Classics Telra blue and orange, as well as commonly-available classic colors can be part of the uniform for all Telra students . We want to ensure families have ready access to affordable uniform components online or in-store. Colors Examples color names by brand/retailer: French Toast : teal, orange or sun orange, navy, red, light blue, light p ink Children's Place : orange (flame), navy ( nautico , tidal), red (ruby, classic red), light blue (daybreak, brook), light pink (sparklpink) Lands' End : navy (classic navy), red, light blue (blue), light pink (ice pink), orange (orange spice) Cat & Jack : navy, red, light blue, light pink Old Navy : orange (orange surfboards), navy (ink blue, dark sea blue), red (red tape, r obbie red), light blue (m onet blue, something blue), light pink (preppy pink, puffy pink) GAP : navy (crayon true indigo, true indigo), red (modern red, ruby red), light blue ( Hampton blue, pure blue) Telra Neutrals All grades may wear Telra neutrals—medium gray and khaki —for pants, shorts, skirts, and jumpers. Note - navy and black are not approved Telra neutral colors. Examples of approved Telra Neutrals by brand or retailer: The Children's Place: medium gray (storm, gray steel), khaki (s andwash), avoid: flax and fin gray Lands' End: medium gray (gray, arctic gray), khaki, avoid: charcoal heather Cat & Jack: medium gray (charcoal gray), khaki (khaki, light khaki, beige) French Toast: gray, heather gray, khaki Old Navy: khaki (rolled oats, khaki, shore enough), avoid: earl gray GAP: medium gray (grey), khaki (wicker, beige, khaki) Primary: slate gray Spiritwear Spiritwear Telra spirit wear is available from multiple locations so that you can showcase your Telra spirit around town or around the world! Note that spirit wear is not an approved substitute for a uniform, however it may be worn on designated dress down days. Seasonal store (orders fulfilled monthly) On-demand store (select "spiritwear" on the “select grade / status” pull down to see the styles available) We never want financial constraints to prevent a child from taking advantage of the unique education that Telra can provide. Click here if you need some help in purchasing a school wardrobe for your child or if you would like to be a Uniform Angel and support another family.

Dr. Ronak Bhatt, Telra Founder and Chancellor, founded Telra Institute based on a simple premise. Children are all unique; why would a school march them all through the same curriculum at the same pace? Meet Our Staff Contact us using our standard email address convention Firstname.Lastname@telra.org Mark Bosco Chief Operations Officer Mark Bosco brings more than three decades of exceptional leadership in K–12 education to his role as Chief Operations Officer at Telra Institute. Known for his strategic vision and steadfast commitment to operational excellence, he leads a wide portfolio of essential functions that support the school community, including student information systems, safety and security, facilities and building services, transportation, and community partnerships. With a career defined by service, impact, and leadership, Mr. Bosco has held influential roles as a district administrator, school principal, and classroom teacher. This breadth of experience gives him a rare ability to connect high-level strategy with the day-to-day realities of school operations and student success. As a certified superintendent and principal, he brings a thoughtful, solutions-driven approach to building strong systems, fostering meaningful partnerships, and ensuring that students, families, and staff are supported by an environment where excellence can flourish. Education: Hartwick College, B. A., Political Science University at Albany, M. A., Social Studies Cortland State, CAS, Educational Administration Back to Directory

We're excited to open our doors in Fall 2021. Here's more info on our location and future growth, as well as transportation, meals, uniforms, and cleaning protocols. Attending Telra Location Transportation Hours & Calendar Meals Uniforms Wrap Around Care Our Location Telra Institute was excited to open its doors in Fall 2021 on the campus of Matthews United Methodist Church. Our school building, formerly the church preschool, was already configured for young children, and we upgraded and outfitted the classrooms in preparation for our opening. In addition to classrooms, we were gratef to have access to outside space, playgrounds, a gym, and plentiful parking. In Fall 2022, we opened our K-8 in a custom-designed building on a separate site in South Charlotte in the Providence / 485 area at 4150 McKee Rd. In January 2026, we will open our high school in Matthews at 3130 Campus Ridge Rd. Our Location > Location Transportation Telra wants to ensure transportation is not a barrier to attendance. Parents have multiple transportation options: Individual parent drop-off and pick-up Carpool with other families – Telra will help coordinate carpool groupings and assist families in locating an active carpool School bus – Telra draws students from a wide area and offers families access to a free shuttle stop school bus system. Sign up details are provided to enrolled families. Arrival & Departure Meals Telra offers a daily nutritious hot lunch service as part of the National School Lunch Program. Families can qualify for free or subsidized meals. Children are of course welcome to bring lunch from home. Please contact us if you have any questions. Purchase Lunch > Uniforms Telra Institute recognizes the benefit that dress code and uniform standards have in creating a distraction-free environment for learning and in contributing to school identity and spirit. Click here to learn more. Uniforms Meals Transportation Hours Calendar Hours & Calendar Telra's school day starts at 8:15 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m . Telra’s school calendar is designed on a trimesters (10-13 weeks long) and semesters (~16 weeks long). Click to enlarge Before & After School Care Wrap Around Care We are pleased to offer before and afterschool care to help our families. Learn more about our program and sign up here .

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

Dr. Ronak Bhatt, Telra Founder and Chancellor, founded Telra Institute based on a simple premise. Children are all unique; why would a school march them all through the same curriculum at the same pace? Meet Our Staff Contact us using our standard email address convention Firstname.Lastname@telra.org Dr. Ronak Bhatt Founder & Chancellor Ronak Bhatt founded Telra Institute based on a simple premise. Children are all unique; why would a school march them all through the same curriculum at the same pace? Ronak and his wife Cathy are the parents of four young children and have called Charlotte home for more than a decade. His perspectives as a local dad and former "gifted kid" along with his experience in education, strategy, and innovation drove him to launch Telra Institute with a firm commitment to build it into a model educational program and establish it as a community institution. With a lifelong passion for education, he’s developed curricula and lectured at M.I.T. and UNC Charlotte on topics of physics, energy, and economics. He focused on innovation and strategy when leading consulting teams at McKinsey and RIN Advisors and serving as VP of Strategy at Avantor As a founding board member and later Chairperson of the nonprofit E4 Carolinas, he helped drive innovation, education, and energy industry growth in the region Education: ScD, Physics – M.I.T. BS, Physics (with honors) - Caltech Back to Directory

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

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.)

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 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 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 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