Welcome to Leading Edge Academy Online!
Online learning offers so many advantages to students, including the ability to work from virtually anywhere at any time. Our calendar mirrors the LEA Network calendar, with our school year beginning in August and ending in May. We host a summer session every June. Students are responsible for completing all assigned courses within the semester date frame. See below some important information about our online program.
High School Program Offerings: LEAO offers a robust offering of courses; our high school diploma is fully compliant with Arizona University Entrance Requirements. Our elective offerings include options in exploratory/general electives, Fine Arts, & Career Technical Education, including a variety of certification courses. For eligible secondary students, an accelerated pathway includes an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) that allows students to confer their high school diploma in three years. High school students have the opportunity to participate in LEAO’s Early College Career Program (ECCP) to enroll in concurrent courses through Grand Canyon University, Central Arizona College, Rio Salado College, or Maricopa Community College. LEAO boasts an unmatched tuition reimbursement program, providing students/families with refunded tuition costs! Students may also choose to enroll in East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) to pursue career technical education. Students receive credit for both college & EVIT courses on their high school transcript through our robust partnerships.
Learning Lab: We offer an in person experience at our Main Office location in Gilbert, Arizona. Our Gilbert Learning Lab (GLL) is open Monday through Thursday 8AM-3PM, serving students in 6th-12th grade on a drop-in basis and students in K-5th grades by appointment. Our Learning Lab is staffed with a Classroom Facilitator who serves as an Academic Coordinator for students, assisting learners as needed with their courses and ensuring students are on track with their coursework. Additionally, our teacher team visits the GLL on a set schedule, with teachers available to assist and support students throughout the week. Our virtual teaching staff is composed of outstanding Highly Qualified Leading Edge Academy instructors. We share the common goal of supporting our online students to find success in their academics and to grow in character.
Blended Learning: As we help students grow academically, each course will be presented in a “blended learning” format, using our asynchronous online curriculum (SchoolsPLP, MyLexia, IXL) and synchronous virtual live instruction (weekly schedule). Our blended learning environment is one where on track students are “in the driver's seat” and can choose their level of interaction with the course instructor. Every instructor additionally hosts virtual tutoring hours to meet with students individually or in small groups throughout the week. Electives courses offer select in-person activities hosted at the GLL. Our instructional staff each own a small caseload of students and serve as their YML/Success Coach, ensuring both academic success and a holistic approach to learning.
Service-Minded Moments: Leading Edge Academy schools emphasize “Character Above All Else.” Part of our middle and high school program is geared towards students looking for service-minded moments where they can serve, help or share kindness with those around them. Students are invited to participate in two planned service opportunities each year, one each semester. This is an opportunity to give back to our community & to build relationships and culture as a school.
Testing Requirements: As a Public Charter School, students at LEAO are required to participate in school-wide NWEA MAPS benchmark testing three times a year and state testing once a year in the spring. All state testing must be completed in-person. Testing calendars are provided to families at the start of the school year for advance planning purposes.
We look forward to a great year of learning and growing – GO OWLS!
Sincerely,
Krista Tate, M.Ed
Leading Edge Academy Online, Principal