Ms. Rogers

LISA Academy has been my school for the past six years and, during my time at this school I have experienced and accomplished many things. This school has taken me so many places; I have been all over the state, state science fairs, culture trips, NBA games, and etc. I have grown to become more of a cultured person. Through my time at LISA I have experienced different races, religions, customs, and so much more that I wouldn’t be aware of if I went to a different school. My school also gives me a chance to display my athletic skills through basketball. If I went to another school I might not be able to do the things I have done here. LISA has given me many opportunities that I would have never expected. It has made me into an All-Conference basketball player, State science Fair winner, and even a Choir singer.

~ZACH CARTER

This is currently my sixth year at LISA Academy, and I’m genuinely glad that I didn’t go anywhere else. Like many others, I was less than thrilled about going to a small, new charter school for sixth grade while my friends went to big public schools. But, I thought I’d at least give it a try, and I ended up loving it. In elementary school, I had usually been the smartest in my class; at LISA, everyone was on my level. This didn’t hurt my self-esteem- it excited me. Everyone  cared about school, so we learned more.

In ninth grade, I decided to go with my friends and enroll in Central High School. I was excited about trying something new. However, it wasn’t what I expected. First of all, it was so large- I barely even saw my friends around school. Also, many students had a nonchalant attitude about education- they cared more about popularity and social activities. I chose to return to LISA. This was when I realized how unique LISA is. It has a small, family-like atmosphere, and a serious focus on academic success. These features aren’t typically found at other schools.

LISA Academy works for me because it emphasizes the things that matter to me, such as education. Education is very important, and LISA certainly puts it first. The small size is also great. It allows students to form bonds with their teachers, as well as with other students. There’s no school where I’d rather be.

-Valerie Nelson

I have been at school at LISA Academy since 7^th grade after switching from a school that did not pride themselves in education like LISA Academy did. That I am still with LISA after 6 years is proof that they are doing something right. LISA has helped me to and encouraged me to go to college and has always been there when a student seeks to further their education. I have learned so much over the years that I believe would have merely been glossed over or not mentioned in other schools around the state. LISA also is one of the schools in the state who prepare their students, for free, for the ACT, AP tests and all other tests and end of courses that the state requires. LISA is also spares no expense when it comes to education of their students. Recently we bought Smartboards for an enhanced student learning and there is a projector in every room. The teachers are also top notch and make the learning experience fun and exciting. All in all LISA provides a great learning experience and a fun environment for the student it is a school that I recommend to anyone.

~Ben Schultze

This is my first year at LISA Academy and already I feel as if I’ve been a part of the school for years. This school works for me because I’m not alone. From the first day I was welcomed with open arms from everyone. When my mom told me I was going to LISA, I hated the idea. I felt the students would just be bookworms who only cared about school, as if all teenagers aren’t the same. Well it turns out we are. They think the same way I do, act the same, and want to be accepted like did. It wasn’t very hard to realize why my mom decided to send me here. Maybe she got the same feeling that I did; that I can find great friends as well as excel in school. Despite my worried thoughts about the school, everything and everyone turned out to be great. I can finally say I’m at home at school because all my friends and teachers make it that way.

~Tiffany

It has only been almost a year since I have been at LISA Academy, and it can only be described as outstanding. Realistically, there is no other way to put it in words. When I first came as an incoming junior in high school, I have to admit I was very worried about communicating with others and making new friends. However, I soon made many friends and did, and am still doing, very well in school. I think what makes LISA Academy great is that everyone is characteristically valuable. I understand that the school population is small but this is the beauty of it; everyone is comfortable to talk to and understanding, and it is this comprehension that brought me up to my highest potential for learning. At other schools, I could not accomplish this, but at LISA Academy, nothing seemed impossible. The friendships I made caused me to appreciate my own character, value my potential to succeed and my potential to understand people. Therefore, I think the family-orientation of this school is a cut-above the rest in that the staff loves everyone whether or not others outside “our” world see you otherwise. So, thank you LISA Academy for giving me the opportunity to believe that anything is possible, and seeing the light inside of me. My enrollment has been the most valuable aspect of my life!

-Sam Hahn

LISA Academy allows me not only to work in a comfortable environment in a small classroom setting, but also to adjust to students in the high school setting. The small classroom setting allows the high school to be more unified. This allows me to know most of my peers on a more personal level than in a larger school. Since LISA is a smaller school, it offers fewer courses. To accommodate more high school students, LISA Academy has begun to build a new high school building.  This allows me and other students to learn in an environment similar to other high schools. LISA Academy allows me to learn in a conforming environment.

~John Hatch, junior

Two years ago I moved from Little Rock to Sherwood and about a year after that I moved again, and then again.  I have been to four high schools, including LISA Academy, and I got a taste of every type.  Switching schools is not good and doesn’t create a stable learning environment, but I managed to keep my grades up, by myself.  What I mean by that is the teachers did not seem to care.  They handed me a worksheet and then expected me to teach myself I suppose; I’m not really sure. At LISA the teachers DO care, they really care.  At LISA  the teachers are required to stay one hour after school each day and I am sure most, if not all teachers would stay even if the extra hour were not mandatory.    I do not feel like a number, I feel like a person.  I feel like a student that could call on any one of her teachers for help and they would be there.  I feel loved at a school, a place I never thought love existed.  This is why LISA Academy works for me.

~ SW

going to LISA Academy since sixth grade. I had to go because my brother was already there. Aside from this, it works for me because it’s small. I know where all of my classes are and it takes me less than five minutes to get to them… usually. My schedule is the same for every day, too. Therefore, it’s even easier to memorize. These simple things make my life much easier and less complicated. So, this is mostly why LISA works for me.

~CH, 9th grade

A lot of kids say LISA Academy is bad, or terrible. They don’t realize that LISA Academy is one of the best schools out there. It works for me because it is small, it has a strong academics program, and is a safe school.

One way LISA Academy works for me is because it’s small. One way this  works for me is because kids will get more attention. There are fewer students for teachers. Another way is you get more recognition from teachers. Our teachers can memorize the students’ names and personality. The final way is because students are treated more fairly. With few students every student is important and is not one in the crowd. All in all LISA Academy works for me because it is small.

LISA Academy works for me because of its academics programs. One way it works for me because of its academics programs is because students are trained a head of time for the ACTAAP and the Benchmark. Our school uses a Mock ACTAAP. Another way is because our school receives trophies from the Academics programs. Students rank very high for the trophies. The final way is because LISA Academy is one of the top schools in Arkansas. The academic programs train students to do very well. All in all LISA Academy works for me because of its academic programs.

LISA Academy works for me because it’s a safe school. One way  is because it is away from communities. Being far away makes people not want to go far from where they live to terrorize a school. The final reason is because LISA Academy is a small school. All in all, LISA Academy works for me because it’s a safe school.

So now you know LISA Academy works for me because it is small, it has a strong academics program, and it is a safe school.

~Mitchel Brown, 10th grader

Why does LISA Academy work for me? I have been attending LISA since my 6^th grade year and enjoyed it ever since. The fact that you receive individual attention from the teachers is a big reason why LISA is so enjoyable. I have kept the same group of friends since my very first year. We have grown together and learned together. Though more people have come along the way, our friendships have become even stronger. The teachers at LISA aren’t regular teachers; they want to help you in every way possible. Though sometimes the challenges they place in front of us seem too hard of a task they know that in the end we will benefit from what they are challenging us to do.  Though LISA is a different kind of school, it allows me to concentrate on my work without major distractions. It is easy to say that LISA is my favorite school that I have attended. Though LISA might not be right for everybody, it was definitely the choice for me.

~Spencer Rogers, sophomore