Who can apply?
Northeast Ohio IMPACT Academy is open to students from any district in Ohio. There is no restriction on the county or district of residence as long as students can physically attend classes at NEOIA.
Northeast Ohio IMPACT Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, gender identity or expression, ancestry, familial status, military status, or disability in its educational programs, activities, and employment policies. All district policies, programs, practices, procedures, and decisions shall be reviewed to assure the rights of all students and employees to equal educational and employment opportunities as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and by law.
How do I apply?
To be considered for admission, students must complete the online application by the set deadline of April 2, 2023. All completed applications received by the deadline will be included in a lottery for available seats.
Are applicants considered on a first-come, first-served basis?
No. All applications received by the deadline are given the same consideration in our lottery process.
What if I apply after the deadline?
Applications received after the deadline will be placed on a waiting list and will not be included in lottery drawings unless the pool of applications received by the deadline is exhausted.
When is the lottery conducted?
The initial lottery will be conducted in mid-April.
How will I be notified of lottery results?
Students whose applications are drawn in the lottery will be notified via email. . All other applicants will receive notice by email that they are on the waiting list.
What happens after the lottery?
If you receive an email stating that your child has been selected via the lottery, you will have one week to complete the acceptance form. If a response is not received after the one week waiting period, it will be interpreted as a decline of the seat. At that time the seat will be offered to the next person on the waiting list. This will continue until all seats are filled.
What is STEM?
STEM is a nationally recognized educational program that emphasizes the use of technology and replaces the standard teacher-driven classroom with one powered by problem-solving, exploration, and discovery. It requires the students to actively engage in a situation to find a solution.
STEM is much more than the four subject areas that form its acronym, (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). STEM is a unique approach to teaching and learning that fosters creativity and innovative thinking in all students.
STEM education features strong levels of collaboration among higher education, business, and community partners to help develop relevant curriculum and provide internships, mentorships, and co-operative education opportunities to help students connect classroom learning to real world experiences.
How is STEM different from a traditional approach to education?
STEM education is a direct response to the realization that Ohio’s future will be built on its capacity for innovation, invention, and creative problem-solving.
STEM schools are centers of creativity and innovation that provide challenging, student-centered, inquiry-based educational experiences that are cross-disciplinary in nature and relevant to the real world. Unlike traditional school experiences where different subject areas are treated as separate silos, STEM education emphasizes the technological design process and integrates subjects in order to make connections across the disciplines. In a STEM classroom, students develop analytical and creative skills through investigation and problem-solving. STEM moves beyond an emphasis on simple test performance and focuses instead on developing higher-level thinking skills.
Is it true that STEM is only for a select number of gifted or students interested in careers in math and science?
Not at all. While increasing the number of young people who choose careers in STEM fields is certainly one objective driving STEM education, it is only part of the story. STEM education develops skills that have a much broader application. STEM emphasizes collaboration, communication, research, problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity – skills needed to be successful in today’s world, regardless of specific interests or career goals.
STEM education also places a strong emphasis on personalizing educational experiences to best suit students’ individual learning styles and interests, which means STEM education has something to offer to every student.
The goal of Northeast Ohio IMPACT Academy is to attract students from diverse social and academic backgrounds. All students at Northeast Ohio IMPACT Academy will be supported to achieve at high academic levels.
What will NEOIA provide students?
The Northeast Ohio Impact Academy focuses on meeting the needs of the whole child by challenging each student to discover, learn, and pursue a rewarding career.
Is there support for students at NEOIA?
Northeast Ohio IMPACT Academy will create a system of academic support and mentoring to allow motivated students to have access to the most challenging learning opportunities while assuring that success is within their reach. Student ownership of their learning is a key part of the Northeast Ohio Impact Academy educational philosophy.
In addition, support services will be provided to ensure that all students are afforded their educational rights in the least restrictive learning environment.
What about technology?
Innovative usage of technology will be a cornerstone of the Northeast Ohio IMPACT Academy experience. Each student will be given an electronic device for use both in school and at home. Our online learning management system will keep parents up-to-date on the academic progress of their child and will allow parents access to instructional practices taking place via video archiving. Teacher websites will be interactive and will allow for 24/7 access to coursework and communication links with Northeast Ohio IMPACT Academy staff. Classrooms, laboratories, and project spaces will be equipped with state of the art educational technology, such as video conferencing equipment, which will allow teachers and students to connect with, and learn beyond the brick and mortar of the building.
Will Northeast Ohio IMPACT Academy follow the Ohio Department of Education Academic Learning Standards?
Yes, Northeast Ohio IMPACT Academy will incorporate the Ohio Learning Standards in all content areas. We will offer an engaging, challenging, content-rich curriculum that builds a solid foundation and grows from year to year. The curriculum is designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in both college and career.
If I am already a student, do I need to re-apply?
No, current students do not need to re-apply.