FAQ

Q: Will the students attend summer bridge before the normal year starts?

A: Yes, Summer Bridge is always the last two weeks in July.  A detailed schedule is sent to parents and students mid June.

Q: How many credits do the students need in order to graduate?

A: 26 credits are needed for graduation.  Our students can earn up to 32 over their four years of high school.

Q: What does the campus class schedule look like? 

A: Parents can view the class schedule from our website - Class schedule.

Q: If a student fails either a college course or high school course, are they automatically dismissed from the program?

A: It is critical that students pass their classes due to the sequence of courses in the program.  There are interventions - tutorials, weekly checkpoints with the instructor, etc.  Most of the issues are with missing assignments.  While parent involvement is always appreciated and welcome, campus staff will work with students first to afford them the opportunity to take care of their own business.  A bad freshman year can be turned around with Summer School and Credit Recapture if student habits change in time.  A trend of failing classes for multiple semesters could lead to dismissal from the program.  LIT requires a minimum of 2.0 GPA to remain in good academic standing.

Q: Is there a school uniform?

A: There is no school uniform, but there is a dress code.  That can be found in the Student Handbook.

Q: Will Summer Bridge be overnight or daily drop off and pick up?

A: Summer Bridge is NOT overnight.  Daily: 8-3pm  A schedule will be sent out regarding the two week program and what days we’ll be at LIT, etc.

Q: Is there a cell phone policy?

A: We follow the district policy - a student cell phone must be turned off and in the student’s Yondr pouch during the school day.  

Q: Are the holiday breaks the same as BISD?

A: Yes, except for the Summer Bridge requirement for incoming 9th graders and newly enrolled 10th graders. 

Q: When do extracurricular activities meet?

A: Club is held on Tuesday and Thursday and each student is required to pick one to engage in during the school day.   There are also opportunities for after school clubs as well.  

Q: Are the 9th graders going to LIT on certain days?

A: We bring 9th graders to LIT during Summer Bridge for an orientation and tour.  Occasionally we visit some of the program departments, but classes are held on campus at KCA.

Q: Will the 9th graders be doing community services?

A: Yes.  There is a list of approved Community Service opportunities on our website.  Some of these opportunities can be done without leaving home.  Hours must be earned at an approved location/event.  This is a requirement and a grade in PCC.  Our goal is that every student graduates with a total of 120 community service hours.

Q: If a student has a learning disability (e.g. Dyslexia), will that student have more trouble completing the courses?

A: We have had many students with learning disabilities go through our program successfully.  We closely monitor those students and make sure that their accommodations are in place and are working for the student.  BISD staff will follow all accommodations set up by BISD.  LIT staff will follow accommodations set up by LIT.  In order to put those accommodations in place, KCA staff send a student’s evaluation/diagnosis to the Special Populations department at LIT.  Their staff will review the paperwork and assign accommodations that will then be communicated back to KCA.  KCA staff will then share this with the student and parent and walk them through the process of informing their instructors.

Q: What can you tell us about the Core 42 courses?

A: On the website, the Core 42 courses are described in detail.  42 hours will transfer state-wide to any other public school in Texas.  It is also an institutional award with LIT that allows the student to participate in LIT’s Graduation ceremonies.

Q: What are the club options?

A: There is a list of Club options on our website, including Gardening, Crafts, Future Problem Solving, Yearbook, Gaming, Robotics, etc.  Sometimes these change based on staffing changes.

Q: How does family class work?

A: Family is the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) component of our program.  We meet daily with our Family class.  The Family teacher is the academic advisor and point of contact for student concerns.  In each Family, there are grades 9-12.  The older students are there to mentor and assist the younger students.  Fun activities are mixed in with structured learning.

Q: What is the start time and ending time for school?

A: 7:15 am - 3:00 pm.  This is the same for all BISD high school students.

Q: Do students have to take a STAAR test?

A: Yes, STAAR EOC is in every high school in the state of Texas.  These are graduation requirements.

Q: How many classes are in one given day?

A: On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday students attend Periods 1-5 and Family.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays students attend Periods 6-8, Club and Family.  Class schedule.

Q: Do you offer any sports?

A: No.

Q: How many advanced and or college courses will the students be taking?

A: Almost all of a student’s schedule each year is PreAdvanced or Dual Credit.

Q: What costs are associated with KCA?
A: BISD pays for tuition and books for each student.  If a student fails a course, the parent would have to pay to make up the credit at the cost of $150 per course.  The total scholarship cost is about $12,000.00 per student.

Q: Is there a list of the classes offered for students?

A: On our Website, under Academics, Degree Plans and Pathways - there is a detailed list.

Q: Do the 12th graders graduate with adult LIT graduates?

A: If they qualify for the Associate Degree or Core Complete, yes.

Q: If my student takes summer classes this year, will that affect her getting admitted?

A: Check with us first to see if the courses are on their degree plan for their pathway.  Taking courses out of sequence with our degree plans that have been mapped with LIT can lead to scheduling issues.

Q: Are summer classes required for KCA?

A: Summer Bridge is required for incoming 9th graders.  The only other time summer classes would be required would be if the student failed a class and needs an intervention to get back on track.  High school classes are required to be made up, if failed.  College classes would be at the family’s discretion, if failed.  

Q: What are the lunches like at KCA? 

A: Lunches are both a la carte and main line lunch that changes daily.  Pizza and snacks are available daily.  The BISD Child Nutrition department establishes the menu for all campuses in BISD.

Q: How does transportation work? 

A: Students are picked up and dropped off by bus at the nearest campus to their house.  Pick up and drop off times are found on the website.  Bus routes

Q: Is the high school set up on a high school setting and schedule or more like a college environment?

A: There is a mix.  Our building feels like a BISD high school, but the learning takes place in a variety of ways and locations.  There are people of all ages taking classes at LIT and students will get the college feel when you go to LIT for classes in 11th and 12th grade.

Q: Are lockers available?

A: We do not have lockers at KCA.  There are lockers in the locker room in the gym for PE students.

Q: Which students go to LIT for classes?

A: Juniors go some days and Seniors go more often.  Underclassmen would only go if taking higher level courses.

Q: How are students transported to LIT for classes?

A: Bus transportation is provided and mandatory when going back and forth between KCA and LIT.  Student drivers must park at the high school campus and be transported to LIT.

Q: Some degrees offered wouldn't be completed until the summer following graduation. Is it because the class requirement is more?

A: Process Operating and Instrumentation Technology will require a higher level of maturity before entering the workforce.  It may take until December or May after high school graduation to fully complete the program and be eligible for employment.  There are also factors related to age and entry into refineries involved.

Q: Are the Technology classes hands-on?

A: Yes, the Process Operating and Instrumentation classes require a certain amount of hands-on hours.  Those lab hours take place at LIT and students travel to LIT for the classes. 

Q: Are there opportunities for parent involvement?

A: We welcome parent involvement!  We have a campus Parent Teacher Association (PTA), a Campus Educational Improvement Committee (CEIC), and more.

Q: Can my 9th grade student apply?

A: Yes.  We accept all applications from current 8th grade students and review 9th grade applications on a case by case basis.

Q: How many students are accepted in a year?

A: Up to 150 per cohort (grade level).

Q: When do students choose their program/pathway?

A: Fall of 10th grade.  Those program classes start in 11th grade.

Q: What are the program/pathway choices?

A: Degree Plans and Pathways 

Q: Will the college credits transfer when the students go to university?

A: All LIT credits (except the Process Operating and Instrumentation Technology) will transfer to any public university in Texas.  Private and out of state institutions will review a student’s transcript and decide what to accept.

Q: Do college classes follow BISD standards or LIT standards?

A: All dual credit courses follow LIT standards.

Q: What kind of support does the campus offer if a student is struggling?

A: The campus offers after school tutorials, academic support classes, and social emotional learning strategies.  Student progress is monitored closely in Family.

Q: What is TSIA2?

A: TSIA2 is a college placement exam.  More information can be found here.

Q: Does LIT have a course catalog?

A: Yes.  That can be found at www.lit.edu or specifically here.

Q: What if my student is from the Pegasus program and they have already taken the coursework?

A: Those students will do the next grade level of coursework.  For example, if the student took English I for high school credit in middle school, then they will start English II in 9th grade.  Depending on how many credits were earned in middle school, the student may be able to graduate high school in three years.

Q: What happens after tonight’s interviews?

A: All students that received their admission letter in January will continue with admitted status as long as they continue to complete the required tasks.  Please refer to the handout you received when leaving interview night or check the application page of our website.  The main focus after tonight will be to complete all required 8th grade courses with a passing score and pass all STAAR tests.  By March 31 all students must submit their Apply Texas application for Lamar Institute of Technology.  Those instructions can be found here.  In June we will send detailed information about Summer Bridge in July.

Q: What are the requirements to drive to school?

A: Parking requirements  Students must have a valid driver’s license, be listed as a covered driver on the vehicle’s insurance, and pay the parking tag fee.

Q: How do students get up to 60 college hours?

A: Those hours are spread out over 4 years as students complete dual credit coursework.

Q: When will students review their schedules?

A: Students will get their first glimpse of their schedule at Running Start - usually the end of July or beginning of August.