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Common Questions

1. What is a charter school?
A charter school is similar to district schools and at the same time very different. Like any school in the district, a charter school is required to provide a certain level of education and preparation for students to be able to gain admission to major universities and to enter the workforce as a qualified candidate for employment. However most charter schools, such as Prepa Tec, are much smaller and allow for greater participation from all students in all activities including specialized education, travel and community service.
2. What grades are being served?

Alta Public Schools currently has three schools:

  • Academia Moderna: serving grades K-5
  • Prepa Tec Middle School: serving grades 6-8
  • Prepa Tec High School: currently serving 9th and 10th grade.  We will be adding additional grades each year until we serve all K-12 grades.
3. Are Charter Schools Private?
No. Charter schools are public institutions.
4. What is the difference between Alta Public Schools and other Charter Schools?
Alta Public Schools, including Prepa Tec High School, Prepa Tec Middle School and Academia Moderna is the only school in the area that is currently implementing the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. Academia Moderna is already an IB school. Prepa Tec Middle and High Schools are the process of being approved to become International Baccalaureate schools.
5. Are there admissions requirements?
There are NO admissions requirements to enroll in any of the Alta Public Schools. Any student who is a California state resident is eligible to enroll. If the number of students interested in enrolling in Prepa Tec High, Prepa Tec Middle School or Academia Moderna exceeds the school capacity, a lottery is held to determine enrollment.
6. Are Parents required to volunteer?
No.
7. How big are the classes?
One of the advantages of Alta Public Schools is the existence of small classes. As a result the schools aim to limit the class size to no more than 25, this number ensure quality interaction between pupils but also maintains a small enough size for personal attention.
8. Is the school planning to move?
Yes and no. Currently there are three grades at the Clarendon location: 7th,8th and 9th, in November the middle school will move to a brand new facility only 7 minutes away to the city of Bell on Gage Avenue. The high school will not move and will be at its current location for at least the next two years.
9. What is the uniform policy?

The focus of Alta Public Schools is to allow for students to focus primarily on their studies and we strongly believe that the use of school uniforms adds to this approach, however there is a weekly schedule which allows for diversity in dress and for ‘spirit days” – where the students are allowed to dress in collegiate wear or Prepa Tec ‘gear”.

A school uniform teaches students to dress smartly and take pride in their appearance… Perhaps most importantly, a uniform means students don’t have to worry about peer pressure when it comes to their clothes. When everyone is dressed the same, worrying about what you look like isn’t so important.

 

Alta Public Schools has a dress code that is reasonably related to the health and safety of students. School dress codes and uniform policy will be implemented in a manner consistent with the rights set forth in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and Section 2 of Article 1 of the California Constitution. The California legislature has determined that “gang apparel” is hazardous to the health and safety of the school environment, and therefore, the wearing of such apparel will be restricted. Clothing with logos has also been determined to distract from learning.

Student Dress Code

All students shall be required to show proper attention to personal cleanliness, health, neatness, safety and suitability of clothing and appearance for school activities. In every case, the dress and grooming of the student shall be clean and shall not:

  • Cause actual distraction from or disturbance in any school activity or actually interfere with the participation of a student in any school activity
  • Create a hazard to the safety of her/himself or others
  • Create a health hazard

Uniforms

California Education Code section 35183 allows a governing board to adopt a dress code that authorizes schools to require pupils to wear a school uniform. Prepa Tec Los Angeles has adopted a uniform policy in conjunction with the School Site Council and Parent-­‐Teacher Organization. It has been determined that the school uniform shall be as follows:

Prepa Tec Uniforms

For Girls:

  • Navy/dark blue and gray plaid pleated skirt
  • Yellow blouse/shirt (with collar), and matching Navy/dark blue and gray plaid tie
  • Navy/dark blue school sweaters
  • Black shoes (no higher than the ankle)
  • Navy/dark blue, black, or white school jackets and/or tights are part of the uniform for the winter season

For Boys:

  • Navy/dark blue pants/shorts
  • Yellow long/short sleeve shirt or polo (with collar) and Navy/dark blue tie
  • Navy/dark blue school sweaters
  • Black shoes (no higher than the ankle)
  • Navy/dark blue, black, or white school jackets are part of the uniform for winter season

For P.E. (both boys and girls):

  • White Prepa Tec Los Angeles P.E. T-Shirt
  • Navy/dark blue long shorts to the knee or flexible athletic pants for the winter season
  • Proper athletic gym/tennis shoes for running

Academia Moderna Uniforms

For Girls

Pleated skirt with burgundy/crimson and gray plaid, white blouse, and plain black or white shoes or tennis shoes. Burgundy, black or white school jackets or sweaters, and white, black, or burgundy tights are part of the uniform for the winter season.

For Boys

Gray pants/shorts with burgundy sweater vest, white long/short sleeve shirt or polo, and black/gray/burgundy ties, with plain black or white shoes or tennis shoes. Burgundy, white, black school jackets are part of the uniform for winter season.
10. Are parents encouraged to participate?
Yes. We strongly believe in parent participation, but the number of hours and the manner of volunteering are each determined by each individual campus.