IDEA Public Schools
IDEA Public Schools
IDEA Public Schools currently serve nearly 53,000 college-bound students.
With 96 schools, IDEA Public Schools currently serve nearly 53,000 college-bound students. Of those, 90 are in Texas and six are in Louisiana. Now, the tuition-free system is setting its sights on North Texas.
IDEA has a stellar track record as one of the fastest-growing networks of pre-K-12 public charter schools in the United States. For the past 12 consecutive years, 100 percent of their graduates have gained college acceptance.
There are two new campuses that are adding to the charter choices this year in Tarrant County, beginning this semester. One, called IDEA Achieve, is located in Haltom City and the other, IDEA Rise, is located on Cherry Lane in Fort Worth’s west side. Both campuses opened doors for the first day of school Monday ― serving about 900 students combined.
“Both IDEA Rise and IDEA Achieve are brand new construction,” says Joanna Crain, regional director of development. “In addition, we will break ground on IDEA Edgecliff in the fall. It will open August 2020.”
The focus is on what they call “college for all” with personalized learning and character development of students. IDEA Public Schools believes that each and every child can go to college. To achieve this, they also hire teachers who are just as committed to the process as they are to the end product ― sending their students off to colleges and universities across the country.
The pace at IDEA schools allows students to progress more rapidly through material they can easily master, while helping them make up for any deficits they might have in more challenging subjects. All students graduate with 11 Advanced Placement (AP) courses on their transcript. AP courses are college-level courses; students who master the material can earn college credits while still in high school.
IDEA chose the location of the first North Texas campuses by evaluating where they felt value could be added to the community. “We don’t believe your zip code should determine your future,” Crain says.
IDEA Achieve is launching with kindergarten through second grade, fifth grade, and sixth-grade classes this year, while IDEA Rise is launching with kindergarten through second grade and a sixth-grade class. Eventually, both campuses will be K-12, with a combined student body of around 1,500 students.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensure that in May of 2026, IDEA Tarrant County will deliver on our promise to scholars and families, by ensuring that 100 percent of our high school graduates matriculate into the college or university of their choice,” says Ana Martinez, IDEA Tarrant County executive director.
