UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

UT Tyler Schedules Additional Public Meetings Regarding Charter School

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April 24, 2012

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

April 24, 2012

The University of Texas at Tyler has scheduled additional public information meetings regarding the new university charter school, Dr. Michael Odell, associate vice president for sponsored research and director of federal relations, announced.

“The Innovation Academy will present an unparalleled opportunity for students, with technology integration, project-based learning and the connection to the university – there really is nothing else like it. We hope parents take advantage of the opportunity now,” said Eli Crow, academy executive director.

Meetings will be:

• 6 p.m. Monday, April 30 at the UT Tyler Ornelas Activity Center.
• 6 p.m. Monday, May 14; Thursday, May 17 and Monday, May 21 at the Longview University Center.
• 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 15; Tuesday, May 22 and Tuesday, May 29 at the Palestine Campus.

Officials will hold a lottery at 6 p.m. Monday, June 11 at the Ornelas Activity Center.

“An initial lottery was held in March to enroll students, but all campuses still have available space. Students who apply prior to June 11 will be in a secondary lottery to be held at that time. Students who are not selected in the lottery will be placed on a waiting list and will be allowed to enroll as space becomes available,” Crow added.

The UT Tyler Innovation Academy is expected to open in the fall of 2012 for grades 3 – 6, with campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine. Another grade will be added each year until the campuses will ultimately serve students in grades 3 – 12. As a state funded charter school, there is no tuition for students.

Through the connection with UT Tyler, students will have access to resources and opportunities not readily available in traditional public school settings.

For more information, visit the academy website, or contact Lisa Jett, administrative assistant, 903.565.5867 or ljett@uttyler.edu.

One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler offers excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of almost 7,000 high-ability students at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine.