

OPINION | TINA LONG: Meeting students’ unique needs
April 20, 2025 by TINA LONG Special to the Democrat-Gazette

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Marti Jo Hall
Interim Director of Communications
Arkansas Public School Resource Center
501-492-4300 | mhall@apsrc.net
LITTLE ROCK (April 18, 2024) – Arkansas Public School Resource Center (APSRC) awarded two Charter Schools Program (CSP) Expansion Subgrants and three New/Replicated Subgrants to the following schools:
APSRC Charter Schools Program Subgrants are competitive grants for the purpose of funding startup and expansion activities, including planning and implementation, and costs. Funded through the APSRC Development Grant Program, these aim to carry out the following activities in the state of Arkansas:
Increase the number of high-quality charter schools in the state with an emphasis on those serving educationally disadvantaged students; Improve student outcomes in Arkansas charter schools, especially for educationally disadvantaged students; and Disseminate best practices among charter schools.
Charter School grants awarded by APSRC are federally funded under the US Department of Education Charter Schools Program, Expanding Opportunities Through Quality Charter Schools Program Grants to State Entities (CFDA number 84.282A).
As a CSP Subgrantee, each school will have the opportunity to receive up to $1.25 million if at least 60 percent of the students they will serve qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Exalt Academy of SW Little Rock Superintendent, Tina Long, said "We are so thankful for this opportunity and excited for what it means for our students and families. This grant gives us the chance to grow in ways that will truly impact lives--more classrooms, more resources, more support for the children who walk through our doors every day. At Exalt, we believe every child deserves a place where they feel seen, challenged, and loved. This support and partnership with APSRC help make that vision even more real!”
The APSRC congratulates LISA Academy, Exalt Academy, Friendship Aspire Academy Lab School for Dyslexia and IOTA Leadership Academies and looks forward to their continued work for Arkansas students.
For more information about the Charter Schools Program Subgrants available through APSRC, visit https://bit.ly/APSRC-CSP-Grant.
ABOUT THE APSRC
The mission of the Arkansas Public School Resource Center is to support the improvement of public education by providing advocacy services on behalf of public schools with a special emphasis on charter schools and rural districts. APSRC is a service-oriented, nonprofit membership organization that offers technical support, resources, and training. Assistance is provided by highly trained staff in five main areas: Legal Services, Financial Analysis and Management, Teaching and Learning, Technology, and Communications. For more information on the APSRC, please visit https://www.apsrc.net/
CONTACT
Marti Jo Hall
Interim Director of Communications
Arkansas Public School Resource Center
501-492-4300 | mhall@apsrc.net
APSRC Awards CSP Subgrants to Exalt Academy of SW Little Rock, LISA Academy Rogers-Bentonville High School, Friendship Aspire Academy Lab School for Dyslexia, IOTA Leadership Academies
LITTLE ROCK (April 18, 2024) – Arkansas Public School Resource Center (APSRC) awarded two Charter Schools Program (CSP) Expansion Subgrants and three New/Replicated Subgrants to the following schools:
- LISA Academy Rogers-Bentonville High School
- Exalt Academy of SW Little Rock
- Friendship Aspire Academy Lab School for Dyslexia
- IOTA Leadership Academy Elementary School
- IOTA Leadership Academy Middle School
APSRC Charter Schools Program Subgrants are competitive grants for the purpose of funding startup and expansion activities, including planning and implementation, and costs. Funded through the APSRC Development Grant Program, these aim to carry out the following activities in the state of Arkansas:
Increase the number of high-quality charter schools in the state with an emphasis on those serving educationally disadvantaged students; Improve student outcomes in Arkansas charter schools, especially for educationally disadvantaged students; and Disseminate best practices among charter schools.
Charter School grants awarded by APSRC are federally funded under the US Department of Education Charter Schools Program, Expanding Opportunities Through Quality Charter Schools Program Grants to State Entities (CFDA number 84.282A).
As a CSP Subgrantee, each school will have the opportunity to receive up to $1.25 million if at least 60 percent of the students they will serve qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Exalt Academy of SW Little Rock Superintendent, Tina Long, said "We are so thankful for this opportunity and excited for what it means for our students and families. This grant gives us the chance to grow in ways that will truly impact lives--more classrooms, more resources, more support for the children who walk through our doors every day. At Exalt, we believe every child deserves a place where they feel seen, challenged, and loved. This support and partnership with APSRC help make that vision even more real!”
The APSRC congratulates LISA Academy, Exalt Academy, Friendship Aspire Academy Lab School for Dyslexia and IOTA Leadership Academies and looks forward to their continued work for Arkansas students.
For more information about the Charter Schools Program Subgrants available through APSRC, visit https://bit.ly/APSRC-CSP-Grant.
ABOUT THE APSRC
The mission of the Arkansas Public School Resource Center is to support the improvement of public education by providing advocacy services on behalf of public schools with a special emphasis on charter schools and rural districts. APSRC is a service-oriented, nonprofit membership organization that offers technical support, resources, and training. Assistance is provided by highly trained staff in five main areas: Legal Services, Financial Analysis and Management, Teaching and Learning, Technology, and Communications. For more information on the APSRC, please visit https://www.apsrc.net/

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