FAQS

What is a public charter school?

“Charter schools are unique public schools that are allowed the freedom to be more innovative while being held accountable for advancing student achievement.” National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

Do public charter schools select their students?

Because charters are public schools, they are open to all children and hold a lottery to enroll children if they have more applications than available seats, and do not have special entrance requirements

Do public charter schools charge tuition?

Because charters are public schools, they do not charge tuition

Do charter schools receive the same funding as traditional charter schools?

In Missouri, public charters receive approximately 75 percent of the funding received by traditional public schools, and they receive no funding to support capital needs.

How do you overcome the funding inequities?

Public charter schools like The Biome must fundraise in order to overcome funding inequities.

Many public charter schools are forced to finance facility needs, which divert funds from their academic program. The Biome school is fortunate to benefit from its affiliation with the Youth Learning Center and will operate within YLC’s state-of-the-art facility. Master planning is underway to expand the facility as the school’s population grows.

What is Youth Learning Center and what is its connection to The Biome?

Youth Learning Center (YLC) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation and the parent organization of The Biome.  As the founding organization, YLC supported and funded the development of The Biome school.  The Biome’s concept was derived from YLC’s years of experience and STEAM after school model.

What is the STEAM integrated learning framework?

STEAM provides an avenue for formally teaching the inter-relationships of how subjects relate in real-life.” Georgette Yakman, www.steamedu.com At The Biome, the STEAM integrated learning framework guides our instruction across all disciplines and provides students with a holistic academic experience by bringing arts into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).

What role do standards play at The Biome and in STEAM integrated learning?

The Biome integrates a variety of standards into its curriculum. Standards-Based Grading is used to identify and assess each learning target. Our school instruction is informed by the Missouri Learning Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning, ISTE Standards for Computer Science Educators, among others.

When are applications due?

Please check the enrollment page for the most current application deadlines and open house dates. You may apply online, download our application packet, or obtain a copy in person.

Will there be an admissions lottery?

If more students apply for enrollment than there are slots available, a random admissions lottery will be held in accordance with Missouri Revised Statutes 160.410

Does The Biome provide transportation?

The Biome does not provide transportation.

What are the school hours

Lower Elementary (K – 1)

Early Morning  Drop-off:  7:40 – 8:00 AM, Mon. – Fri.                                                                School Day:  8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Mon. – Fri.

Is after-school care available?

At The Biome, learning extends beyond the school day and is connected to the learning that occurs during normal school hours. Through our partnership with Youth Learning Center (YLC), students experience coordinated after school services that are unique but connected to their day school experience. Please visit YLC to enroll