Lorain Bilingual Preparatory Academy has been recognized with a Momentum Award from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, honoring schools that are making strong gains in student achievement while continuing to demonstrate growth.

This award reflects measurable improvement and a clear focus on student outcomes.

What This Means for Students and Families

The Momentum Award shows that students are:

• Improving academically year over year
• Building language and academic skills
• Moving forward with strong support

It also reflects the work of teachers and staff supporting student success.

Growth in Action

This recognition highlights progress that is both measurable and ongoing.

Part of a Strong Network

Lorain Bilingual Preparatory Academy is part of ACCEL Schools, a network focused on improving outcomes for students across Ohio.

Of the schools recognized statewide, only 50 were community schools, and 19 are managed by ACCEL Schools.

This reflects a shared commitment to strong instruction and student success.

Looking Ahead

The school will continue building on this progress and supporting student growth.

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Choosing a kindergarten is a meaningful decision for families. You’re not just selecting a school—you’re choosing a learning environment where your child will grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

Why Families Choose Us

Lorain Bilingual Academy is a tuition-free public charter school offering a high-quality bilingual education rooted in a strong, supportive learning culture. From the first day of kindergarten, students are encouraged to be curious, confident, and engaged—while learning in two languages.

Families choose us because we offer:

· Tuition-free kindergarten education

· A bilingual / dual-language learning model

· Safe, welcoming classrooms

· A positive learning culture built on respect, belonging, and high expectations

· Hands-on, play-based learning experiences

· Strong partnerships between students, families, and educators

Our School Culture

We believe learning thrives in a culture where children feel safe, valued, and inspired. Our kindergarten classrooms are designed to nurture curiosity, joy, and a love of learning—in both languages.

Our learning culture emphasizes:

· Belonging and inclusion, so every child feels seen and supported

· High expectations, paired with encouragement and care

· Curiosity and exploration, allowing students to ask questions and take risks

· Collaboration and community, helping children learn with and from one another

In this environment, bilingual learning happens naturally as students build language skills through meaningful, engaging experiences.

A Balanced Kindergarten Program

We balance structure and play to support the whole child. Students build strong academic foundations while developing social-emotional skills and confidence.

Kindergarten students at Lorain Bilingual Academy experience:

· Instruction in two languages

· Early literacy and math development

· Social-emotional learning and relationship building

· Creative, hands-on activities

· Plenty of time to play, move, and explore

Research shows bilingual education supports cognitive flexibility, problem-solving, and cultural awareness—benefits that last well beyond kindergarten.

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Enrollment for Kindergarten Fall 2026 is now open. Bilingual kindergarten seats are limited and in high demand, so early applications are encouraged.

Choosing the right school for your child in Lorain, Ohio, is a significant decision. At Lorain Bilingual Academy, we believe in transparency and are proud to share our latest Ohio State Report Card results. This report card provides a clear look at our academic performance and highlights our commitment to student success.

Our 2024 Report Card Highlights

Our students and staff have worked diligently to achieve these results, which highlight our commitment to student growth and a positive learning environment.

• Overall Rating: 3 Stars (Meets State Standards)
• Performance Index (PI) Score: 59.0
• Progress: 4 Stars (Exceeds State Standards)
• Gap Closing: 4 Stars (Exceeds State Standards)

Why Our Results Matter for Your Child

These ratings offer crucial insights into the quality of education your child will receive at our academy.

Exceptional Student Progress: Our 4-Star Progress rating is a key indicator of our effectiveness. This rating shows that students at Lorain Bilingual Academy are making more than a year’s worth of academic growth on average. This is a testament to our dedicated teachers and our focused approach to instruction, which ensures every child is challenged to grow and learn, regardless of their starting point. A 4-star rating in this category means your child will be on an accelerated path of learning, which can build confidence and a strong academic foundation.

An Inclusive and Equitable Environment: Our 4-Star Gap Closing rating proves our dedication to helping all students succeed. This measure evaluates how well a school is helping to reduce educational gaps between different student groups. A 4-star rating confirms that we are effectively serving all learners, ensuring that every child is given the support and resources they need to reach their full potential.

The Benefits of a Bilingual Education: As a bilingual school, we offer a unique and powerful educational advantage. Research shows that bilingual education positively impacts student learning by fostering cognitive flexibility, problem-solving skills, and better academic performance. Students learn to think critically in two languages, which strengthens their overall cognitive abilities and prepares them for a globalized world.

At Lorain Bilingual Academy, we are dedicated to providing a high-quality education that goes beyond a single rating. Our results in Progress and Gap Closing highlight our core mission: to foster significant academic growth for every student in a supportive and nurturing environment.

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Learn more and discover if Lorain Bilingual Academy is the right choice for you.

Congratulations to Lorain Bilingual Academy’s Onyx Lopez, who was named Elementary Teacher of the Year at this year’s ALIVE25 Summit, the annual gathering of ACCEL Schools leaders from across the country. The award recognizes Ms. Lopez’s outstanding impact in the classroom, her commitment to student growth, and her excellence in teaching.

“I’m inspired by Ms. Lopez and the entire team at Lorain Bilingual Academy for their dedication to our students,” said Ron Packard, CEO of ACCEL Schools. “Educators like her make a lasting difference in children’s lives, and we’re proud to celebrate her achievements.”

Held annually, the Accelys celebrate the standout accomplishments of educators across ACCEL Schools’ network of 85+ public charter schools, which serve students from PreK through 12th grade. Awards recognize excellence in areas such as academic progress, student attendance, teacher leadership, and school culture.

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Ready to join our award-winning school?

The Lorain Bilingual Academy’s free EMPOWER Summer Program is a full-day, Monday–Friday experience developed by former Ohio State Buckeyes and NFL veterans Braxton Miller and DeVier Posey. Designed to build confidence, resilience, and life skills in youth, the program blends physical activity, eSports, tutoring, and field trips. Participants gain tools in self-management, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking—while having fun in a structured, supportive environment.

June 9 – August 2
Monday to Friday, 9 AM – 4 PM

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Core Program Benefits:

• Improve Behavior and Self-Awareness
• Develop Mental Resilience and Emotional Intelligence
• Enhance Communication Skills
• Foster Critical Thinking and Educational Development

Summer Program Highlights:

• ESports Program
• Physical Exercise
• Tutoring
• Field Trips

Skills Acquired:

• Self-Management
• Collaboration
• Confidence
• Decision Making
• Healthy Living

Download Program Flyer (PDF)

PARENT PORTAL

Scan the QR code from the flyer to download the app or sign up using an internet browser here: https://acceloh.powerschool.com/public/home.html

You will need the student code from your school office to sign up.

• Check your child’s grades
• Communicate with teachers
• Update personal information

Download Flyer (PDF)

January is School Board Appreciation Month

As we celebrate School Board Appreciation Month, we want to take a moment to recognize the invaluable contributions of our dedicated Board of Directors. Their unwavering commitment to our charter school community has been instrumental in shaping our school into a thriving hub of learning and growth.

Why Charter Schools Matter

Our charter school offers a unique educational experience that is:

• Tuition-Free: Accessible to all families in our community, regardless of their financial situation.
• Safe and Secure: Providing a nurturing and supportive environment where students can learn and thrive.
• Community-Focused: Partnering with parents, teachers, and the broader community to create a strong educational foundation for our students.

The Role of Our Board

Our Board of Directors plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of our school. They:

• Set the Vision: Establish a clear and inspiring vision for our school’s future.
• Make Informed Decisions: Carefully consider all options and make sound decisions that benefit our students.
• Provide Oversight: Monitor the school’s operations and financial health.
• Advocate for Our Students: Represent our school’s interests at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Recruit and Support Quality Staff: Help attract and retain talented educators who are passionate about our mission.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Board members for their tireless efforts. Their dedication and expertise have made a significant impact on the lives of our students.

Let’s take a moment to thank our Board members for their invaluable contributions. Their commitment to our school’s mission is truly inspiring.

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Experience the Pillars of Educational Success! Begin your application today:

Hey parents! We know you want your kids to be safe, happy, and successful in school. Our students benefit from caring teachers, a secure school environment, and individualized learning so they can grow, learn, and thrive right from the start. Check out everything our school has to offer.

Early Learning Programs

• Tuition-free, full-day Kindergarten

• Early entrance to Kindergarten option! Four-year-olds with birthdays between 10/1-12/31 who pass an assessment are eligible to enroll

• Before & after school care in partnership with Horizon Education Center (fees may apply)

Well-Rounded Academics

• Bilingual learning with daily Spanish instruction

• Classes that focus on reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in Spanish

• Social-Emotional skill building to manage emotions & make responsible decisions

• Classroom technology includes 1:1 Chromebooks to accelerate learning

• PE program promotes fitness, health & teamwork

Special Features

• Empowering & caring teachers

• Safe, secure campus with cafeteria, gym & more

• Free breakfast & lunch

• Free tutoring to support academic achievement

• Free summer school for skill review & reinforcement

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Get the conversation started with Lorain Bilingual Academy! Start your application today:

Thank you to Tanya Velázquez and Spectrum News 1 Ohio for covering our school as part of their Hispanic Heritage Month coverage. Watch and read the full story at spectrumnews1.com.

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Lorain Bilingual Academy helps students maintain Hispanic, Latin American roots

By Tanya Velázquez (Spectrum News 1)

CLEVELAND — Gabriela Puyo decorates her classroom walls with representations of 21 Spanish-speaking countries, serving as a reminder of the school’s diversity.

“I put a few pictures, and I laminated them so they can always relate the flag with the country and something important about the country,” Puyo said.

She teaches at Lorain Bilingual Academy with more than 250 students and staff, who were recognized by the Ohio Department of Education for their progress and performance last year. More than 25,000 students in Ohio say Spanish is their primary language, according to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Puyo said the academy teaches students the fundamentals while helping them stay in touch with their native language.

“We’re learning numbers with the little ones and they just colored their papers after we were singing and dancing… With the older kids, it’s a little different because, for example, in sixth grade, they’re already doing their research. We’re talking about Guatemala this week,” she said.

Lorain Bilingual Academy is the only bilingual school in Lorain area, which has the highest percentage of Hispanic and Latino people that any other county in Ohio.

They read and write in English and Spanish, and learn about global cultures and history like Guatemalan activist Rigoberta Menchú Tum.

“They were just killing all the native people,” Puyo said. “She was one of the bravest persons saying, ‘No more!'”

Puyo said she lived in Peru until two years ago, when she moved to Northeast Ohio through a teaching exchange program. Now, she is connecting with students who, like her, have international roots.

Puyo said they all bring parts of their heritage to homeroom.

“I bring food when I make Peruvian food, and we’re all sharing and they’re trying different things,” she said. “So we’re learning about different places that probably we wouldn’t be able to go or meet people from there.”

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Ready to join our amazing bilingual academy?

With the release of Ohio School Report Cards on Friday, September 13th, we are excited to celebrate the academic achievement of our students and staff during the 2023-24 school year.

Congratulations Lorain Bilingual for receiving 3 stars on Progress!

To learn more about school report cards, visit the Ohio Department of Education website.

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Ready to enroll in our high-achieving school?