About KCIA
Mission and Vision
Kansas City International Academy (KCIA) is a kindergarten through 8th grade charter school located in the Kansas City, Missouri School District. KCIA originally opened as Della Lamb Charter School, the very first charter school in the State of Missouri in 1999.
KCIA’s focus is creating a world-class school with an international focus. Many of KCIA’s students are members of families who have immigrated to Kansas City from more than 25 different countries. Approximately 60% of our students are English Language Learners, who speak over 15 different languages. We embrace the diversity of our student body and we are honored to make a difference in the lives of our vibrant international community of students every day.
KCIA has an extensive, rigorous, and robust K-8 English Language Program. We have highly trained and experienced English language development teachers/specialists equipped to support our students’ language needs. Translators support newcomer students who need enriched language instruction.
All of us at KCIA are excited about the continual academic success of our students. KCIA is a very special place for our students and staff as we continue to become one of the state’s exemplary charter schools. KCIA is a special place that offers a community of love and care to our students, and an adult culture of substantial, personalized instructional support.
“Kansas City International Academy is a really special place. We service students from approximately 20 different countries, 20 different languages. And I think the best part about coming to work every day is I get to learn new things from the students. We have so many different cultures represented that every day you can learn something new about their backgrounds. And it’s really just amazing to see the students interact with one another and begin to just see each other in a new light because everyone has very different walks of life and very different journeys to be here. So it’s a pretty magical place.”
Erin Opara – Middle School Assistant Principal
KCIA’s
Curriculum & Instruction Department
At KC International Academy, we believe that all students deserve access to a rigorous curriculum and the opportunity to meet high academic expectations. Our steadfast belief in our students’ abilities is demonstrated by providing this access and opportunity to all. Our curriculum is anchored in Missouri’s Learning Standards and evidence-based instruction. Excellent literacy instruction is a key priority. KCIA has made significant investments in building teacher knowledge and securing high-quality resources aligned to evidence-based reading instruction.
Nearly two-thirds of students who attend KCIA speak a language other than English in their home. We serve students from 30 different countries who speak 15 different languages. Decisions about curriculum and instruction are made with our diverse student population in mind, and teachers work to develop students’ language and communication abilities alongside their content knowledge. Teachers use research-based strategies to build reading, writing, speaking and listening skills and meet standards for language learning. Multilingual students are supported in a variety of ways by a team of teachers with specialized expertise as well as a team of translators who can provide native language classroom support when appropriate. Differentiated ELA courses taught by specialized staff members are offered to support newcomers during their first years in the United States.
Teachers at KCIA use assessment data to monitor student learning and ensure all students make meaningful academic progress. This includes quarterly assessments aligned to state learning standards, nationally normed assessments that provide a measure of academic growth, assessments of foundational reading skills and an annual measure of English language growth and proficiency.
KCIA’s menu of elective courses includes art, music, physical education, health, library, computer science, robotics, community service, and production/entrepreneurship. Students with a demonstrated need in grades kindergarten through eighth have access to quality reading intervention services to develop grade-level literacy skills.
Please access additional information about our Curriculum and Instruction policies and vision via links below:
Kansas City International Academy is fully accredited based on the state Education Department’s Annual Performance Report (APR). The report measures how well our school is meeting standards for academic performance and growth and how we plan for continuous improvement.
Our growth scores are a particular point of pride. We have earned 100% of possible points for academic growth in both English language arts and math. Our students’ academic growth, based on the Missouri Value-Added Growth Model, is in the 90th percentile.
Questions? Look Here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kansas City International Academy (KCIA)?
At Kansas City International Academy, we are committed to excellence in education, inspiring and empowering children from all nationalities and diverse backgrounds, giving them the foundation they need to achieve the highest level of success in life. Our students come from all over the world speaking more than 15 different languages and representing more than 30 different countries.
KCIA is a public charter school, which means it is free and open to all students who live within the Kansas City Public Schools district boundaries and meet the grade-level requirements.
What is the mission of the KCIA?
At Kansas City International Academy, we are committed to excellence in education, inspiring and empowering children from all nationalities and diverse backgrounds, giving them the foundation they need to achieve the highest level of success in life. Our students come from all over the world, speaking more than 15 different languages and representing more than 30 different countries
What is the philosophy of KCIA?
We commit to a community where ALL students, staff and families are welcomed, valued and challenged. We believe in the potential of ALL, operating with the core belief that our children are capable learners who deserve access and opportunities to thrive. We embrace feedback and constant improvement as the path to high achievement and hold each other accountable for the realization of our mission. Staff members and teachers develop the essential attitudes and skills to support student success.
Where is KCIA located?
KCIA is located at 414 Wallace Ave, Kansas City, MO 64125.
How can students enroll at KCIA for the current school year?
Click schoolappkc.org to apply for open seats for the current school year.
How can students enroll at KCIA for the following school year?
Applications for the following school year (2026-2027 school year) opened on November 8th, 2025. Families can apply at schoolappkc.org. Families can apply any time from November 8th, 2025 through by March 1st, 2026. Families will receive an offer on March 9th, 2026 and must confirm their acceptance by March 16, 2026. Note: If we do not have space, you may choose to remain on our waitlist.
How do I enroll my PreK student?
Parents and guardians can apply for available PreK seats by visiting schoolappkc.org and selecting KC International Academy. KCIA participates in the KC PreK Cooperative Program with Della Lamb Community Center as our PreK provider. Seats are available for both 3 and 4 year old children.
What paperwork do I need for enrollment?
Initially, only the basic information on the enrollment form is required. Once families receive notification of their enrollment with the school, they will provide the following documents will be needed to complete the enrollment process:
1) Residency verification* (one of the following: current lease/mortgage statement, current gas, water or electric bill)
2) Birth certificate
3) Immunizations records
4) Parent photo ID
*Note: the Director of Student Services will work directly with McKinney-Vento eligible families to meet this requirement
Will KCIA provide transportation to students?
KCIA provides transportation to all students living within the district boundaries of Kansas City Public School District.
Who can attend KCIA?
Kansas City International Academy’s grade span is PreK to 8th grade. As a public charter school, KCIA accepts all students and does not make admission decisions based on academics, background, income, special education needs, or other personal characteristics. Applications for enrollment are open throughout the school year. When a grade level is full additional applicants are added to the school waitlist and contacted once a seat becomes available. All applications and wait lists are housed in the schoolappkc.org website.
Students must reside within KCPS district boundaries. PreK students must be 4 years of age by July 31. Kindergarten students must be 5 years of age by July 31.
What is the overall enrollment of KCIA?
The current overall school enrollment is 575 students. There are about 286 students in our Elementary School (K-4th Grade) and about 289 students in our Middle School (5th-8th grade). Students come from 30 different countries and speak 15 different languages.
How does the lottery process work?
Our school has committed to be a part of SchoolAppKC which is a common application platform. We believe that making applying to schools more equitable and accessible for all families is an important part of making sure all families in Kansas City have the greatest access to high quality education for their children. The easy 8-question application allows you to apply to KCIA in less than 5 minutes and makes applying to schools easier, more accessible and more transparent.
Will the school have a waiting list? OR How do I get my child on the waiting list?
Students who are not enrolled through the general enrollment process or who submit enrollment forms outside the initial enrollment period will be placed on the school’s waiting list and will be offered seats as they become available prior to the start of school. Students who enroll prior to the end of the enrollment period will be contacted first on the waiting list, followed by students submitting enrollment forms after the end of the initial enrollment period.
Are there preferences given in the lottery system?
We do give weight to the following applicants in our lottery system:
- Applicant has siblings currently enrolled and attending at KCIA
- Applicant has additional siblings applying to KCIA
- Applicant is the child of an employee and all eligibility requirements are met
- Applicant is a refugee, is homeless or has been homeless within the preceding six months
Who do I contact to report a concern or make a complaint?
Please follow the steps outlined in our Sharing Concerns Procedure to voice a concern to the school.
Meet Our Board
Tanesha Thompson
President
Family & Community Partnership Coordinator at Growing Futures Early Education Center
tthompson@kcia.us
Sycil Proffitt
Vice President
LIFEWISE Community Liaison at Saint Luke’s Health System
sproffitt@kcia.us
Shanelle Brewster
Secretary
Director of Student Accounts at Kansas City University
sbrewster@kcia.usw
Jamila Edwards
Member
Director of Clinical Services at Amethyst Place
Child and Family therapist at ELT Counseling
jedwards@kcia.us
Board Information
Procurement and Financials
KCIA engages with organizations and businesses to procure proposals of work when the school has needs beyond the internal team’s capacity. Please see the following current and archived procurement requests.
As a public charter school, we’re committed to transparency and accountability. Sharing our financial reports shows how we use funds to support students and classrooms. It’s one way we build trust with our community and demonstrate responsible use of public resources.
Current RFPs
Archived RFPs
Financial Reports
“We don’t serve students who speak just one language—we welcome them all. We take every student who walks through our doors: those arriving in America for the very first time, those who have been here for 13 years, and those from every walk of life. And I think that’s really beautiful, because this school truly represents the ideals of what America, at its best, strives to be.”
Department
Special Services
KCIA is committed to all students having a champion and all students making academic growth. The Special Services Department provides specially designed instruction, related services, and accommodations and modifications to students identified as having a disability to meet these commitments.
Obligations as a Public School System:
- Highly mobile children, such as migrant and homeless children,
- and Children who are suspected of having a disability and in need of special education even though they are advancing from grade to grade.
We will provide services to all students, identified as having a disability under any recognized category locally, within our building, or through a contractual arrangement.KC International Academy will provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to all children with disabilities under our jurisdiction.
Furthermore, we will provide all documentation related to children with disabilities in alternative language formats.
FERPA Rights
Personally identifiable information collected, used, or maintained by KC International Academy for the purposes of identification, evaluation, placement, or provision of FAPE of children may be inspected and/or reviewed by their parents.
Parents may register a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education or the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) if they feel KC International Academy is in violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Please contact the Director of Special Education for KC International Academy’s policies and procedures regarding storage, disclosure to their parties, retention, and destruction of personally identifiable information. The Director of Special Education can also provide the availability of KC International Academy’s assurances that services are provided in compliance with the requirements of the General Education Provision Act (GEPA).
Key Links
Students have access to:
- High-quality Special Education teachers
- Individualized instruction
- Individualized accommodations and modifications to help students access the general education curriculum
- Related services to help students access their special education services
Jake Boswell, SPED Director
jboswell@kcia.us or (816) 300-2009
Helpful Links
Details of Operation
M-F: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed
414 Wallace Ave
Kansas City, MO 64125
Email Us: aislaweyn@kcia.us