• Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts (FWAFA) has received a preliminary award of $100,000 for the LASO Cycle 3 grant aimed at establishing an Early College High School.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (March 11, 2025) – The Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities (LASO) Cycle 3 grant represents the latest phase of a unified application cycle designed to strategically group grant funding opportunities aimed at fostering ongoing learning acceleration and innovative initiatives. LASO grants are founded on five key strategies for enhancing learning acceleration: Strategic Planning, Instructional Resources, Teacher Development Programs, Extended Learning Time, and Innovative Educational Models.
Texas Center for Arts + Academics (TCA+A), FWAFA’s charter holder, is dedicated to identifying opportunities that enhance student development and create new avenues for them to effectively prepare for their future. Both of TCA+A’s charter schools, FWAFA and Texas School of the Arts (TeSA), have previously received LASO grants. Therefore, it was a pleasant surprise for FWAFA to be selected as a recipient of a new opportunity from Texas Education Agency (TEA).
“We are incredibly honored to receive the LASO Cycle 3 grant to establish an Early College High School at Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts. This funding represents a significant step forward in our commitment to providing students with expanded academic pathways and access to college-level coursework. By integrating the arts with rigorous academic opportunities, we are preparing our students for future success in higher education and beyond. We are grateful toTexas Education Agency for this opportunity and look forward to the transformative impact it will have on our students and community.”- Anika Perkins, TCA+A President/CEO & Superintendent
TEA experienced a record number of applications this year, prompting a request for additional funding from the legislature, which complicated the selection process. Nevertheless, on February 20th, notifications were sent out confirming FWAFA had been selected as a recipient. Following this designation, FWAFA is anticipated to undertake essential action steps and adhere to TEA communications to secure the allocated funds. The school community is beyond excited for this opportunity and is actively preparing to advance to the next stages of the process.
“The LASO grant is an enormous win for our students because it will help remove specific barriers for those who are interested in participating in Dual Credit. Our students are so bright, intelligent, and creative, and this grant will only help FWAFA expand its Dual Credit program and will give students more opportunities to accelerate academically.” – Kaitlin Barker, FWAFA Secondary Counselor
The Early College High School (ECHS) initiative enables school districts to establish an Early College High School on their premises. This program is designed to support historically underserved students by delivering challenging instruction and access to college-level courses. Enrolled students will receive both academic and comprehensive support at no expense. Texas Education Agency (TEA) allocated approximately $800,000 in funding for Early College High School grants, which was distributed between 10 Local Education Agencies. Of that funding, FWAFA was awarded $100,000. Explore additional information regarding the programs andawards: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/health-safety-discipline/learning-acceleration-support-opportunities-laso
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ABOUT TEXAS CENTER FOR ARTS + ACADEMICS (TCA+A)
Texas Center for Arts + Academics is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to inspire and empower students with a lifelong passion for learning, academic achievement, and artistic excellence. TCA+A manages two public charter schools, Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts and Texas School of the Arts, three premier choirs, and after-school conservatory programs that provide a vast array of professional training in Dance, Music, Theatre and Visual Arts. TCA+A is located in the creative hub of Fort Worth, Texas with more than 1,000 youth enrolled in its schools, conservatories, and summer programs annually.
MORE INFO:
Keep track of TCA+A’s schools Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts and Texas School of Arts by following us on social media:
Facebook: @TexasSchoolOfTheArts, @texascenterforartsacademics, @fortworthacademyoffinearts
Homepage: https://www.artsacademics.org/
Complete copy of the Annual Report for TCA+A here
For more information on LASO grants visit: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/health-safety-discipline/learning-acceleration-support-opportunities-laso
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Flor D. Cabrera | Director of Marketing and Communications | Texas Center for Arts + Academics flor.cabrera@artsacademics.org | 817.766.2390 (ext 113)