FAQs

Updated 5/20/24

Dress Code

Boys:

Navy or khaki pants and shorts with button and zippered fronts (no cargo pants/no cargo shorts)

Solid knit shirts with collar or cotton/cotton blend button front shirts with long or short sleeves or Bolton Academy School Spirit Shirts

Girls:

Navy or khaki pants, Capri pants, shorts, skirts, skorts, or jumpers with side or zippered fronts (no cargo pants/no cargo shorts)

Solid knit shirts with collar or cotton/cotton blend button front shirts with long or short sleeves or Bolton Academy School Spirit Shirts

• Bolton Academy uniform shirt colors are royal blue, gray, black, and white.

• Spirit shirts may be worn on designated days.

• Shirts must be long enough to tuck in and remain tucked in at all times.

• Only solid white undershirts or camisoles shall be worn under the school uniform shirt.

• No jeans will be worn in navy, khaki, or any other color. Jeans are not a part of the uniform.

• If belts are worn they must be buckled at all times; no part of the belt may be left hanging at any time. Belts must be threaded through the loops.

• Students may wear a zip front jacket (must zip all the way open) when weather dictates. Students are allowed to wear Bolton Academy hoodies anytime.

• Students are prohibited from wearing coats in the classroom. A light sweater or jacket is acceptable. Hats and hoods are not to be worn.

Logistics

What will the school hours be next year?*

The hours for 2024-2025 will be the following:

Bolton Academy (Grades 6-12) - 7:53 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Phoenix Magnet (Grades PreK-5) - 8:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.

Transportation

Will transportation be provided? 

Yes, the district will provide transportation for Bolton Academy students just as they currently provide transportation for Rapides Academy and Phoenix Magnet students.  

Will students ride the same bus as this year?

We do not have this information at this time.

Curriculum

What will the curriculum include for high school?

At Bolton Academy, students will learn by doing and experiencing. We will provide a student-centered program that balances a concentration of challenging core academics while integrating a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics model. The STEAM model we use will foster an environment that encourages student innovation and requires students to apply, create, collaborate, and problem-solve in our college and career-focused setting. We will offer a comprehensive suite of Pre-AP/Honors, Dual Enrollment, and AP courses, and our faculty will provide rigorous classroom instruction combined with academic support to ensure student success. 

In partnership with LSUA, Bolton Academy will offer students the opportunity to complete a variety of college credit classes. Additionally, students will have the option to earn an associate degree through LSUA while they are enrolled at Bolton Academy.

Extracurricular/Co-Curricular/Clubs/Sports 

(Please note - this list is subject to change)

Clubs/Organizations

• Student Council

• Art Club

• Mu Alpha Theta

• 4-H

• National Honor Society

• Drone Team

• Robotics Team

• Educators Rising

• National Beta

• Mathletes

• Chess Club

• History Club

• School Newspaper

• School Yearbook

• Speech / Debate

• Quiz Bowl

• JROTC

Sports

• Football

• Basketball

• Baseball

• Softball

• Cheer

• Soccer

• Archery

• Cross Country

• Track and Field

• Tennis

• eSports

Spirit Clubs

• Band

• Cheer

Arts

• Visual Arts

• Vocal Music

• Band

• Orchestra

• Theater

• Talented Art, Music, Theater

Miscellaneous

How do you plan to keep high schoolers separate from the young children?

Next year, middle school classes will be housed on the first and second floors. High school courses will primarily be on the third floor, except for arts electives (band, theater, choir, etc.) in the first floor's back wing. Each grade level configuration will be assigned a specific set of stairs to use to move from one floor to another. Lunch shifts will be different for each grade level configuration. 

When elementary students start at Bolton Academy in 2025-2026, 1st-5th grade will be on the first floor, middle school will be on the first and second floors, and high school will be on the third floor. The plan is  when PreK and Kindergarten start, they will be housed in a separate building. 

Will there be separate restrooms for middle school and high school students?

There will be student restrooms on each floor. Most high school courses will be on the third floor and most middle school courses will be on the first and second floors next year. Students will use the restroom closest to their classroom. Restrooms will be monitored by adults and we will have procedures and rules in place to ensure proper and safe student behavior throughout the school. 

Will there be a fence around the perimeter of the school? 

Yes, the perimeter of the school will be completely enclosed and the fence and buildings will be locked during the school day. 

Will the grade levels, specifically middle and high school, be separated or share some classes, such as electives?

There will be different sections for middle school students who take high school credit courses. Elective courses will also be separated by grade level configuration.

What will pick-up and drop-off procedures look like for each age group? 

Middle school students will go to one side of the gym bleachers and high school students will go to the other side of the gym bleachers. Each grade level configuration will be assigned to a different area of the cafeteria for breakfast. 

When elementary students start at Bolton Academy in 2025-2026, adjustments to the drop-off and pick-up procedures will be made. 

How can we as parents help? Give me a paintbrush, a pressure washer, whatever you need me to do! Go Bears!

Thank you, we appreciate your support as we move forward! We will have some work days to clean up and beautify the entire facility. We will notify parents of the dates and times.

Will the mascot still be the bear? 

We will be the Bolton Academy Bears. 

Will the current Bolton students be evaluated to attend the new Bolton Academy?

Yes.

Will Phoenix and Rapides Academy teachers be offered positions at Bolton Academy? 

Yes, as long as the enrollment numbers allow us to keep our current faculty members, they will transition with our students. 

Will the Bolton campus have a playground for elementary students?

Yes, we will have playground equipment and play areas.

Are the facilities being updated to accommodate small kids and more kids?

Yes, the facilities will be updated and improved as needed. However, the current building capacity is 1400 students. 

What is the uniform policy?

Students at Bolton Academy will follow the current uniform policy for Rapides Parish School District. 

Admission Information

What will the requirements be for new students to enter Bolton Academy?

• Pass all classes

• No expulsions

• No more than 1 out-of-school suspension

• No more than 6 unexcused absences or tardies

Academic requirements for admission for Grades 6-8

• GPA of 2.5 in core classes on the final report card of the previous year

• LEAP scores of Basic or above in all 4 content areas, or

• LEAP scores of Basic or above on Math and English and either science or social studies and a minimum of approaching basic on the 4th; with an entrance exam administered for the approaching basic subject area and minimum score of 80% earned

Academic requirements for admission for Grade 9

• GPA of 2.5 in core classes on the final report card of the previous year

• LEAP scores of Basic or above in all 4 content areas, or

• LEAP scores of Basic or above on Math and English and either science or social studies and a minimum of approaching basic on the 4th; with an entrance exam administered for the approaching basic subject area and minimum score of 80% earned

Academic requirements for admission for Grades 10-12

• GPA of 2.5 in core classes on the final report card of the previous year

• Basic or higher on all LEAP 2025 (high school credit) exams taken by the student  (Algebra I, Geometry, English I, English II, Biology, American History)  

What will the application process be for potential students coming from other schools?

Complete the application and submit all required documents by April 5, 2024 (see the last page for the complete list of documents).  If standardized test scores are unavailable for the student, the student will take a placement test.

Will current Rapides Academy and Phoenix students need to reapply?

Current RA and Phoenix students will have to complete an application, but they are automatically accepted as long as they are in good standing at RA/Phoenix. Submit the completed application and supporting documents (if applicable) to boltonacademy@rpsb.us, to the main office at Rapides Academy (4645 Lincoln Road, Alexandria), or to the main office at Bolton High (see Michelle Janet) no later than April 5, 2024, at 2 PM. Please note: Current Bolton, Rapides Academy, or Phoenix students are NOT required to submit anything other than the completed application. None of the documents listed on page 5 are required from our current students.   

To Apply

Submit the completed application and supporting documents (if applicable) to boltonacademy@rpsb.us, to the main office at Rapides Academy (4645 Lincoln Road, Alexandria), or to the main office at Bolton High (see Michelle Janet).

Please note: Current Bolton, Rapides Academy, or Phoenix students are NOT required to submit anything other than the completed application. None of the documents listed below are required from our current students.   

New Students: Listed below are additional documents that must be submitted before your application will be processed.  

Required documents for enrollment

• Most recent standardized test scores.        

Current RPSB students and Louisiana public school students: Copy of most recent LEAP 2025 test scores for all subjects

Private/out-of-district students:  Copy of scores in the 50th percentile or higher on all components of a nationally recognized standardized test (Stanford, Terra Nova, ACT, PSAT, SAT, Iowa, etc.)

• Copy of the most recent report card.

• Complete record of grades earned for high school credit. (the most current transcript) 

• Louisiana students must submit LEAP 2025 (high school credit) exam results for all exams the student has taken.

• Printed attendance and discipline record.  Attendance record should be 95% or higher and will be reviewed for absences, check-outs, check-ins, and tardies. The discipline record should be exemplary - if the student has any in-school or out-of-school suspensions, the records will be reviewed to determine eligibility; students with prior expulsions will not be admitted. 

Current RPSB students:  These may be printed from PowerSchool.  If there are no discipline entries, still  submit the paper that states “No items to show.” 

Private/out-of-district students:  Letter from a school administrator verifying attendance history, that includes the number of absences and tardies, and a detailed discipline record. If there is no discipline record, it should be stated “no discipline record, none,” etc. 

• Proof of Rapides Parish residency in parent(s)/guardian(s) name(s): utility bill (gas, water, electric) or current lease. If you and your student reside with someone else, you must provide a notarized letter of affidavit to this effect along with a copy of a utility bill in that person’s name. 

• Students NOT currently enrolled in a Rapides Parish public school must also submit the following: Copy of student’s birth certificate, social security card, and up-to-date immunization record.