Frequenty Asked Questions
You’ve Got Questions. We’ve Got Answers.
What is a Community (or Charter) School?
Community schools are public schools that are granted a specific amount of autonomy (determined by state law and the local charter) to make decisions concerning the structure, curriculum, and educational emphasis of the school. In return for this autonomy, community schools are held accountable by their granting agency, in our case the Ohio Department of Education, for the academic achievement of their students.
Do I have to live in the same city where the school is located?
No. Any student living in the State of Ohio can attend. We have open enrollment and do not discriminate.
Are your teachers certified?
Yes. All our teachers have college degrees and many have advanced degrees. Each teacher holds a current license/certificate from the state of Ohio, along with all required endorsements for the particular grade and subject level that he/she teaches.
Is there tuition?
No, there is no tuition to attend Global Village Academy. We are funded by State dollars per student; however, real-estate tax dollars stay in the district of residence. We do have an annual, non-refundable school fee of $225 per student to help cover the cost of consumable materials such as workbooks and art supplies.
How many students are in each class?
Students are enrolled on a first-come, first-serve basis with a maximum of 30 students per class. Priority enrollment is given to return students and siblings of currently enrolled students. If enrollment exceeds the maximum allowed for a class, there will be a wait list for the next available opening.
What are your school hours? Do you provide before-school or after-school care?
Students arrive between 8:00AM and 8:20AM, and dismissal begins at 3:15PM. Students must be picked-up by 3:40PM, after which a late fee is assessed. GVA does not provide before or after-school care, but we parter with two other local child-care organizations for after-school care. Both Dyvosivt and Ukrainian Academy are reputable, outside organizations that provide Ukrainian-language childcare and after-school programs. Both organizations have their own bus to transport students from GVA to their respective facilities after school. If you are interested, please reach out to either organization directly.
Do you provide bus transportation?
GVA partners with the Parma City School District Transportation Department to provide free yellow bus transportation to eligible students. Upon enrollment, GVA will notify the Transportation Department with the names, addresses, and other necessary data, of the students requesting transportation. To qualify, students must reside in Parma, Parma Heights, or Seven Hills, and live more than two miles from GVA. In cases where the Transportation Department is not able to provide busing to eligible students, they will work with families to establish payment-in-lieu of transportation.
What extra-curricular activities do you offer?
GVA Middle School students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of intramural sports. Currently we offer track, golf, and soccer.
What do students wear?
All students in grades k-8 are required to wear uniforms. There are occasional dress-down days, but on these days students must adhere to the dress-down day policy. Please visit our Uniform Policy page for detailed information.
Do you serve meals at school?
Yes! We serve homemade meals daily at GVA. Orders must be placed in advance and menus are emailed to families each month for ordering. We participate in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program and families have the opportunity to apply for free or reduced-priced meals. Every family is encouraged to apply. Please visit our Food Service page for more information.
Can I visit the school?
To limit interruptions to our current students, tours can be scheduled over the summer or when school is not in session. Please contact us if you are interested!