Dear LISA Family,

Happy new year! January has been a great start to 2025. I want to take a moment to wish you all a joyful, prosperous, and successful year ahead. I am filled with excitement and anticipation for everything this year has in store for our students, families, and staff.

From the incredible achievements our students will reach to the many events ahead, 2025 promises to be an outstanding year. We are eagerly looking forward to our Enrollment Lottery on February 25, where new students will join our growing LISA family. In April, the 11th Annual Arkansas STEM Festival will showcase the brilliance and innovation of our young minds, and in Northwest Arkansas for the first time! May brings the 14th Annual Language and Culture Festival, a celebration of the rich diversity that makes our community so special. And in August, we will proudly open the doors of our brand-new Rogers-Bentonville Middle-High campus, expanding opportunities for even more students to thrive.

These are just a few of the many exciting moments to come. I cannot wait to witness the hard work, growth, and success of our students, parents, and staff throughout this year.

Thank you for being part of the LISA Academy family. Let’s make 2025 our best year yet!

Best Regards,

Dr. Fatih Bogrek

LISA Academy has initiated the AI Center! This will establish a dynamic range of activities to foster an inclusive and forward-thinking AI ecosystem. These include starting a school-wide AI Committee to guide our initiates, hosting research talks and forums, and inviting guest speakers to inspire our students, parents, and community. We organize training and workshops to enhance AI literacy and host Parent Academies to engage families. Our research and development center (R&D) department actively applies for research grants through science-based agencies. By involving students, teachers, and parents, we aim to cultivate an AI culture, establish cutting-edge AI Labs, and develop an AI-focused curriculum for AI-driven education. We also offer an AI Club for students, an AI Career Day, and opportunities for cooperation and publication. To enrich the learning experience, we organize STEM festivals, science fairs, field trips, book clubs, and numerous forums for interdisciplinary engagement.

LISA Academy West High has earned the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science Principles (CSP). Schools honored with an AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have expanded access to AP computer science courses for female students in their communities.

During the 2023-24 school year, 1,153 institutions achieved an AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for CSA, CSP or both courses. Award contenders must either have reached 50% or higher female representation in one of the two AP computer science courses or have achieved a percentage of female computer science exam takers that meets or exceeds that of the school’s female population. LISA West High was one of only 847 recognized for improving female representation in AP CSP.

The Northwest Arkansas Science Fair was a remarkable showcase of innovation and creativity, featuring the incredible talents of students from LISA Academy Rogers-Bentonville, Fayetteville, and Springdale campuses. Students from 3rd to 9th grade participated, presenting impressive science projects that highlighted their curiosity, research skills, and passion for discovery.

The event was further enriched by a keynote speech from LISA Academy alumnus Ibrahim Suid, who inspired students with his journey in STEM and shared valuable insights on the importance of scientific exploration. The science fair not only celebrated academic excellence but also fostered a spirit of inquiry, collaboration, and lifelong learning among young scientists. Congratulations to the winners!

LISA Academy North Middle-High teams competed in the VEX IQ competition, showcasing their skills and determination. Both teams performed exceptionally well, consistently ranking among the top contenders. We are proud to share that one team finished in 2nd place, while the other secured 3rd place in the finals! Congratulations to our students for their hard work and success – we look forward to their continued achievements!

Huge congratulations to LISA Academy West High College and Career Counselor Bilal Acikgoz and his seniors! Thanks to his dedication and guidance and the senior's determination, 100% of these students have received college acceptance! Hard work truly makes a difference.

This year’s theme delves into the convergence of transportation, technology, environmental sustainability, and society. "Connecting the Dots" explores how innovations in smart transportation systems, electric vehicles, autonomous technologies, and renewable energy are shaping our future, addressing climate challenges, and transforming our communities.

Through interactive exhibits and hands-on demonstrations, participants will discover how these advancements are reducing emissions, optimizing efficiency, and fostering smarter, greener cities. Projects will highlight the role of AI, machine learning, and robotics in revolutionizing how we move and connect.

"Connecting the Dots" invites students, educators, and innovators to explore the social and environmental impact of these technologies. This theme will inspire a deeper understanding of how transportation and sustainability are inextricably linked, driving us toward a more interconnected and equitable world.

Congratulations to our amazing writers at LISA Academy Rogers-Bentonville! First-place winner Kira, along with runners-up Vihas, Landon, Yara, and Evelynn, showcased their inspiring voices in the Hormel Foods Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest. This year’s theme, “What Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Means to Me,” encouraged powerful reflections on his legacy. Way to go, future leaders!

Congratulations to the West Middle Science Bowl team and their coach, Ms. Yaman, for putting their knowledge and teamwork to the test to secure 2nd place at the regional competition! The matchup took place at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith with teams competing from across the state.

Schools across the LISA Academy district celebrated National School Choice Week. This week highlights the importance of educational opportunities and the power of families to choose the best learning environment for their children. Our students, teachers, and staff came together to celebrate the freedom to learn, grow, and succeed in a school that meets their unique needs.

Ms. Love had the opportunity to attend the National School Choice Week School Informational Event, where she engaged with families to discuss various school options and the admissions process. Her participation helped inform parents and students about the educational opportunities available, ensuring they could make the best choices for their academic future.

West Middle students had the incredible opportunity to visit the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. The students had a blast immersing themselves in art through a fun scavenger hunt and creative exploration! A huge thank you to the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts for hosting us—we appreciate your hospitality and dedication to inspiring young minds! Our students came back full of excitement and creativity!

LISA North and West Elementary GT students had an amazing experience at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, enjoying a private showing of the new play An Unlikely Hero. After the performance, they participated in an engaging talk-back session with the production team, asking insightful questions about the play. What a fantastic opportunity to learn and be inspired!

All 8th graders at Rogers-Bentonville Middle School had the exciting opportunity to visit Crystal Bridges, where they enjoyed a guided tour of the American Sunrise: Indigenous Art exhibit. This interactive experience allowed students to explore how images tell stories, engage in meaningful discussions, and even create their own artwork, bringing history and culture to life through creativity.

Thank you to the Innovation Hub for visiting 5th grade GT students to teach them about paper circuits! Students were able to draw a picture and have it light up. LISA Academy loves STEM-C learning experiences!

Eager 5th grade West Elementary students were able to visit and tour West Middle to see the campus they will transition to next school year!

LISA Academy is proud to announce that we have been designated a Purple Star School District by the AR State Council of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission, for our commitment to support and serve military children and their families.

We appreciate the sacrifices our military families make each and every day. LISA Academy staff are committed to serving students of our military heroes and supporting them both emotionally and academically.

West and North High School alumni returned to their alma mater for an alumni panel. Current students learned about the experiences of recent LISA Academy graduates, from how they selected their school or career to what college classes are like—and everything in between! Thank you to the various alumni who participated.