A new bilingual public school will open its doors in August in the University area of Charlotte. Honor Preparatory, a free charter school that, in its first year, will serve kindergarten, first, and second grade students.
Classes will be taught in English and Spanish, all teachers are bilingual and will be offered free breakfast and lunch. In addition, the incorporation of school transportation. Registration is open until the end of May and the process is free.
Débora Saavedra-Winch, operations coordinator, explained to Enlace Latino NC that the main objective is to eliminate barriers for interested families. “The migratory status “It is not an impediment to applying,” he assured.
Honor Preparatory is part of the system of public charter schools, which receive state funding but operate with greater autonomy. In North Carolina, these schools do not charge tuition and are required by law to accept students without requiring social Security number nor verify citizenship.
In its first year, the school will offer admissions from kindergarten through second grade. School hours will be Monday through Friday, from 7:50 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., with free breakfast and lunch for all students. The registration process does not require translators or complex paperwork.
“We only ask for the birth certificate - it does not have to be translated, it can be a photo -, an identification document, either a passport, ID card or license, and an electricity bill or something that shows the address where they live,” Saavedra-Winch explained.
A bilingual model for the entire community
In addition to free access, one of the central pillars of Honor Preparatory is your focus on Bilingual education from the early school years. All classrooms are in the care of bilingual teachers and students receive instruction in English and Spanish.
“We are a free bilingual school. We are accepting places in kindergarten through second grade. The children learn two languages, and all the teachers are bilingual. Our desire is to create a community that supports the development of our children,” said Saavedra-Winch.
The pedagogical proposal seeks not only to teach both languages, but to recognize Spanish as part of the identity of many latin students and provide a school environment where that language is valued.
"It's very important to allow students to continue developing their Spanish language skills and also allow English-speaking students to learn the language," he noted.
The school also plans to grow year after year, adding new grades until the primary cycle is complete. For this first year, students are expected to receive free breakfast and lunch, and will have school transportation, although this service is still in the planning stages.
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Registration information for 2025
Families interested in enrolling their children at Honor Preparatory should do so before the end of May. Classes begin in August, and in this first year, the school will serve students in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade.
To apply, you need:
- Birth certificate (can be a photo, no translation required)
- Identification document (passport, ID card or license)
- Electricity bill or other proof of address in North Carolina
- Complete the online form at the HonorPrep website
- Contact by email: info@honorprep.org
No Social Security number or legal immigration status is required.
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