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Spokane International Academy

United States, Spokane

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 5 - 17 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2015
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages Spanish
Strengths Languages, STEM, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Cultural and Language, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional
Stages Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Spokane International Academy is a public charter school campus located at 777 E Magnesium Rd in Spokane, offering a K-12 pathway with a focus on global learning. The school delivers IB programs (PYP and MYP) alongside AP coursework, serving students ages 5 to 17. Core content includes language arts, math, social studies, and science, with Spanish studied daily as part of a global studies emphasis. In the Primary Academy (K–5), each grade studies a region of the world; in the Middle Academy (6–8), students take Global Perspectives; in High School, AP coursework, internships, service learning, and college/career preparation are available. Field studies and travel experiences connect classroom learning to real-world issues, cultivating global competence and bilingual communication in English and Spanish. Campus facilities span three stories with a science lab, library, art spaces, dedicated fitness areas, and a school garden. The school emphasizes service learning and environmental stewardship through NHS.

777 E Magnesium Rd, Spokane, WA 99208

The Essentials

Spokane International Academy has instruction in English.

Location

777 E Magnesium Rd, Spokane, WA 99208, United States. Spokane International Academy is located in Spokane, Washington. Public bus transportation is available to eligible students via SIA's transportation program, serving hubs around the Spokane area. Registration is required and space is limited.

Stages

Kindergarten through 11th grade.

Type

Public charter school.

Additional learning support

HiCap program offers acceleration within the classroom and extension opportunities outside the classroom.

School day structure

School hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 am–3:00 pm; Fri 8:00 am–1:00 pm. Office hours: Mon–Fri 7:30 am–4:00 pm.

Bus service

Transportation to/from hubs around the Spokane Area during regular school hours for eligible students; Primary and Middle Academy students are eligible; Upper Academy may access transportation with administrative approval; Registration is required and space is limited. For questions about bus registration, contact bus@spokaneintlacademy.org.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement

The school requires daily uniforms. Uniform tops must be navy blue or red polo shirts with the SIA logo, and bottoms are khaki, navy, or black dress pants, shorts, or skirts. On Fridays, students may wear an SIA T-shirt with uniform bottoms.

Food Options

Breakfast and lunch are provided to all students at no cost for the 2025-2026 school year. Menus are viewable online, and families can submit Free/Reduced Meal Applications via Skyward or PDF. The program offers special dietary accommodations; forms are available and requests can be sent to foodservice@spokaneintlacademy.org.

House System

The school uses a house system with six houses representing Earth's biomes: Desert, Plains, Rainforest, Tundra, Mountains, and Ocean. The system is for 6th-12th graders and was established in 2017-18; students compete for House Team points for an annual House Cup.

Governance and Ownership

Spokane International Academy is a rigorous K-12 public charter school serving nearly 900 students in Spokane, Washington. It is governed by a Board of Directors who oversee the school's mission, finances, policies, and long-term planning. Charter public schools are tuition-free and publicly funded.
Fees
Application fees

- There is no application fee required to submit an enrollment application. Families may complete the open-enrollment application process without a required payment.

Tuition fees (by year group / per term / per year)

- There is no tuition charged for attendance at the school for any grade. All instruction is provided without a tuition charge to enrolled students. There are no per-term or per-year tuition charges.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- There is no regular tuition billing schedule because the school does not charge tuition. Optional charges that occur (for example, participation in extended field studies, international trips, or other optional programs) are billed on a per-activity basis and are payable by families according to the terms communicated for each activity. Families are responsible for payment of optional trip and field-study costs.

- Uniform purchases are billed at the time of order through the school-approved vendor and are paid directly to the vendor when ordering.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not offered. The school operates as a day charter public school; there are no boarding fees.

Other costs and typical fees

- School supplies: Families are asked to provide routine school supplies for students (standard supply lists by grade). These supply costs are the responsibility of families.

- Field studies / travel: Costs for curriculum-linked field studies and extended travel experiences (for example, the week-long outdoor science experience and international service-learning trips) are charged to participating families on a per-trip basis. Fundraising may be used to reduce individual costs, but families are expected to cover trip fees.

- Student activities / ASB-funded events: Optional extracurricular and social events may require payments or fundraising; ASB funds are public monies raised for optional student events and activities. Families may be asked to contribute for optional events or items related to extracurricular participation.

- Uniforms and spirit wear: School-approved uniform items are available for purchase from the school's approved vendor. Example retail prices listed at the vendor include: polo shirts around USD 16.96–18.02, T‑shirts around USD 10.60, crew/sweatshirts around USD 25–32, and zip/hoodie styles ranging from about USD 29–42; other outerwear items and accessories are similarly priced through the vendor. Uniform orders are paid at the time of purchase through the vendor.

Refund information

- Because no tuition is charged, there are no tuition refunds. Refunds or cancellation policies for paid, optional items (for example, field-study/trip fees or vendor-purchased uniforms) follow the refund and return policies of the program or vendor charging the fee; those paid items are subject to the specific terms communicated at the time of billing or purchase.

Fee payment options (methods)

- Online payment portal: The school provides an online payment portal for payments and receipts; payments for school charges and collections are processed using the school's payment systems.

- Vendor payment for uniforms: Uniform and spirit-item purchases are paid directly to the approved vendor at the time of order through the vendor's checkout.

- Activity/trip payments: Payments for trips and field studies are handled per-activity and must be made according to the payment instructions provided for each activity (these may include online portal payment or vendor-specific payment methods).
Academics

Spokane International Academy teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), Advanced Placement (AP) for students aged 5 to 17.

Curriculum

Core content areas are language arts, math, social studies, and science. All students study Spanish daily as part of a global studies program. In the Primary Academy (K–5), each grade studies a region of the world; in the Middle Academy (6–8), students take a Global Perspectives course; in High School, AP coursework, internships, service learning, and college/career preparation are offered. Field studies and travel experiences connect classroom learning to real-world issues, cultivating global competence. The program emphasizes critical thinking, cross-cultural understanding, and bilingual communication in English and Spanish.

Exam Results

SIA participates in the annual Smarter Balanced Assessments; scores are published by OSPI on the Report Card site.

Higher Education Progression

Graduates are prepared to enter public and private universities across the country and to complete college degrees or other post-secondary certifications. They demonstrate readiness for college-level coursework and bilingual communication in English and Spanish.

Gifted and Talented

HiCap (Highly Capable) offers acceleration within the classroom and extension opportunities outside the classroom. Primary Academy (K–5) provides reading and math acceleration with Lexia Core5 and extended inquiry during IB units; Middle Academy (6–8) offers English and math acceleration, with the option to take high school math for credit.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The Spokane International Academy Counseling Department is guided by a set of core beliefs and values. Every student has the potential to thrive in academic, social-emotional, and career development. Diversity and culture are integral to the comprehensive counseling program. The school maintains a safe and welcoming environment that promotes personal growth and community well-being. Equal access to the counseling program is provided for all students. Counseling follows ethical standards and counselors are an intentional, proactive presence within the school.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The school has a Director of Special Education who serves as the Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) Coordinator. HIB Coordinator: Jackie Pariseau, pariseau@spokaneintlacademy.org. Spokane International Academy does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of age, sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or service animal and provides equal access to groups. The Civil Rights, Title IX, and Section 504 Coordinator is Jacqueline Pariseau; 509-209-8730; 777 E Magnesium Rd Spokane, WA 99208. If issues persist, resources through the Washington Office of the Education Ombuds are available.

Mental Wellbeing

The Counseling Department prioritizes student mental wellbeing and resilience as part of a holistic approach to education. Counseling supports students' social-emotional growth and a sense of belonging within a safe, welcoming environment. Counselors work to help students feel valued and supported in navigating life's challenges. The program equips students with knowledge, attitudes, and skills to reach their full potential and prepare for college, careers, and meaningful community involvement.

Safeguarding

Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) policies designate a primary contact for complaints. HIB Coordinator is Jackie Pariseau (Director of Special Education); inquiries or incident reports can be emailed to pariseau@spokaneintlacademy.org. Spokane International Academy does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of disability or other protected characteristics. The Civil Rights, Title IX, and Section 504 Coordinator is Jacqueline Pariseau; 509-209-8730; 777 E Magnesium Rd, Spokane, WA 99208. If concerns remain unresolved, contact the Washington Office of the Education Ombuds for assistance.
Parent Experience

History

The idea for Spokane International Academy was born in 2013, and a design team formed in January 2014 to develop the mission, teaching philosophy, and curriculum. The charter was submitted July 15, 2014 and approved by the Spokane Public Schools board on September 24, 2014. The school opened August 26, 2015 with 160 students in kindergarten, first grade, and sixth grade, and in September 2015 the Washington Supreme Court ruled that charter funding from the general fund was unconstitutional, leading to a temporary partnership with Mary Walker School District as an Alternative Learning Experience with Written Student Learning Plans; the charter was restored for 2016-17. Spokane International Academy has grown to serve over 600 students in K-8 with a staff of over 65; it moved to a permanent campus at 777 E Magnesium Rd in fall 2020 and launched a high school program in fall 2021 focused on college and career options.

Community

Spokane International Academy has a Community Advisory Team (CAT) that functions like a traditional PTO. The CAT includes parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, community members, and friends who want to be involved. The CAT raises funds to support the development of new programs and sustain engaging learning opportunities, and it coordinates service opportunities for students. Meetings are scheduled regularly and minutes are posted, with contact information available at cat@spokaneintlacademy.org.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

The Community Advisory Team (CAT) functions as the school's PTA. The CAT includes parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, community members, and friends who want to be involved. It raises funds to support the development of new programs and sustainable learning opportunities, and it coordinates service opportunities for students. Meetings are scheduled regularly and minutes are posted. Volunteer opportunities are available through CAT involvement, and for more information email cat@spokaneintlacademy.org.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

777 E Magnesium Rd in Spokane houses Spokane International Academy. The campus is a three-story office building built in 1988 on roughly seven acres. Phase 2 Development renovated remaining spaces to add middle and high school classrooms on the third floor, art spaces, a school library, a science lab for secondary students, dedicated fitness areas, specialist classrooms, and a playground. Total Space is 101,370 square feet and Total Enrollment is 980 when fully enrolled K-12.

Sports Facilities

The campus includes dedicated fitness areas and a playground on site.

Academic Facilities

Phase 2 development added middle and high school classrooms on the third floor, art spaces, a school library, and a science lab for secondary students. The campus includes dedicated fitness areas and various specialist classrooms. The school library and science lab support secondary education and hands-on learning.

Extra Curricular Facilities

Houses: six houses represent Earth's biomes (Desert, Plains, Rainforest, Tundra, Mountains, Ocean). National Honor Society (NHS) is part of student life. Service Learning is a core focus, with projects tied to topics studied in class. A school garden program supports environmental stewardship, community development, healthy living, and academic achievement. Music and Habits of Mind are highlighted components of student life.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

FIELD STUDIES expand learning beyond the classroom. TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES provide real-world experiences that complement the core curriculum. These experiences support inquiry, critical thinking, and global awareness.

Cultural & Language

SPANISH PROGRAM is offered to develop language skills and cultural awareness. This program complements the academic program. It supports intercultural communication and global understanding.

Social & Hobbies

ASB fosters student government and organizes school events. HOUSES promote community, collaboration, and healthy competition. SCHOOL GARDEN provides hands-on activities and collaborative work with nature. These elements contribute to a connected school culture.

Community & Service

PHOENIX LOVE - COMMUNITY SERVICE LOG documents service activities and opportunities. Volunteering at SIA is available through school channels. The program encourages students to engage with the broader community.

Leadership & Professional

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY (NHS) provides opportunities for leadership and service. ASB involves student government and leadership development through events and activities. Together these programs cultivate practical skills useful in higher education and careers.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

PHYSICAL EDUCATION is offered to promote physical wellness. SIA's School Garden and outdoor activities contribute to well-being and hands-on learning in nature. The school supports wellness through these opportunities.
Languages

Language Provision

Spanish is the language taught at SIA. All students learn Spanish on a daily basis. The program serves Primary Academy (K-5), Middle Academy (6-8) and High School (9-12). In Primary, 120 minutes of Spanish instruction weekly are provided; Middle offers 180 minutes weekly; High School includes Spanish 3 and 4 in freshman and sophomore years, with Spanish 1 and 2 available for credit.

Immersion Programs

Spanish language immersion is integral to SIA's program. Primary Academy uses immersion conversations, songs, games and activities, with 120 minutes of Spanish instruction weekly. Middle Academy emphasizes immersion conversations, academic language and exploration of Spanish-speaking cultures, with 180 minutes of weekly instruction and a travel/service-learning track culminating in a Spanish-speaking country trip after 8th grade (past trips include the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Peru, and Ecuador). High School continues Spanish study through Years 3 and 4 during Freshman and Sophomore years, with Spanish 1 and 2 available for credit.
Reputation

Accreditations

Washington State Charter School Commission authorization.
Admissions

Admissions

1. Review the Student and Family Handbook before submitting your application. The handbook outlines the expectations for enrollment at Spokane International Academy. 2. Submit an application using the Apply Now link. Submitting an application conveys the family's desire to enroll but does not guarantee a space in the school. Spokane International Academy is open enrollment and any eligible student can apply; the process includes an enrollment lottery. 3. Understand that spaces are allocated through an enrollment lottery. The enrollment lottery determines which applicants are offered admission when applications exceed available slots. This process is part of Spokane International Academy's open enrollment policy and is intended to create a fair chance for all eligible students.
School Events
The school has not added events