FAQs

What is EMSA?

The Elgin Math and Science Academy Charter School is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) with a local Board of Directors composed of area stakeholders, including educators, business leaders, and parents of potential students. We offer an exciting and effective educational opportunity to District U-46 families: to bring the WOW & WONDER in Learning to students through a math and science public charter school. We opened in the Fall of 2018 with 200 students in grades K-3 and now serve over 500 students in grades K-8.

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What is a Charter School?
Charters are unique public schools allowed the freedom to innovate while being held accountable for advancing student achievement. Because they are public schools, charters are:

1. Open to all children in District U-46. 
2. Do not charge tuition.
3. Do not have special entrance requirements.

The Elgin Math & Science Academy charter school is open to U-46 students, including students with disabilities and English learners. We hold a blind, public lottery each Spring to enroll students if the number of applications exceeds available seats. 

Learn more about our application and lottery process

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What is EMSA’s educational approach?
EMSA partners with EL Education to provide a proven curriculum in which students gain critical thinking and leadership skills as they explore problems and create real-life solutions.

Explore more about our approach to learning

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How is EMSA’s school culture different?
EMSA is a community where all students can thrive. We are focused on educating the whole child with high expectations and care. Our culture is grounded in the belief of CREW, where students, staff, and families collaborate towards strong outcomes for our students. 

Learn more about our crew culture

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What is CREW?
An EL Education school culture is planned for, developed, and sustained through practices that bring the community together, promote shared understandings, and encourage all community members to become crew, not passengers. Students in EL schools are well-known and supported by adults. In EL Education schools, each student is known well by at least one adult within the school. One structure for developing this relationship—and supporting students socially, emotionally, and academically—is crew.

The structure of crew allows for relationship building, academic progress monitoring, and character development. Crew allows students to build positive connections with their peers and with their crew leader. Crew leaders strategically plan crew to address and assess these multiple goals. 

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Where is EMSA located?
EMSA is located at 1600 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120. This campus has been used to educate children for over 100 years.

Learn more about our campus 

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Is there busing?
Yes! EMSA is pleased to be able to bus our students from within its 90 sq. mile district. 

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What are the school hours?
Early drop-off is available at 7:30 a.m.
School begins at 8:00 a.m.
On regular school days, students are released at 3:00 p.m. On Fridays, students are released at 1:30 p.m.

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Is Kindergarten a full-day? 

Yes, it is.

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What about After-School Care?
The Boys & Girls Club of Elgin provides after-school care at EMSA for our students until 6:00 p.m.  The Boys & Girls Club provides sliding scale fees and even free programs for families that qualify. Please visit www.bgcelgin.org for more information or email membership@bgcelgin.org.