ALPHA is specifically designed for gifted, high achieving, and high ability students seeking further challenge and engagement in their daily coursework. Although not an accelerated learning path, it does allow advanced ability learners an opportunity to take a more personalized approach to engaging in grade level content.
 

There is no ALPHA Academy for middle school at this time. However, students are encouraged to enroll in Advanced and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Students will matriculate to their home campus for intermediate (6th grade) and middle school (7th and 8th grade)
 

ALPHA will empower students to cultivate metacognition, critical thinking, and intellectual curiosity, alongside persistence and a growth mindset through personalized learning paths. This comprehensive approach ensures students continue to be academically advanced, well-rounded, and resilient. At ALPHA Academy, we integrate daily Discovery Time to explore the Texas Performance Standards Project (TPSP). This initiative facilitates advanced learning through TPSP's comprehensive framework of performance standards, enriched curriculum, and differentiated assessments, ensuring personalized academic growth. ALPHA learners will be assessed in intellectual, creative, and leadership skills to foster skill development and inform personalized guidance within the program.

Yes. By law, Mansfield ISD must teach the state curriculum. In addition, the ALPHA Academy will follow the MISD core curriculum that is aligned to state standards. The methodologies that have been developed for this gifted/advanced framework will be used to implement the curriculum goals of the state and district.

The Academy distinguishes itself from MISD’s traditional GT program by providing teachers with the flexibility to promote deeper, more complex learning experiences that extend beyond the standard grade-level curriculum. Instruction is tailored to the individual advanced strengths and readiness levels of each student. Rather than focusing exclusively on the needs of gifted learners, the Academy cultivates an inclusive, high-challenge environment designed to support the success of all advanced learners.
 

GT students entering either the 3rd or 4th in the fall of the 2025-2026 school year will be eligible to apply for the ALPHA Academy. All student applicants must live within the MISD attendance Zone.

Students interested in applying to the ALPHA Academy should have Key Habits of Mind listed above. Additionally, students will need to have the following:

• Scored minimum of 85th percentile or higher on ability and achievement assessments
• Reading on or above grade level
   

Identified Gifted and Talented students who apply will be selected by random lottery, with remaining open seats offered to applicants at or above the 85th percentile in achievement and ability. Consideration will be made for equal representation from all areas of the Mansfield ISD.

There are no tuition costs to attend the ALPHA Academy.

The online application will be posted online starting March 31st and will close April 25th. Parents interested in submitting an application will need to go to the MISD Power of Choice webpage.

Each applicant will receive a decision letter via email starting May 2nd. Students and their parents who are electing to accept an invitation to participate in ALPHA Academy will be required to submit a commitment letter.

ALPHA Academy will enroll 44 learners in 3rd grade and 44 learners in 4th grade for the 2025-2026 school year. 5th grade roll-up will be in the 2026-2027 school year.

Yes. Students residing within the Mansfield ISD attendance zone will be provided transportation to ALPHA Academy.

Yes. Parent information meetings will be in person on the following dates:

• April 3rd - 6:00 PM at R.L. Anderson Building (1016 Magnolia Street)
• April 16th - 6:00 PM at Glenn Harmon Elementary
   

Please feel free to contact the MISD Advanced Academics Department at alpha@misdmail.org if you have any additional questions.