IA-Okma offers three evenings sessions for parents and students prior to the application deadline.  Dates are posted on the website

• Students apply during their 8th grade year.
• Families must be established residents or currently attend as a School of Choice student by the application deadline in one of the Consortium Districts:
  • Avondale
  • Berkley
  • Birmingham
  • Bloomfield Hills
  • Clawson
  • Lake Orion
  • Rochester
  • Royal Oak
  • Waterford
  • West Bloomfield
• Families must submit an application form electronically by the deadline. Families will be asked to upload the most current 8th grade report card and most recent standardized test results.  The name and email of the person submitting a recommendation will also be required.
• Pay the application fee of $20 through Community Pass.

After the IA has received all the applications, we submit a database to each district. The respective district then holds a public lottery. Every student that submitted an application will receive a number after his/her name is drawn.

The lottery dates will be posted when the IA receives them from the respective districts. The dates are always in the beginning of February about two weeks after the application deadline.

The students that are selected in the lottery take the mandatory placement assessment at the first week of March. The IA tests only the selected students and the first 20 on the waitlist. Example: If a district has 10 seats, the IA will test student numbers 1-30 from the lottery. Testing accommodations for students with disabilities are provided as specified in the IEP or 504 Plan. If you need testing accommodations please indicate this on the application. Students that do not take the placement test will be removed from the lottery list or waitlist.

The IA gives three (3) opportunities: in February, the end of May, and the end of July.
 

The IA maintains a waitlist and as seats become available we automatically call the next person on the list to invite them.

Continuity of Curriculum students must still demonstrate competency on the placement test and qualify as a Continuity of Curriculum student. We recommend an individual meeting with IA principal, Lynne Gibson, for all Continuity of Curriculum students. IB diploma can be accepted in lieu of national exams: GCSE, Abitur of Germany, Bac. Of France. Policies vary by country, state, and university. IB schools generally accept transfers in order to assist the student.

All students, including students with disabilities are welcomed at the International Academy and may apply for admission. The International Academy will ensure, in collaboration with the students’ home school district, that students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) while attending the IA and will be provided all regular or special education and related aids and services set forth in the students’ IEP or Section 504 plan.

If the Student is from the Lakeland High School attendance area, they have the opportunity to take the bus to school in the morning. Since IA follows a different daily schedule, after school busing is not a possibility. For all other students, carpool lists are made available for parents and students to make arrangements for transportation.