Banning Lewis Academy (BLA, includes Banning Lewis Ranch Academy and Banning Lewis Preparatory Academy) has a Zero Tolerance policy regarding acts of discrimination or harassment in education and employment. Respect for the dignity and worth of every individual shall be paramount. BLA does not discriminate on the basis of disability, need for special education services (perceived or actual), race, creed, color, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family composition, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, ancestry, or any other protected class in its programs and activities.

Protecting against and not tolerating discrimination and harassment is critical to enabling BLA’s Vision to support “Every Student, Every Day.” Non-Discrimination is an important aspect in our daily efforts to promote the values and skills needed to LEAD the Stallion herd:

Live Safely

Engage with Respect

Act with Kindness

Demonstrate Responsibility

Our Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Complaint and Compliance Procedure describes how students, parents, staff, and the community may file complaints and how BLA will work to resolve those complaints.

Any harassment or discrimination of students and/or staff, based on the aforementioned protected areas must be brought to the immediate attention of the school principal, a counselor or the compliance coordinators noted below. BLA is committed to conducting prompt investigations of all complaints. Any students or staff determined to have engaged in any type of discrimination or harassment may be subject to disciplinary action, and if circumstances warrant, dismissal or termination of staff, or suspension or expulsion of students.

Let’s work together to prevent all types of discrimination and harassment and ensure every student is prepared and confident to LEAD the herd.

Compliance Coordinator | Banning Lewis Ranch Academy – Elementary (K-5)

Jordan Voltz, Principal 719-570-0075 7094

Cottonwood Tree Dr Colorado Springs, CO 80927

jvoltz@blracademy.org

Compliance Coordinator | Banning Lewis Preparatory Academy – Secondary (6-12)

Jamon Peariso, Principal

719-638-3040 9433

Vista Del Pico Blvd Colorado Springs, CO 80927

jpeariso@blracademy.org

Banning Lewis Academy Anti-Racial Harassment and Recordkeeping Policy

Banning Lewis Academy – Harassment Report Form

Special Education and Services for Special Populations at Banning Lewis Academy

Like all charter schools, Banning Lewis Academy, is a public school. Banning Lewis Academy serves students with disabilities and English Learners and provides services to students as required by state and federal law. Charter schools are subject to all federal and state laws and constitutional provisions prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, ancestry, need for special education services, and certain other grounds. Laws applicable to students with disabilities include the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

In most cases, the services required by a student with disabilities can be provided at Banning Lewis Academy. In some cases, a student’s individual needs require that they be placed in a different program or location as determined by an IEP or Section 504 team. Under IDEA, students with disabilities are entitled to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). The services a student requires under IDEA are described in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Under Colorado law, the provision of FAPE and specific services required by a student’s IEP are a joint responsibility of the charter school and their authorizer, in most cases the local school district.

Applicants to Banning Lewis Academy are not required to identify whether the applicant has an IEP and the school admits students without considering a student’s disability. After a student with an IEP is initially enrolled in the school, an IEP team meeting may be required to determine whether this school is an appropriate placement for the student based on their needs. In most cases, the services required by a student’s IEP can be provided at Banning Lewis Academy. In some circumstances, a student’s individual needs require that they be placed in a different program or location. For more information on our programs and services please contact Jordan Voltz, Principal, at jvoltz@blracademy.org or (719) 570-0075.