Frequently asked questions
welcome to sai academy
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
About
When was SAI Academy founded?
2020 – which is also when our first partnership was formed with Orlando City SC.
Is SAI Academy accredited?
SAI Academy's academic program, through our partnership with Edmentum and EdOptions Academy, is accredited through Cognia, ensuring adherence to nationally recognized standards of educational quality and continuous improvement.
Where is SAI Academy located?
We have multiple locations throughout the world; our headquarters is in Orlando, Florida.
What makes SAI Academy different from other private schools or academies?
We are tailored to work around your student-athlete’s schedule. You won’t need to worry about absences or missing a lesson, as all of our units are asynchronous and can work within your training, game, and travel schedule.
What does the “SAI” stand for in SAI Academy?
We pride ourselves on helping our student-athletes become the best version of themselves, which is why we holistically add in Soccer, Academics, and Influence into our curriculum.
Admissions
Who should I contact with questions about the admissions process?
Feel free to submit an inquiry on the form below or email admissions@saiacademy.com
Do I need an official transcript to apply?
Yes – all applicants must have an official transcript sent to our registrar directly at registrar@saiacademy.com
Is there a fee to apply?
There is a fee for all new applicants of $125. Applications submitted after July 15th will have a late fee of $50 applied in order to join the Fall Semester.
What is the deadline to apply?
The deadline to start on time with your cohort is July 15th. Our admissions office offers rolling admissions, so you may apply any time throughout the year, with your start date being determined on a case-by-case basis.
What happens if I apply to join SAI at one of the partnership locations, but I don’t play for their academy? Will I still be allowed to enroll?
While you will NOT be able to enroll at any of our partnership locations without being approved by team staff, you are able to enroll in another open acceptance location or our virtual academy.
Soccer
Do you accept athletes of all levels and abilities?
No, each athlete is required to undergo evaluation by our head coach at the prospective location. Currently, we prioritize intermediate to advanced players. If an athlete is not accepted, the family receives a formal evaluation outlining areas for improvement in preparation for a future evaluation, if desired.
What is your training ratio for athletes to coaches?
We aim for a maximum training ratio of 12 athletes per coach. This allows us to focus on optimizing development and addressing the individual needs of each athlete effectively.
Do you have a soccer-only program for children who are homeschooled or attend another school?
Yes, we offer a Soccer Only program at all of our open enrollment locations.
Are athletes split up based on age or ability?
Athletes are typically grouped based on both age and ability level to ensure appropriate training and development for each individual.
How often are athletes evaluated, and how frequently are parents notified of their evaluation and plan?
Athletes undergo regular evaluations tailored to their individual needs and goals. Our coaching staff creates Individual Development Plans for each athlete during every 9-week cycle. Parents are typically informed of these evaluations and corresponding plans during scheduled meetings or through periodic updates provided by the coaching staff.
Academics
Who issues my student's transcript?
SAI Academy issues official grades and transcripts.
Do you help with NCAA eligibility?
Yes—SAI provides NCAA resources and guidance; our staff maps core courses and checks progress each term.
Can my athlete handle AP/Honors or Dual Enrollment with travel?
Yes — course loads are planned against your team calendar. We use pacing plans, study hall, and travel checklists to stay on pace without sacrificing rigor.
How do you keep eligibility on track?
Four-year maps by sport, term transcript reviews, and proactive adjustments when travel or injuries change the plan.
Can Florida scholarships be used?
SAI guides Florida families through Step Up For Students processes; eligibility is determined by the program.
Influence
With the monthly donation drives, how do you decide where the items go?
The student-athletes decide! They do their own research and vote as a group to determine the place in their community that would best benefit from those items that month.
Do you have motivational speakers to speak with your student-athletes?
We do! Once a month, we get all of our cohorts together virtually to meet with a current or former professional athlete or coach, an employee from one of our valued sponsors, or one of our own staff members to discuss their pathways to success.
How do you prepare my student-athlete for the real world?
We host monthly workshops that introduce social media etiquette, public speaking, debate, financial freedom, contracts, etc., to help our student-athletes make the best choices for themselves after they graduate.
Contact
What is the best way to contact SAI Academy?
You can fill out our inquiry form below, or email us at info@saiacademy.com
Can we visit SAI Academy prior to our child applying?
For most locations, yes! As long as you are not required to be a rostered player with that location, you’re welcome to schedule a tour! Please fill out the form below to get started.
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