In response to a perceived need for more school choices, IDEA Public Schools is planning two new charter schools in Austin, including one on Rundberg Lane near I-35.

IDEA is in negotiations to purchase the former AMF Showplace Lanes bowling center, located at 9504 N. I-35. If the acquisition is successful, IDEA could open the 90,000-square-foot school in August 2015, IDEA Executive Director Larkin Tackett said.

The 22-acre site would serve about 450 students in kindergarten through second grade and sixth grade in its first year and ultimately have almost 1,400 students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

"We are really excited about the future of IDEA Public Schools in Austin," he said. "While we see tremendous opportunity, we are also very optimistic to be part of the solution to close the academic achievement gap."

Tackett said the new campus would have a cutting-edge computer lab and college research center where students would meet with college counselors to fill out applications and financial aid forms.

IDEA was founded 14 years ago in the Rio Grande Valley. IDEA first came to Austin in 2011 through a partnership with Austin ISD. The partnership dissolved when the AISD board of trustees voted in December 2012 to terminate the contract with IDEA.

In August 2013, IDEA Public Schools opened IDEA Allan at the former Allan Elementary School in East Austin. It broke ground in March on its new IDEA Allan Academy and College Prep that is slated to open in early 2015. Students are currently in temporary classrooms, Tackett said.

This year IDEA only had 300 available spots for students but received more than 1,500 applications, Tackett said.

"Based on the numbers of applications we received, it's clear there are not enough high-quality options for families in Austin," he said.

IDEA opens schools in neighborhoods that historically have underserved students who need college preparatory assistance, Tackett said. IDEA aims to send 100 percent of its students to and through college.

Its model fit the Rundberg area, and Tackett said about 200 North Austin families already send their children to an IDEA school. The new campus will be closer to those families.

IDEA's growth in Austin will require about $10 million, which it will raise in private funding during the next three years. For more information visit www.ideapublicschools.org.