Can Anyone Enroll in a Charter School?
A charter school is a public learning institution that is operated by a group of parents, teachers, or members of the community. This group of individuals is highly dedicated to the learning experiences of the children enrolled. Under Oregon law, any student that lives within the district where the charter school is located may enroll. Nevertheless, that does not mean there aren’t some limitations on charter school enrollment. Here, Oregon Charter Academy discusses what parents need to know about the application process.
Limitations for Charter School Enrollment
Enrolling in a charter school is entirely voluntary. This means that anyone can apply, provided they live within the school’s designated district. However, the number of applications a school receives may exceed its population limit. The limit is based on several factors, such as:
Building size
Program capacity
Individual class size
But unlike many charter schools in our state, Oregon Charter Academy does not have an enrollment cap.
By law, charter schools are not permitted to discriminate against students of a particular race, color, or national origin, or students with disabilities. Students who require special accommodations also are not limited in their education options and are welcome to enroll in a charter school. The charter school is required to provide appropriate learning resources and teaching services for every student in attendance throughout the academic year.
Is Enrolling in a Charter School Still Worth It?
Charter schools offer their students a wide range of advantages. Some of the benefits of attending this type of school include:
An Affordable Alternative to a Private Education
Because charter schools receive the money to operate through public funding, they do not require their students and their families to pay tuition. This benefit allows parents to provide their children with a quality education without having to take on a large financial burden.
An Emphasis on Community
Many charter schools emphasize the importance of community, and they often implement a variety of engaging programs and student activities. Some of the programs found at Oregon Charter Academy include:
Voluntary and extra-curricular clubs
Field trips and other special events
National Honor Society (NHS) and National Junior Honor Society (NHJS)
Student government
Science Olympiad
Innovative Curriculum
While charter schools still need to teach to the state learning standards, they have the privilege of academic freedom, unlike most public schools. This allows your child to learn in areas that interest them the most, as well as in areas that will help them in a future career.
A More Personal Learning Experience
With a limitation on the number of students a charter school can admit, the class sizes tend to be smaller than those of many traditional public schools. These smaller class sizes allow for more one-on-one learning opportunities so each student can receive the individualized attention he or she needs to thrive.
Parent Involvement
Parents who take an interest in their child’s education have the chance to be much more involved when their child is enrolled in a charter school. Often, teachers and parents work collaboratively to help improve the learning opportunities for their students.
Enroll Your Child at Oregon Charter Academy Today
In terms of charter school enrollment, anyone is welcome to apply, provided they live in the designated district. The only limitation a charter school has is the cap placed on the number of students it can reasonably accept. Parents looking to enroll their child at Oregon Charter Academy can do so by filling out the forms found on our website. For other inquiries, please contact us today.