How Does Charter School Enrollment Work?

Parents or guardians who want to enhance their child’s education can do so by enrolling them in a charter school. Charter school enrollment works a little differently than a traditional public school. It is important for parents to understand what the enrollment process entails and other helpful information specific to their school of choice. In this post, Oregon Charter Academy, a school whose mission is to prepare its students for success, provides insight into enrollment and how it differs from that of traditional public schools.

What is a Charter School?

A charter school is an independently operated learning institution. Unlike conventional public schools, charter schools have the freedom to design their curriculum to meet the needs of their students. All charter schools need to be accredited academic institutions and must operate under a contract with a charter school authorizer – this is generally a nonprofit organization, a government agency, or a university. This contracting entity helps keep the school accountable in terms of its teaching services and the quality of education provided to the students.

Charter schools often are preferred by parents because of the advantages their child receives while in attendance. Led by strong, dedicated teachers, charter schools have the flexibility to specialize in certain areas of education, allowing children to study what they are most interested in. And embracing the importance of community and learning together, charter schools encourage parents to take on a more active role in their child’s education.

Many schools also offer innovative programs and student activities that enhance the experience overall. Students can take advantage of college-readiness programs, join clubs, take an active role in student government, and much more.

The Charter School Enrollment Process

First and foremost, all students are eligible to enroll at Oregon Charter Academy provided they live within the state of Oregon. Because charter schools are tuition-free public learning institutions, families aren't responsible for tuition. Instead, the school receives operational funding from other sources at the local, state, and federal levels.

Virtual Charter Schools in Oregon

Parents who wish to send their child to a virtual charter school can still expect the same great advantages for their child, and then some. Additional benefits to a virtual charter school include:

  • Technology is supplied: With any virtual-based learning opportunity, technology is crucial. Understanding that not all students and their families can afford such supplies, Oregon Charter Academy provides Chromebooks to each student at no cost to the family.

  • Personalized educational settings: One of the biggest benefits of virtual education is being able to provide your child with a safe, relaxing space for learning. This is especially beneficial for students who are generally shy or struggle in traditional classroom settings.

  • Experience with new forms of learning: Students enrolled at Oregon Charter Academy will have the opportunity to work with our digital educational platform, Canvas.

  • Preparation for a digital future: With virtual programming, students learn through unconventional, yet effective, teaching techniques. However, this does not mean your child will receive an education that's of lesser quality than that of other schools. Students who learn virtually acquire 21st-century skills that apply across a variety of careers, such as digital literacy, online communication, and virtual collaboration.

Enroll Your Child at Oregon Charter Academy Today

When it comes to charter school enrollment, parents should prepare for the process to select the best learning institution for their child. If you wish to provide your child with a quality virtual learning experience, enroll them in Oregon Charter Academy. Parents may contact us today for more information or complete the online application to enroll their child.

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How Do Charter Schools Work in Oregon?