Mia DeRouchey | Writer
February 10, 2023
The Orange County Board of Education (OCBE) recently approved an appeal for the California Republic Leadership Academy, another addition to the growing list within the Capo Unified district. This appeal was approved on February 1st, but the school-to-be has not named a location or opening date.
CRLA founders are hoping to use an existing school campus for the charter. The school plans to include children from kindergarten to 8th grade. CRLA will require student uniforms and smartphones will not be allowed within school boundaries.
The school wants to implement a mentor program, but in their appeal, they failed to address how community members could become mentors as they expect. The mentor program will encourage student leadership and service hours for older students.
CRLA Board Chair Kevin Pratt has promised the school will focus on “classical American education and… fostering respect between parents and teachers” (SC Times).
Teachers will be monitored by OCBE to ensure that they have the correct credentials, but county trustees approved the CRLA’s appeal unanimously and without stipulations.
But how many charter schools do we really need in South OC? There are already 7 charters within CAPOUSD, and the board is approving an 8th? That doesn’t seem necessary.
Charter schools gained popularity during COVID because of their ability to stay open when public schools had to remain shut down. Many parents valued their children having a physical building to learn in, rather than sitting in front of a computer screen for 6 or more hours per day.
But now that public schools are open again, do charter schools have as large of a role in our school district as they did in 2020/2021? “I know a ton of people who did charters or online schools during Covid, but when SCHS opened back up they came back. So I don’t know who’s keeping those charter schools open,” said senior Nora Thorlakson.
A location and opening date is expected from CRLA by Summer 2023.
Leave a Reply