SALEM — Last month Oregon Charter Academy (ORCA) honored its 2024 class of graduating students at the Oregon State Fairgrounds.
Among the 320 graduates were 17 hailing from the local region, including students from Canby, Mount Angel, Molalla and Woodburn.
Some of the area students who received diplomas included*: Amalie Lowe, Canby; Grace Peterson of Molalla -- a legacy student, having attended ORCA K through 12 and participated in the school’s AVID college readiness program and received cumulative honor roll recognition; Layla Ball, also of Molalla; Johnny Ray, Mount Angel; Cezar Chavez, Elizabeth P. Shadrin and Jarexi Pena, all from Woodburn.
ORCA officials shared that the school is the state’s first online school, established nearly 20 years ago as Oregon Connections Academy. The tuition-free virtual public charter school became independent in 2020. It serves K-12 students throughout Oregon using advanced technology and customizable approaches to a standards-based curriculum.
While the lessons are virtual, graduation saw students come together to celebrate.
“Graduates, I cannot wait to see where the world will take you. The storms may be dangerous and the water is rough, but if anyone could survive and thrive, it would be you,” said Peterson, who is also ORCA's student government president. “I am honored to be in the class of 2024 with each of you. We made it through the thorns, now it’s time to shoot off into the stars.”
Among the ORCA leadership corps is seasoned Executive Director Allison Galvin of Salem.
"Every year, we watch our students set sail on a journey that builds upon a legacy of resilience and growth. As they continue on, we know our work was just the beginning, yet we're proud to have prepared them with what they need to thrive,” Gavin said. “Wherever they go, we're thrilled to be part of their story. Congratulations graduates, this is no small accomplishment!”
Gavin and other ORCA officials posit that the graduating students benefited from a tailored, dynamic curriculum designed to prepare them for the challenges of higher education and the workforce. They stress that unique opportunities at ORCA, such as the career and technical education program (ASCEND), the college and career readiness program (AVID), and various safe social events have empowered students to excel and pursue their aspirations.
*Not all of the students signed media release forms; therefore, their names are not listed in the press release.
About
Oregon Charter Academy has approximately 50 student clubs, monthly field trips, career and technical education programs, college credit options, a teen parent program, AVID implementation and quarterly NASA sessions. ORCA was voted as Best Public School Overall, Best Charter School and Best Overall Leadership by news sources and was the only school in Oregon, Washington, and California recognized as a 2021 Cognia School of Distinction.
Learn more on the Oregon Charter Academy Facebook page , or contact info@oregoncharter.org or 503-897-2272.
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