By Mary Owen
Oregon Connections Academy, the state’s leading tuition-free virtual public school, has relocated its headquarters from Scio to Mill City.
“I’m very pleased to have such a highly rated online school as a charter school with our district, and also as a member of our community,” said Todd Miller, Santiam School District superintendent. “Partnering with ORCA is a relationship that will benefit all our students.”
Miller knows first-hand how online school can be a good option for many families since he was the executive director at ORCA for two years prior to accepting the Santiam superintendent’s position.
“We are excited with the opportunity to work together and build this new relationship,” Miller said.
“They will help us by increasing the online options for our students and adding professional collaboration and flow of ideas.”
Founded in 2005, ORCA is the state’s largest online public school, serving more than 4,000 students statewide in kindergarten through grade 12.
The academy’s new charter with the Santiam Canyon School District went into effect July 1.
“I support students having educational options to fit their needs,” Miller said. “We are excited to get to work with ORCA to support their efforts toward student achievement and success for those who choose to go to school there.”
Wes Beckstead, chairman of the ORCA board of directors, credited the move to ORCA’s desire to grow and further enhance the school program for its students.
“Santiam Canyon offered more for our students, and was selected as the new district sponsor,” Beckstead said.
“Santiam Canyon’s commitment to quality education, innovation and serving students in Oregon aligns with our mission. Also the district’s ability to offer ORCA more control over student services and to provide more funding for students were also important.”
Beckstead said the remodeling of ORCA’s new office in downtown Mill City will be completed over the next several months. In the interim, ORCA administrators and support staff are using a temporary structure at the same location, he said.
“Oregon Connections Academy has done a remarkable job of providing an innovative education option for thousands of Oregon children, and has set the standard of what an online school should be,” Beckstead said.
“I look forward to the new relationship with Santiam Canyon and adding even more to the learning experiences of our students.”
ORCA high school principal Allison Galvin said ORCA constantly looks for new ways to engage students and boost student achievement.
“For the 2015-16 school year, the school is excited to roll out new and/or expanded clubs and activities, and a new and comprehensive onboarding program to help families transition into the online school,” she said.
“The school just celebrated its 10th school year of successfully serving students, and we are excited to see what the next decade will bring.”
ORCA is hosting in-person information sessions across the state and online for families interested in learning more about the program, Galvin said.
“The school is looking forward to its annual school-wide open house on Sept. 18 at the new headquarters in Mill City, where parents and students from across the state will kick off the new school year with teachers, fellow classmates and fun activities,” she said.
For more information, call 800-382-6010 or go to OregonconnectionsAcademy.com.
