News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sisters AllPrep Academy has shut down effective Friday, April 9.
The Sisters School District terminated the charter of the Sisters Web Academy run by the troubled AllPrep charter school organization last winter, but had signed a memorandum allowing it to continue through the school year to avoid disruption of student education.
In a letter to parents, AllPrep Principal Teresa Schneiderman wrote: "It is with great sadness that I must announce the closure of Sisters AllPrep Academy. Because of our financial situation, we do not have the funding to continue to operate the school for the rest of this school year."
The letter went on to state that "Parents of students now need to decide where your child will finish their education this year." Options include Sisters' neighborhood schools; other charter schools across the state; private school or home school.
Last month, the Sisters Charter Academy of Fine Arts, also run by AllPrep, shut down due to inability to pay its rent.
Parents of Web academy students were required to turn in computers, curriculum and other materials purchased with public funds for return to the Oregon Department of Education.
Lisa Woodworth's two children, Nathan and Emily, were Sisters Web Academy students.
"I'm thankful that Em's teacher had her ramp it up and finish 10th grade last week," Woodworth told The Nugget. "She will get credit. Emily's friends are not so lucky. They have to scramble to try and finish the school year. I am still trying to find avenues for Emily to go on to 11th grade."
Sixth-grader Cami Benson has enough work under her belt to move on. She's two years ahead of grade level in math and has completed course work for the sixth grade.
Her mother Julie said the family will concentrate on field trips, projects and enrichment activities for the rest of this school year.
Benson, an accomplished classical and jazz pianist, started using the Web academy last year when it became clear that she couldn't keep up with school, high-level piano study and her other passion, showing horses.
"The stress was too much to do school and both these activities," said Julie Benson. "She's very passionate about her music and her horses, so we decided to try an alternative that might be more time-efficient."
Web academy students move at their own pace, which makes the program ideal for students involved in intensive activities outside of school, such as gymnastics and karate.
Fourteen Sisters students were among the total of 35 students enrolled in the Sisters Web Academy as of last month.
Julie Benson isn't sure what the next step will be in Cami's education.
"We're kind of disappointed that a great educational alternative is no longer
available because of the administrative hullabaloo," she said. "I don't think going to the regular school full-time is an option."
Benson said she may look into other virtual school possibilities - being careful to investigate their viability.
"I'm sure going to check out what the organization is before I enlist in anything," she said.
Home schooling is another option, perhaps with Cami taking some classes at Sisters Middle School.
"I would rather do that than make her give up something she loves," she said.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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