When school doors closed as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, Washington state charter public schools rose to the challenge, providing students with high-quality, virtual learning. Now, WA Charters is working with members, supporters, and partners to ensure the sector is prepared for what comes next. Here are just a few highlights from the past month.
National and regional recognition for charter public schools
Above and Beyond Award Impact Public Schools received a national “Above And Beyond” award for service to students and community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Special Recognition During Washington School Recognition Week Three Washington charter public schools: Rainier Prep, Summit Public Schools: Atlas, and Summit Public Schools: Sierra, received special recognition during Washington School Recognition Week. These schools were chosen for their dedication to their students, their work closing opportunity gaps, and their demonstration of achievement and growth.
COVID-19 response
Distance Learning Webinar WA Charters, in partnership with the Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE), hosted a webinar on Distance Learning During COVID-19.
Over 120 attendees participated to learn about the promising practices that Washington’s charter public schools have put in place in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Leaders from Impact Public Schools, Rainier Prep, and Summit Public Schools shared their innovative practices for navigating challenges that schools all over the country face as they transition to distance learning. Re-watch the webinar on our blog and read the follow-up Q+A prepared by CRPE.
COVID-19 Resource Page WA Charters remains committed to supporting our community through this crisis. We continue to compile members-only and publicly available resources for our schools and our network. Review our COVID-19 resource page for access to our public resources.
COVID-19 Response Fund WA Charters is working to ensure our schools, families, and communities have the resources they need as we move through this crisis together. Thank you to all of those who have already donated – your gifts are making a huge difference. If you haven’t donated yet, please consider a donation to our COVID-19 Response Fund to help keep students learning through the end of the school year and into next year.
Supporting our communities
WA Charters and charter public schools are working to ensure that our communities are supported during this tough time. Here are just a few examples of activities across Washington.
- We celebrated educators during Teacher Appreciation Week with this video.
- Summit Sierra students got a surprise ‘zoom-in’ from two Seahawksduring virtual school.
- Willow Public Schools in Walla Walla has been busy creating meal boxes for students and families.
- Catalyst Public Schools hosted a free, online design camp. It was so successful that they are enrolling for ANOTHER camp in June!
- Pride Prep Sixth-grade teachers surprised their students with a drive-by quarantine birthday parade.
- Rainier Valley Leadership Academy has transitioned to a fully virtual learning platform using Apex Learning Systems and they are posting helpful resources for families on their Facebook page. The school is supporting not just students, but the community.
High-quality schools enrolling now
High-quality learning has never been more critical. Spread the word about these great charter public schools:
- New school Cascade Midway Academy in Des Moines is currently enrolling students for 9th grade.
- New school Catalyst Public Schools in Bremerton is currently enrolling students for 1st, 5th, and 6th grades.
- Willow Public School in Walla Walla is currently enrolling students for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.
- Rainier Valley Leadership Academy in South Seattle is currently enrolling students for grades 6-11.
Visit our Explore Schools webpage for a comprehensive list of charter public schools operating in Washington.
Planning for the road ahead
Charter public schools are committed to keeping students learning no matter how school looks over the summer and into next school year.
Although schools don’t have final guidance yet from the state on what school building reopening must look like, WA Charters is supporting schools in planning for the summer and fall during this uncertain time.
Schools are planning for several scenarios including full back-to-normal operations, partial in-person and partial virtual school, and staggered in-person classes to reduce class sizes and maintain social distancing. Whatever the circumstances, charter public schools will be ready.
