Status: Opened 1997
Grades: K-6
Enrollment: 127
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Ketchikan Charter School began in 1997 with a mission to pursue academic achievement for all students, utilizing the Core Knowledge Sequence and cooperating with parents. The founders first wanted to share space in a local elementary school that was built for 450 students but only enrolled 270 students after the local mill closed. Unfortunately, teachers at that elementary school who opposed the charter school pressured the school board to deny the move. The next best option was for Ketchikan Charter School to share space with the local high school, which has also seen declining enrollment. The charter school thus occupies five classrooms in one wing of the high school building and shares the library and cafeteria.
Ketchikan Charter School uses five classrooms in a local high school.
Portable playground equipment fills these blacktops during recess.
The elementary students have a separate lunchtime and access to two fenced-in ball fields and tennis courts, as well as the city pool. The one thing they lack is a permanent playground, so the founders bought portable playground equipment, which is moved outside each day. The school leaders are hoping to get a sixth classroom to accommodate the charter school's growth.
Artwork adorns Ketchikan's hallways.
Ketchikan students have opportunities to work with
high school students in their building.
According to the founders, the school's biggest challenge has been facing opposition from teachers and staff in the district. Their best resource has been the local business community. In fact, the Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution supporting the charter school, and one of its members offered property and building materials for additional classrooms.
Currently the school staff is working to develop ways for both students and teachers at the elementary and high school to interact and learn from each other. For instance, the early childhood, science, and Spanish classes at the high school visit the elementary classrooms to teach and tutor the younger students.
These stories about how selected charter schools found facilities were co-developed
by
WestEd and
NWREL. If you have a story to share, please
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Read all the facilities stories:
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