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County Office Community Arts High School reports enrollment growth, 95% ninth-grade on-track rate
Summary
KCA presented its 2023–24 annual report to the board, noting growth from 32 to 56 students, financial stability, partnerships for college and career programming, and targets to reach 64 students next year.
County Office Community Arts High School (KCA) teacher leader Casey Elder presented the charter school’s 2023–24 annual report and an update for 2024–25, telling the Three Rivers board the school moved to a larger downtown Cave Junction facility and has increased enrollment and programs.
Why it matters: The charter reported measurable academic and operational progress that bears on district oversight and student options in the Illinois Valley.
Elder said the school averaged 32 students in 2023–24, the enrollment cap at the time, and averaged 56 students this school year after moving to a larger site. The school was designed to expand to a maximum capacity of 64 students; according to Elder, 64 students are currently enrolled for 2025–26 with a wait list of six.
Elder cited state report-card data and school metrics: KCA’s average class size is below the Oregon average, regular attenders (students present more than 90% of days) were about 73% compared with an Oregon average cited at 66%, and more than 95% of KCA ninth graders were on track to graduate (the Oregon average given was 85%). Elder said the school ended the fiscal year about 10% under budget and named several partnerships under development, including RCC College Now and Project Youth Plus, AP coursework via Accelerated Education, and providing an SAT test site.
Student representatives described class size and culture, and one student, Whitman Franklin, said KCA “prioritizes closeness in our classrooms with students, staff, and with our community.” Teacher-leader Elder and the board also described plans to add a fifth teacher leader, a counselor, and additional instructional and counseling space this summer.
Board members praised the school’s trajectory. Board member Cameron said the school’s progress was “quite a story” and thanked staff for the impact in the Illinois Valley.
No formal board action was taken; the presentation served as an informational annual report to the board.
