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Center for Advanced Learning presents renewal case to Gresham-Barlow board, cites enrollment stability and student outcomes
Summary
The Center for Advanced Learning (CAL) presented a charter-renewal report to the Gresham-Barlow SD 10J board, citing enrollment at capacity (500 students), growth in students from underrepresented communities, dual-credit attainment, and fiscal monitoring; board members asked about funding, capacity and recruitment.
The board’s charter hearing on Dec. 11 included a remote presentation from Jessica, representing the Center for Advanced Learning (CAL), which requested renewal of its charter with the district.
Jessica said CAL returned to full capacity after pandemic disruptions and now serves about 500 students; she said the program has seen an 11.5% increase over four years in students from historically underrepresented communities. CAL reported that 34% of students receive language services, 8% receive special education services, 5% have 504 plans and 3% experience housing instability; overall, she said 40% of CAL students receive one or more supports.
On outcomes, Jessica cited graduation and dual-credit figures: in 2025 the average CAL student earned about 10 college credits over two years (with some earning up to 34), the class-of-2025 senior-exit survey showed students in most programs intend to pursue college or career paths aligned to their programs, and she said the class of 2025 was 95% college-bound (including trade schools and community college pathways). Jessica also said CAL’s cumulative attendance rate averaged nearly 90% and that the school has historically posted graduation rates between 99% and 100%.
Jessica described CAL’s funding model as primarily state school funding with a pass-through arrangement: districts hold slots and pass a portion of funding to CAL; she characterized the district partnership as a way to maximize investment and access. She told the board the building is designed for 500 students and that CAL was at capacity, so the program is not currently expanding its enrollment.
Board members asked how CAL is funded across three sponsoring districts, how CAL updates programming to meet industry needs (Jessica said CAL works closely with industry and postsecondary partners and monitors trends including AI), and how students learn about CAL (an intensive tenth-grade recruitment cycle, open houses, field trips and targeted outreach). Jessica also highlighted partnerships with Mt. Hood Community College and an intended expansion of work with Portland State University.
Next steps: The hearing provided the board with CAL’s renewal materials and a Q&A; no final renewal vote is recorded in the meeting transcript.
