Oregon Charter Academy Shows Rising Test Scores Compared to National and State Averages
As a virtual school serving students across Oregon, we encounter a variety of situations in our students’ lives. So, it’s crucial that our approach remains responsive in order to maintain success, no matter what’s happening either inside or outside their worlds. Staff at Oregon Charter Academy (ORCA) are always updating and refining our curriculum to meet our students where they’re at to ensure their success. One way we measure student success is through test scores, as they bring key data to our fingertips. Undoubtedly, the data shows that our efforts in maintaining an individualized, dynamic and responsive curriculum are paying off. Let’s dig in.
ORCA’s Success Story
While the rest of Oregon saw passing English language arts (ELA) scores drop from 53.4% in 2019 to 43.6% in spring 2022, and math exam passing rates decline from 39.4% in 2019 to 30.4% — ORCA students have achieved higher test scores in every subject and grade level during the past three years.
Here’s how ORCA students measured up in 2022 compared to state averages (only grades 3-8 and 11 are tested):
Average ORCA math score for all grades was 9 points higher
Average ORCA ELA score for all grades was 12 points higher
Average ORCA math score for 7th grade was 12 points higher
Average ORCA ELA score for 11th grade was 24 points higher
Moreover, ORCA test scores have also risen compared to our own results. For example, ORCA's average 2022 ELA scores rose internally by 8 points over 2019, while our math scores rose internally by 9 points. This improvement in scores correlates with our move from being Connections Academy, a corporate-run model with a static curriculum, to Oregon Charter Academy, an independent charter school with the freedom to curate a dynamic and responsive curriculum for student success. It’s clear that becoming Oregon Charter Academy allowed our students to thrive even more in the virtual learning environment!
So, how did we accomplish these test score gains during these past three years?
Providing Educational Support for Our Students
Every student has a unique learning style, which we at ORCA embrace and support through our individualized, dynamic and responsive curriculum. Our dedicated teachers provide personalized programs and access to advanced technology to empower our students to chart their own path to academic excellence. With our commitment to supporting each student's learning journey, here’s how we help them achieve their full potential.
Curated Curriculum
At ORCA, we believe in equipping our students with the essential skills to succeed in the modern world. Our curriculum is designed around the Four C's: communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity, which we believe are key to success in any field. Experienced teachers carefully select the latest high-quality physical materials and digital resources from various sources to create a comprehensive learning experience for students at every grade level. Furthermore, our curriculum is fully editable, so teachers can customize their lessons to meet the evolving needs of their students in a dynamic classroom environment. All tools are integrated seamlessly with Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals and our Canvas interface, providing easy online access.
Individualized Support
Our customizable approach allows teachers to go above and beyond in addressing each child's unique needs, including one-on-one support when needed. Extending beyond the computer screen, a range of resources are available, such as in-person tutoring opportunities and educational field trips. Caregivers also play a critical role in our system, often serving as learning coaches at home. This community approach wraps the students in the support they need to be successful.
Dynamic and Experienced Educators
Our teachers choose to teach in an online environment so they’ll have more time to develop innovative lessons and offer personalized attention to students. Teachers also have more freedom to step out of the virtual classroom and build skills and knowledge through ongoing professional development, which ultimately benefits our students. Many of ORCA's exceptional educators have received awards, grant money, and recognition within their communities, serving as inspiring role models for our students.
Our Approach Works
ORCA is fully committed to helping every student find and follow their own unique path to success. From the thoughtfully curated curriculum to the one-on-one support from our dedicated educators, we have witnessed outstanding success in our students' academic achievements. Every student has the potential to achieve greatness, and we are proud to provide the foundation needed to make this a reality.
Join an Info Session to Learn More
If you'd like to learn more about ORCA's dynamic approach to education or the benefits of attending a virtual school, like safety, flexibility, and dedicated teachers, please join us for one of our virtual information sessions, where you'll have the opportunity to connect with ORCA staff and preview our learning platform. We hope to see you there!