Guide to Charter Schools in Rocklin, California

Guide to Charter Schools in Rocklin, CaliforniaThe world of education is ever-changing, and that has never been more true than these past two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students went from in-person learning to online learning and back again. These changes have led many parents to reconsider their child’s education.

Parents want what is best for their child and some are looking for a different approach to their child’s education. This article will help answer questions about enrolling at a tuition-free public charter school as a place to educate your child.

What is a Tuition-Free Public Charter School in Rocklin, California?
A tuition-free, public charter school is similar to a traditional public school as it also offers education to childs in pre-kindergarten to grade 12. Community members such as guardians, parents, and teachers can petition for a new charter school to be opened.

Often, it is the governing board of the local school district that evaluates and approves petitions for the opening of a new charter school. According to the Education Code (EC) of California, the county boards of education and the State Board of Education can be the authorizing organizations for charter school petitions.

Another similarity shared by charter schools and traditional public schools is the source of funding. Both schools are funded by the state. However, these two school types differ in their administration and management since charter schools have more control over these aspects. Charter schools enjoy more flexibility in how they run their schools such as in areas of hiring and curriculum management.

Elected school boards, school districts, and their board-appointed superintendents oversee traditional public schools whereas charter schools are managed by an entity under the supervision of their self-appointed board. This means charter schools have more independence than traditional public schools, allowing them to make their own rules and innovate new ideas.

What Tuition-Free Public Charter Schools are Available for Children in Rocklin, CA?
Placer Academy is an awesome choice! Our innovative TK-6 Core Knowledge curriculum inspires students with sequenced, project based learning. Different grades partner together on subjects, including a cross-grade level buddy program that brings students together to work on projects, including STEM challenges and history reenactments. 

We are a “Parent Cooperative School” and we welcome caregivers in our classrooms and on our playground. We encourage all families to volunteer a minimum of 30 hours per year, and it’s not hard to find opportunities to engage with learning here - from classroom aides to PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) and Board members to field trips and lunchroom helpers.

Our small school environment enables us to know each student personally, and greet them by name. Our teachers use Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and responsive classroom practices to promote positive behavior, focusing on prevention - not punishment.

Are There Other Tuition-Free and Public Charter Schools Available in Rocklin, CA?
You can choose to apply and enroll your child in a tuition-free, public charter school even if it is outside your school district. Rocklin charter schools do not have to comply with boundary school rules. Thus, parents in Rocklin, Roseville, and Lincoln can opt for the charter school of their choice and not worry about breaking district rules. California laws state that charter schools admit any child residing in the state if their capacity allows it. 

What is the Process of Enrolling my Child in a Tuition-Free Public Charter School in Rocklin, CA? 
The enrollment process of charter schools is highly similar to other school types. They require an application where parents have to provide information about the child such as name, address, birth date, ethnic background, and the last school attended.

It is your responsibility to check the charter schools’ application and enrollment deadlines along with the school's specific enrollment rules, policies, and requirements. Charter schools may have different rules and processes but all of their admission rules must comply with state laws. According to California laws, charter schools cannot implement policies that unlawfully discriminate against their applicants. 

You should also remember that there is a high possibility of seeing your child’s name on the school's waitlist, especially if you applied to a sought-after charter school. Many charter schools receive more applications than their capacities allow. Schools that have more applicants than they can take in usually employ a random selection process. 

Do Public Charter Schools Offer High-Quality Education in Rocklin, CA?
It's normal for parents to wonder whether public charter schools offer high-quality education.
If you remain unsure about the quality of charter schools, studies often show that charter school students display better academic progress than those enrolled in public schools. Here are some figures proving the high-quality education provided by charter schools:

• In reading, 32 percent of charter schools perform significantly better than their traditional public school market, while 29 percent perform significantly better in math. Both of these results are better than the national average proportion of better-performing charters (25% in reading and 29% in math).
• 11th grade students in charter schools performed over 10% better than their traditional school counterparts in Language Arts on the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium assessment.
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In addition, California charter school children in middle schools consistently fared better in their API Growth scores, outperforming their traditional public school counterparts.     

About Placer Academy
Placer Academy is a TK-6 tuition-free, public charter school serving students in Rocklin, Lincoln, and Roseville CA and the surrounding areas. Placer Academy inspires with hands-on, Project Based Learning, giving each student the support they need to succeed. Our caring teachers and staff encourage families to be closely involved in our tight-knit community, and we partner with many area businesses on inspiring service learning projects and field trips. Join our public charter school today! Enrolling now.