About the School

• Sponsoring school district: Oregon City

• Location: Oregon City, serving students within driving distance of school

• Size: 390 students

• In operation since 2007

• Web site: https://alliancecharteracademy.com/
  

Stipend / Allotment

Stipend varies by grade:

• Grades K-3 $484

• Grades 4-5 $613

• Grades 6-8 $968

• Grades 9-10 $1,159

• Grades 11-12 $1,367

The stipend may be used for on-site classes (fee based), curriculum, books, lessons plans, workbooks and learning materials that support the courses of study on the student's course agreement. Math must be selected from the approved list. Materials are ordered through the school and distributed. Non-consumable books and materials must be returned at the end of the year. Not included are typical school supplies like notebooks, printer paper, and pens.

Some of the stipend may also be used for outside class vendors, but may not exceed 20% of the total stipend. For example, a sport class (for PE), OMSI science class, or online math course. Payment must be done through the school, including vendors.

Curriculum

Curriculum is parent choice of print materials, or provided by the teacher for an on-site class. There is a curriculum room on site which has samples of many popular choices to browse, or parents may choose their own.

Online Classes

No online content is provided by the school, however, parents can use up to 20% of their stipend to pay for online classes, or pay for them independently.

On Site Classes

Classes at the Alliance campus in Oregon City cover in many subjects including core and electives. Grade levels except math are combined (i.e. "middle school English"). There is a large music program including orchestra, choir, and many instruments.

Enrollment in classes is space-available and not guaranteed, so parents need to be prepared to teach all subjects at home if needed. New families register after current families registered in the spring.

A parent or designee is required to attend classes with grades K-3, must be on campus for grades 4-6, may drop off kids for grades 7-12. See Alliance web site "resources" page for current course catalog.

Most classes are between $150 - $250, payable from the stipend. For example, a writing class for grades 4/5 that meets one hour, twice a week, is $160. A science class for grades 9-12 that meets 90 minutes, twice a week, is $250. Exact fees are in the Course Catalog. If the stipend is used up, families may pay the remainder for additional classes.

Field Trips

Occasional field trips organized by parents or the school, but not generally as a part of classes. These include things such as factory tours, concerts, children's theater, and career-related trips for high schoolers.

High School Options

High school students use a combination of classes at Alliance, home-taught for credit, and community college. No AP or Honors classes are available.

Community College / Early College

Eligible high school students may take community college courses to fulfill their high school course requirements and to earn simultaneous college credit. There are two optional programs for early college at Alliance: College and Career Exploration (CCE) and the Alliance College Experience (ACE) programs.

CCE Program

Students in the CCE program may take one class per term at any accredited college or university. The first course for the year must be paid from the normal allotment funds for 11th-12^th graders. After that, Alliance will fund a maximum of $460 per term (based upon the cost of 4 credits at CCC). If the tuition is higher than that, the family must pay the remainder. Unused funds do not rollover, and books and fees must be paid from the student's allotment or paid privately.

ACE Program

If students wish to take more college classes than one per term, they can apply for the ACE program (Early College), which will pay for either 9 or 12 credits per term at the following college partners:

• Clackamas CC

• Mt. Hood CC

• Oregon Institute of Technology

• Portland State University, LINK Young Scholars program

• Lewis and Clark College, Templeton Young Scholar program

• Reed College, Young Scholars program

To be eligible, the student must be a current 10^th or 11^th grade Alliance student, in good academic standing, and complete an application process. Applicants are reviewed by an acceptance committee. During the application process, the student and advisor will discuss the available stipend (varies) and how it will apply to the student's tuition and fees. Amounts over the stipend will need to be paid by the family.

Special Education Services

Alliance has two full-time special education case managers, who coordinate with Oregon City district staff to provide IEP evaluations and services. In addition there is a full time counselor to manage 504 plans. Certain classes are provided for those who require academic assistance.

Meetings, Check-Ins and Reports

Each Alliance student meets with a teacher in person, three times per month, for one hour (total of 30 meetings/year). This is generally at the school in the teacher's cubicle, but can also be home visits. No additional check-ins required.

A student educational plan is required at the start of the year, with topics and lessons specified (for home-schooled subjects). A weekly verbal or written report to the ES on progress is made during the week. Once a year, a formal work sample in Science, Math, and Writing is required.

Volunteer Hours

The school asks each family to volunteer a minimum of 30 hours per year. Most volunteer opportunities are on-site, such as serving hot lunch in the cafeteria, sweeping floors, helping with fundraisers, doing yard work, etc.

Standardized Testing

SBAC annually, plus MAP progress monitoring assessments three times per year.

For two weeks in April, all on-site classes are paused (except high school core) to allow testing at the school facility.