Planning continues for computer science charter school affiliated with Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District

 Planning for the first charter school to operate in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District is continuing as an anticipated August 2024 opening for the district-affiliated charter approaches.

The Orange County School of Computer Science charter plans to enroll some 600 seventh and eighth grade students in the first year of operation upon expected approval by trustees of the sponsoring Placentia-Yorba Linda school district.

The charter “will operate independently from the existing (district) structure” but “will maintain the governance structure of (the district),” with “the role of the governing board of (the district)” ensuring “independent operation from the overall district operation,” notes a charter document.

The charter “will be indirectly funded and will receive its allocation on a pass-through basis through the school district,” the document states. First-year revenue is projected to be $6.8 million, rising to $12.6 million in five years.

According to the charter document, “Although the design ot (the) school addresses the needs of learners through flexible and innovative instructional design, delivery and an alternative bell schedule, we are proud to remain within the (Placentia-Yorba Linda) boundaries.”

The charter will admit “all students who want to attend” and “submit a timely application,” but if the school “receives a greater number of applications than there are spaces for students,' then the charter will use “a public random drawing process.”

The charter document notes that the school has plans for low- and high-achieving students, as well as English learners and special education students, with some plans using existing district facilities and personnel.

Enrollment is expected to grow by 100 students each year until an optimum 1,000 students is reached in the 2028-29 school year. The staff is expected to grow from about 44 the first year to some 62 full-time equivalent employees in five years.

Notably, in the eighth grade year, the charter proposes to offer the Advanced Placement Computer Science Principals examinatiion, as well as the Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Culture examination for students enrolled in the Dual Language Academy Program.

Other plans outlined by the charter include serving a student population that represents the diversity found in Orange County and serving 45% of a population that's designated as “low socioeconomically disadvantaged.”

Others: an instrumental music program, including orchestra, band and jazz band; a part of the physical education program devoted to study skills; using materials approved through Placentia-Yorba Linda district procedures; and curriculum taught by credentialed teachers.

Also, “students will use a wide range of equipment in their basic studies and computer science immersion experience,” which includes “hardware and software specific to computer science in all academic and elective courses.”