Oregon Charter Academy

Santiam Canyon SD 129J
833 NW Santiam Blvd
Mill City, OR 97360
Charter School 2,345 Students
Other K - 12th
School Overview
Oregon Connections Academy (ORCA) is a tuition-free, online public charter school that serves students in grades K–12 across the state of Oregon. Designed to provide a flexible alternative to the traditional classroom, the school utilizes a comprehensive virtual curriculum that allows students to learn from home while adhering to state academic standards. Students interact with state-certified teachers through live online lessons, email, and phone calls, ensuring that they receive personalized support while working at a pace that fits their individual educational needs.

Beyond the core curriculum, the school emphasizes a partnership between the online educator and a "Learning Coach"—typically a parent or guardian—who monitors progress and facilitates daily activities at home. ORCA also offers a variety of extracurricular clubs, social opportunities, and advanced coursework, aiming to provide a well-rounded academic experience. By leveraging technology to bridge geographical gaps, the school serves as a viable option for families seeking a personalized, independent learning environment that is fully accredited and publicly funded.
2,345
Total Students
112.5
Full-Time Teachers
20.8
Student/Teacher Ratio
N/A
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics
  • White
    1,484 (64.7%)
  • Hispanic
    449 (19.6%)
  • Two or More
    213 (9.3%)
  • Black
    58 (2.5%)
  • Asian
    55 (2.4%)
  • American Indian
    22 (1.0%)
  • Pacific Islander
    11 (0.5%)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: Other
School Type: Regular School
Charter Status:* Charter School
Virtual Instruction: Exclusively virtual
Shared Time Status: N/A
District: Santiam Canyon SD 129J
Phone: (503)897-2272
Website: http://www.oregoncharter.org
Grade Range: K - 12th
Total Students: 2,345
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 112.5
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 20.8
NSLP Participation:1 No
Qualified Free Lunch: N/A
Qualified Reduced Lunch: N/A

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

1 National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught
Kindergarten 69
Grade 1 72
Grade 2 97
Grade 3 114
Grade 4 115
Grade 5 142
Grade 6 157
Grade 7 218
Grade 8 253
Grade 9 228
Grade 10 282
Grade 11 306
Grade 12 292
Gender Ratio