MEDFORD, Ore. — The high demand for charter schools in southern Oregon has enrollment going up, and some schools are now looking to expand. All three of Medford’s charter schools have seen a higher number of students over the past few years.
Monday night, the Medford School Board voted 4 to 1 to allow Vibes Charter School, which operates inside Kids Unlimited, to add kindergarten and 4th grade next fall.
Logos Charter School has also seen its enrollment jump to 925 students this year, and the school is looking into moving into a new building to accommodate its large number of students. On Thursday, the Medford City Council will look into whether to change the city code to allow schools to be located in commercial areas, instead of just residential areas. If that happens, it would allow Logos to look into moving into a new building.
Madrone Trail School has also seen increased enrollment since it opened in 2007.
Logos Executive Director Joseph VonDoloski said more parents are interested in different methods of education than brick-and-mortar schools.
“People are interested in all the options that are available, and charter schools present alternative options to traditional public school,” he said.
During Monday’s vote about Vibes, some members of the school board said they want more time to see tangible results in test scores.
