Charter Schools Too Popular Among Coachella Valley Parents

This year, more than 365,000 students across California go to one of the more than 900 charter schools in our state.

When St. Margaret’s Episcopal school closed, many parents wanted to enroll their children at Washington Charter School nearby.

They couldn’t, however, because there’s a long waiting list. The Desert Sands Unified School District oversees the school.

“Parents want to have some control over the destiny of their children within the public school system. We allow that opportunity,” said Washington Charter School Principal Allan Lehmann.

Charter schools are public and paid for by state tax dollars. Where they distinguish themselves lies within the flexibility with curriculum, school uniform requirements and administration’s ability to oversee the school’s finances. Students at the charter school are taught all the same subjects.

Angelita Sanchez enrolled her son, Joshua, at River Springs Charter School in Indio nine years ago. “I like it because it was small, a lot of one-on-one with the students,” said Sanchez.

Unlike Washington Charter School, parents can enroll their children right now at River Springs Charter. School starts on Aug. 23. Spots are filling up fast.

The school’s principal, Joe Bennett, says the school’s popularity comes down to,

“The teachers at a charter school feel like they have more flexibility with the way they teach the curriculum.” Right now, 250 children are enrolled in the K through 12th-grade school.

Maude Dabney is starting her second year of teaching at River Springs Charter. “Finding the interest of the students and pairing it with the curriculum allows them to learn better and have a connection with the information,” said Dabney.