Facing closure, families of Portland online school students consider their options

Published 10:32 am Tuesday, May 9, 2023

By Elizabeth Miller, OPB

A parent holds a sign for the Online Learning Academy at a Portland Public Schools board meeting on March 7, 2023. In January, district officials announced the closure of the program at the end of this school year.

As families and teachers from Portland’s Online Learning Academy gathered in person and virtually to talk about the district’s decision to close their school, representatives from online programs in three other school districts had a message for them.

“We’re available,” said Beaverton FLEX Online School principal Paul Ottum. “We would love to help if you’re interested.”

“Happy to answer any questions so you can all make the best choice for your family moving forward,” said Jeni DeWolfe, Tigard Tualatin Virtual Academy principal.

“You would be welcome there with us if this opportunity doesn’t continue,” said David Douglas Online Academy principal Shawna Myers.

Students, teachers and families say that Portland Public Schools’ Online Learning Academy has become a community over the last two years. They say it has offered a place for students who didn’t feel successful in brick-and-mortar schools and allowed for flexibility in a learning environment that gained traction during the pandemic.

Read the full story at OPB.org.

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