CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s charter schools are closely monitoring whether they reach enrollment estimates as the start of their first academic year comes closer.
West Virginia has had no charter schools until now, after passing a state law allowing them in 2019. Charter schools would receive financial support from the state’s public education system and would be given greater operational latitude in exchange for the possibility of losing their right to operate if they fail.
This fall, two schools in traditional buildings and two virtual schools will open for the first time.
“As expected, each of the four schools that are opening this fall have higher enrollments to report than at our previous board meeting,” said James Paul, the executive director of the Professional Charter Schools Board.
West Virginia Academy in Morgantown has the highest enrollment so far with 470 students so far, according to officials.
Eastern Panhandle Preparatory Academy has 366 students enrolled so far.
West Virginia Virtual Academy has 86 enrolled with 213 applications in progress.
And Virtual Prep Academy has 76 enrollments with 187 applications in progress.
“So are we seeing any of the spike yet that we were told might happen around mid-July for the virtual schools?” asked Adam Kissel, chairman of the Professional Charter Schools Board.