Board Approves Merger of Oakland's First Charter School

The OUSD Board of Education convened a special meeting on March 4 and unanimously approved two charter school consolidations — one closing Oakland Charter Academy, the city's first charter school, into Downtown Charter Academy, and the other uniting Francophone Charter School's split campuses under one roof. Both votes reflected a district reckoning with declining enrollment and the practical limits of operating small schools across scattered sites.

• Oakland's first charter school will close as Amethod Public Schools (AMPS) merges Oakland Charter Academy into Downtown Charter Academy, with a new permanent enrollment priority for homeless students

• Francophone Charter School wins approval to consolidate two campuses separated by I-580 into a single private facility, ending a cross-highway commute that consumed hours of parents' days

• Board members praise both operators for thorough responses on special education, governance, and fiscal health

• Thirteen public speakers — students, parents, teachers, board members, and staff — spoke unanimously in support of the two charter revisions

• Closed session: Board gave direction on one anticipated litigation matter (4-0); discussed two additional legal matters with no action reported

Oakland's First Charter School Closes as AMPS Consolidates

Why it matters: Oakland Charter Academy (OCA), founded in 1993 as the city's first charter school, will formally close as Amethod Public Schools (AMPS) right-sizes its network amid citywide enrollment declines. The merger creates a more diverse student body and establishes a new enrollment pathway for unhoused youth in the Fruitvale and San Antonio neighborhoods.

Where things stand: The board voted 5-0 to approve a material revision for Downtown Charter Academy authorizing three changes: a one-year temporary enrollment preference for students displaced by OCA's closure, a permanent first-priority preference for students experiencing homelessness, and an enrollment increase of up to 97 students — bringing projected enrollment to 448 across grades 6-8.

AMPS CEO Adrienne Barnes framed the move as a financial and programmatic necessity. "We recognize declining enrollment across Oakland and the need to right-size our footprint in the city," said Barnes. "Consolidating our portfolio of schools in Oakland makes sense, both programmatically to best serve our students and financially to ensure network stability."

OUSD staff found DCA in solid fiscal shape. Tim Morris, policy specialist with the Office of Charter Schools, told the board that "the charter school's financial condition is generally in good fiscal health" with "adequate reserves" and "realistic" enrollment projections. The school's 22 classrooms yield a 20:1 student-to-classroom ratio, and staff noted the merger would shift DCA's Hispanic enrollment from roughly 13% to 25-30%, bringing it closer to district demographics. Approval requires AMPS to complete OUSD's charter school closure checklist for OCA.

Seven public speakers lined up unanimously in support. Oriel, a DCA 8th grader, told the board that teachers' high expectations motivate students and described the school's tight-knit community, including its Dungeons and Dragons club. Caitlin, also a DCA 8th grader, said she was excited about the cultural diversity the merger would bring. Jacqueline Velasquez, an OCA alumna now working as a DCA administrative assistant, pointed to her own trajectory as evidence of the school's college-preparatory mission. Chandria Wing, OCA Dean of Instruction, said OCA's legacy would be carried forward into DCA rather than ending. Maria, a Spanish-speaking OCA parent, spoke through an interpreter about the school's high expectations and mutual respect. Margita Giorgio, an AMPS board member, described a recent complete board turnover that brought experienced members focused on accountability and fiscal health, citing a recent clean audit.

Board members were effusive. Director Clifford Thompson said he appreciated "how merging both sites together will actually increase the opportunity to provide a more rigorous educational program for students." Board President Jennifer Brouhard praised Barnes directly: "I appreciated Ms. Barnes, your honesty in discussing the changes in governance and in finance, because I know that was an issue before and I felt that was a really very thorough answer."

Decisions: Passed 5-0 (For: Latta, Berry, Thompson, Bachelor, Brouhard; Absent: Williams, Hutchinson).

What's next: AMPS must complete OUSD's closure checklist for Oakland Charter Academy. The merger and enrollment changes take effect for the 2026-27 school year.

Francophone Charter Unites Split Campuses, Ends Highway Commute

Why it matters: Oakland's only free French dual immersion program will consolidate from two campuses — one OUSD facility at Toler Heights and one private site — into a single private facility at the Coolidge campus. The move eliminates a daily logistical burden that forced parents to travel between sites via the I-580 highway, sometimes consuming 2.5 hours at midday.

Where things stand: The board voted 5-0 to approve the material revision, which authorizes Francophone Charter School to relocate and increase enrollment within its already-authorized cap of 520 students, with projected enrollment of 405 for 2026-27. The 18-classroom Coolidge facility accommodates that enrollment at a 23:1 student-to-classroom ratio and adds a cafeteria for upper school students, space for teacher collaboration, and dedicated rooms for science labs, a library, and English language development instruction.

Executive Director Claudia Lee told the board the consolidation touches every dimension of the school's operations. "This move significantly improves the academic program, school culture, finances and operations," Lee said. "By having all students in one location, we will eliminate the safety concern of parents traveling between sites via the 580 highway."

Staff confirmed the school's finances are sound — debt ratio below 1.0 and cash reserves exceeding 5% throughout the charter term. The school reported a 57% improvement in middle school retention, a 60.7% decline in chronic absenteeism, and accelerated academic growth for Black and African American students and students with disabilities on the SBAC. Francophone also received the state's PCSGP expansion grant for 2026-28 and told the board it is considering adding an enrollment priority for unhoused students.

Six public speakers supported the move. Annette Dennett, Francophone board chair and parent of five children, connected the school's founding to families who could not otherwise access free dual immersion education: "This move to one campus is not just a change in location. We believe it will positively impact all three of our strategic pillars — academic excellence and achievement, equitable and inclusive culture, and fiscal and operational health."

Jenny Pardini, a parent and past co-president of the Parent Association, said that as an upper campus parent she feels disconnected from the lower campus community and wants consolidation to bridge that divide. Christina, a first-generation immigrant parent and volunteer, described the school's rapid response to families fearing ICE raids and its support for students with learning differences and families experiencing food and housing insecurity. Charlotte, a kindergarten teacher with eight years at the school, highlighted international teachers' contributions and ongoing restorative justice training.

Director Patrice Berry called the approval "a no brainer," adding: "We're talking about leveraging our responsibility as board members to ease the education experience for families." She urged the school to develop a clear plan for supporting unhoused students and those with disabilities. Director Clifford Thompson praised the school's multilingual mission: "I firmly believe in multilingualism, but I also believe in not watering down our academic programs, and so thank you very kindly for that."

Decisions: Passed 5-0 (For: Latta, Berry, Thompson, Bachelor, Brouhard; Absent: Williams, Hutchinson). Approval is conditional on Francophone securing a certificate of occupancy and completing an OUSD walkthrough checklist.

What's next: Francophone must secure its certificate of occupancy and pass the OUSD walkthrough before the relocation and enrollment changes take effect for the 2026-27 school year.

Minor Items

• Closed session — anticipated litigation (23-0598): Board gave direction on one anticipated litigation matter. Motion by President Brouhard, seconded by Director Thompson. Passed 4-0, 2 absent.

• Closed session — existing litigation (24-0163, 25-2710): Board discussed two existing litigation matters. No action reported.

• Absences: Directors VanCedric Williams and Mike Hutchinson were absent for the entire meeting. Student directors Maximus Simmons and Marianna Smith were also absent.