Navigating and overcoming numerous challenges as participants in KU afterschool programs, these men and women went on to become leaders in local business, finance, education, nursing, criminal justice, emergency services and other sectors. They continue to inspire us as we celebrate 25 years of KU’s extended “family.”

Watch and listen as they tell their stories for our 25th anniversary celebration. Then read more in our commemorative Kids Unlimited 25th Anniversary Story, available for digital download. Follow KU on Facebook and Instagram for our biweekly alumni spotlight and other organization highlights.

Below are excerpts from the personal journeys of Rose Alvarez, kindergarten teacher for Kids Unlimited Academy; Franco Caballero, small business owner; Gonzalo Duran, accountant for Grange Co-op; and Lupita Vargas, KUA director of educational services.

Rose Alvarez, right, is a teacher at Kids Unlimited Academy.

Rose Alvarez:

She was involved with KU afterschool programs throughout elementary school, volunteered for KU lunch and recess duty and later worked for the program at Medford’s Howard Elementary.

But Rose Alvarez said she never wanted to be a teacher. She’s now in her third year at KUA’s Medford campus.

“I knew I wanted to work at Kids Unlimited because that was literally my home,” said Alvarez. “Our culture was there … Our traditions were still there.”

Among the few Latinas at Medford’s Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s schools, Alvarez said her parents made significant sacrifices for her education, and she never would be where she is today without it.

“My parents worked hard for that.”

But KU broadened her horizons further with activities and sports after school. Ultimately, she decided she wanted to give back to the organization that gave her so much.

“No matter what would happen, Kids Unlimited would always have our back.”

Franco Caballero:

“Instead of just leaving kids to their own devices for those three hours between the end of school and when parents get home, instead of kids going home and watching cartoons or just loitering with their friends and looking for trouble, KU provides a structured, focused and positive influence in kids’ lives that they may not otherwise receive.

“KU’s unique service to my group of classmates was showing us and giving us experiences that we otherwise would never have had. Simple things like going to a Trail Blazers game, buying us cleats or basketball shoes, meeting with successful community members that would come out and spend a day with us. Even the president came to visit once. It stretched our minds and made our world a little bigger in a positive way. I don’t believe there is a better program in the state to support our community youth.

“I’ve been involved in every aspect of KU, starting as a student enrolled, to junior counselor (teenage helper), to counselor, to now being a parent with kids in the program.”

Gonzalo Duran:

KU alum Gonzalo Duran has a son attending KU Academy.

His own path, recalls this father of a preschool-age son, had veered into troubled territory before he found Kids Unlimited. When Gonzalo Duran was in eighth grade attending Medford public schools, the community was concerned about the rise of gang activity. His mom attended a parent meeting, heard about KU and encouraged her son to go after school.

“It’s been a long journey for me and Kids Unlimited,” said Duran, who came from Mexico to the United States as an infant with his parents.

Now a member of the KUA board for White City’s satellite campus, Duran gained a sense of belonging at KU, where he could pursue a love of basketball, eventually leading to two years on the Lane Community College team.

Duran recalls helping to build the gym at KU with many of his teammates. But the youth organization, Duran said, had the greatest impact for its mentorships and illustrating “where I wanted to be in life.”

“It gave me the opportunity to see what success on many different levels looks like.”

Lupita Vargas:

Lupita Vargas played for South Medford’s Lady Panthers before becoming KUA Director of Educational Services.

“Growing up as a Kids Unlimited kid, I felt empowered to break barriers and to change the narrative of what a first-generation Latina student can accomplish if given the opportunity. Being part of KU has allowed me to accomplish things I never even dreamed about.

“I was part of KU’s first afterschool program. I started kindergarten without speaking a single word of English. I still remember my first day walking into the cafeteria and hearing Edgar, a KU staff member, greet me in Spanish and another staff member, Tanny, greet students with a big, welcoming smile.

“During homework time, I greatly appreciated the one-on-one and small-group support I received because there was no way I could have done my homework on my own. I know this support played a key part in my English acquisition. The staff went out of their way to make students feel seen, heard and valued.

“My parents — seeing the positive impact the afterschool program was having on me and my siblings — signed us up for the summer camps, too. I have many fond memories of the summer camps, including playing wall ball against staff and the ever-popular staff-versus-campers dodgeball games.

“I feel blessed to be back in the valley and working in a place that feels like my second home and second family.”

Immediate openings are available for kindergarten classes at KUA’s White City campus. Visit KUA’s website to enroll.

A free charter school with the Eagle Point school district, KUA has smaller class sizes and longer school days that include afterschool enrichment programs. Students can be on site 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

KUA kindergarten provides culturally competent programming with bilingual faculty; individualized instruction and tutoring; freshly prepared, cooked from scratch, nutritious breakfast, lunch and dinner served daily; commitment to diverse programs and activities: science, arts, music, sports and culinary; wrap-around programs to support families; and more. Students must be born before Sept. 1, 2018.

Your child could be in the next group of our graduates. Congratulations to our students and their families!

Graduating kindergartners celebrate at KUA’s White City campus.

KUA White City

Ms. Sabrina:

Lucia P. Banuelos

Veronica Cordoba-Alfaro

Malik A. Green

Chloe L. Borba

Oliver J. Carroll

Hector D. Cedillo

Isaac Medina Coria

Skylar Cortez

Montana R. Farnham

Jacob R. Farnsworth

Braelyn Keith

Isaac L. Ladd

Gabriela A. Macias Sanchez

Metaya L. Mooney

Odion R. Overby

Gael Perez Beltran

Isabella J. Ramirez

Jenesis G. Reyes

Benson C. Taylor

Jayden L. Valle Rivera

Benjamin Vanderwey

Emersun G. Varley

Mr. Ricardo:

Daryan J. Baez Molina

Victoria Ellie V. Baker

Thiago Barajas

Masyn K. Carroll

Evany I. Cervantes

Olivia P. Fletes

Xavier S. Flores

Arya L. Holmes

Liah M. Mejia Loa

Trevor P. Mogford

Serenity Padilla

Isaac Perez Beltran

Liah Ramirez

Ivan Ramirez-Flores

Julio A. Reaves-Flores

Emilia E. Taylor

Lilimea L. Todd

Izayah J. Torres Trinidad

Brock T. Willoughby

KUA Medford

Ms. Alvarez

Abigail Flores Baltazar

Aiden Kimball-Cucumo

Alexa Rodriguez

Andrei Flores

Carol Nicol Villa Cortes

Conrad Adnan

Elaina Minnis

Emma Reynoso Mendez

Harlan O’Brien

Isaac Agee

Itzayanny Lara Cortez

Javier Ibarra

Jennifer Valdez

Jerry Zepeda Serrano

Julio Callejas

Liam Giron

Lucas Chan

Maybel Nelson

Monserrat Villa-Munoz

Pohliklah Lewis, Jr.

Santos Mendoza-Rosales

Sol Velasco

Yadira Cortes-Perez

Ms. Gonzalez:

Aaliyah Alegria

Axel Menendez

Angel Rodriguez

Atticus Dutton

Ava Arena

Averie Heinze

Braxton Bennett

Camila Costilla

Carter Cooper

Catherina Barajas

Daniela Rangel

Giovanni Flores

Hakim Velazco

Isaac Lambert

Izamar Aguilar

Jai’ceon Williams

Jonathan Melchor

Justice Sammut

Nataly Cortes

Richard Bautista

Roman Troxel

Ryder Davis

Samantha Cortes

Uriel Bucio

Ms. WC:

Abelardo Alvarez

Ali Caster

Camila Sandoval

Catalina Cortez-Torres

Clinton Hall

Connor Lambert

Cooper Calvery

Damien Colon Mitchell

Danelly Gallegos

Daniel Zepeda

Emersyn Aguirre

Eva Banuelos

Greyson Adachi

Hector Torres

Isaias Badilla

Itzury Lara Cortez

Joseph Compher

Kynlee Page

Logan Cubillos

McKenna Nitcher

Nahomi Cortes

Natalia Escobedo

Thiago Castillo

Celebrity chef Ron Duprat was an honored guest at KU’s annual benefit and auction. But the chef traveled from Texas to help put on a banquet befitting KU’s quarter-century in operation. KU food program staff and culinary students all pitched in for a memorable meal. Watch Chef Duprat at work and hear what he had to say about KU students’ impressive skills.

Chef Ron Duprat, right, poses with kitchen staff for Kids Unlimited’s 25fh anniversary banquet.

KU guests whet their appetites with Jamaican jerk meatballs served with chili-pineapple relish and maple-glazed, bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with cream cheese while sipping Red Lily wines and 10 Barrel beers. Fry Family Farm donated its organic mixed greens for the salad course, topped with fresh strawberries, candied walnuts and blue cheese provided by Rogue Creamery.

Chef Duprat’s signature Afro-Caribbean flavors were featured in the main dish of chicken breast marinated in lime juice and Creole spices with Haitian black mushroom rice cake. Dinner concluded with raspberry-garnished flourless chocolate torte cake, furnished by Sysco.

Chef Duprat’s entree featured chicken breast marinated in lime juice and Creole spices with Haitian black mushroom rice cake.

Recognized among the most influential Black chefs, Duprat has cooked for Usher, Beyonce and Jay-Z and President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama. A contributor to Mrs. Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign, Chef Duprat also is affiliated with No Kid Hungry, World Central Kitchen, Black Culinarian Alliance and other nonprofit causes.

Chef Duprat has been a top competitor on Bravo TV and Food Network cooking contests. He has appeared on “The View,” “The Today Show” and “Access Hollywood” and in Bon Appetit, Gourmet, Ebony, Oprah, Essence and other magazines. He currently works as the executive chef at Amarillo Golf and Country Club in Amarillo, Texas.

KUA eighth grader Andre Alcocer said he has loved the steak tartare since hearing about it from his older sister, who attended culinary school in Austin. The dish of finely chopped raw meat, topped with a raw quail egg yolk, anchored the menu he presented with sixth grader Alexis Williams in the third annual KUA “Iron Chef” competition.

Six KUA afterschool enrichment students compete in the school’s third annual “Iron Chef” competition.

Shiitake mushrooms were the “secret ingredient” that each team was challenged to prepare at the June 8 event. Dishes were prepared from entirely fresh foods — more than 15 types of produce, as well as dairy, coconut milk, pasta, rice and chicken or beef. In 45 minutes, each team produced a dish for KUA Principal Jani Hale, KU board member Rocio Mendoza and chef Mario Chavez, who served as judges.

Andre Alcocer puts the finishing touches on his winning dish in the third annual KUA “Iron Chef” competition.

“I’m so proud of the way they totally bring this aura of professionalism,” said Hale.

Other students who competed were eighth grader Romeo Nunez with seventh grader Janice Mata, who presented Thai chicken curry with rice; seventh grader Danny Carlos and Kaylee Cannon, who served chicken with asparagus and a mushroom cream sauce; and sixth graders Hannah Lusk and Charlie Walker, who offered judges a creamy tomato pasta with fresh basil and feta.

Ingredients were sourced through a partnership with Rogue Valley Farm to School, and the shiitakes were locally grown. The event — modeled after the popular Food Network show “Iron Chef America” and its Japanese predecessor — was a collaboration between 4-H and SNAP-Ed, said Ellen Radcliffe, nutrition education assistant for Oregon State University Extension. Dubbed “Iron Chef in the Nutrition Kitchen,” the program promotes culinary creativity and working with foods already on hand, said Radcliffe.

“So many of these kids are also caregivers of their younger siblings,” said Radcliffe, adding that kitchen skills help to promote independence and can be improved and enhanced through high school, college and beyond.

All participants in KUA’s afterschool enrichment program, participants had worked for eight weeks in preparation for the event, researching and practicing recipes and also earning their food handler cards. The live-action

Chicken with asparagus and a mushroom cream sauce awaits judging at the third annual KUA “Iron Chef” competition.

showcase filled KUA’s gym with fellow afterschool student spectators, who cheered on their peers.

“It was just amazing to see how well you work under pressure, under stress,” said Mendoza, who complimented the curry’s “kick at the end.”

Also praising each dish as “absolutely delicious,” Hale revealed the final scores were “so, so close,” with Andre and Alexis winning by just four points.

Chavez, who heads up dining services at Twin Creeks Retirement in Central Point, said he employs cooks who couldn’t match the expertise of KUA’s culinary teams.

“I’d hire you all on the spot if I could.”

The entire KUA student body attended the June 9 event, beginning at noon with the art walk of visual arts exhibits — painting, drawing, ceramics and more. The tour concluded with a ribbon ceremony honoring participating artists.

Nanci Melchor shows off her ribbon and ceramic mug at the annual KUA Art Walk.

The afternoon’s showcase continued with a lineup of “fun, creative acts” that included singing, dancing, gymnastics, cheerleading, martial arts, comedy, magic, even burping, said KUA music and theater instructor BriAnna Johhnson. KUA’s young musicians demonstrated their skills and artistry on drums, piano, guitar and bass.

KUA taekwondo enrichment students demonstrate their skills in the school’s annual Performing Arts Show.

Some standout performances, said Johnson, were:

Eighth grader Angelo Sanchez and second grader Marina Sanchez demonstrating their boxing skills; seventh graders Eduardo Maldonado Quintero playing the bass and Joshua Cortes playing the guitar to “Con Tus Besos”; fourth grader Josue Gonzalez playing the drums; sixth grader Brody Kiesser playing the piano; second grader Aimeelilly Polataivao doing a cheer routine; and first grader Aria DeMarco dancing to “Hit Me With a Hot Note.”

KUA’s first “grad walk” invited more than 20 seniors from North and South Medford high schools, as well as St. Mary’s School, to tour the halls where they attended as primary and middle schoolers. In their royal blue and black and red gowns over long dresses or ripped jeans, wearing Birkenstocks and Converse, the grads carried KUA tote bags, yellow roses and purple chrysanthemums in one hand. They high-fived KUA students with the other.

“The people who graduate from here are always going to be KUA kids,” said Principal Jani Hale.

The June 1 event wasn’t an inspiration only to KUA students. The grads themselves participated in a discussion with Hale and KU CEO Tom Cole, who urged graduates to go out into the world and find their niche.

“What do you want next?” asked Cole. “You’ve got to figure out what your passion is.”

Both Cole and Hale recalled negative experiences around their own high school years and how they didn’t let those setbacks keep them from pursuing something better for themselves. Hale spoke of growing up in poverty and taking a job in the cafeteria of Medford Mid High — now Oakdale Middle School — and feeling shame for not finishing her own high school education.

“Every bad thing that happened to you, you will find is an opportunity for you to get stronger,” said Hale.

Cole said there wasn’t a single adult in his life who offered him incentives, and he didn’t even want to go to his high school graduation. When he went on to college, he realized he could surround himself with people willing to join him on a mission to create change in the world.

“Don’t let any old person tell you you can’t do it,” Cole said. “Don’t let them tell you you don’t have enough experience.”

He acknowledged the graduates, who persevered through the unprecedented hurdles of COVID restrictions in schools, still have challenges ahead. But they can still lift up younger kids who are even more impacted by outside influences and social media, said Cole and Hale.

“Our students need to hear your voices right now,” said Hale.

Several South Medford grads shared their memories and future plans.

Mia Murphy, who attended KUA in fourth through eighth grades, said she loved KUA’s “amazing” teachers and the class trip to Six Flags. She plans to attend Oregon institute of Technology and study medical imaging.

Hayden Hull, who attended KUA in third through eighth grades, said he loved the school’s opportunities and being in the kitchen with Kris Walker. He plans to attend Rogue Community College.

Elijah Hernandez, who attended KUA in third through eighth grades, said he loved having great teachers “who engage with their students and make the learning environment a positive experience.” He plans to attend RCC, then transfer to either Southern Oregon University or OIT to study microbiology and medical laboratory sciences.

Armando Castillo received Kids Unlimited Academy’s “Lighthouse Award,” created and presented by Lake Masi Tunoa, who teaches middle school

Armando Castillo received the KUA “Lighthouse Award.”

health and physical education. While Castillo didn’t get the best start to the year, he had a “great turnaround” to find and become a better version of himself, said Tunoa.

“… The Lighthouse award comes from the phrase ‘Be a lighthouse in a storming sea,’ meaning that the student represents the lighthouse and storming sea represents the tough obstacles and adversity the student has been through,” said Tunoa. “No matter how hard the waves crash against the lighthouse, it still shines its light … No matter what the student has been through, they are still trying to shine their light.”

Castillo also was honored at the May 31 assembly for advisory excellence, along with fellow eighth grader Mia Nicasio. Advisory excellence awards also went to seventh graders Mia Compher, Meylin Martinez and Evelyn Garcia; and sixth graders Jimena Villa, Marcelo Gutierrez, Roselynn Montes and Maritza Zepeda.

KUA students of the year are:

Kindergartners Camila Sandoval, Damien Colon Mitchell, Itzayanny Lara Cortez, Andrei Flores, Jonathan Melchor Cortes and Camila Costilla Reyes;

First graders Fernando Castaneda, Aria DeMarco, Brooklyn Avila, Sebastian Flores, Israel Aguilar and Emiliano Quinones;

Second graders Valentina Mejia-Medina, Amalia Vasquez, Aimeelilly Polataivao and Salvador Reynoso-Mendez;

Third graders Arizbeth Maldonado, David Becerra, Kimberly Valle Cortez and Arjen Cubillos;

Fourth graders Rayne Utegg, Ren Maya Velazquez, Mason Lozano and Genesis Maldonado;

Fifth graders Brandon Carrillo, Dahlia Moreno-Deras, Eden Colon and Carlos Lomeli-Hukill;

Sixth graders Brody Kiesser and Yaretzi Jasso;

Seventh graders Robin Mendez Nufio and Princess Lima;

Eighth graders Owen Nguyen and Crystal Rangel Villa;

ELD students Eveyln Garcia and Julian Cisneros.

Left to right: Rose Alvarez, Alexandria Warnke-Crary and Jacqui Gonzalez pose with KUA kindergarten students of the year.

Other awards are as follows:

Kindergarten

Academic: Joseph Compher, Harlan O’Brien and Atticus Dutton

Respect: Connor Lambert, Yadira Cortes Perez and Uriel Bucio

Integrity: Nahomi Cortes, Emma Reynoso Mendez and Angel Rodriguez

Responsibility: Daniel Zepeda, Isaac Agee and Averie Heinze

First grade 

Academic: Liam Abernathy, Maria Zamora and Ricardo Valentin

Respect: Emma Thurman, Cristian Gomez Vargas and John Hurst

Integrity: Axel Gallegos, Hector Gomez Gonzalez and Kinzlie Saunders

Responsibility: Geovanni Lairs, Dianna Moreno and Luis Alacantara

Second grade

Academic: Aylin Villa and Jionnie Casillas

Respect: Anthony Hernandez and Gabriela Rocha

Integrity: Jayla Trinidad Alvarado and Vanessa Cortes

Responsibility: Aiden Montoya and Kaitlyn Smallwood

Third grade

Academic: Ruby Ojeda Morales and Genesis Rocha

Respect: Jarelli Rios Gutierrez and Eliseo Gomez Gonzalez

Integrity: Jessica Gonzalez and Alexander Quezada-Cortes

Responsibility: Monse Luna Muro and Dulce Vega

Fourth grade

Academic: Eva Sanders and Jaylah Ibarra

Respect: Yulemi Cortez and Santiago Flores

Integrity: Anahliya Williams and Jayce Sanders

Responsibility: Sophia Cruz Aguilar and Jayden Green

Fifth grade

Academic: Dominic Torres, Luz Dominguez and Fernando Munoz

Respect: Hunter Gee, Alyiah Kodysz, Brody Holt and Kassandra Gutierrez

Integrity: Daniel Blanco-Cortes, Brenda Cortes and Brian Morales

Responsibility: Felix Moreno, Maria Diaz and Jr. Roche

Sixth grade

Academic: Sydney Ashworth

Respect: Natalie Moreno- Deras

Integrity: Adriana Barajas

Responsibility: Alejandro Avalos Alfaro

Seventh grade

Academic: Camden Devaughn

Respect: Edith Villa

Integrity: Ivan Melchor Cortes

Responsibility: Emma Hernandez

Eighth grade

Academic: Andre Alcocer

Respect: Angel Solorio

Integrity: Jayida Hernandez

Responsibility: Romeo Nunez

White City KUA principal Ericka Beck-Brattin leads the satellite campus’ Royals Awards Assembly May 31.

White City students

Academic: Xavier Flores, Oliver Carroll, Denzel Perez, Kennedy Wilkins, Arizbey Baez-Molina and Theo Villalpando-Engelbach

Respect: Maasyn Carroll, Montana Farnham, Fatima Garcia Perez, Sofia Cervantes, Manuel Fletes and Samantha Townsend

Integrity: Trevor Mogford, Jenesis Reyes, Aileen Blanco, Liam Fuentes, David Castanda and Ellie Casey

Responsibility: Liah Ranirez, Chloe Borba, JJ Sanchez, Tidus Morgan, Aleeyah Ortiz and Briella Karnbach

The show debuts to the general public at 7 p.m. Friday, May 19, in KUA’s Kimmel Performing Arts Center, 821 N. Riverside Ave., Medford. An encore performance is planned for 7 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at the same location. A preview for the entire KUA student body and staff is set for 1:30 p.m. Friday.

“Throughout this process, students have made new friends, built self confidence and stage presence and learned about commitment and hard work,” said KUA music and theater teacher BriAnna Johnson. “I couldn’t be more proud of these young actors, and I can’t wait for you all to see the show!”

KUA’s theater company spent several months learning choreography, music and acting techniques. Many new actors took the stage for this production, said Johnson. Being a part of the theater company gives KUA’s third- through eighth-grade students the opportunity to work together, she said.

“I am so impressed with their ability and willingness to learn about musical theater techniques and the effort they put in at every rehearsal,” said Johnson. “It is wonderful to see the experienced acting students become mentors, sharing their knowledge and skills with new theater students.”

KUA eighth grader Nicole Carrasco plays uber-organized mother Katherine to Ellie, her spontaneous teenage daughter, played by fellow KUA eighth grader Evelyn Sanchez Aviles. Both actors have been involved in Royal Kids Theatre since third grade, said Johnson.

Nicole Carrasco, left, and Evelyn Sanchez Aviles play mother and daughter who magically switch bodies in “Freaky Friday.”

“Their talent, professionalism and commitment to the performing arts is something other students look up to,” said Johnson. “I am so proud of the incredible performers and people they have become.”

After Katherine and Ellie magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right. Masquerading as each other, they must work together to solve the mystery of how to break the spell.

By spending a day in each other’s shoes, Katherine and Ellie come to appreciate one another in ways they never could have imagined. In the end, both learn the true power of love and the strength of their mother-daughter bond in this heartfelt and hilarious adaptation.

Nicole Carrasco, left, and Evelyn Sanchez Aviles star in “Freaky Friday.”

The stage production is based on the beloved 1972 novel of the same name by Mary Rodgers. Also adapted into hit Disney films, “Freaky Friday” features a book by Bridget Carpenter and music and lyrics by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey.

“Being in a musical is a challenge,” said Johnson. “It requires students to be a ‘triple threat’ — to be able to act, sing and dance at the same time. I selected ‘Freaky Friday’ to highlight the talent of our students here at KUA, and I am so impressed by the level of work that they are doing!”

Admission costs $8, and tickets can be purchased at KUA’s Medford campus main office or with PayPal at kuaoregon.org/freaky-friday-2023/ 

Kids Unlimited Academy created a collaborative plan to condense its middle school population by half during the upcoming 2023-24 academic year and ultimately phase out middle school the following, 2024-25, academic year. Administrators, teachers, parents and students weighed numerous local factors and nationwide trends to arrive in April at this decision.

KUA’s middle school families have been making plans and notifying KUA leadership where they intend to enroll, including Medford School District’s soon-to-open Oakdale Middle School. KUA now is beginning the process of selecting students for its smaller 6th, 7th and 8th grade classes for 2023-24. Middle school opportunities for KU afterschool enrichment and summer, winter and spring break camps remain a vital part of the organization’s programming.

The change at KUA is the first step toward aligning the school’s remaining kindergarten through 5th grade enrollment with other Medford 549C elementary schools, as 6th graders districtwide will be newly encompassed in three middle schools, said Tom Cole, executive director of Kids Unlimited. KUA also will refocus on its original mission of providing children at the primary level with resources to thrive academically, emotionally and socially.

The longer-term KUA mission is high school graduation, college success — and beyond, said Cole. This mission was confirmed in surveys and meetings of KUA parents, students, staff and the school board.

The KUA board had wrestled with the challenge of building a better high school transition program, said Principal Jani Hale. They considered whether KUA’s exiting 8th graders were enrolling in 9th grade courses for college-bound students. Questions around how well students formed friendships and adjusted to high school also played a role.

KUA’s first class of 8th graders will graduate high school this year. KUA formed as a public charter school, initially serving 1st through 3rd grades, in 2013. By 2016, the school had expanded to kindergarten through 6th grades.

“The transition to high school has not been easy for many of our graduates,” said Hale. “For the past five years, we have watched our students experience varying degrees of high school success.”

Hale and other KUA administrators began discussions in February with staff, parents and students about the school’s trajectory. All national studies, said Hale, indicate schools that focus on high-quality primary programs build stronger foundations for academic success in the middle and high school years. KUA stakeholders arrived at the decision to rededicate the school to this process — beginning with its youngest students — and this outcome for all students’ brightest futures, said Hale.

“We are sensitive to the politics around these decisions,” she said.

KUA added pre-K to its student body in 2019, expanding in 2020 to its White City campus to serve students in the Eagle Point school district, as well as transfers. The expansion helps to alleviate a local — and nationwide — shortage of quality pre-K programs and affordable child care.