College still possible despite school's issues
Author: Andrew Edwards , Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO - A reported accreditation problem at Casa Ramona Academy will not necessarily make the school's high school students ineligible to attend the state's public universities, a California State University spokesman said.
"It might slow down the process of the application, but it's not necessarily held against you," said CSU spokesman Mike Uhlenkamp last week.
California high school students are required to take a minimum of 15 courses in English, mathematics, science and other subjects to be eligible for freshman admission to CSU or University of California campuses.
"It might slow down the process of the application, but it's not necessarily held against you," said CSU spokesman Mike Uhlenkamp last week.
California high school students are required to take a minimum of 15 courses in English, mathematics, science and other subjects to be eligible for freshman admission to CSU or University of California campuses.
San Bernardino City Unified School District officials reported this past week that Casa Ramona has only a single course - its U.S. History offering - that is properly accredited.
District Superintendent Arturo Delgado has said the accreditation issue is the most serious problem found in a recent review of Casa Ramona's operations.
But if Casa Ramona students apply to a CSU school, it will be up to admissions officials at the individual campuses to determine whether classes offered at the charter school are sufficient to prepare applicants for a university education, Uhlenkamp said.
San Bernardino City Unified gave Casa Ramona Academy its charter in 2007. Like other charter schools, the academy has its own governing board, and its leaders have wide latitude to establish lesson plans.
Casa Ramona's executive director is Esther Estrada, a former longtime San Bernardino councilwoman.
She said the school is accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
According to the association's website, it is recognized as one of six regional associations that accredit public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the U.S.
"We are accredited. Period. Period," Estrada said. "The problem here is that people don't understand the difference between accreditation and a course approval by the UC system."
Estrada said Casa Ramona must wait after submitting an application for course approval to the University of California.
For now, accepting transcripts from Casa Ramona's students is up to a college, she said, adding that students from Casa Ramona have gone on to higher education.
The San Bernardino City Unified school board will consider whether to revoke Casa Ramona's charter at a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the district offices at 777 N. F St.
Staff Writer Ryan Carter contributed to this report.
District Superintendent Arturo Delgado has said the accreditation issue is the most serious problem found in a recent review of Casa Ramona's operations.
But if Casa Ramona students apply to a CSU school, it will be up to admissions officials at the individual campuses to determine whether classes offered at the charter school are sufficient to prepare applicants for a university education, Uhlenkamp said.
San Bernardino City Unified gave Casa Ramona Academy its charter in 2007. Like other charter schools, the academy has its own governing board, and its leaders have wide latitude to establish lesson plans.
Casa Ramona's executive director is Esther Estrada, a former longtime San Bernardino councilwoman.
She said the school is accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
According to the association's website, it is recognized as one of six regional associations that accredit public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the U.S.
"We are accredited. Period. Period," Estrada said. "The problem here is that people don't understand the difference between accreditation and a course approval by the UC system."
Estrada said Casa Ramona must wait after submitting an application for course approval to the University of California.
For now, accepting transcripts from Casa Ramona's students is up to a college, she said, adding that students from Casa Ramona have gone on to higher education.
The San Bernardino City Unified school board will consider whether to revoke Casa Ramona's charter at a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the district offices at 777 N. F St.
Staff Writer Ryan Carter contributed to this report.
Leave a comment