Copper Island Academy Principal Steve Aho was a guest on Copper Country Today this week. The school is beginning its open enrollment period for the 2022-23 academic term. Aho says that the first year has been a success, characterized by energy and enthusiasm that comes with starting something new. The K-8 facility will be having its first graduation soon. Aho says that the process of transitioning to high school for graduates should be fairly easy.
In the future eighth graders may have a way to continue their studies at Copper Island Academy. Aho says a new high school is in the long-range plans.
Aho stresses that the idea is in early stages of development. The current facility was built quickly, but a repeat of what Aho says was a whirlwind process is not necessarily in the cards for a potential high school.
Copper Island Academy receives per pupil funding from the state as the result of its accredited charter school status. It cannot take in property tax revenue, though. Aho says the school is active in raising funds through grants and individual donations.