Epic Charter Schools Begins School Year With Multiple Learning Options

Students in Oklahoma’s largest school district, Epic Charter Schools, will begin the new school year Tuesday.

Epic’s plan includes blended and one-on-one learning options for students.

The schools blended learning centers, which includes in-person classes, will be deep-cleaned at least once a month and when someone tests positive for COVID-19.

If someone tests positive for COVID-19, that student and others who have been in contact with them will self quarantine.

Parents are asked to screen their child for symptoms before sending them to school.

Students are not required to wear masks, but they are required for teachers and staff in public areas.

Arrows will be placed on the floor to help with social distancing.

This year's enrollment for Epic has jumped to nearly 60,000. The school says about half of the new enrollments are because of COVID-19.

“We surveyed families coming to Epic and we asked them ‘Why did you choose Epic Charter Schools?’ and only one out of two said it was COVID-19 related,” said Bart Banfield with Epic.

“Undeniably, COVID-19 has increased our enrollment beyond what our projections would have been,” said Shelly Hickman, Epic’s Assistant Superintendent. “We’ve been doing this for ten years. We know what has worked and what doesn’t work.”

Epic Charter Schools says one teacher oversees about 37 students. As more students enroll, the need for teachers increases.

“We are confident we are going to bring that ratio down to a level that we feel good about and the families we serve feel good about it,” said Banfield.