KU Academy enrolling students for 2026-27

Enrollment is open in grades K-5 for the 2026-27 school year at Kids Unlimited Academy free public charter school. KUA has the most openings in its first-grade classrooms for the coming academic year. Start the enrollment process online by going to https://kuaoregon.org/apply/

These key features — and more — are why families choose KUA:

  • FREE public charter school in Medford with smaller class sizes and increased instructional time
  • State-of-the-art campus and facilities with enhanced technology, security and classroom amenities
  • Extended school days with afterschool enrichment on site from 7:30 a.m to 5 p.m.
  • FREE freshly prepared, cooked-from-scratch, nutritious breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
  • STEM, art, music, sports, theater, culinary and other education-focused enrichment activities
  • Culturally competent programming with Spanish bilingual/bicultural teachers and administrators
  • Highly diverse student population, as recognized by Oregon Department of Education
  • Multi-tiered systems of support for individualized instruction and student success
  • Social-emotional learning integrated with core curriculum
  • Parent involvement and responsibility contract, ensuring strong school-family partnership
  • Wrap-around programs incorporated to support families

Dates to remember

June 15 – Aug. 7: Kids Unlimited Summer Camp

Aug. 14: KU Academy teacher meet-and-greet

Aug. 17: First day of school at KUA

Aug. 25: KUA school board meeting

Kids Unlimited’s mission goes beyond education to provide children’s basic needs. Whether it’s food, clothes, toiletries, school supplies or other necessities, kids receive small items that make a big difference every day at KU. And your donations make all the difference!

A gift of just $25 provides a student’s uniform for Kids Unlimited Academy, fills a desk with school supplies or purchases an entire week of school lunches. It’s generosity that makes an impact all year!

Donate $250 to sponsor a class field trip, plant our school garden or fire our ceramics kiln. Contributions of $2,500 support our sports teams and boost our scholarship fund for graduating high school seniors.

Make it a recurring donation, and you help make the Unlimited possible!

kuoregon.org/donate

KU Media Team
Designer: Kevin Williams
Writer/Editor:
Sarah Lemon
Photos: Alondra Magana

KU Summer Camp’s impact spans generations


Water play, field trips, outdoor games and creative projects — these signify summertime for Kids Unlimited campers.

KU Summer Camp has been a Southern Oregon mainstay for 28 years, impacting thousands of local families, including former campers who are now parents enrolling their own kids. KU Summer Camp 2026 is serving about 270 students in kindergarten through fifth grades from Phoenix, Talent, Medford, Ashland, Central Point, Eagle Point and Grants Pass, said Program Director Judy Patterson.

Designed to meet working families’ schedules from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., KU camps are based at KU Academy public charter school and Jackson Elementary School through Aug. 7. Campers can enroll week to week with a four-week minimum; many qualify for income-based scholarships. For more information and to download the registration packet, click over to kuoregon.org/summer-camp-2026

Games, obstacle courses, construction and engineering projects, science experiments, culinary activities, arts and crafts and more are embedded into each weekly theme. Field trips to the Storytelling Guild Children’s Festival, Kids Club Northwest, Britt Festivals, Wildlife Images, Lava Lanes, Tinseltown, Rogue X, local splash pads and city and county parks are on the summer 2026 schedule.

Registration starts in the spring, and there’s often a waiting list, with many families who rely upon camp returning year after year, she said. Camp costs $250 per week and includes meals. Donations to KU support participant scholarships.

Tyrone McDonald

Behavior Coordinator

From Shady Cove to South Medford, Tyrone McDonald has spent more than a decade working with the Rogue Valley’s at-risk youth. 

Support, mentoring and counseling during students’ elementary school years — whether the need is addiction assessment and treatment or specialty behavior intervention — have the greatest potential impact, said McDonald. That’s what led this licensed counselor to Kids Unlimited Academy.

“We are a family-focused school which lines up with my life’s mission of making sure every kid feels seen and has a fair chance,” said McDonald. 

“The staff here focus on more than just As and Bs,” he said. “They have an emphasis on making sure our kids have every opportunity possible.”  

The public charter school stands out, said McDonald, for the dedication its staff puts into each individual student and family. Having worked in half the region’s schools, McDonald cites extensive knowledge and experience in the landscape of youth social services. He is a certified alcohol and drug counselor, “peer support specialist” and “recovery mentor” trained in motivational interviewing that focuses on finding ambivalence in the most resistant clients.  

“My favorite part is the relationships I get to build with families and youth,” he said, adding that KUA’s “community and family bond … is unmatched locally and abroad.”   

Always looking for ways to better his “tool box,” McDonald said learning is a passion. He spends his free time in the outdoors and with family. 

Student performances, artworks showcase KU Academy talent

Nearly 100 students in grades K-5 wowed audiences with their talent at Kids Unlimited Academy’s annual Visual & Performing Arts Show, June 5. 

The end-of-the-year showcase featured singing, dancing, comedy, ballet folklorico, martial arts demonstrations, acting out original skits and guitar, xylophone and other instrumental performances. KUA’s music and theater arts teacher, BriAnna Johnson, said participation of 97 students shows the depth of talent and enthusiasm for the performing arts at KUA. 

A display of student and staff artworks, including drawing, painting, ceramics, fiber arts and mixed media complemented the talent show. Ribbons were awarded to the top entries.

Support KU’s performing and visual arts by CLICKING HERE TO DONATE.

photos courtesy of St. Mary’s School

2 KU Academy 5th graders awarded full St. Mary’s School scholarships

Two fifth graders at Kids Unlimited Academy are poised to attend St. Mary’s School on full scholarships.

Jionnie Casillas and Valentina Mejia-Medina toured St. Mary’s Medford campus in March with their families and received an official welcome to the Crusaders community. A private school, St. Mary’s enrolls grades 5-12.

Jionnie and Valentina were selected through a competitive application process among outgoing KUA fifth graders for their academic excellence, leadership and personal character, which define the KUA/St. Mary’s Scholars program, said St. Mary’s Director of Advancement Bethany Brown. The scholarship program, instituted in 2019, has served 12 KUA students and is the only direct collaboration of its kind between St. Mary’s and another school.

Valentina has a passion for science and dreams of becoming a marine biologist. Acting with Royal Kids Theatre, Valentina played Charlie Bucket in KUA’s May production of “Willy Wonka Jr.” She participates in soccer, basketball, Ballet Folklórico and jiu-jitsu.

“She shines both on and off stage, always striving to do her best in everything she does from school, theater, sports and Ballet Folklórico,” said BriAnna Johnson, KUA music and theater teacher. “Next year when she attends St. Mary’s, I know Valentina will excel in every opportunity she is given. ”

Also an RKT actor, Jionnie played Candy Man in KUA’s spring musical and has worked as a server for KUA dinner theater productions. Jionnie is a student-athlete dedicated to soccer. His strong work ethic and positive attitude set him apart as a leader among his peers, said Brown. Demonstrating resilience, he enters St. Mary’s with clear college aspirations, she said.

“Jio has grown so much from a shy, quiet student to someone who isn’t afraid to face their fears and push themselves to grow and try new things,” said Johnson. “I know St. Mary’s will be the perfect environment for him to succeed.”

Each student received a Crusaders sweatshirt and other St. Mary’s gear, along with congratulations from school staff. Recipients of the scholarship receive full tuition including all academic fees, sports fees, textbooks, daily lunch and a Google Chromebook.

The partnership between St. Mary’s and KUA began more than a decade ago when St. Mary’s students volunteered to read to and mentor at-risk KUA students. Because of this unique relationship, supporters of both schools came together to completely fund scholarships for two qualified KUA alumni to attend St. Mary’s through middle school and high school.

KUA leadership identifies promising fifth grade students and encourages them to apply for the St. Mary’s scholarship. St. Mary’s reviews applications and selects students with high academic aspirations who will enhance its community and benefit from its education.

Representatives of both schools say a St. Mary’s education would be unattainable for recipient students without the generosity of donors funding this scholarship.


Royal Kids Theatre audiences treated to sweet spring production

Willy Wonka’s iconic chocolate factory and storied characters made Royal Kids Theatre’s spring musical a production to savor.

RKT explored the magical and mysterious world of “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr.” May 1-2, 2026, at Kids Unlimited Academy. Three performances indulged audiences’ imaginations as they followed the characters’ quest to resist temptation inside the chocolate factory, win Wonka’s favor and step into the chocolatier’s shoes.

“The incredible sets and memorable, funny characters are what bring so much joy and life to this production,” said BriAnna Johnson, KUA music and theater teacher.

The wacky title character was portrayed by KUA fifth grader Willow Moore. Fellow RKT veteran and classmate Valentina Mejia-Medina played the protagonist, poor but likeable Charlie Bucket. Greedy Augustus Gloop, vindictive Veruca Salt, ill-mannered Violet Beauregarde and electronics-obsessed Mel Teavee were played by fourth grader Luis Alcantara and fifth graders Ellie Heinze, Marina Sanchez and Austyn Souza, respectively.

With Squirrels, Candy Kids and Dahl’s unforgettable Oompa-Loompas rounding out the cast, 41 KUA students in grades 3-5 participated. It was the second time since 2017 that RKT produced “Willy Wonka Jr.”

“I was inspired to do ‘Willy Wonka Jr.’ again because it is a show that gives many students an opportunity to shine on stage,” Johnson.

Seeing many students come through the program, former KUA principal and current KUA board chair Jani Hale has never missed an RKT musical theater production in almost a decade.

“Each year, the productions get better and better,” said Hale.

And “Willy Wonka Jr.” was even more impressive in its second run at KUA, she said.

“The night I attended, I brought two couples — transplants from the big city of Los Angeles,” said Hale. “Each guest was awed by the quality of the production.

“The actors performed with confidence, skill, passion and joy,” she added. “Each actor on that stage could have been the lead.”

Two original 2017 cast members who work as school support staff were key contributors to the production. KUA instructional aide Dulce Sanchez was assistant director, and KU Afterschool staff Melissa Torres worked backstage with RKT’s tech crew.

“Having past students return to KUA and seeing how they’ve grown into valuable members of our school community and RKT means so much to me, and I am so proud and happy to get to work with them,” said Johnson.

RKT’s production celebrated Wonka’s confectionery creations, Golden Tickets and Fizzy Lifting Drinks in beloved songs by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. This “junior” stage adaptation preserved the sweetest elements of the original tale.

“It is a well-known story that brings everyone together, reminding us that strength of character and having good virtues wins in the end,” said Johnson.

‘Ripple Effects’ curriculum makes waves at KU Academy

Classroom conversations and peer connections at Kids Unlimited Academy show the strength of a new social-emotional learning curriculum. 

Ripple Effects, an interactive computerized program, has received overwhelmingly positive student feedback, said KUA administrators. Many students report better understanding of challenges in their lives and how to meet those challenges with healthier, more productive responses since the charter school introduced the curriculum in 2025-26, said KUA Assistant Principal David Thygeson.  

“We’re excited to see Ripple Effects continue to support our students’ growth, confidence and connection, both in and out of the classroom,” said Thygeson. “Looking ahead, our goal is to continue increasing student engagement with the program while streamlining implementation across grade levels.” 

The next wave is implementing a “Strengths Screener” at the beginning of KUA’s 2026-27 school  year. This tool measures students’ perceptions of their ability to cope with challenges and to succeed socially and academically at school. Collected again at the end of next school year, the data will help KUA administrators measure the overall impact of Ripple Effects and guide student support, said Thygeson. 

Ripple Effects offers dozens of topics, from frustration and embarrassment to empathy and listening, from self-talk and impulse control to exercise and healthy eating habits. Lessons are taught by other kids in videos, telling stories from their personal lives, empowering students to explore topics that matter to them, said Thygeson. 

KUA students in grades 2-5 engaged with Ripple Effects’ self-directed computer modules for more than 100,000 total minutes during the 2025-26 school year. First grade teachers incorporated the curriculum into whole-class instruction. For students who struggle with reading, the program design allows them to hear all the content, which can be translated into Spanish.  

KUA purchased Ripple Effects with grant assistance from several sources. Evidence-based, the curriculum is shown to raise students’ grades and sense of empathy while reducing suspensions, tardies, drop-out rates and depression diagnoses. 

KU Academy expands fresh produce variety under federal grant program

Snacktimes featured more fresh fruits and vegetables at Kids Unlimited Academy under a federal grant that continues through fall 2026.

Approximately 2,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables were distributed to KUA students through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Twice each week during the 2025-26 school year, all KUA students in all grades tried new fruits and veggies and enjoyed more of their favorites under the program.

Locally grown apples and pears, lettuce, microgreens and ground cherries numbered among more than 50 types of fresh produce served during physical education and classroom snacktimes. “Bite-sized” nutrition lessons complemented each fresh fruit and veggie sampling. KUA families received additional educational resources in monthly newsletters and on KUA’s social media.

Three months of FFVP funding will carry over into the 2026-27 school year, when students will sample locally grown summer and fall produce from partner farms. Fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs procured from October 2025 through June 2026 primarily came from locally owned grocer Sherm’s Food 4 Less, a longtime KU supporter.

FFVP encourages children to try new foods, learn about seasonal produce and develop healthy eating habits to last a lifetime. A USDA study found that FFVP students eat more fruits and vegetables than students who do not participate in the program.

Annual report available online

Kids Unlimited catalyzed change in 2025 while grounding its work in organizational success and longevity. Read more in the 2025 annual report about the planned launch of KU’s most transformative initiative to date with its focus on youth development, parent engagement, nutrition services and social entrepreneurism. View or download the full report here.