Paragon Collegiate Academy in Marysville has grown from about 110 students when it opened in 2011 to roughly 2,200 students across two campuses, according to school officials. School leaders recently shared the academy’s history, growth and educational programs during a presentation to the Yuba County Board of Supervisors. Photo courtesy of Paragon Collegiate Academy

YUBA COUNTY, CA (MPG) – A presentation on charter schools before the Yuba County Board of Supervisors highlighted growing enrollment, school choice and the possibility of expanding charter school opportunities in underserved areas of the county.

Seraphin Alvarez, CEO and co-founder of Paragon Collegiate Academy, addressed the board during a special presentation last month, outlining the history and mission of the tuition-free TK-8 public charter school in Marysville. Alvarez said Paragon serves students from throughout the region, including Linda, Olivehurst, Live Oak, Yuba City and Sacramento, reflecting what he described as growing demand for school choice options and alternative educational settings for families.

Alvarez explained that charter schools operate independently from traditional district structures while remaining publicly funded and accountable to academic performance standards. He said California now has approximately 1,300 charter schools serving nearly 700,000 students statewide.

Paragon Collegiate Academy opened in 2011 with about 110 students and has since expanded to roughly 2,200 students across two campuses in east Marysville, Alvarez said. The school offers before and after school care, athletics, robotics, music, culinary programs and other enrichment activities. The campus is also recognized as a gold-certified Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports school and recently became a Blue Zones school focused on nutrition and wellness.

Alvarez told supervisors the school has continued to improve academically, particularly in math and reading proficiency, with annual gains in state and local assessments. He said the school emphasizes civic responsibility alongside academics, encouraging students to focus on serving their community.

Board Vice Chair Seth House said he invited Alvarez to speak because of ongoing concerns about the lack of a middle school campus in the West Linda area. House said students from that area are often bused to overcrowded campuses outside their community after the closure of Alicia Intermediate School.

“I’d love to start the movement and just hear opportunities of things that we could do in West Linda to build a charter middle school,” House said during the discussion.

House also praised the school’s uniform policy and community atmosphere, saying it helps reduce socioeconomic pressures among students while providing a quality education.