On Friday, the school celebrated School Choice Week with an assembly and a dance.

Several students stepped up the microphone to talk about why they appreciate school choice and what they love about TCCS. The themes were similar:

“Here, you’re best friends with everyone.”

“Friendly environment. Educational opportunities.”

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Tidioute Community Charter School elementary students celebrate Friday after the school’s School Choice assembly.

“The opportunities.”

“The educational opportunities.”

“The teachers.”

“Individual attention.”

“I love this school.”

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Tidioute Community Charter School elementary students celebrate with the Bulldog Friday after the school’s School Choice assembly.

Athletic Director Ryan Guerra said he has spoken with administrators from far away districts about TCCS and been met with surprise. “We have a trap team. We have an archery team. This year we started and eSports club. These are the choices that we make.”

Principal and CEO Doug Allen spoke, providing some background on the school.

Because of a mutual agreement when the school was formed, there is an enrollment cap at TCCS of 305 students, he said. “If we were not capped, I believe you’d have 600 here.”

“We have students from every township in Warren County and three other school districts,” Allen said. Currently, there are 78 names on the wait list. “When someone leaves, in three days we have a new student.”

“I believe people come here because of the staff and because we do our best to give every one of you individual attention,” Allen said. He acknowledged the 53 members of the staff and said, “this is why people come here.”

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Tidioute Community Charter School students Caleb Johnson, Christian Gillenwater, and Austin Connor, successfully leap a rope made of bright yellow School Choice Week scarves following Friday’s School Choice assembly.

“Thank you for your choice,” he said.

Allen introduced Guest Speaker State Rep. Kathy Rapp.

“I am proud to be a very strong voice here for school choice,” Rapp said. “I trace my belief in school choice right back to our founders. Your parents are responsible for you because of the inalienable rights given to them by their creator.”

“I remember when this school — as a charter school — was an idea… was a fight with Warren County School District,” she said. “Your parents kept you here because they believe it is a better opportunity in an education center close to home.”

“I am a firm believer in all education,” Rapp said. “I believe I will always be a firm believer in school choice.”

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Signs for School Choice Week are up all over Tidioute Community Charter School.

“I wish this school the very, very best,” she said. “I will continue to support you.”

“You can take the bulldog out of the fight,” she said. “But you can’t take the fight out of the bulldog.”

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Posted around Tidioute Community Charter School are students’ opinions regarding their school and the state school choice policy that allows them to attend there.

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Tidioute Community Charter School Principal and CEO Doug Allen extends his appreciation to the teachers and staff Friday during the school’s School Choice Week assembly.