As the final bell of the school year nears for two Utah County charter schools, they're already planning to boost their rosters.

American Leadership Academy in Spanish Fork wants to expand its seventh- and eighth-grade enrollment from 75 to 150 students each. Odyssey Charter School in American Fork is asking to start its eighth-grade program a year early, at the same time it implements its seventh-grade classes.

The Utah State Charter School Board will meet Thursday to consider modifying the schools' charters, along with enrollment increases at four other Utah charter schools.

Elementary principal Becky Harrison said demand is driving the changes at ALA. "We've had a lot of popularity with the middle school, so we're looking to accommodate that need." Each grade from kindergarten through eighth grade enrolls 75 students, with 150 students per grade in high school.

ALA's charter limits enrollment to 1,275 students, and the school has some openings in the secondary levels, Harrison said. The change would increase the capacity to 1,425. "We feel that we're going to have a need based upon the growth in the area," said assistant school director Kalin Hall. "We are a parental choice school, so we feel there's going to be a need for it."

Paul Waldron, chief administrative officer at Odyssey, said demand for enrollment there is slightly higher than parents anticipated when they applied for the charter in 2004. Economies of scale make it more sensible to open both middle school grades at the same time, he said. "Really the costs are the same. You've got to provide that middle school education at any rate." He said about 25 students would be expected to enroll in the eighth-grade classes, and about 50 in seventh grade, bringing the school closer to its 500-student capacity.

American Leadership Academy also will offer students more sports options. The school broke ground on April 10 on a 1,700-seat sports complex that will house football, soccer and track facilities. Public relations coordinator Elizabeth Jacinto said students already have been participating in intramural sports such as baseball, flag football, ultimate Frisbee and lacrosse. Beginning in the fall, they will compete in the Region 14, 2A league. "As faculty and staff encourage students to fall in love with learning, they also encourage students to fall in love with healthy living, which includes exercising often."

Anna Chang-Yen can be reached at 344-2549 or annac@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.