These two terms “charter” and “personalized learning” by necessity provide the instructional framework for everything we do. Charter schools are required by statute to be built upon voluntary enrollment and staffing, parent leadership and measurable student learning. Mountain Home Charter puts these in to practice the following ways. Voluntary- The concept of “voluntary association” is embraced program wide and has broad implications for our school. As a school we do not dictate to students and their parents how to engage the learning material. Rather, we set before them the educational goals and work cooperatively with them in creating customized learning plans that best reach those goals. The students and their families enrolled at Mountain Home Charter are with us by choice. Student desires, strengths and needs are crucial to how the school works with them as individuals. Personalized Learning- All methodology, both curricular and instructional is built around each student’s needs, abilities and interests. All students participate with their teacher and parents to create their own personalized learning plan. This is done on an annual basis with regular (at least monthly) evaluation regarding its effectiveness and needed supplementation or change. Parent Lead- Mountain Home Charter believes that parents are natural educators of their children and that as such have great potential to be very effective educators of their children. The parents’ priorities, their leadership and their daily, hands-on involvement are essential to the progress and success of each student at Mountain Home Charter. A high academic standard for all- Mountain Home Charter is required by law to insure that all students are learning and adequately attaining the academic standards. We believe and are required by law to ensure, that every student can and must learn. Our entire educational structure is built upon and driven toward this proposition. We accomplish these goals by providing each and every student with:
Professional guidance- every student is assigned to a credentialed teacher who works closely with both the student and parent through frequent meetings. The teacher serves as an instructor, guide and counselor for the student’s entire learning program. The teacher insures that each student’s learning needs are assessed appropriately, that their goals are both rigorous as well as reasonable and that the student is progressing toward the learning goals. Direct instruction- Provides standards aligned, direct instruction in all curricular areas. Large variety of high quality, standards aligned curriculum and instructional materials- Mountain Home Charter offers a vast and deep menu of learning materials so that we truly have the ability to customize each student’s learning program. Variety of assessment options- Mountain Home Charter provides a multiple measures approach in assessing every student. This information shapes their personalized learning plans.
