There are many reasons to enroll in an IEM School. One of the top #7Reasons is personalized learning – meeting the standards in a way that works best for your student. Out of the box learning is a significant focus at Sky Mountain, Ocean Grove, and South Sutter Charter Schools. Here are 4 ways that we accomplish this:
1. Personalized Learning Plans
In IEM’s parent choice model, students have the opportunity to learn according to their learning style and educational philosophy. At the beginning of each school year, the Education Specialist (ES), parent, and student collaboratively work together to create their student’s personalized learning plan. This plan incorporates and addresses the learning style assessment, Kidzmet, and the student’s i-Ready pre-assessment to identify his/her academic performance in English-Language Arts and Math. Students in the 8th grade and high school will have the opportunity to meet with the school’s guidance counselor to create a 4-year high school personalized learning plan. Throughout a student’s high school experience, their guidance counselor is available to ensure that students are on track to graduate and/or to update their high school plan. 
A student’s personalized learning plan can include any combination of:
- print and online curriculum
- in person or online vendor classes and/or ESI courses
- field trips and flexible field trips
- services provided by our local vendors
Can you imagine the limitless possibilities you as a parent can choose from to give your child the greatest opportunity to learn according to your child’s learning style? With over 2,000 vendors to choose from, our students have an endless amount of options from all core subjects, life skills, VAPA (visual and performing art), foreign language, and/or career pathways that are right for them.
2. Intervention Program
Are you finding that your student may be struggling in English-Language Arts and/or Math? Did you know that IEM Schools offer the opportunity for our students to participate in the school’s intervention program? Through the use of LCAP funds, our school is able to provide additional academic support for students who score two or more grade levels below on their i-Ready assessment in English-Language Arts and Math. A variety of supplemental curriculum and in person or online tutoring is available to support your child academic needs. These options are offered at no cost to a student’s instructional funds if LCAP funding is available. With our parent choice model, a student is not required to participate in the program but is highly encouraged. Please reach out to your ES to learn more about student qualifications or check out the school’s website regarding our intervention program.
3. Science and Art in the Park
Did you know that IEM Schools offer a Science and Art in the Park program? The mobile science lab travels to various locations within the geographical regions of all three schools. Students can participate in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) classes and much more!. All science and art classes are taught by credentialed and trained ESs or qualified vendors. All three schools also offer a-g science labs for high school students. All of these classes are a great learning opportunity for IEM students. For more information and course schedule contact your ES.
4. Field Trips
Another way to incorporate out of the box learning in our student’s personalized learning plan is to participate in our school’s field trips and flexible field trips. Through these activities, students get to experience hands-on learning opportunities in group settings with other students from our school. Students and parents can choose from a wide variety of field trips all over California, covering various topics and focusing on different age groups. Some examples include Disney Youth Education Series Classes at Disneyland, sailing on Historic Tall Ships, exploring Yosemite on snowshoes in the winter with Naturebridge, playing the role of Pioneer at Sutter’s Fort (circa 1848), or measuring velocity and acceleration while riding a roller coaster at California’s Great America Physics, Science and Math Day. We are firm believers in hands-on learning and our field trips bring this to life!
We know that you have many choices when deciding on a school for your child. We put #7Reasons at the top of our list as to why you might choose to enroll in an IEM School.
