For many families in the San Lorenzo Valley, the first week of school brought significant changes in home settings as well as classrooms. For more than 200 students in the SLV Unified School District, many school hours are spent at home or in neighbors’ homes working independently and with parents.
In response to growing demands for more school options and growing recognition by educators that some student learning styles don’t fit traditional classroom settings, SLV schools have evolved a charter school system that embraces both “home schooling” and classroom concepts.
Parents and students in the 2,640-student district have a wide selection in the type of school the student can attend.
Depending on their age and interests, students may be eligible to participate in any one of eight schools available in the SLV district. Each of the schools partners with parents who work with certificated teachers at each location.
SLV Charter School Administrator Rhonda Reed-Schlosser coordinates programs at the seven charter schools, with 15 teachers and approximately 300 students enrolled.
A credentialed teacher, she got her introduction to home schooling when she home-schooled her daughter, who is now a 27-year-old college graduate on a career path.
“These uniquely innovative and flexible schools form a strong partnership between parents, students and teachers and excel at creating an educational environment that is particularly tailored for the students who attend them,” said Reed-Schlosser.
In a hybrid model of home schooling where SLV provides support for parents, students do their studying off-site, and students, parents, and teachers meet two days a week 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 or 2 p.m. to review what the students have learned.
SLVUSD Charter is a district school, which allows enrolled middle and high school students to participate in SLV school sports teams, theater, and other extra-curricular activities.
One of the schools, Nature Academy, is not a home-school program. It is a charter school that holds classes on-site five days a week, with mandatory attendance.
Another charter school, Quail Hollow Integrated Arts, has students meeting with teachers four days a week.
The charter school students have to pass the usual California elementary and high school tests, and receive diplomas. Of the nineteen 2016 Coast Redwood High School graduates, four received four-year scholarships to colleges and 14 received scholarships to Cabrillo College.
Julie Chapin, parent of two Quail Hollow School students, says, “We love our school! It is the perfect blend of home schooling and typical public education.”
“Parents are given the support they need to meet educational standards at home while students enjoy two regular in-class days a week with their friends and teachers.”
“It is a safe, welcoming community for children to be who they are and learn their own way. We are so blessed to live in a community with this hybrid home schooling public school option.”
Her son Finn, in fourth grade, added: “I love my teachers and every year we get to do a play!”
Quail Hollow School teacher Katie Parmenter said, “Quail Hollow Homeschool offers multi-age classes and opportunities, project-based learning with hands-on enrichment activities, and exciting field trips.”
“Our class theme this year is Ancient Civilizations and the Wonders of the World.”
The schools within the SLVUSD Charter School system are:
Quail Hollow Homeschool, located on the Quail Hollow Campus in Ben Lomond. Their classes are often held within the broader community. 65 students
Fall Creek Homeschool, located at the Ludlow Building behind the SLV High School fields in Felton. 27 students
Coast Redwood Middle Homeschool, located at the SLV Middle School campus, in the front of the parking lot, below the soccer field, in Felton. 24 students
Coast Redwood High School, located at the SLV High School campus, by the back parking lot near the swimming pool in Felton. 79 students
Mountain Homeschool Independent Study, located in the Mountain Elementary School, in Soquel. 22 students
Quail Hollow Integrated Arts School, located at the Quail Hollow campus in Ben Lomong, is a new hybrid independent study/classroom program this year within the SLVUSD Charter School, offering a combination 7th-8th grade class that meets with a teacher four days a week, Monday through Thursday, either for ½ day for from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Nature Academy, located in the SLV Middle School campus, adjacent to the inner quad, in Felton. 78 students
For more information, please go to www.charter.slvusd.org.
