I read the information on the Stepping Stones website, and it looks incredibly encouraging! I'm…read morehoping by the time my youngest son is ready to exit 8th grade, his current Charter School will have a high school option, but if not, it is great to know places like this exist in the local community. They also collaborate with a large number of nationally accredited charter schools across the state. The varied options I mentioned earlier include homeschooling, independent study, and blended learning opportunities - I am so happy to see schools joining this model of education...it's really proving to be the best way to educate children for successful futures instead of churning them out like a grim scene from The Wall... In their own words: "Our focus is personalized education for each student. The best way to change tomorrow is to invest in our children today... One Step at a Time." Yes. More of this, please!!! One thing that particularly stands out is that they are community-centered learning institutions. This has a twofold effect - they promote success in academics by nurturing a connection with the community (usually through volunteerism or other efforts), and they also partner their students with successful to make sure they achieve the steps necessary to succeed from the time they start Kindergarten until the time they choose a career. That's smart educating! Through their network of partner schools, they can tailor a student's education to help keep them engaged, participating, and give them the tools they're going to need for future success in college, university, or trade/vocational school programs (again, education works different for everyone, and it looks like these people understand that!!!) Their website uses the word "investment" regarding their students, and I can't day how much I love that...I wish more schools treated education like an investment in our children and the future of not only the individual, but the community and society as a whole. They teach children to be self-paced and directed; and also foster a sense of independent thinking and those who can not only use critical thinking to solve problems, but also communicate in whichever way is best suited to their own personality and style. Since I know many people who communicate through electronic devices, I like to hear the emphasis placed on communication and not "speaking." There is a big difference. These folks seem like they "get it!" Their main goal appears to be simple: to help students of all ages and stages to "learn how to learn." I love that phrase! They know that many students don't have a place in our rather drab and outdated school model, with endless tests and redundant, utterly uninteresting and non-dynamic curriculum. In addition to general school/high school academics, these students also apparently get to discover their own potential career path; and this could include technical courses, visual/performing arts, apprenticeships (similar programs currently exist in some European countries) and service learning projects - I've done Service Learning Projects in my own college; and they're enhancements to the curriculum you're already learning, it's really great foundation building work! This was one of the things that stuck out at me while I was reading about their program... apparently, Stepping Stones also offers two years of college at no cost for those who qualify. This could just be help filing out the FASFA FOR Federal Student Aid (which not everyone will qualify for, depending on how much their parents make), but could potentially also include help finding grants, scholarships, and alternative ways to fund tertiary education beyond high school. :) My son's current charter school has been a godsend, but now that we've been able to dodge the proverbial "bullet" that was a nightmarish middle school experience (it only lasted a month, thankfully!), and he's now fully included in his school. There are no segregated classes for special education, but he receives as much support as he needs (including a dedicated aide that the school hand picked for him and hired after he enrolled), so I cannot sing the praises of charter schools enough. His behavior is better, self-confidence has skyrocketed, and he is now taking initiative to work both on classwork and chores at home! But he's in 6th Grade now, and the school he's at currently only goes to 8th. I'm hoping they'll add an option for high school in the next few years, but if not...I am very pleased to know there are alternatives that match our current setup available within close proximity. I have friends that need this type of opportunity for their own children, so I'm passing this on to them too. If only I'd known what was out there when my 21 year old was being pushed through the school system..."No Child Left Behind" just means they're going to end up with many adults that are left without...because they never caught up...

Valentine's Day dance was a blast! Plenty of places for the kids to play and parents got to get a…read morephoto with their kids and I'm sure the kids enjoyed all the treats. I just volunteered, kids didnt go and I didn't try any of the treats but they were so organized and made volunteering a breeze! I got to help with arranging the flower/vases and cupcakes on the snack tables and help with putting the fake flowers on the back drop and handing out fun heart glasses and took all the photos for the first group (all the k-5th families). The families were so appreciative and had so much fun. The staff here really care about the students, both educationally and their well being. My kids love going here. They just don't like to dance but after seeing it I see that there's plenty more to do rather than dance.

We LOVE this school! We left our zoned school on base for Coastal and my child has never been…read morehappier! The vibes are good, the kids are happy, and the staff is great! We love the events and field trips they plan, it's a great environment for kids to learn in. Highly recommend!

We love Empresa elementary. Great system, music program, and amazing g teachers. My son is…read morefinishing TK this year and we couldn't ask for a better teacher than his teacher. We love their sports, painting, AP/PM program and teachers. We also hear a lot of amazing stories from other parents. We only hope Empresa can get its Chess Club back soon. Thank you all for the amazing job you do with all the children!

I'm so happy with Empresa the staff and teachers are so helpful and kind. Love that they have music…read moreand art. I have a first grader and a 5 grader both love this school. Thank you Empresa for all you do. EMPRESA ROCKS!!

I absolutely love this school. They have an awesome theatre program, the teachers are nice and…read morecaring, and they also have an amazing ukelele program! I went here for most of my elementary school years and I don't regret it at all.

Ahhh love this school! This review is about my pbserbas on how nice this place is. Established in…read more1963 I totally got the 1960s vibe when I visited. I have had the opportunity to go a couple of times to do interpreting assignments and everything has been smooth, from the check-in time to the end. I felt at home and treated very nicely. One thing that I liked a lot is the name of the 'streets', so cute! The herbs garden is adorable and the whole school exudes care. I can't wait to be called back!

Such a cute small elementary school adjacent to a lovely grassy park with the same name. Glad to…read morediscover the surroundings around the school too, with quiet atmosphere and beautiful big houses that look like still in time. The school has a 1970s vibe with some things modernized and others remind my own school back home. I went there in quality of interpreter and very grateful they allowed me to use a meeting room for a video call I had just before my meeting with them.

My daughter has been here for 3 years, 1 more to go. She loves it here. Her teachers have been…read moregreat. The principal is awesome. He's always present at drop off and pick up directing traffic with his safety vest on. Always saying hello to the students and fist bumping. I've received good communication from both the teachers and the principal on school matters.