Power of Choice & Personalized Learning in Education
The days of one-size-fits-all education are long gone. How do we know? We’ve been empowering students in the Reno community for the past 25 years with choice and personalized learning at our tuition-free public K-8 charter school! When choice is at the forefront of education, students are more motivated and their learning becomes lasting.
The Benefits of Choice
We know firsthand that children learn best when they are doing what they love. At Sierra Nevada Academy Charter School, our program is filled with choices that are both innovative and engaging. Through choice, students of all ages have the opportunity to discover a new passion, acquire important skills through real-world projects, and stretch their skills while simultaneously finding their own way forward to reach their goals.
We place our students at the heart of all we do in education. These choice opportunities empower our students, granting fluid personalization for each student so they can achieve their own vision.
One SNACS parent discussed the importance of choice in her child’s daily life: “They contribute to their success and their learning through these choices. ‘I got to choose this today.’ It’s a big deal for them to be part of that.”
Making choices throughout the day means a lot to children, who are eager to share their daily decisions with their families.
Here are 5 benefits of choice in education:
- Independence
- Improved Social & Emotional Development
- Critical Thinking and Decision-Making Skills
- Creativity and Innovation
- Increased Engagement & Motivation to Learn
“They (students) are doing it themselves. You present it to them. You learn what they really and truly love, and get to expand on that.” – SNACS Kindergarten Teacher
Personalized Learning Experience
“It’s ability-based (learning), so I’m able to focus on the ones who need that extra help. For the ones who are already there, I’m able to push them even more.” – SNACS 2nd Grade Teacher
At the core of Sierra Nevada Academy Charter School is a small school community that fosters personalized learning. We pioneered personalized learning before it was recognized as innovative. Our students are engaged throughout the day because of small group instruction and the opportunities for choices.
There are a few ways SNACS uses personalized learning:
- Personalized Learning Plans: We use data-driven learning plans that are fluid to each student’s needs. Using innovative technology, we can foster agency and decision-making through our innovative Interactive Choice Boards.
- Personalized Expeditionary Learning Days: Hands-on and self-directed learning that supports students to begin the discovery of who they are through real-world learning with businesses and organizations around Reno, Nevada.
The heart of our mission is supporting, engaging and challenging students while valuing and respecting who they are, no matter where they come from and where they want to go. We believe that all students are capable of learning regardless of their socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or race. Students are the most important citizens in our school community.
From small classes to personalized learning, SNACS can help you choose a successful adventure for your child. There’s still time to enroll in our tuition-free school, but the clock is ticking. Enroll for Fall 2024 so your child doesn’t miss a day!
About SNACS
Sierra Nevada Academy Charter School (SNACS) is a Tuition-Free Public K-8 Charter School with free preschool options. As Nevada’s first charter school, we have served our community for 25 years as a standout school of choice and personalized learning. We nurture self-directed learners through choice, prioritizing expeditionary learning and offering a unique, proprietary, hands-on P.L.A.Y. model (Promoting Learning and Accountability in Youth). Now in a new location, 10 miles north of Reno, SNACS brings the small school experience back to the neighborhood. Education – with a choice! We’re enrolling for Fall 2024-2025.