Expeditionary Learning harnesses the natural passion to learn and is a powerful method for developing the curiosity, skills, knowledge and courage needed to imagine a better world and to work toward realizing it. At Grass Valley Charter School academics are integrated through Expeditionary Learning practices.
Our students spend most of their time engaged in purposeful, rigorous, “learning expeditions.” They explore a topic or theme in depth by working on short and long term projects that call for intellectual inquiry, research, physical exploration, art, fieldwork, presentations, and community service. A culture of reflection, critique, and revision is achieved as students strive toward excellence and the creation of quality work.
California state standards are embedded in rich curriculum, and high test scores are one measure of the success of this academic approach.
For mathematics, students are placed in multi-age classrooms where they work at their appropriate level of mathematics achievement, from kindergarten through geometry.
We believe that the arts are a motivating force for all learning as well as a powerful vehicle for applying higher level ideas. The value we place on the arts is evident on the walls of our classrooms and in the portfolio work of our students. Our students receive quality visual art instruction from acclaimed local artists. For the performing arts, we have our very own music man, Greg Wolfe, who writes and directs brilliant musical performances with our students, weaving the themes of our learning expeditions into the productions.
Teachers at GVCS believe in lifelong learning. The need to develop curriculum on an ongoing basis engages them in their own learning process as well as their students'. In additional to our teachers, we have our own service and adventure coordinator and support staff to provide the best possible learning experiences and environment for you child.
GVCS Preschool (West Campus-Bell Hill)
- Janel Sunde (Director/Preschool Teacher)
- Jennifer Babcock (Preschool Teacher)
- Kimberly Martinez (Preschool Teacher)
Core Academic Classes (West Campus-Bell Hill)
- Grades K/1: Andrea Meyers, Room 7
- Grades K/1: Suzanne Mitchell, Room 3
- Grades K/1: Chelsea Sullivan, Room 5
- Grades 1/2: Lori Davis, Room 4
- Grades 1/2: Audrey Hight, Room 1
- Grades 1/2: Kate Ozmun, Room 11
- Grades 3/5: Mary Lehmberg, Room 6
- Grades 3/4: Alan Rosenbloom, Room 10
- Grades 4/5: Ann Boger, Room 8
- Grades 4/5: Merry Byles-Daly, Room 2
Core Academic Classes (East Campus-Hennessy)
- Grades 6/7: Brandon Breckenridge, Room 29
- Grades 6/7: Lisa Jarvis, Room 30
- Grades 7/8: Scott Maddock, Room 31
- Grades 7/8: Cynthia Grapel, Room 32
Discovery Studies Classes (East/West Campuses-Hennessy & Bell Hill sites)