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How is SAEL different?

SAEL uses project-based, hands on, interdisciplinary learning to reach high level academic standards. We are a small school that can offer individualized attention. We are TUITION-FREE and have the same academic standards and expectations as other public schools, but with a focus on making the learning come alive. Community partnerships and frequent work in the field give students a chance to truly experience their learning. Although SAEL will challenge students to think critically, it is a school for all types of learning and thinking styles. Students are given the opportunity to create high quality work that will serve a real purpose in the community. Our foundation of Expeditionary Learning and the clear results of EL schools across the country adds legitimacy to our dynamic approach to the creation of an engaging, inviting, and rigorous school program. We work together to form a strong school culture that supports tolerance, diversity, and excellence. Character education is woven into how we teach and how we learn. Service learning is not just used as a singular event, but a means of discovering the world and helping to preserve, protect, and support it. We have a social justice approach. This means students are not only pushed to think critically, discuss passionately, and learn deeply, but they are also asked to do this while examining the issues in our world from multiple perspectives and with open minds. All students are expected to apply to college. This does not mean students must blindly choose college after high school, but instead are empowered to engage in the application process with guidance from SAEL staff so they are prepared for the many applications they will be faced with throughout their lives. We believe all doors need to be open to our students when they leave SAEL. We are excited to be able to support students to find their path after high school, whether they choose college, trade school, the military, or a gap year program. In order to make an active choice about next steps, best fits, and bright futures, students are given the chance to explore real work as they interact with the real professions to which their academic subjects are tied. We believe our students can and will succeed and we know we have the means of providing those opportunities to the individuals who trust us with their education. We are CREW not passengers, which means we constantly collaborate to support one another at SAEL. Adventure is a part of our curriculum and our approach. Students frequently take their learning into the field.

SAEL on KNCO_040418.mp3

How can I contact SAEL?

Call us:  530-268-2200

School Office: 340 Buena Vista, Grass Valley, CA 95945

Moving to our new home in July 2018 at Nevada City Elementary: 505 Main Street Nevada City, CA 95959

Office Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm M-Fri

Email us: SAELinfo@sierraacademy.net

Facebook: Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning

Can my student go to college if they go to SAEL? And what about UC a-g courses?

SAEL students have been accepted to colleges like UC Berkeley, Reed, Lewis and Clark, Regis, NAU, Cal Poly, Prescott, Warren Wilson, Colorado State, Washington State, Kalamazoo College, Colorado School of Mines, Clark College, and Evergreen State (so far!). SAEL uses a standards-based approach which means students will be studying the same state and national skills as any other public school student. We just approach the learning and grading of those skills differently. SAEL is WASC accredited, a part of the nationally recognized Expeditionary Learning network, and a CCSA member school. The majority of our college preparatory classes are a-g certified with a couple more in development. This means SAEL students will be prepared and eligible for the UC/CSU system and for colleges throughout the country. Students are encouraged to take on "extensions" of their learning in the form of teacher and student-designed projects and inquiries to make the learning go deeper individually or in study groups. Students can also take honors level courses for their core academic classes in the 11th and 12th grades. Specific AP classes are offered as well. Expeditionary Learning high schools nationwide work to achieve a 100% college acceptance rate and SAEL plans to do the same with each one of our graduating seniors. Numerous college admissions representatives have spoken with our students, families, and faculty. They have all assured us that a standards or mastery based grading approach is not only welcome, but can often provide more information to colleges about the skills a student may possess in character and academics. You can find more information about the college process and how we support it at our SAEL Guidance Website. You can find a great Edutopia article about how Mastery Based Grading is accepted at colleges and considered positive innovation in schools here.

What extracurriculars do you have?

Clubs for 17-18 (so far!):

SAEL offers a variety of clubs and extracurriculars that have included Art, Eco, Gardening, Entrepreneur, Music, Mountain Biking, Cross Fit, Martial Arts, Ski and Snowboarding, Trail Running, Basketball, Weight Lifting, Anime, and Multimedia. SAEL staff and students will be developing and shifting SAEL Clubs and Student Government opportunities based on student interest and teacher expertise.

Where exactly are you located?

Our current address is 340 Buena Vista, Grass Valley, CA 95945. Our main office is B1. Please enter on Park Avenue or School Street and exit on Buena Vista. Follow the signs for SAEL when you enter the campus and please drive carefully. We will be moving to the historic NCE building on 505 Main Street in downtown Nevada City in July 2018!

What transportation do you offer to and from school?
SAEL offers a bus from and to Grass Valley every school day from South County. We also support carpooling and can help connect interested families! Reach out to our Family Connection for details on carpooling. We may look to expand our bussing options in the future if we have enough students coming from a certain area. The fee is $350 per year.
SAEL Bus Schedule 2017-2018.pdf SAEL Bus Schedule 2017-2018.pdf
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How do I get involved as a parent?
Join the PTC! We're always looking for parent volunteers to help with activities, fundraising, baking, supporting, and acting as experts in our classrooms. Contact PTC (Parent / Teacher Crew) President Tami McVay at PTC@sierraacademy.net.
Do you have Homework at SAEL?

We push students to work hard when they are here with us at SAEL. We have one hour and twenty minute block classes which allow students and teachers to dig into the work together. We also offer Office Hours at the end of each school day Monday - Thursday. This allows students to work on Homework, to seek out extra help, or to take their learning further with a teacher of their choice. So, yes, we have homework at SAEL, but it is not assigned for the sake of doing work at home. Work is meaningful and allows students to dig in deeper. All students are working toward mastery and there may be projects that take extra work at home or reflection between classes to make sure students are digesting and discussing their learning. Often students get work done in Office Hours and other times they need to take it home or collaborate with peers after school. Our students and families will tell you that the work they do see come home is not busy work and students are always allowed to bring it back in the next day for support in class or Office Hours if they are struggling.

How do I apply?

Go to our Enrollment page! Download then submit an application via email or in person. We also have paper applications at school.

How many students attend SAEL?

We will grow to have about 250 students total in grades 9 - 12. We will have about 60 students per grade, 30 students per class, and about 15 students per Crew.

What awards have your students won?
Students at SAEL have won the Nevada County Reads and Writes Essay Contest, the Nevada County Bar Association's Legal Essay Contest, the Caring for our Watersheds statewide contest, and the Placer County STEAM Expo. Students have placed at the local Rotary Club's Speech Competition. The SAEL Robotics team placed 13th in the Northern California State Championship in only their 2nd year as a team, competing with other teams sponsored by companies like Google!
What is Expeditionary Learning or EL Education? 

Expeditionary Learning is our school partner and way of approaching teaching and learning at SAEL. It is a whole-school model that includes a national network of schools. Please go to our Expeditionary Learning page for more information or visit ELschools.org to access EL's website. On our website, you can see EL's Design Principle's here as well as an overview video about EL here.

What is an Expedition? Does that just mean you go camping?
Learning expeditions are semester-long, interdisciplinary "units" of study. Instead of studying each subject separately by using small units that often coincide with the chapters in a text book, learning expeditions involve a long-term investigation of a major topic that has real world connections. Students become the researchers, they engage in fieldwork, meet with experts, and work with complex texts that encourage critical thinking and discussing. Expeditions are standards-based and developed with the end product in mind. This product is authentic and serves a true purpose in the community. Through the use of continual, strategic, student-drive assessment practices, we know learning expeditions are a vehicle for student achievement and motivation in academics and character. In addition, expeditions are not just trips into the woods, although students will engage in outdoor adventure-based learning experiences. Our relationship with the natural world is an essential part of the Design Principles of EL, and will be incorporated into our learning expeditions and Adventure classes. Below you can watch a PBS report on an expedition at King Middle School, one of the most successful EL schools in the country. This video offers the perspective of the students along with how an expedition leads directly to student achievement in academics and character.
What is your course scope and sequence?
What Math curriculum do you use?
SAEL has adopted CPM or College Prep Math Curriculum in school year 17-18. After thoughtful investigation by our Math Department that considered general student, parent, and teacher feedback, with support from our Guidance and Admin team, we made the choice to use this project-based, group work-based, Common Core aligned set of texts that comes from a great non-profit organization. We've spent time in our classes explaining how this shift provides more structure, but fulfills the same mission of having meaningful math curriculum that takes the learning deeper while also developing essential skills.

Parent Guides for CPM (College Prep Math) curriculum can be found on the CPM website. This can help you learn more about the program and possibly provide more practice for your student (even if you're not sure about how to do the math yourself yet!):
Integrated Math I: Most 9th Graders: http://cpm.org/int1-parent-guide
Integrated Math II: Most 10th Graders: http://cpm.org/int2-parent-guide
Integrated Math III: Most 11th Graders: http://cpm.org/int3-parent-guide
The Parent Guides for Pre-Calculus and Calculus are being developed, but you can find information about the coursework by clicking on the books on this page: http://cpm.org/textbooks/
How do you integrate technology into teaching and learning at SAEL?

We believe, along with the creators of the Common Core State Standards, that students must learn how to strategically use technology in order to be tech literate and capable of wielding tech tools effectively. Each student will receive a Chromebook for use at school and at home. We will have a Technology Education class where students can plan, make, and create using the latest technology. Teachers will use engaging instructional strategies that push all students to think critically and computers, projected interactive media, Elmos, and online resources will act as tools to support some of these strategies. Students will use innovative technology to support learning, present, organize resources, and as academic reference tools. Although students will have access to a variety of technology resources, these will be introduced and manipulated with care and only to enhance student learning when appropriate. Our students create e-portfolios and present them twice a year at Student Led Conferences. They also reflect on their goals with their family and Crew Advisor. Check out an example student e-portfolio to see how it looks:

http://aidenssaelportfolio.weebly.com/

Fieldwork vs Field Trips?

In Expeditionary Learning, students are actively engaged in real investigations while in the field. Students are expected to do actual academic and adventure work by being researchers of topics they are studying. Fieldwork is a privilege that can be affected by character performance at SAEL, but all students have access to gear and fieldwork regardless of ability to donate to fieldwork at SAEL. A "field trip" can often be seen as a passive experience for the students who are asked to receive, instead of construct, knowledge. At SAEL, students will be expected to go on fieldwork regularly as a part of their semester-long Expeditions. This fieldwork will be connected to what students are studying and will be an essential part of their academic achievement. Students are continually asked to be CREW, not passengers, and fieldwork is one example of how that idea comes to life at SAEL.

What are Intensives?

Intensives are courses lasting two weeks at the end of each semester at SAEL. Students who are passing all courses (and therefore have demonstrated mastery in all courses) can select from a menu of enrichment intensive opportunities. If a student is failing one or more class, he or she will be enrolled in an academic support intensive where the same learning targets or goals will be approached using a different array of instructional strategies.

Below are some of the Intensives we have offered at SAEL so far:

  • Local Watersheds
  • Climbing
  • The Science of Art
  • Backpacking the American River
  • Latin Dance
  • Coding and Gaming
  • BioCultural Leadership in Panama with EarthTrain
  • The California College Road Trip
  • Music: The Soul of SAEL Band
  • Cars and Mechanical Systems
  • Culinary Magic
  • Drama Performance
  • Planning Your Own Adventures
  • Gardening
  • Textiles and Fashion Creation
  • Backpacking the Yuba River
  • The Tahoe Rim Trail 100 Mile Challenge
Who are SAEL's community partners?
SAEL is proud of the community partnerships we have cultivated. Our students have engaged in meaningful work with the Bear Yuba Land Trust (BYLT), South Yuba River Citizen's League (SYRCL), Sierra Streams Institute (SSI), Prescott College, Gold Crush Climbing Gym, and Common Vision. In addition, students have work closely with local experts from Sierra Harvest, Cal Fire, Youth Bicyclists of Nevada County (YBONC), the local Native Plant Society, The Union newspaper, Nevada Irrigation District (NID), UC Davis Bee Lab, Sierra College, and Sierra Watch. SAEL students have engaged in service learning with fellow EL Education schools Vallejo Charter School and Grass Valley Charter School. We are lucky to share a site with the team at Silver Springs High School and work closely with them as neighbors and partners in education as part of our partnership with the Nevada Joint Union High School District (NJUHSD).
What is the Charter Petition and what does it mean for SAEL?

You can read our Charter to learn more about the vision and mission of the school. Our latest Charter was approved unanimously by the NJUHSD Board in the 15-16 school year and is up for renewal in the 2020-2021 school year. The original petition was written by SAEL community members in order to gain funding and support for the creation of our school. As the teachers, staff, students, and community engage in the dynamic, difficult, and joyous work of creating a school, some of the elements of this petition can change. The soul of the petition and the spirit of the vision and mission of the school will remain.

What is your relationship to the Nevada Joint Union High School District (NJUHSD)?

The NJUHSD is the authorizing district for our charter school. NJUHSD holds SAEL accountable to fulfilling the promises made in SAEL's charter. The NJUHSD also oversees our Special Education program as we are a school of the district for Special Education. There is also a representative from NJUHSD on our Board of Directors. We work closely with NJUHSD to be considered another solid choice for students in the community.

What type of information will we receive at a Community Information Session?
Community Information Sessions provide you with more background about SAEL in order to understand our mission and the vision for our students. Interested students, families, and community members are invited. Please attend to gain a greater understanding how and what students will be learning and to meet our incredible teaching and administrative staff.
Who started SAEL?

When local parents, community members, and educators decided they wanted to create a new Expeditionary Learning high school option in the area, they came together to form the SAEL Board of Directors. These trailblazers wanted to offer another choice for high schoolers, especially one that believes in supporting 100% college acceptance for all students. All of the founding and current board members have a connection to Grass Valley Charter School, a successful, K-8 EL mentor school. Similarly to how GVCS works within the public school system to be seen as another solid option for students within the district, SAEL works closely with the Nevada Joint Union High School District. You can read about the founding board members and their backgrounds on our Board Archive page here. You can also see bios and pictures of current board members here.

SAEL in the news?!

SAEL on KNCO_040418.mp3

SAEL on KNCO_051315.mp3

CCSA: New Public Charter School Shows Power of Hands On Learning!

The Union: Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning Open for Enrollment

If you have connections to local media outlets, please let us know!

How can I help spread the word?

If you would like to help us share information and spread word to families and young people about SAEL, please call us with ideas at 530-268-2200 or reach out to Principal Erica Crane at Ecrane@sierraacademy.net. We always welcome SAEL ambassadors and appreciate the creation of partnerships in our community. Liking our Facebook page, sharing our posts, and encouraging other folks to spread the word through social media is also very helpful. 

¿Qué pasa si mi familia habla español? / What if my family speaks Spanish?
Información sobre el SAEL.pdf Información sobre el SAEL.pdf
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RESOURCES

SAEL Guidance Website


SAEL Fieldwork Website


SAEL PTC (Parent Teacher Crew) Fbook Page


DOCUMENTS
SAEL All Family Meeting_012318.pdf SAEL All Family Meeting_012318.pdf
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WASC-Report-17-18 (4) (1).pdf WASC-Report-17-18 (4) (1).pdf
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SAEL All Family Meeting Power Point_091217.pdf SAEL All Family Meeting Power Point_091217.pdf
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1 FINAL SAEL ACS WASC CDE 2017 Self-Study_template based.pdf 1 FINAL SAEL ACS WASC CDE 2017 Self-Study_template based.pdf
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Student and Family Handbook 080117.compressed.pdf Student and Family Handbook 080117.compressed.pdf
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Staff and Volunteer Handbook_080117.pdf Staff and Volunteer Handbook_080117.pdf
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SAEL Supply List & Dress Code.pdf SAEL Supply List & Dress Code.pdf
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SAEL's Anti Bullying Policy.pdf SAEL's Anti Bullying Policy.pdf
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New Student Enrollment Packet 2017-18.compressed.pdf New Student Enrollment Packet 2017-18.compressed.pdf
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SAEL LCAP 2017.pdf SAEL LCAP 2017.pdf
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1 SAEL Final Charter 2016-2021 with Appendices_090215.pdf 1 SAEL Final Charter 2016-2021 with Appendices_090215.pdf
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SAEL WASC Report 2015.pdf SAEL WASC Report 2015.pdf
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SAEL in ACTION