Yosemite Valley Charter School blends traditional schooling with innovative at home options

Yosemite Valley Charter School is a standout charter school that has demonstrated its children-first approach in both policy and program. Yosemite Valley Charter School offers students a comprehensive educational program with credentialed teachers, a complete support staff, a wide variety of curriculum choices, access to technology equipment, and a strong school community. The school is a tuition-free, public charter school.

Each year, the school chooses a theme that serves as an anchor for its school culture and learning activities. In the 2021 and 2022 school year, the school theme was the “Journey of Learning Together.” Yosemite Valley Charter School used an adventure theme to develop student educational plans, reach teachers through professional development, and improve school activities. The team at YVCS is dedicated to making school a safe place to learn, grow, and build connections. Yosemite Valley Charter School has decided to adventure on with the Journey of Learning Together theme for the 2022-23 school year. There are already plans for many new learning adventures as they begin to connect with students and families in person again.

Yosemite Valley Charter initially opened for the 2016-17 school year and has had steady enrollment growth since. The school serves transitional kindergarten through 12th-grade students, and caters to families that wish to school at home with the support of California credentialed teachers. The mission of Yosemite Valley is to improve the academic achievement of children in Fresno and adjacent counties. This is accomplished through a comprehensive, personalized learning program for all core subject areas. High school students are offered all A-G courses, dual enrollment, concurrent enrollment, and career and technical education pathways. Additionally, all students have access to a wide array of academic and enrichment programs to meet their individual and unique learning needs. The school is currently growing and open for new student enrollment. Click to learn more about the school or connect with staff through email at [email protected].

Schools like Yosemite Valley Charter School are easily and frequently misunderstood. Common misconceptions are that public charter schools are not “real” schools and that the education provided is watered down or somehow less than what students at a traditional brick and mortar school receive.

With the space to create and develop programs to truly meet the needs of Yosemite Valley Charter School’s entire student population, in whole or in smaller sub-groups, the instructional leadership team has forged ahead within the educational field to develop cutting edge virtual academies, social-emotional learning courses, outstanding direct instruction (student intervention), special education inclusion/push-in models, and an alumni network. This is just the beginning of what is, in actuality, a very long list of distinguished and effective school programs.

Yosemite Valley Charter School also incorporates learning and enrichment opportunities within the local communities throughout the Central Valley. Each field trip, park day, and community partnership is thoughtfully planned to enhance students’ learning adventures. Yosemite Valley Charter School families also have access to school resources in the school’s very own lending library. The lending library contains resources such as science equipment, works of literature for all reading levels, musical instruments, math manipulatives, and more. The entire library’s content is viewable through an online library ordering system allowing families to reserve items and visit the library at their convenience.

Each new student at Yosemite Valley Charter School is welcomed with a special school passport, new family orientation, and a personalized welcome call to start their Journey of Learning with excitement and valuable information. Director of Community Engagement and a teacher at the school, Michelene Fitzgerald, advocates for the well-being of every student making sure the educational plan fits with their individual needs. “Our approach to each student can be found in our mission and in each sincere interaction with a student,” said Fitzgerald.

“The school is committed to partnering with the community and stakeholders to ensure that the whole child is educated in a loving, supported, and individualized manner,” Fitzgerald said.

The mission-driven staff share a culture of academic achievement combined with a focus on meeting the needs of each child where they are. It is truly a recipe for success.

Yosemite Valley Charter School is a shining charter school in Central California with student success stories to show that schooling at home does work well.

Student “Jeremiah” is a 2022 graduate of the school and is prepared to join the workforce right after graduation while students “Joshua,” “Shirley,” “Destiny,” and “Ashton” are all headed to two and four-year colleges.

These students demonstrate that Yosemite Valley Charter School is a place to learn, grow, and build community and connections. Enroll today to join in the journey of learning together.


This article was presented and sponsored by Yosemite Valley Charter School. Click for more information.


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