How Sequoia Grove Charter Alliance is Redefining What School Can Be
What if learning didn’t begin and end with the school bell, but instead took shape all day long at kitchen tables, in art studios, on hiking trails, and across virtual classrooms—places where curiosity has room to grow and students of all ages take ownership of their education?
At Sequoia Grove Charter Alliance, a network of three public charter schools across Northern California—Clarksville, Feather River, and Lake View—this vision comes to life each day. Grounded in a shared belief that learning should be flexible and deeply personal, students here are active participants in shaping their own academic journeys.
Homeschool teachers (HSTs) are the heart behind this innovative model. As credentialed teachers, they provide expert guidance to parents or learning coaches who are responsible for facilitating daily instruction. It’s a collaborative method that ensures students are making academic progress while adapting to their unique learning styles.
Relationships reinforce the model as students are assigned to a teacher as a family unit. Teachers often remain with families for years. This approach creates continuity, stability, and a sense of ownership that many families feel is missing from more traditional settings.
“We collaborate to uncover each student’s gifts, shaping both what and how they learn,” says Jenell Sherman, Executive Director. “Success here is measured not just by test scores, but also by talents, dreams, and lifelong achievements beyond school.”
How Choice and Flexibility Fuel Student Success
Choice in education, valuing parents, and building relationships are core values that drive decision making. Students work towards their educational goals using traditional curriculum, virtual classes, dual enrollment, or hands-on community programs. Programs like the California Cadet Corps, CTE Photography and Agriculture, and Sequoia Studio - which expands art instruction through California’s Prop 28 - ensure students aren’t confined to one narrow track.
The impact of providing flexible learning opportunities speaks for itself. More than ever, students are taking advantage of programs like dual enrollment, which has seen a 9% to 16% increase in participation since the program began. With nearly one in six students earning college credit while still in high school, students are experiencing real benefits.
Students like Levi Soper, who plans to become a registered nurse, shared, “Once I graduate, I’ll only need one year of higher education before I start applying to nursing programs.”
Allowing students the freedom to choose what works best for them means that success takes many forms. One student who was behind in credits regained confidence and discovered a potential career in running a food truck, while another balanced the intense demands of national tennis training with a rigorous academic schedule and earned a scholarship to Stanford.
The Power of Partnership in Education
Leading three flex-based charter schools across fourteen California counties requires creativity, flexibility, and innovation. Jenell and her team make building strong relationships with families, community members, and policymakers a primary focus. This partnership shows that students thrive when accountability is balanced with personalized learning.
Through annual surveys, advisory committees, and regular check-ins, parents and students have a direct voice—sharing ideas that improve schoolwide programs and initiatives. It’s this spirit of collaboration that draws families to Sequoia Grove schools—especially in the wake of the pandemic, when many schools pulled back on parent involvement.
“Families choose us because they want to be involved,” Jenell reflected, “and our job is to make that partnership strong and supported.”
The Courage to Lead and Learn Differently
Under Jenell’s leadership, Sequoia Grove has grown into a thriving network of schools that honor independence while nurturing connection. That balance isn’t easy—especially in California’s complex legislative landscape, where efforts to limit educational options continue to push students toward a one-size-fits-all model.
Every high school graduate—from Clarksville, Feather River, and Lake View Charter schools—is a reminder that education works best when families and teachers share the same goal: meeting each student where they are and encouraging them to grow.
The work being done by the schools within Sequoia Grove Charter Alliance reminds us that learning isn’t confined to a building or a schedule. It lives in the courage that allows students to learn differently, the strength that connects communities, and the confidence to believe that every child deserves a personalized education. Together, these schools are redefining what public education can be.
What if learning didn’t begin and end with the school bell, but instead took shape all day long at kitchen tables, in art studios, on hiking trails, and across virtual classrooms—places where curiosity has room to grow and students of all ages take ownership of their education?
At Sequoia Grove Charter Alliance, a network of three public charter schools across Northern California—Clarksville, Feather River, and Lake View—this vision comes to life each day. Grounded in a shared belief that learning should be flexible and deeply personal, students here are active participants in shaping their own academic journeys.
Homeschool teachers (HSTs) are the heart behind this innovative model. As credentialed teachers, they provide expert guidance to parents or learning coaches who are responsible for facilitating daily instruction. It’s a collaborative method that ensures students are making academic progress while adapting to their unique learning styles.Relationships reinforce the model as students are assigned to a teacher as a family unit. Teachers often remain with families for years. This approach creates continuity, stability, and a sense of ownership that many families feel is missing from more traditional settings.
“We collaborate to uncover each student’s gifts, shaping both what and how they learn,” says Jenell Sherman, Executive Director. “Success here is measured not just by test scores, but also by talents, dreams, and lifelong achievements beyond school.”
How Choice and Flexibility Fuel Student Success
Choice in education, valuing parents, and building relationships are core values that drive decision making. Students work towards their educational goals using traditional curriculum, virtual classes, dual enrollment, or hands-on community programs. Programs like the California Cadet Corps, CTE Photography and Agriculture, and Sequoia Studio - which expands art instruction through California’s Prop 28 - ensure students aren’t confined to one narrow track.The impact of providing flexible learning opportunities speaks for itself. More than ever, students are taking advantage of programs like dual enrollment, which has seen a 9% to 16% increase in participation since the program began. With nearly one in six students earning college credit while still in high school, students are experiencing real benefits.
Students like Levi Soper, who plans to become a registered nurse, shared, “Once I graduate, I’ll only need one year of higher education before I start applying to nursing programs.”
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We collaborate to uncover each student’s gifts, shaping both what and how they learn. Success here is measured not just by test scores, but also by talents, dreams, and lifelong achievements beyond school.
Allowing students the freedom to choose what works best for them means that success takes many forms. One student who was behind in credits regained confidence and discovered a potential career in running a food truck, while another balanced the intense demands of national tennis training with a rigorous academic schedule and earned a scholarship to Stanford.
The Power of Partnership in Education
Leading three flex-based charter schools across fourteen California counties requires creativity, flexibility, and innovation. Jenell and her team make building strong relationships with families, community members, and policymakers a primary focus. This partnership shows that students thrive when accountability is balanced with personalized learning.
Through annual surveys, advisory committees, and regular check-ins, parents and students have a direct voice—sharing ideas that improve schoolwide programs and initiatives. It’s this spirit of collaboration that draws families to Sequoia Grove schools—especially in the wake of the pandemic, when many schools pulled back on parent involvement.
“Families choose us because they want to be involved,” Jenell reflected, “and our job is to make that partnership strong and supported.”The Courage to Lead and Learn Differently
Under Jenell’s leadership, Sequoia Grove has grown into a thriving network of schools that honor independence while nurturing connection. That balance isn’t easy—especially in California’s complex legislative landscape, where efforts to limit educational options continue to push students toward a one-size-fits-all model.
Every high school graduate—from Clarksville, Feather River, and Lake View Charter schools—is a reminder that education works best when families and teachers share the same goal: meeting each student where they are and encouraging them to grow.
The work being done by the schools within Sequoia Grove Charter Alliance reminds us that learning isn’t confined to a building or a schedule. It lives in the courage that allows students to learn differently, the strength that connects communities, and the confidence to believe that every child deserves a personalized education. Together, these schools are redefining what public education can be.
