Modern Learning 2023

Dual Enrollment: Credits, Curiosity, and a Real Head Start on College

pgetz@methodschools.org (Dr. Pete Getz) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:00:02 GMT

High school students at 51�� don’t have to wait until after graduation to discover their passions, satisfy college requirements, and build genuine academic confidence.

One of the most common questions I get from families of incoming 9th graders is some version of: “How do we make sure our student is ready for college?” It’s a fair question, and the honest answer is that readiness isn’t a single event that happens in the summer before freshman year. It’s built over time, through challenge, exploration, and experience. Dual enrollment is one of the most powerful ways we help students build all three, starting as early as ninth grade.

Let me explain what I mean, and why I think this opportunity is one of the most underutilized tools in a high schooler’s academic arsenal.

Personalized Learning: The Most Misunderstood Term in Independent Study

jessica@methodschools.org (Dr. Jessica Spallino) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:00:00 GMT

“Personalized learning” has become one of the most overused terms in education today, particularly in independent study. It appears everywhere: strategic plans, board presentations, marketing materials. But too often, it’s reduced to basic flexibility measures like modified pacing, varied assignments, or digital tools that adapt to student performance.

Level Up: What Video Games Know About Learning That Schools Don't

sdelawder@methodschools.org (Sarah Delawder) — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:45:00 GMT

...and how mastery-based online learning uses that cheat code for your child.

Level 1: The Game

My kids love gaming. Once in a blue moon, I sit down and watch them play. Not very often, because it reminds me of the countless hours I watched my boyfriends play video games in high school. But the other day, I settled in on the couch and watched for a few minutes. I watched my teenage son face Elden Ring’s dreaded Malenia… and fail. (If you don’t have the luxury of currently housing a gamer, you may at least remember Mike Tyson from Punchout — same thing). Before I could tell him to go take out the trash, he was trying to best her again.

What California Charter School Teachers Should Know About School Budgets

sbryant@methodschools.org (Stefanie Bryant) — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:52:47 GMT

If you’re a teacher, you did not sign up to become an expert in school finance. You signed up to teach students. But the reality is that many of the conditions that shape your classroom—from class sizes to programs to staffing—are driven by how schools are funded and managed. And those budget decisions affect classrooms, staffing, programs, and stability every single year. In this blog, we’ll break down how charter school budgets actually work and what that means for you as an educator.

Can Middle or High School Student Athletes Earn NIL Money in California?

acipres@methodschools.org (Austin Cipres) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 20:17:30 GMT

With the rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, many student-athletes—and their families—are asking an important question: Can middle or high school athletes in California earn NIL money?

The answer is yes for some high school students, but with important rules that I'll get into below. For middle school students, NIL opportunities are still very limited and typically informal, with most structured opportunities beginning at the high school level.

In this blog I'll outline what families in Southern California need to know.

Rethinking College and Careers: Raising Kids in the Age of AI

mark@methodschools.org (Mark Holley) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:00:57 GMT

For generations, the path to a stable, successful career has been relatively clear: graduate high school, attend college (or learn a trade), earn a degree, and enter the workforce. Statistically, that path has historically delivered in the form of higher lifetime earnings, greater job stability, and more career opportunities. I was personally raised to believe this, and after a few false starts I took a traditional college-to-career path. I'm glad I did because it worked in my specific situation, but things have changed.

Today, many parents, including myself and other parents I speak with, are asking a different question: What does that look like in a world with artificial intelligence? The path isn’t as straightforward as it once was.

Introducing Scout: A Powerful New Platform for 51�� Families Coming in July, 2026

jfernandez@methodschools.org (Jade Fernandez) — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 20:28:27 GMT

We’re excited to share an important update about the technology that supports learning at 51��. Beginning with the 2026–27 school year, we will be transitioning to Scout, a modern Student Information System (SIS) designed specifically for innovative schools like ours.

The $20,000 Question: Why Are You Paying for Your Athlete’s Schooling?

mark@methodschools.org (Mark Holley) — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 21:01:54 GMT

In the world of elite travel ball, competitive cycling, gymnastics, and figure skating—the phrase "pay to play" is an understatement. Between tournament fees, coaching, and travel, families are often making a massive financial investment in their student's passion.

Beyond the Desk: Why "DMSA" is the New Standard for East County Families

jfernandez@methodschools.org (Jade Fernandez) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 22:48:13 GMT

For parents in East County San Diego, the choice has traditionally been binary: a standard classroom with limited movement, or a fully remote program that lacks physical community. The partnership between Dehesa Sports Academy (TK-5) and Method Summit Academy (6-12) has officially broken that mold. Combined, the program is known as Dehesa Method Sports Academy.

Syncing Schooling to Your Student’s Natural Rhythm

mark@methodschools.org (Mark Holley) — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 16:06:01 GMT

In the world of education, there is a traditional "rhythm" that hasn't changed in over a century: bells ring at 8:00 AM, students sit in classrooms of thirty, and everyone moves at the same pace. But if your child doesn't fit that specific rhythm, they don’t just fall behind. Often, they stall out entirely.

At 51��, we believe that education should be built around the student, not the other way around. To ensure we provide top-shelf service, we’ve identified four distinct "Student Archetypes." By understanding these archetypes, our teachers and Success Managers can tailor our small class model to meet students exactly where they are. Which one sounds like your child?