INNOVATIVE LOCAL SCHOOL WINS WASC ACCREDITATION

The Custom Learning Academy, a non-profit private school located in Truckee, CA, has earned full accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the organization responsible for certifying educational institutions in California.

Offering full-time instruction in grades K through 12, the Custom Learning Academy (CLA) takes a highly personalized approach to education, offering standards-based curriculums tailored to the individual needs of each student, and ensuring subject mastery with a student-teacher ratio of 10 to 1, a figure virtually unheard of in modern education.

Founded in 2005 by life-long educator and Truckee resident Lisa Crosby, M.Ed, CLA blends traditional instruction with state-of-the-art Internet-enabled curriculums. "We've created a place where learning happens without frustration," Crosby says. "We teach students how to learn, and we do it in a supportive environment that promotes success."

The growing enrollment of CLA includes students at all levels of aptitude. The school is especially popular among top-ranked area athletes, whose extensive training schedules place special demands on any educational facility.

Located adjacent to the Trout Creek Recreational Center in Tahoe Donner, and open year-round, CLA currently employes 20 teachers serving 134 full-and part-time students. For more information, call Custom Learning Academy at (530) 587-5470 or visit their website at www.customlearning.org

CUSTOM LEARNING ACADEMY STORY

So who is this education desperado? None other than Truckee local, Lisa Crosby; former high school math teacher & literacy specialist in Washoe County School District in Reno, NV., mother of 3 boys ages 13-17, and now, Director of the non-profit school in Tahoe Donner, Truckee, CA - Custom Learning Academy.

"Having seen the writing on the wall after the local district was identified as a 'Program Improvement' school district I felt I had to do something". Whether clairvoyant, or simply perceptive and pro-active, she layed out a plan, and has been acting on it ever since. Her goal is to make a difference not only in the education of her own children, but to offer an alternative solution to anyone who is interested.

Custom Learning Academy was brought to life because, as both an educator and a mother, Lisa felt she had a duty not only to her own kids, (who were all having separate problems/ issues at school), but to the community at large; to fill a void she felt was only growing. Aptly qualified, with fifteen years of high school teaching and mentoring experience (including the opening of two new schools), 3 years of college teaching experience, and an unusually detailed knowledge of content standards in math, literacy development and science curriculum, Lisa opened a "different kind of school" to provide what she felt was missing from the public school forum. Namely; academic excellence, a culture to motivate achievement, concentrated content, individualized pace options including accelerated learning options from middle school level on up, individual assessments, technology, appealing electives and the special ingredient; teachers with content expertise who love to motivate kids to learn.

Custom Learning Academy opened its doors August of 2005 with that list in mind. Step in to the world of encouraged learning, small class sizes, and technology enhanced education at CLA, and right away, you will see Lisa has been hard at work turning her dream into reality. Already rewarded with a growing enrollment, the Academy has expanded from its original 1 teacher, 18 part time students and one classroom of 450 sq ft, to 20 teachers, 19 full time and 115 part time students, 2 buildings with multiple classrooms and office totaling 5400 sq ft, and classrooms for levels Kindergarten to High School. The school is located adjacent to the Trout Creek Rec. Center and Wills Market in Tahoe Donner, open year round, with ever expanding curriculum and options for every type of student.

CLA offers options for kids who need an extra "push", to excelling students with a desire for harder / different classes, to student athletes who need a custom schedule.

When asked if she is happy about her decision to leave a prosperous career to start the Academy, Ms. Crosby replies that she is "proud to be able to provide an educational option that she feels is much needed for this community and a service that holds itself to a higher level". Ms. Crosby seems to have an insatiable desire to provide students with many options and a responsibility to grow and improve her school in response to their needs.

For more information, call Custom Learning Academy at 530/587-5470 or visit their website at www.customlearning.org.