***We will continue to update this with tour/meeting information***
The North Lake Tahoe/Truckee area offers so many great school options for our kiddos. So many in fact that it can get a little overwhelming at the thought of having to choose what we hope is the perfect match. Ally and I both have children who are at an age where we are going to have to make this decision soon, so we decided to put together this round up for all of you. Hopefully you find it helpful, and if you notice anything missing or have feedback please shoot us a message!
At a high level, here are the options:
- Sierra Expeditionary Learning School (SELS)
- Glenshire Elementary
- Truckee Elementary
- Kings Beach Elementary
- Donner Trail Elementary
- Tahoe Expedition Academy (TEA)
- Creekside at Squaw Charter School
- Tahoe Truckee Waldorf School (Golden Valley)
- Tahoe Lake (Tahoe City)
- Twin Ridges (homestudy)
- Forest Charter (homeschool/onsite combo)
- Incline Village Elementary
- North Tahoe School (5th-8th)
- Lake Tahoe School
Below, you will find a brief description of each school and what makes it stand out, the link to the school website, and the date/time of any scheduled parent night.
Sierra Expeditionary Learning School (SELS): Sierra Expeditionary Learning School (SELS) is a K-8 tuition-free public charter within the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District. SELS inspires a diverse group of learners to achieve academic excellence and develop a strong sense of character and community. Curriculum is implemented through project-based expeditions and fieldwork that challenge students to think critically while also fostering their natural curiosity and love of learning.
In 2017, SELS was named a Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education! The Blue Ribbon award recognizes schools where students achieve high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap.
Website: https://truckeecharterschool.org
Tour Dates: March 17th 5:30-7:00pm, Board Room TTUSD Office
Lottery Date: TBD Mar/Apr
Tuition: Free
Email: info@truckeecharterschool.org
Phone: (530) 582-3701
Glenshire Elementary: Glenshire Elementary School serves Transitional-K through 5th grades. Glenshire offers comprehensive programs in music, technology, P.E., science, art, English language arts, mathematics and counseling. We supplement core studies with many hands on learning explorations and have many enrichment opportunities for our students, including yoga, ceramics, guitar, technology and more.
Website: https://www.ttusd.org/glenshire
Parent Meeting Dates: March 26th, 6-7pm @ Glenshire EL
Enrollment: https://aeriesportal.placercoe.k12.ca.us/AIR/ttusd/
Tuition: Free
Email: info@ttusd.org
Phone: (530) 582-3720
Truckee Elementary: A diverse neighborhood school serving students in Transitional K – fifth grades. Our staff, community, and students work together to encourage responsibility, integrity and an enthusiasm for learning. Our primary mission is to provide a quality educational program to all students in a safe, caring and supportive environment. We are dedicated to maximizing a learning experience for each and every child across content areas, and we have an exceptional intention to and expertise in providing literacy instruction and learning opportunities for all of our students at all levels
Website: https://www.ttusd.org/truckeeelementary
Parent Meeting Dates: May 12th, 5:30-7:00pm @ Truckee EL
Tuition: Free
Enrollment: https://aeriesportal.placercoe.k12.ca.us/AIR/ttusd/
Email: info@ttusd.org
Phone: (530) 582-2650
Kings Beach Elementary: Welcome to the best school ever! We are a TK-4 Two-Way Spanish Immersion School located in beautiful Kings Beach on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe. ¡La Mejor Escuela!
Website: https://www.ttusd.org/kingsbeach
Parent Meeting Dates: March 5th, 5:30-7pm @ Kings Beach EL
Tuition: Free
Enrollment: https://aeriesportal.placercoe.k12.ca.us/AIR/ttusd/
Email: info@ttusd.org
Phone: (530) 582-3730
Donner Trail Elementary: Donner Trail is located near the top of the Donner Summit nestled next to the Yuba River. The area provides a rich natural environment for students to explore and learn.
Donner Trail serves as both a community school to the local community as well as a multi-age magnet school for the Tahoe Truckee School Unified District. As best described by Donner Trail parents, the loving support staff and supportive teachers create a community where students are treated with respect and are taught how to be responsible, respectful to others, and how to be leaders. The Donner Trail way is to learn and assist others. It breaks down the walls of age, bullying, and separation. Students learn who they are and who they want to become.
Donner Trail is a three-room school house that 62-75 students occupy for 180 days of the year. The “Bear Lair” houses grades K-1, “The Hive” houses grades 2-3 students, and the “Yuba Colony” houses grades 4-5. Along with intensive focus on core subject areas, students also participate in many activities such as PE, music, and art. Because of the multi-age classrooms, students learning goals and expectations are differentiated to accommodate their learning styles and developmental levels so that all students are successful learners.
Website: https://www.ttusd.org/donnertrail
Parent Meeting Dates: March 19th, 5:30-7pm @ Donner Trail EL
Tuition: Free
Enrollment: https://aeriesportal.placercoe.k12.ca.us/AIR/ttusd/
Email: info@ttusd.org
Phone: (530) 582-2720
Tahoe Expedition Academy: In 2011 we designed a new educational approach that combines classical content and skills with real-world problem-solving. Powered by Constructive Adversity, we are inspiring a new generation of creative problem solvers with a social conscience. And we are growing TEA’s magic in order to reach thousands of young people far beyond the shores of Lake Tahoe.
Tahoe Expedition Academy includes a fully accredited Pre-K-12th-Grade school, robust summer programs,and engaging after-school clubs that educate hundreds more young people each year. Our graduates are enrolled in some of the nation’s best colleges and universities and, perhaps more importantly, our current students are having a positive impact on the world around them, right here and right now.
Website: https://www.tahoeexpeditionacademy.org
Tour: After you inquire you can set up a tour date.
Tuition: Elementary School (Pre-Kindergarten – 5th): $20,096; Middle School (6th – 8th): $23,360; High School (9th-12th): $27,955
Inquiry Form: https://www.tahoeexpeditionacademy.org/admissions
Phone: 530-546-5253
Creekside at Squaw Elementary: Our dynamic, collaborative learning model emphasizes experiential instruction, social and environmental consciousness, and an awareness of each student’s unique potential. Students are empowered to become positive contributors to society through partnerships with education specialists, parents, peers and the community.
Creekside academics inspire the greatness in each student and look to challenge, support and celebrate individual academic and outside passions. At Creekside, relationship building and the team effort between staff, students and families is unique, leading to empowerment in our kids’ education.
Website: http://creeksidesquaw.org
Tuition: Free
Open House Dates: Wednesday Feb 5, 5:30-7:30pm, Saturday February 29, 12:30-2:00
Information on Admissions/How to Apply: http://creeksidesquaw.org/about-creekside/admissions/
Phone: 530-581-1036
Tahoe Truckee Waldorf School (Golden Valley): The Golden Valley Tahoe School’s grass roots beginnings mirror the hard work and determination of the pioneers of the first Golden Valley Charter School eighteen years ago. It was just a few years ago when Bonnie River, founder and principal, and a small group of preschool parents had a vision to create a public Waldorf school to provide families from all socioeconomic backgrounds access to an education previously available only at expensive private schools. They named this education group the Tahoe Truckee Waldorf Learning Group and had a dream for it to one day become a tuition-free public Waldorf school in the Truckee area. In January of 2018, Golden Valley Charter Schools was invited to write and manage the Tahoe Truckee Waldorf Group charter with the plan to open a Transitional Kindergarten through Second Grade Tuition-Free Public Waldorf School in September of 2018. The school will grow to be a TK-8th grade. The new name of the school is Golden Valley Tahoe School.
The school is excited to announce that they have acquired a beautiful, permanent new campus on 40 acres in Truckee! The new site will allow for a dramatic increase in enrollment so as to provide tuition-free Waldorf education to even more students in the Truckee/Tahoe area! This space is inspiring us deeply as we wander between rooms, imagining what it will be like once it’s brimming with art, music, song, laughter, warmth and love.
Website: https://tahoetruckeewaldorf.org
Parent Meeting/Tour Dates: http://www.tahoeschool.goldenvalleycharter.org/index.php/enrollment
Kindergarten Round Up on Sunday, February 9th from 2:30pm-4:30pm (kids allowed)
Tuition: Free
Enrollment Information: Open Enrollment is January 6th- February 28th, 2020. Applications submitted after February 28th will not be included in the Open Enrollment Lottery and will not receive any priority. The Open Enrollment Lottery is on March 11th, 2020.
Email: enrollment@goldenvalleycharter.org
Phone: 530-717-3019
Tahoe Lake Elementary (Tahoe City): Welcome to ‘Camp Tahoe Lake at Rideout’! While our home school in Tahoe City is under construction, we have moved all school programs to Rideout at 740 Timberland Drive! Yay for ‘Camp Tahoe Lake at Rideout!’ This is a big move, but we are making it great for our Tahoe Lake Cubs and taking advantage of all that Rideout has to offer in support of our science focus, including trails, access to the lake, and collaboration for all classes! If you have any questions about our move or our time at Rideout, please don’t hesitate to get in touch! Kindergarten and TK and new student registration is online.
We are a hands-on science school serving Transitional Kindergarten through 4th grade. We foster a love of learning and the confidence to achieve through a challenging and differentiated education for every child. We supplement core studies with explorations and enrichment including technology, Spanish, Music, Art, and PE.
Website: https://www.ttusd.org/tahoelake
Parent Meeting Dates: February 27th, 5:30-7pm @ Tahoe Lake EL
Tuition: Free
Enrollment: https://aeriesportal.placercoe.k12.ca.us/AIR/ttusd/
Email: info@ttusd.org
Phone: (530) 582-2700
Twin Ridges (Homestudy): The Twin Ridges Home Study program facilitates responsibility, flexibility and self-discipline so that students can reach their fullest potential in academics, personal awareness, athletics and the arts. The school, in partnership with the parents, creates a climate in which students can become scholars, critical thinkers, effective problem solvers and lifelong learners. This program promotes a supportive school environment where students will exercise cooperation and respect for the environment and the diversity of others. TRHS provides students with accessible resources, experienced teachers, family community and a responsive administrative team.
Website: https://www.twinridgeshomestudy.org
Kindergarten Round-Up: March 10th from 11am-1pm at the Community Arts Center
Phone: (530) 478-1815
Forest Charter: Forest Charter School is committed to nurturing the love of learning in all students. By cultivating a staff of dedicated personnel, Forest Charter School pledges an ongoing and expansive environment of educational excellence. The cornerstone of our Personalized Learning Program is positive collaboration on the part of students, parents, and professional educators. The ultimate mission of Forest Charter School is to honor each student’s individual learning style in the selection and implementation of effective curriculum to prepare him/her for success in the 21st century.
FCS is a K–12 accredited school that offers the following choices of educational delivery overseen by highly qualified California-credentialed supervising teachers (ST):
- Individualized programs
- Home schooling support
- Cooperative classes
- Small group instruction through block classes
- Tutoring
- Online courses
- The High School Global Studies Academy
- ROP and Work Experience Education
- Community college opportunities
- College and career advisors
- Field studies and field trips
Website: https://www.forestcharter.com
Enrollment: https://www.forestcharter.com/domain/113
Family Information Night: Tuesday, February 11, 2020 from 5:30pm-6:30pm
Location: 10725 Pioneer Trail, Truckee, CA 96161
Phone: 530-550-7205
Incline Village Elementary: 21st Century Vision: Incline Elementary School supports technology implementation and 21st Century Skills in a student centered classroom that gives students the opportunity to collaborate, think creatively, and research real world issues. Efforts to advance student‐centered learning through 21st Century instruction and technology use elevate students’ readiness for college and careers through learning environments that develop 21st Century Competencies. At IES we will foster student and professional development that promotes the use of digital tools that can be used to improve collaboration, creativity, and differentiation while addressing content standards.
Mission: Incline Elementary School empowers all students to strive for academic, social and physical excellence while fostering a love for learning and respect for self and others. We believe education is the shared responsibility of staff, students, parents and community.
Student Pledge of Learning: I am an active learner. I value other points of view. I succeed by being my best self. Failure is an opportunity, not a certainty. Effort is the key to my success.
Website: https://www.washoeschools.net/inclinees
Tour Dates:
Tuition: Free
Email: inclinees@washoeschools.net
Phone: (775)832-4250
North Tahoe School: Welcome to North Tahoe School! We are a 5-8 school located in Tahoe City, California overlooking the great Lake Tahoe. North Tahoe School prides itself on the core values of being safe, respectful, responsible and kind. We believe that the culture we have developed allows all students the opportunity to learn at high levels in order to be prepared to graduate from high school and be college and/or career ready. North Tahoe School also supports our two major feeder elementary schools focus areas of Two Way Immersion and Science while building our community together.
Website: https://www.ttusd.org/northtahoeschool
Tour Dates:
Tuition: Free
Email:info@ttusd.org
Phone: (530) 581-7050
Lake Tahoe School: Incline Academy became Lake Tahoe School (LTS) in 2002. Today, a highly dedicated team of teachers, administrators, and staff totaling 29 professionals (44% holding advanced degrees) with an average of 10 years teaching experience, sits at the core of LTS’s success. The student: teacher ratio is 6 to 1 with an average class size of 14. A Pre-K through 8th grade. Its recent approval of a campus renovation and expansion plan that includes a new Athletic and Performing Arts Center as its cornerstone will greatly benefit the School and entire Incline Village community is an example of its vision for the future.
Website: https://www.laketahoeschool.org/
Tour Dates: After you inquire you can set up a tour date.
Tuition: 5th Grade through 8th Grade: $25,725 Kindergarten through 4th Grade: $24,435 Pre-K: 4 yr old – 5 days $12,780 3 yr old – 5 days $9,250
E-Mail: info@laketahoeschool.org
Phone: (775) 831-5828
Please reach out to kidztahoe@gmail.com if you have any information or updates on the Kinder Round-Ups.
