Saved Schools

Mountain Community School

Mountain Community School, nominated by Place Network of Teton Science Schools, is a elementary/middle school in Donnelly, Idaho that describes itself as a public charter school serving learners from a primarily rural area.

Location Donnelly, Idaho

Governance Public charter school

Grades Elementary, Middle

Students 80

Locale Rural

Head of School Jenny Schon

Demographics

Percentage of students*

5%

English Learners

20%

Free/Reduced Lunch

15%

Students with Disabilities

African American or Black 5%

American Indian/Alaska Native 5%

Asian

Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Hispanic or Latino 5%

White 85%

2+ Races

Why Mountain Community School was nominated

MCS dedicates each afternoon to rigorous Community Projects that integrate ELA, science, social studies, and often art and ELA. These projects are built around the intersection of standards and student interest, thus being student-centered at their core. Additionally, each student also has time weekly to work on a Personal Projects where they pursue their own interests and passions. These opportunities are provided to *ALL* students, thus promoting equity across the school.

Student experience design

Mountain Community School is a personalized, project-driven, free, public charter school that creates active, engaged thinkers who participate in their own education. We develop curious and confident children who grow to make the world a better place. Students engage in Community Projects, that focus on addressing an issue or question the student's are interested in from an interdisciplinary approach and culminating in a public sharing of their results. They also participate in Personal Projects, where students select a topic they are interested in to delve deeper on and work through goals to present on their progress twice a year.

Core Practices

Core Practices Length of Use

Competency/mastery-based Education

3-4 years

Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics

3-4 years

Project-based Learning

3-4 years

Place-based Learning

3-4 years

SEL Curriculum

3-4 years

All Practices

Advancement On Mastery

Student Advisories

AI For Learning Materials

AI For Teacher Productivity

Assessments For Agency And Self-directed Learning

Assessments For Deeper Learning

Assessments For Social-emotional Skills

Competency Framework

Extended Learning Opportunities

Flexible Staffing & Alternative Teaching Roles

Grading Policies Focus On Mastery

All Courses Designed For Inclusion

Interdisciplinary

Individual Learner Profiles

Individual Learning Paths

1:1 Mentoring

Multi-age Classrooms

Multiple Opportunities To Demonstrate Mastery

Peer To Peer Support

Performance Based Assessment

High Quality Instructional Materials

Restorative Practices

SEL Integration School-wide

Students Access Their Own Data

Student-led Goal Setting

Self-paced Learning

Students Develop Projects

Universal Design For Learning

key reasons for innovating

Increase student agency

Date Updated: 4/1/2025

*Canopy profile data is self-reported or sourced from NCES data, then verified by school leaders.