English
Spanish
by Shay Angelo
NAMPA, Idaho, October 2018: Gem Prep: Nampa held an open-house ceremony this month to celebrate the opening of their new school building located at 310 W. Iowa Avenue, Nampa, Idaho. The school community along with local business and education leaders attended the celebration. Students played an integral part in the ribbon cutting ceremony and festivities. A highlight of the evening was students being able to add their own fingerprints to the “Gem Community Tree” picture which will hang in the front office of the school’s “forever home”.
“I feel very safe here at the new school. I feel super challenged here because I can move classrooms and into different grades to work, and I really like how much space we have,“ said Ruthanne Fischer, Grade 5, when asked what she thought about the new building.
Gem’s new facility was designed to accommodate the charter school’s expanding K-12 enrollment, with the addition of grades 7th and 8th in August 2019. The school opened in 2016 and originally shared a facility with another local charter school.
“We’re really excited about the unique learning opportunities that this new facility will give us—like our new FabLab / Libraryand the opportunity to offer after-school activities and sports. We’re looking forward to growing in our forever home and setting roots in the Nampa community,” commented Gem Principal Stacey Walker.
The school’s unique blended learning model focuses on preparing students for success in college by personalizing the learning experience for every student. The school is tuition-free and serves students in grades kindergarten through sixth this year, and is growing to eventually include grades K-12. There are two additional Gem Prep schools in Idaho: one in Pocatello and one in Meridian. The Gem Prep schools all have the same academic model and will grow to ultimately serve students in grades kindergarten through 12th.
–
BACKGROUND ON THE SCHOOL
Gem Prep: Nampa is a free public charter school, focusing on customizing education– combining the best of adaptive online programs with highly effective classroom teachers. The school opened in 2016 with grades K-4, and serves K-6th grade for 2018-19 SY. Grades 7th and 8th will be added next school year 2019-2020.
There are some seats open for this school, with the 2019 lottery opening in January. Students can register for enrollment @ http://www.gemprep.org/nampa.
For more information, visit www.gemprep.org/Nampa.
STORY PHOTOS
Photo 1: Principal Stacey Walker and students prepare to cut the open house ribbon.
Photo 2: Parent and student exploring the school calendar of upcoming events, learning about activities and how to join the PTO.
Photo 3: Gem Prep Soaring Owl Mascot unveiled
Photos 4 & 5: Students adding their fingerprints to the “community tree” picture to hang in the front office of the new “forever home”.
–
Don’t Miss a Blog Post – Subscribe to our Newsletter!
