Academics
Loving School Right from the Start: The SNACS Charter Elementary School Experience
SNACS ensures that every elementary school student gets a strong start to a lifetime of learning. We know that when elementary school students have positive, affirming experiences early in their education, they learn to love school and achieve their fullest potential. We see it every day.
Unlike other charter elementary schools, SNACS creates a different kind of classroom, filled with personalized, hands-on, and self-directed learning opportunities that keep elementary school students actively engaged.
Elementary School Curriculum
Beginning the K-12 curriculum in the best possible way means striking a balance between independence and instruction while keeping ahead of the incredible leaps young learners can make. The SNACS innovative PLAY Model (Promoting Learning and Accountability in Youth) does exactly that, exceeding Nevada state standards to set a whole new bar.
Through a mix of engaging classes and student-directed pathway projects, SNACS students practice:
Strong STEM Skills
Students learn to develop the spirit of scientific inquiry, more mathematical minds, and see themselves as stewards of the natural world on highly personalized learning tracks. Teachers introduce and reinforce key concepts through hands-on, student-driven expeditionary learning projects that engage all kinds of learners. They acquire all the foundational skills elementary school students need to succeed—all while having fun!
Reading, Writing, and Critical Thinking
As elementary school students acquire and hone their reading skills, whole new worlds open up to them. Students learn to express themselves, convey ideas, and understand others through words—writing their own books (and publishing them!), creating graphic novels and plays, and much more.
History, Culture, and the Wider World
Elementary school students are so eager to learn more about the world around them and determined to find their place within it. SNACS classes and pathway projects encourage them to draw meaningful connections between history and current events and between other cultures and their own.
Personal and Social Skills
Because SNACS prioritizes self-directed learning for our elementary school students, they take real responsibility for their education from the very beginning. Surrounded by supportive adults, they begin to develop ways of managing their time and their schoolwork. Pathway projects, in particular, let students achieve a sense of accomplishment and independence that is truly thrilling at this age.
The Arts, Performance, and Creative Self-Expression
SNACS centers the arts in our innovative elementary school curriculum, encouraging students to incorporate visual and performing arts into their learning process. We also provide ample opportunities for students to learn musical instruments, explore painting, sculpture, and ceramics, and participate in theatrical performances.
The SNACS approach works wonders for many different kinds of learners.
Elementary School Experience
Beyond the Classroom
To learn more effectively, elementary school students need to move around and make things. That’s why SNACS sends them out of the classroom and into dynamic real-world settings to explore, discover, and inspire. INSERT EXAMPLES OF OUT-OF-CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES. Every opportunity to get outside the classroom opens new doors and windows in children’s minds.
Caring Community
From extensive speech services to one-on-one tutoring to counseling appointments and health seminars, SNACS charter elementary school ensures the mental and physical wellbeing of our students and helps every child thrive. Student learning challenges are seen and supported right from the start so no one gets left behind.
Celebrating Learning and Life
SNACS was founded to bring the small school experience to the community, and celebrations reinforce those close connections. From birthday parties to field days to holiday celebrations, our elementary school students have many opportunities to come together and simply be together.