Our Mission:
“Educate the whole child in a collaborative learning community where individuals are inspired to be self-motivated and to feel a sense of connection and responsibility to the world.”
Anser is a public charter school located in Garden City, Idaho, chartered by the Boise School District. Anser Charter School offers an inspiring and rigorous educational environment for elementary and junior high children. Through our unique curriculum, learning approaches and commitment to the community, Anser students are:
- Engaged learners
- Motivated and eager to learn
- Able to flourish academically and personally
Anser’s unique approach to learning has three primary focuses:
Expeditions – Anser motivates and engages students by providing a real-world learning experience, both inside and outside the classroom. Our Expeditionary Learning approach is a framework for engaged teaching and learning, which challenges students to think creatively and take an active role in the classroom and beyond.
Community – Anser consistently encourages building connections with each other and our community. We support students by fostering a collaborative and cooperative learning environment; one which connects teachers, family and the community together for the benefit of all.
Service – Anser teaches students to serve others at school, at home and in the community. Students discover empathy and compassion for others and a deeper sense of who they are by giving back, mentoring fellow students and assisting others.
Anser’s teachers and staff, supported by parents and community, are committed to the following:
- Fostering a learning approach that imagines a better world while actively working toward it
- Promoting autonomy, creativity and the ability to collaborate within each student
- Embracing the diversity that surrounds us
- Growing through discovery, reflection and balance
- Use of developmentally appropriate practices and real-world experiences to educate
- Developing tomorrow's community leaders through academic achievement, strong character and the cultivation of leadership skills.
Anser's success is built on the following key areas:
- Freedom to identify and implement innovative educational programs
- Ability to hand pick extraordinarily qualified and motivated teachers and staff
- Willingness to accept wide ranging contributions by involved and committed parents
- Effective use of all these resources by the administrative leadership
Active Pedagogy:
- Active pedagogy is supported through work with other teaching partners and a school culture that practices shared and distributive leadership, reflection, deep dialogue, meaningful social interactions and aligned professional development.
Equity and high expectations for every student is fostered through:
- Inquiry and project-based learning approach
- Providing a safe, respectful and orderly community
- Exposure to outdoor adventures
- Service Learning and civic responsibility
- Engagement of families in the life of the school
http://www.ansercharterschool.org
Anser's Relationship with the Idaho Leads Project
Idaho Leads builds leadership capacity in Idaho’s K-12 public schools by working with a community of professional learners including trustees, superintendents, principals, teachers, parents and community members. By drawing on the shared expertise of its participants and providing cutting edge professional development on current topics, Idaho Leads is helping to shape an environment in which all Idaho students succeed.
Three years ago, Anser joined Idaho Leads. In the middle of our first year of Idaho Leads, Anser was asked to be a Studio District, one of seven other districts in the state of Idaho. The relationship with Idaho Leads has continued and this past September 29-30th Anser participated in a panel discussion on Deeper Learning Progressions and Collaborative Inquiry. The panel was comprised of only Anser educators and students. Anser was able to demonstrate the use of EL practices that connect to a collaborative inquiry cycle. Michael Fullan, author and worldwide authority on education reform was present as well as Joanne Quinn, Global Director of Capacity Building for New Pedagogies for Deep Learning. Joanne is currently using the Math Workshop 2.0 and the "Grappling" video of Anser teacher Giselle Isbell; as well as the video "Kindergartners as Experts, Celebrations of Learning" of Anne Moore's kindergarten crew as part of her international work for deeper learning.
Three years ago, Anser joined Idaho Leads. In the middle of our first year of Idaho Leads, Anser was asked to be a Studio District, one of seven other districts in the state of Idaho. The relationship with Idaho Leads has continued and this past September 29-30th Anser participated in a panel discussion on Deeper Learning Progressions and Collaborative Inquiry. The panel was comprised of only Anser educators and students. Anser was able to demonstrate the use of EL practices that connect to a collaborative inquiry cycle. Michael Fullan, author and worldwide authority on education reform was present as well as Joanne Quinn, Global Director of Capacity Building for New Pedagogies for Deep Learning. Joanne is currently using the Math Workshop 2.0 and the "Grappling" video of Anser teacher Giselle Isbell; as well as the video "Kindergartners as Experts, Celebrations of Learning" of Anne Moore's kindergarten crew as part of her international work for deeper learning.
Additional Documentation Supporting the Overview of Anser Charter School
Anser Charter School Annual Report 2013 | |
File Size: | 280 kb |
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Programmatic Audit 2012-2013 | |
File Size: | 587 kb |
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Student Profile 2013 | |
File Size: | 148 kb |
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