From Foundations School Executive Director, Charli Turner
Greetings!
I want to share with you the amazing things happening at Foundations School this spring.
Foundations School is in its second year of operation as a non-profit, Bible-based and trade focused K-12 school. We are filling up the building that used to be Moose Valley Farms in Naples, Idaho. Our enrollment is currently at 52 students, and we are actively interviewing with the expectation of having over 100 students by the beginning of the next school year in September.
To support this incredible growth, we are excited to announce our plans to expand with additional classrooms, storage spaces, kitchen facilities and bathrooms. These additions will ensure we continue to provide an enriching and accommodating environment for all of our students. We are also in the process of adding more teaching staff as soon as possible to support the needs of our growing school family.
Foundations School is unique in our ability to meet each individual student where they are and create a learning program tailored just for them. Evey student is at a different place of development and knowledge. We value their different learning styles and work diligently to teach each student in a way that helps them retain and apply knowledge effectively.
Bible-Based
The Bible part of our program is the cornerstone of what we do. We teach directly from the Bible without affiliating with any specific organization, doctrine or theology – just scripture. This often sparks deep and meaningful conversations among our students, which sometimes carry over to dinner tables in their homes. We use The Mystery of History as part of our Bible curriculum. Each day beings with positive thoughts, prayers and worship songs led by our student body. At the end of the day, we take a few moments to reflect and close in prayer, sending our students home on a positive note.
Trade-Focused
We continue to offer skills days that allow students to explore the wide range of job opportunities available in North Idaho. These include trades such as plumbing, electrical work, butcher shops, log home building, agriculture, culinary arts, forest management, blacksmithing, timer, mining, mechanics and more Foundations School partners with over 50 local businesses and individuals to provide this incredible program. We also have plans to take college tours and explore options to help students pursue their passions and build meaningful futures.
Creating the Program
Our dedicated staff works diligently to create transcripts for each student that will enable them to pursue university or trade school. As part of our mission, we aim to exceed Idaho State Standards for Education. Some students are studying advanced placement courses, foreign languages and higher-level math and ELA. We also work with students who may be missing foundations knowledge to help them fill in those gaps and achieve success, giving them the confidence to embrace new challenges.
We are raising expectations in a culture that has been lowering the bar for too long. We challenge our students to become complex thinkers and doers and walk alongside them as they carve out paths that will bring honor to their families, communities and God.
Each morning, we rig our big bell at 8:00 a.m. and gather around the flagpole to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, observe a moment of silence, and say our Foundations School Pledge:
“We pledge to serve God first in everything that we do, be a friend to people, and live a life worthy of our calling.”
As we look forward to finishing this school year strong, we are excited for the many skills day field trips ahead. These experiences will continue to inspire and enrich our students’ learning journeys. Our students are getting a first-hand look at jobs like photography, auto mechanics, farm to table, forest products, firefighting, environmental safety and more.
We give God all the glory for the successes we have experienced this year. His provision and guidance have been evident every step of the way and we are humbled and grateful for the opportunity to grow and serve our community.
If you are interested in a tour, would like more information, or want to help in any way, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our office phone number is (208)267-3139, or you can call or text Charli at (208)610-6507.
Blessings,
Charli Turner