During the recent San Bernardino County Board Meeting on May 12, 2025, significant discussions centered around the upcoming launch of a new charter school, set to open its doors in August. The school aims to implement a personalized learning approach, empowering students to take charge of their educational journeys through a mastery-based system. This method encourages students to set individual goals, reflect on their progress, and develop plans with teacher support to achieve mastery of grade-level standards.

The charter school has reported an enrollment of 321 students, with 224 transitioning from Empire Springs and the remainder being new enrollees. The school anticipates a strong retention rate, expecting 85% of students to return, alongside 15% of new and pending students. Plans for building modifications are underway, with approvals expected to be finalized by summer.

The meeting also highlighted the school’s diverse demographics, which reflect the community's composition, including a notable percentage of students with special education needs. The school utilizes the I Ready assessment tool, which adapts to students' levels, allowing for tailored educational support. This diagnostic tool is administered three times a year, helping educators identify areas of mastery and those needing improvement.

The charter school is particularly focused on enhancing its special education program, reporting significant progress among students towards their Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals. However, officials acknowledged ongoing challenges in math proficiency and are introducing a new, more rigorous curriculum called Envision to address this issue.

As the charter school prepares for its opening, the board anticipates further discussions in the fall regarding material revisions, including the establishment of additional centers in Fontana and San Bernardino City. The meeting underscored the commitment to providing quality education tailored to the needs of all students, setting a positive tone for the upcoming academic year.