New charter school integrates technology with core curriculum
If you want a student with 21st century skills, then teach them with 21st century technology. That is one of the philosophies of Alianza Academy, a new charter school opening next month. Alianza Academy is scheduled to open new learning centers throughout the valley, one of which will serve the South Salt Lake area.
Alianza Academy will use a hybrid teaching model that combines online learning with project-based hands-on learning in a dual program system. Every student enrolled will have access to his or her own laptop to work on throughout the day on subjects such as math, social studies, science and language arts. During these three hours of teaching time, students will be supported by classroom tutors and learning center coaches, as well as online teachers. In addition, Alianza has developed the Arts, Service and Adventure Learning Program that reinforces core concepts while developing a child’s sense of self and community.
“Every child deserves to succeed at school,” Alianza Academy Executive Director Robert Ralphs said in a press release. “Our teachers ensure student success by personalizing instruction and linking it to innovative technology and cutting-edge curriculum.”
Alianza Academy will enroll 500 students in each of its three learning centers this fall, two in the Magna area and one in West Valley. The exact location of the West Valley site has yet to be announced but it will be located so as to serve the South Salt Lake City population.
Students in kindergarten through third grade will be taught in a traditional classroom setting with technology integrated over time to get them ready for the older grades. Students in grades fourth through eighth will utilize the hybrid model, consisting of three hours of online learning a day.
“What really makes Alianza unique is the individualized instruction,” Alianza Academy Academic Director Matt Thomas said. “We highlight the student as an individual learner and meet their individual needs; there is not a one size fits all.”
