# Curriculum & instruction ## How Method _actually teaches._ Mastery-based, standards-aligned, and built in-house. Method's instructional model is the reason families see real growth — not just a flexible schedule. ## The model ### Four ideas drive everything we teach. #### Mastery over seat time Students progress when they demonstrate mastery — not when a bell rings. Course pace is set with the Homeroom Teacher and adjusted in weekly 1:1 check-ins. #### Small by design A 19:1 student-to-teacher ratio with classes as small as 15:1. Every student is known by name, and every teacher has the bandwidth to actually teach. #### Built in-house, not licensed Method's online courses run on SmartFox®, our own learning platform. Every course is written and maintained by Method's curriculum team — not pulled off a shelf. #### Data-informed, human-delivered Frequent diagnostic assessments tell teachers exactly where each student stands. Live instruction and 1:1 support do the rest. ## The platform ### Method runs on a curriculum we _built ourselves._ Most online schools license curriculum from a third-party vendor. Method doesn't. SmartFox® is built and maintained by Method's curriculum team — so what students experience online matches the rigor and voice of the school itself. ### Powered by SmartFox Method's online courses run on [SmartFox](/content/smartfox/index.html), our own learning platform. Every course is built in-house by Method's curriculum development team — not licensed from a third party — so what students experience online matches the rigor and voice of Method itself. ## No gimmicks ### A full school experience — _not an experiment._ You may have seen private models that hand students over to an AI tutor for an abbreviated school day and call it a revolution. That's not us. Method is a tuition-free public charter built on the things that have always worked in education — and improved by the tools that actually help. #### Real, credentialed teachers Live instruction, 1:1 weekly check-ins, and small classes led by California-credentialed humans — not a chatbot. #### AI where it actually helps We use AI to personalize practice and free teachers from busywork — never to replace the people in front of students. #### In-person, all year Field trips, clubs, dances, athletics, and community events keep students connected to each other — not just a screen. #### Proven, accredited curriculum WASC-accredited, UC a–g certified, and aligned to California standards. The full school experience, just delivered better. ## What students take ### A full academic program — plus the runway to go further. Method delivers the full California curriculum for TK–12, then layers on the options students need to accelerate, recover, or specialize. #### Core academics, TK–12 Full English, math, science, social studies, and elective coursework across every grade band. #### Honors & AP options Honors and Advanced Placement courses available in high school for students ready for college-level rigor. [**Dual enrollment** Earn high school and transferable college credit at the same time through The Academy at Method Schools, in partnership with College of the Canyons. Explore](/content/programs/dual-enrollment/index.html) [**Career & Technical Education** Hands-on CTE pathways into real careers — built around the workforce students are actually entering. Explore](/content/programs/cte/index.html) [**Special Education** IEP and 504 services delivered inside an inclusive online classroom by credentialed Education Specialists. Explore](/content/programs/special-education/index.html) [**MTSS support** A tier-driven Multi-Tiered System of Supports approach — academic, behavioral, and social-emotional — for the whole child. Led by Sarah Avanessian and embedded in every student's weekly 1:1 check-ins. Explore](/content/programs/mtss/index.html) ## The teachers ### The model only works because of _who's teaching it._ Flexibility, mastery, and small classes are nothing without the right people in front of students. Method recruits California-credentialed teachers who specifically choose flex-based instruction. ### Credentialed California teachers Every Method teacher holds a valid California teaching credential in the subject they teach. ### Trained for flexible instruction Our teachers are specifically experienced in flex-based, online, and small-group teaching — not classroom teachers improvising online. ### A Student Success Manager for every student Beyond subject teachers, every student is paired with a Student Success Manager who tracks progress from enrollment through graduation. ## Who builds it ### Meet the pros leading our _curriculum & instruction._ Method's instructional model is shaped day-to-day by veteran educators and the systems team that keeps it all running. #### Dr. Sarah Delawder Director of Curriculum sdelawder@methodschools.org A former high school English teacher, professional development coach, and school administrator with over two decades in education, Sarah developed Method's practice of Standards-Based Instruction and Assessment — an equitable approach that lets students approach mastery at the rate that works for them. BA, English (UC Santa Barbara) · MS, Educational Counseling (University of La Verne) · PhD, Psychology (Grand Canyon University) #### Sarah Avanessian Director of Learning and Experience savanessian@methodschools.org Sarah spent 21 years as an English teacher and Department Chair and 18 years as an instructional coach before helping launch a competency-based school in 2019. At Method, she leads a student-centric model that meets every learner where they are and empowers teachers to thrive. BA, English (UCLA) · Secondary Teaching Credential (CSUN) · MA, Curriculum & Instruction (CSUB) #### Tanaya Burnham Data & Systems Manager tburnham@methodschools.org Tanaya keeps Method's academic data, student information systems, and reporting infrastructure humming — the behind-the-scenes work that lets teachers focus on teaching and lets families see clear, accurate progress for every student. ## Standards & accreditation ### Held to every standard a traditional school is — and a few more. ### California state standards Every course aligns to California Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. ### UC a–g certified Our high school course list is University of California a–g approved for UC and CSU eligibility. ### NCAA approved High school courses are NCAA Eligibility Center approved — critical for student-athletes recruited at the college level. ### WASC accredited Both Method charters hold full WASC accreditation, the gold standard for California secondary schools. ## Want to see the curriculum up close? ### Talk to a Method enrollment specialist. We'll walk you through sample courses, pacing options, and the right archetype for your student.