EIN: 47-4551914
Mission Statement
To provide a dynamic, nurturing and personalized education that inspires a passion for learning, self-discovery and connection to the community.
Program Summary
TSS follows a mastery-based learning model that integrates academic development, social and emotional growth, and civic engagement. We create a meaningful learning process, whereby teachers personalize instruction according to students’ interests, needs, and aptitudes. Teaching focuses on cultivating transferable skills in students that apply to various jobs or tasks across settings, such as effective communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. We don’t give grades or tests; our core learning tools include feedback and reflection. We’re intentionally small, maintaining a 1:6 teacher to student ratio for middle school and 1:7 for high school. We can accommodate students who have a specific learning disability, anxiety, ADHD, high functioning autism, and/or social skills deficits. However, we are not a school specifically for students with learning struggles. We want to attract a cross section of students who reflect the diversity that is present in our larger population. Our target student is curious, wants to learn, and is looking for a more progressive learning environment.
Impact Statement
TSS provides personalized, inquiry-based experiential learning, helping students make connections across content areas and to the real world. Many of our students learn differently and may require a more flexible learning environment that explicitly teaches executive functioning skills and social emotional skills alongside academic skills. Our accommodations are specific to the student and we provide both remediation and acceleration depending on the student and their unique needs. Many of our students are twice exceptional (2E), meaning that they are gifted in one area but struggle in another area. Our students cultivate the skills necessary to be independent life-long learners, such as effective communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, time management, cognitive flexibility, perspective taking, and teamwork. In middle school, our focus is on skill development. In high school, we want our students to apply the skills they’ve learned to new situations, effectively advocate for themselves, and take ownership of their learning. Our students graduate TSS with a mastery-transcript that is similar to a digital portfolio, showcasing their areas of study, strengths, and interests. It includes the skills they have mastered and exemplar pieces of work, such as a capstone project.
What ways can the public get involved?
We partner with other nonprofits, local businesses, and professionals in our community to provide community service, a speaker series, internships, career day, and volunteer opportunities. Fridays are TSS’s community-based learning days, where our students go into the community on field trips and community service outings. Sometimes, the community comes to us. We regularly host guest speakers and have school demonstrations and activities. Individuals can volunteer to be a guest speaker, capstone project mentor, and/or a community partner.
How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?
TSS is a small independent nonprofit school that does not receive any federal or state funding. As such, our revenue comes from tuition and fundraising. We raise funds to offer need-based financial aid and reach underserved students. We are always striving to increase the diversity in our community. We try to keep our tuition affordable to attract a wide range learners. Many of our students are neurodivergent and require small classes and individualized instruction to access the curriculum. Other students have felt unsafe in larger school settings and seek an inclusive safe space to be their authentic selves. We are proud to have a large LGBTQIA+ community at our school, reflected in our students and staff.
Information provided April 2025