Entries by Ronaldo Gomez

Student Spotlight: Exploring The World Beyond Books

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Visions student walking on a trail

Student Spotlight: Exploring the World Beyond Books

On an early morning in the rainforest of Costa Rica, 17 year old Lexi A. joined a cohort of volunteers to discuss the day ahead. Their tasks – cleaning cages, preparing food, and caring for re-release animals – were the reason for their shared space at the Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary. The day would end with an evening activity of collecting leaves and branches for the sanctuary enclosures, a quick trip out into the trees. Each volunteer there had a distinct role to play, whether they were a veterinary intern, a wildlife care intern, or an orphan care intern, but they all had one thing in common – passion for wildlife conservation.

“My passion for wildlife conservation started when my eyes were opened to the human impacts harming wildlife every day from social media,” explains Lexi, Visions student and wildlife intern. “I actively worked to find out more about what is happening and how I can help.”

Before she was traipsing through Costa Rican rainforests, Lexi was volunteering at her local cat shelter spending time with cats in need. But with a desire to help on an even bigger scale, and still deep in her educational journey, Lexi knew she needed an alternative school model that would allow her time and space to continue her volunteer work. Lexi came to Visions during the second semester of last year, and in our University Prep Academy, has been able to expand her educational and volunteer opportunities.

“It wasn’t until becoming a student at Visions that I have been able to embrace the [volunteer] experience and spend my time learning the way of veterinary medicine,” says Lexi. “I have been able to foster neonatal kittens that need 24/7 attention and bottle feeding every 2-3 hours because of the flexible schedule Visions provided. I have also been able to take college courses that align with my overall goals, such as Introduction to Zoology and Introduction to Mammalogy.”

At Visions, Lexi has the time, freedom, and flexibility to pursue her passion for animal care while continuing her educational journey. With the support from her Counselor, Julie Winalski, and teacher, Toby Spencer, Lexi has also been able to work toward her eventual career path by taking college courses through our Dual Enrollment program.

“My counselor Julie Winalski has been one of the most supportive parts of my high school career. She has not only helped me with enrolling [in] college classes but, she has also guided me through college applications and planning for my future,” Lexi shares. “Toby Spencer, my Advocacy teacher, has been so supportive of my goals and has made himself available for any guidance that I have needed!”

“Working with Lexi has been such a pleasure,” Julie shares. “In every conversation, her passion for working with animals truly shines. She’s already done some impressive work with the Sierra Club, Women in Wildlife, and by founding a new wildlife and conservation club at Visions. I have no doubt she’ll continue to pursue future opportunities with the same confidence and enthusiasm she’s shown as a student at Visions In Education. I’m excited to see where her journey takes her next!”

Getting Involved

Lexi’s love of animals and wildlife care has only expanded since coming to Visions, resulting in her internship in Costa Rica, involvement in the aforementioned organization Women In Wildlife, which works to amplify and connect more women and non-binary persons in the wildlife industry worldwide, and even the founding of her own organization.

“It was through my own research that I learned about the impacts [we] are facing and I decided to create an organization dedicated to youth empowerment in wildlife conservation, animal rights, and environmental justice called Eco Peace Nation,” says Lexi. “This has helped me discover that there are things I can do to help and pushed my passion for helping…animals.”

Her three weeks abroad solidified that belief for Lexi, giving her hands-on experience in one of the fields she’s most passionate about. From eating authentic Costa Rican meals to loving on sloths, Lexi’s work with wildlife in the world is only just beginning.

“This experience taught me so much about wildlife conservation and what really working in the field looks like,” says Lexi. “The vets, interns, volunteers, and staff are all very informed on wildlife conservation and how we can protect these animals in the wild.”

Check out some photos from Lexi’s time in Costa Rica below!








(Wild)life’s Work

Lexi’s desire underneath all that she does is simple – to help. Whether it’s nature, women, or wildlife, Lexi hopes to inspire kids like her to give back.

“I hope to not only inspire women and promote their stories in the industry but also youth, because the issues can feel so far out of reach for many, preventing them from getting involved. I want to change this and promote youth and especially young women in the wildlife field, highlighting jobs, educational opportunities, struggles, and more.”

Lexi is an amazing role model for other students who want to get involved in wildlife conservation, dedicated to sharing her passion and even making it her profession.

“I hope to attend a UC school pursuing a degree in Zoology or Ecology & Evolutionary Biology for pre-veterinary studies. While in college I hope to work in a veterinary clinic or wildlife rehabilitation center and pursue internships dedicated to wildlife conservation before entering vet school.”

But before that, Lexi will be heading back to Costa Rica to continue her work with Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary as a veterinary intern. An extremely selective program, Lexi is excited for the opportunity to work directly in the clinic helping injured and orphaned wildlife.

“I decided to enroll at Visions because of the flexibility,” says Lexi. “[Visions] allowed me to expand my volunteer responsibilities [and] pursue my passion for wildlife conservation while enhancing my educational opportunities.”

“My favorite memory from Costa Rica was getting to know the animals. Specifically, there is a kinkajou named Jimmy who is partially blind and has neurological damage, making him unable to release. My favorite memories with him are being able to train him with food and enrichment. He is nocturnal, but comes out during the day when he sees the other animals being fed, so giving him a snack was very cute.”

Pictured right: Jimmy!


See The Winning Student Spirit Wear Designs!

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Winner graphic

See The Winning Student Spirit Wear Designs!

Thank you to all of the seniors who submitted a spirit wear design! It was great to see so many creative submissions for this year’s Spirit Store swag.

Congratulations to Kennedy R. and Edward P., whose designs were selected to be featured in the Spirit Store! Check them out below!

Kennedy R.

Edward P.

Student Spirit Wear design
Student Spirit Wear designs

The winning students will be contacted by email to receive their gift cards. Congratulations! We hope everyone has a great rest of the year, and thanks again for sharing your artistic skills!

Across The Visionsverse: Visions In Education Alumni Newsletter

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Alumni newsletter collage

Across The Visionsverse:
Visions In Education Alumni Newsletter

Superintendent Olmos with a graduate at graduation

Superintendent Updates

Friends and Alumni of Visions In Education,

My name is Dr. Steve Olmos, and I am the Superintendent/Executive Director of Visions In Education (Visions). Visions is in our 25th year of service, a significant milestone achieved by few other charter schools in the state. In the spirit of reflection, I want to take a moment to recognize all who have made this milestone possible. Without our many staff, families, and students like you over the years, we would not have this story to tell. I sincerely thank each and every one of you for being part of our lifelong community.

We have had a busy start to the 2024-25 school year, including celebrating our 25th anniversary, recording our highest number of students in our history (7,500+), and submitting our charter petition for renewal. Behind the scenes, we are continuing to position ourselves as a positive voice in the charter school community, including sharing our story in Newsweek, presenting at the Amazon Business Reshape and Studer Education conferences, and potentially sponsoring more legislation in the upcoming year. As always, we are putting students at the center of all that we do, laying the foundation for another 25 years of success. I look forward to walking this path with the next generation of learners.

With gratitude,

Dr. Steve Olmos
Visions In Education
Superintendent/Executive Director

Alumni Hall of Fame

Thousands of students have been part of our school community over the past 25 years, and we know so many have gone on to accomplish amazing things in their personal and professional lives. To recognize our distinguished alumni, we launched the Alumni Hall of Fame this year. This program is dedicated to honoring and sharing the stories of alumni who have made significant contributions to their communities and beyond since their time at Visions.

Alumni are encouraged to fill out the form below for a chance to be recognized in the Hall of Fame! Parents/guardians of Visions alumni are also welcome to submit the form here.

Visions grad cap that says "Anything Is Possible"

Group photo of Visions staff at a Street Soccer USA tournament

Celebrating Our 25th Anniversary

This June was the official mark of our 25th year as a school. To celebrate, we’ve been busy sharing our story and highlighting pieces of Visions’ history, and plan to continue commemorating this milestone with both current and former Visionaries. We are proud to have served our community for over 25 years, and hope you’ll celebrate this achievement with us.

Moving On Up

Our construction teams have been busy preparing our new headquarters in Gold River! We’ve ripped up carpet, torn down walls, and are beginning to structure our new offices and training rooms. We hope to officially make our move in the spring of 2025, and look forward to having a more modern and spacious office for our staff and families.
Check out the building!

Visions In Education new building with logo lit up at night

Large book in a binder

Renewing Our Charter

Last month, we submitted our charter petition to our authorizer, San Juan Unified School District (SJUSD), for renewal for a July 1st, 2025 – June 30th, 2030 term. This nearly 1,000 page document details our rules and regulations regarding school operations, fiscal management, student outcomes, and more, and is anticipated to be approved in December 2024. We are grateful to our educational partners at SJUSD and for the opportunity to continue serving our students.

Making Success Achievable: A Spotlight On The Independent Study Academy

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Group photo of Visions staff

Making Success Achievable: A Spotlight on the Independent Study Academy

At Visions, our mission is to prepare each student to succeed in a rapidly changing world. For many of our 9th-12th grade students, our Independent Study Academy is the key to fulfilling that mission, offering an engaging and personalized program for those students who need an alternative path to earning their diploma. Serving our largest population of students, Independent Study goes beyond academic success to focus on students’ personal and post-high school lives.

“We serve a diverse range of students, including those balancing part-time jobs, attending community college, or managing family responsibilities. Our program offers the great instruction and resources students need to succeed academically, develop essential life skills, and prepare for college or their future careers,” says Sarah McFarland, Director of Instruction for Independent Study & University Prep. “My ultimate goal is to provide every IS student with the support and tools needed to thrive both academically and personally.”

As a Director, Sarah’s role is to oversee the strategic direction of the Independent Study Academy, supporting Principals, Vice Principals, and teachers in driving student achievement. This includes focusing on the integration of technology, the use of data to guide continuous improvement, and ensuring curriculum meets state standards.

To support this work, the Independent Study Academy has four Principals and five Vice Principals, as well as two Charter School Secretaries and an Administrative Assistant. Together, this group provides everything from direct instruction to curriculum design to student interventions.

“Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) is everything that we all do to support students. This includes basics like providing access to technology, having a plan for graduation, and facilitating student access to our online curriculum,” explains Cristina Buss, Vice Principal.

In addition, a large facet of the Independent Study team’s work is expanding academic opportunities and refining current practices to better serve our students. This year for example, the department implemented a more flexible and individualized approach to math with regard to curriculum and synchronous instruction that is better meeting the needs of our students.

“Independent study programs typically allow students to work at their own pace, which helps in personalizing content based on each student’s strengths and weaknesses. This allows teachers to adapt the learning to focus on areas where students need the most support, which is crucial in a subject like math, where skills build progressively,” explains Jasmin Patel, Principal.

For 2024-25, the new Lincoln Learning curriculum has been developed as well, combining engaging digital content with enhanced tools for both students and teachers. With a focus on essential standards, students are receiving access to high-quality resources, more dynamic learning tools, and targeted support.

“This approach helps students achieve success in essential math skills [and] ensures that both students and teachers have the tools needed to create a rich, effective learning environment that prepares students for future academic and career success,” says Sarah.

Independent Study employees

Embodying PLCs

For the past three years, Visions’ Instructional teams have been engaging in PLC work. The PLC (Professional Learning Communities) model teaches instructional teams how to unify processes and goals in an effort to deliver quality instruction to students. With an emphasis on collaboration and continuous improvement, working in PLCs ensures our ability to better serve our students.

“The PLC collaborative work is some of the most impactful work we can do for our students,” explains Todd Lewis, Principal. “Rather than focus on assignment completion, we can guarantee students understand the essentials of each course.”

“When we talk about a visions of Professional Learning Communities at work, it really sounds out in content and grade level teams. These areas are where teachers are able to find the space to identify problems, collaborate with colleagues, and develop solutions that best meet the needs of students,” adds Gregg Moses, Principal. “The ability for teachers to effectively make tactical decisions for our students shows an overall core value of supporting our students where they are.”

1% Better

Along with PLCs, the Independent Study Academy has implemented multiple other programs to benefit students. These programs, which include Credit Recovery, Summer School, Financial Literacy, and more, bring an added layer of support that not only helps students academically, but shows them that they’re capable of accomplishing their goals.

“The Credit Recovery Program exemplifies the ‘1% better’ approach by focusing on meeting each student’s unique needs to support incremental improvements in the educational outcomes of each learner,” says JoEllen Graulty, Vice Principal.

Summer School is another program that meets students where they are academically, guiding them to graduation and setting them up for post-high school success.

“Summer School provides an opportunity for those who need additional time/classes to meet their graduation goals,” says Josh Imler, Vice Principal and director of last summer’s program. ” Many of our incoming  IS students are credit deficient, so having an impactful summer school program can make all the difference in supporting students in achieving a diploma.”

In addition to the programs that support students’ graduation goals, the Financial Literacy course provides our high school students with skills they can utilize in everyday life and into their adulthood.

“Financial Literacy was developed for students to learn mathematical concepts that they will use in their daily lives,” explains Shannon Alward, Principal and 22-year Visions employee. “Students explore the ways in which real-life activities such as traveling and purchasing a new car or house relates to mathematics.”

Andrea Leuschen, Vice Principal, sums up our 1% better efforts, saying, “I believe that Visions is a place where there is a dedication to always look to improve and include everyone in the process. I love the fact that I get to lead a club and partner with the community to build future…leaders.”

Staff Support = Student Success

The work that our Independent Study teachers and administrators do would not be possible without the support from Charter School Secretaries Lindsey Nance and Mariana Rivera and Administrative Assistant Nancy Legalsi. Although they all have different bodies of work, each is essential to the success of the department and our students.

“As a Charter School Secretary, I’m all about making life easier for both students and administrators,” explains Lindsey. “I help with login issues, schedule interpreters, and support the curriculum department, Principals and VPs. My main goal is to be available to everybody to answer questions or help out any way I can!”

Mariana’s day-to-day involves a mix of planning, coordinating, and connecting with students, staff, and vendors to plan and execute high school events.

“These events are crucial for students as they provide a space for social interaction and personal growth outside the classroom,” says Mariana. “I’ve seen students become more engaged and confident through participation in these activities. It’s rewarding to watch them connect with peers, try new things, and create lasting memories.”

A Message from Administrative Assistant and 25-Year Visionary Nancy Legalsi

“Over the past 25 years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing life’s journey in countless forms. I’ve seen new teachers begin their careers, wished other well on their retirements, watched families grow, and sadly, had to say goodbye to some. I’ve also watched students’ lives transform, coming to us lacking motivation and hope, and our teachers have stepped up and met the challenge, lending students hope and motivation until they found their own. I know firsthand how a high school diploma can change a student’s future – I’m proud to be the parent of two Visions graduates! At Visions, we are as unique as our students; we don’t fit into a box. We’re fluid, adaptable, and embrace what I like to call ‘plot twists’. Change is a constant and essential for success. Every employee, past and present, has contributed to our school’s achievements. Visions has a knack for selecting such great people to work here.”

Student Spotlight: Pursuing Academics, Athletics, And The Arts

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Portrait of Visions student

Student Spotlight: Pursuing Academics, Athletics, And The Arts

Article updated with a correction on 11/1/24

The Nelsons know how to make the most out of being a Visions family. The oldest Siobhan graduated in 2023 and is currently continuing her education at UCLA, 14 year old Maeve is the University Prep Academy’s sole representative on this year’s Advisory Board, fourth grader Peitiula is thriving in the Home School Academy, and their brother Desmond is composing songs for musicals and founding new clubs.

As the second oldest, Desmond has been a student at Visions for over twelve years. When Siobhan initially asked their mom to switch from traditional public school to homeschool, Desmond followed suit, finding that the resources and opportunities at Visions were much more aligned to his passions.

Visions student sitting at a piano

“I have been fortunate to have the freedom to use charter funds to pursue interests like piano and fencing lessons, which I could not have done in a standard public school,” says Desmond.

A prolific piano player, Desmond has been able to spend time honing a craft that he’s been interested in since he was six years old. Mostly self-taught on a used piano that his grandma bought for their homeschool classroom, Desmond has learned to read and write music, taking on the initiative of composing and performing live the soundtrack, including sound effects, for our Drama Club’s 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse musical last year (pictured left).

“I love playing music, and also enjoy composing my own songs. I thought it [composing] would be an excellent creative opportunity, where I would have a lot of freedom to follow my creative drive,” says Desmond. “It was such an incredible experience to be able to get a sense of what working behind the scenes on a big show is really like. I got to work with our incredible director Ms. Simpson to make this show the best it could be through sound effects and music.”

Start Spreading The News

Desmond is also currently pursuing another creative avenue – writing. This year, Desmond’s sister Maeve (pictured center in the right photo) and fellow student Valerie Gorman co-founded Visions first student run Newspaper Club. Desmond is the Vice-President and has been an active participant since the club began. Planning to cover sports and the club spotlight section, Desmond is looking forward to publishing their first issue and in turn, bringing our student body closer together.

“[Desmond] was a key member of our original team and contributed to our mock issue as a writer. His work in both the mock issue and our first official issue has been instrumental in creating a great publication, so he is definitely an integral member of the newspaper,” said Maeve.
This section of the article has been corrected to clarify the background on the founders of the Newspaper Club.

“It is an exciting opportunity to connect with other students and share information which may help other students,” says Desmond. “I hope to help spread the word about…field trips and events students can attend. These events can help bring us all together, and create a common experience in addition to providing opportunities for learning and fun!” says Desmond.

Enriching His Education

Along with music and writing, Desmond loves to fence, using his budget to take lessons with Visions Vendor Premier Fencing Academy. He’s also interested in STEM, working with one of our Social Workers to expand the program at Visions.

“I participated in Visions’ STEM club last year and was awarded their scholarship, which I applied towards the tuition of UC Santa Cruz’s high school program. Last summer I took ‘Intro to Music Theory’ online, and it was a fantastic experience,” says Desmond. “This year I am working closely with Mr. Fuentes to expand the STEM mentoring program through UC Davis. I met him at the Visions Club Rush, and began working together to elevate the STEM program, expand it to more students, and create a student-led leadership team to help advise on the program.”

Students taking a photo with Visions staff

Desmond has also found support in his credentialed teacher, Judy Flora, who has been an instrumental guide in his high school and post-high school careers.

“Ms. Flora has been a great support, and allows me the freedom to pursue my interest and passions while helping ensure my education meets standards,” says Desmond.

Through our dual enrollment program, Desmond has been taking classes at both Woodland Community College and Columbia Community College since the summer before his freshman year, in addition to his honors classes. He plans on applying to several University of California schools, majoring in Cognitive Science and becoming a software engineer, while keeping up his fencing and continuing to make music.

“I am playing piano at an upcoming charity event, Carmichael Inner Wheel, and will always play piano for fun,” says Desmond. “I also recently produced a compilation of my music which is unpublished but burned onto a CD I have given to friends and family.”

For now, Desmond is continuing to enjoy his high school experience. He looks forward to continuing to work with his teachers and peers and connect them to all the opportunities at Visions.

“It is great to connect with other students and hear their perspectives, and I am looking forward to more in person events and activities.”

Visions student holding sheet music and sitting on the edge of a stage
Students fencing
Visions student smiling in fencing gear

Keep an eye on The Wire for our very first issues of The Visions Quarterly coming next month!

Visions In Education Leaders To Present At Charter School Development Center Conference

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Collage of Visions staff presenting at CSDC conference

Visions In Education Leaders To Present At Charter Schools Development Center Conference

Visions In Education is proud to attend and present at this year’s Charter Schools Development Center (CSDC) Conference. CSDC is an educational nonprofit that has supported California charter schools for over 30 years. 

Each year, the CSDC supports charter schools and their leaders serving California’s charter schools and charter management organizations. Attendees will leave with critical updates, exclusive insights, and the opportunity to network with other leaders in the charter space. This year’s conference will be held in Sacramento. 

Hosting the CSDC conference in Sacramento allows the opportunity to send more representation on behalf of Visions. Last year, Sarah McFarland, Director of Instruction and Mattew Patterson, Director of Student Services, presented, “Reimagining Professional Learning in an Independent Study Model”. This year, Visions will be represented by five presenters.

CSDC 2024 Speakers

  • Matt Patterson, Director of Student Services 
  • Sarah McFarland, Director of Instruction, Independent Study and University Prep
  • Jessica Lauder, Director of Special Education 
  • Ron Thomas, Associate Director of Equity & Student Engagement
  • Jamee Block, Associate Director, State and Federal Programs

Their session on November 18th, “Empowering Student Success: Comprehensive Support Systems in Action at Visions In Education,” will cover supporting over 7,500 students through a comprehensive student support system. Our presenters will delve deeper into various programs and strategies implemented at Visions including counseling, social work services, summer school initiatives, and credit recovery programs. 

Attendees will receive key takeaways from the presentation including, changing adult mindsets, school climate and student connectedness, and student mental health needs, including crisis supports.

Director McFarland will also be hosting a session on November 18th titled, “AI Revolution: Transforming Charter School Leadership and Learning”, where charter school educators will learn how to integrate AI tools and technology to enhance their leadership skills and operational effectiveness. 

We thank our presenters who we know will make us #VisionsProud at this year’s CSDC conference.

Throwback Thursday – Student Success Stories Over the Years

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Throwback Thursday graphic

Throwback Thursday – Student Success Stories Over the Years

Visions In Education has been telling student stories for nearly 25 years. From articles in Visions View newspapers to spotlights on Olympic Gold medalists, we’ve been busy capturing students’ lives, talents, and achievements to share with our communities and beyond. Check out the photos below to see some of our very first stories!






Leaving Our Mark

Soon the stories of our TKers to our twelfth graders will be more pieces of Visions’ history. To this day, we are proud to serve a diverse student body that wants to make an impact in the world, whether through a career in medicine, as a mental health advocate, or as a member of our armed forces. Thank you, Visionaries, for letting us tell your stories for the past 25 years.

Want to read more student spotlights? Take a look at some of the stories we’ve told over the years below!

Visions Alumni & Prodigy Featured On “Child Genius” Show

Grad Spotlight: Former Teen Parent Excels Despite Challenges

Visions Student Writer Interviewed On Good Day Sacramento — hear from Shani in this video!

Kicking Goals For A Cause: Visions Makes Finals In Street Soccer USA Cup!

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Visions student soccer team holding trophy from soccer tournament

Kicking Goals For A Cause: Visions Makes Finals In Street Soccer USA Cup!

Visions In Education continues its advocacy in its communities as students and staff participated in Street Soccer USA’s 4th Anniversary Cup in Sacramento at Union Pacific Park, an event Visions helped sponsor this year.

Street Soccer USA provides an alternative to the “pay-to-play” model of youth soccer while funds raised at each event support Street Soccer USA’s social mission of fighting poverty and strengthening communities using soccer in the city in which the event takes place.

Street Soccer USA has been recognized for its humanitarian efforts by organizations such as ESPN for their partnership with UNIQLO and they host the annual Homeless World Cup. This organization has chapters in many cities, and Lisa Wrightsman leads the charge in Sacramento. Lisa and Superintendent Olmos met while participating in the American Leadership Forum and realized Visions and her chapter had similar goals: supporting young people.

Visions Futbolistas

When Visions announced the chance for student teams to participate, 16 students, some from our Soccer Club, answered the call to form two teams (U-13 and U-16) who were excited to showcase their soccer skills. The U-13 Co-Ed team included: Zach Z., Nahum P., Damir K., James E., Priscella C., Alexia M., Emalee H., and Noris E. The U-16 Co-Ed team included: Nahum P., Madi F., Sam K., Harmony W., Marcos G., Jesiah J., Tatyana B., Eloise V., and Musaddiqah I. Our students did an amazing job in their respective divisions and Visions’ U-13 Team won their tournament! 

Visions also fielded a co-ed staff team led by Soccer Club Coach Kyle Novak to compete against teams from other local businesses. Our school’s staff team made an appearance in the finals and took second place! Congratulations to our soccer stars: Cristina Buss, Spencer Summerhays, Alexander Butterfield, Axel Funes, Gabriella Slaughter, Chad Smith, Manuel Garcia, Uriel Gonzalez and Valerie Washburn!

Spencer Summerhays, Business Analyst and player, spoke about his experience participating, “The Co-Ed Corporate Cup with Street Soccer USA was an amazing experience to be a part of. It was a high-octane tournament, full of great competition against other local companies like SMUD.”

“Visions has a lot of talented soccer players among our staff,” said Spencer. “We all left grateful to be exposed to the Sacramento street soccer scene and itching to play together again.” 

Thank you to our student and staff teams for representing Visions on the pitch for a great cause! Special thanks to Coach Kyle Novak for guiding both our staff and student teams and for helping organize this awesome day.

Read here about how Kyle is connecting with students through school and sports!

Events like these are great for fostering team bonding and collaboration between staff and students. Superintendent Steve Olmos, Senior Director of Instruction Jennifer Morrison, Director of Student Services Matthew Patterson and Associate Director of Equity and Student Engagement Ron Thomas were cheering for our teams in the crowd along with friends and family. This event provided the opportunity to showcase how our Visionaries collaborate effectively to achieve their (soccer) goals!

See more photos in our photo gallery below! For the full gallery visit our Facebook page.






Graduate Spotlight: Finding Empowerment Through Education

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Selfie of Visions student

Graduate Spotlight: Finding Empowerment Through Education

Six years ago, a fifteen-year-old girl who loved marching band and her cat Ruby enrolled at Visions. She was facing bullying at her old school, so much so that it was interfering with her education. With big dreams and a desire to change the world, that girl knew she needed something different.

Mel M. enrolled in Visions’ University Prep Academy in 2018, Ruby by her side. She wanted to take control of her education and set herself up for success after graduation, two things that the freedom and flexibility of Visions allows for students like Mel.

“Visions allowed me to have agency in my education. I would attend morning band practice at Bella Vista High School and then walk to a coffee shop to do my classwork. I enjoyed having control over my education and being able to develop time management skills that seriously help me in college,” says Mel. “In my junior year, I enrolled in English and Japanese classes at Sacramento City College, and in my senior year, I took English and Psychology at Sierra College, which provided a valuable early introduction to college classrooms and expectations.”

During her time at Visions, Mel was also involved in our 916 Ink/Find Your Voice writing program (pictured right, Mel is in the back row, far right), first as a student and then as a mentor. This program afforded her some of her favorite memories at Visions, giving her a social circle, a structured outlet to express herself,and the opportunity to publish her writing.

“My favorite memories of Visions are the 916 Ink book parties that were held at the end of the year to celebrate the publishing of our collective book. It felt so special to be celebrating such a cool achievement with my friends I had spent the year getting to know and sharing my writing with.”

Learning Beyond Academics

Students holding up a booklet that says "Anthem"

Aside from the subjects that Mel learned during her classes, she picked up skills at Visions that have served her well into her adulthood.

“Visions taught me to work independently, rely on myself, manage my time, and focus on my mental health while pursuing an education,” Mel explains. “One specific lesson I feel was valuable was learning to ask questions! I always felt embarrassed to ask questions in a traditional classroom, especially since I was experiencing severe bullying from my classmates. I often just allowed myself to be confused. At Visions, I learned there is nothing shameful about not knowing the answer to something, or having to speak up and ask for clarification. In my college classrooms and workspace, I’m now constantly asking questions.”

Lifelong Impacts

Since graduating from Visions in 2020, Mel has transferred to UC Berkeley where she is pursuing her BA in Social Welfare. Currently in her senior year, she is a research apprentice for the head of the Social Welfare department, helping her research children’s and parents’ rights nationally. Previously, Mel served as an Applied Behavioral Analysis technician, working with children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and as a Montessori teaching assistant. She hopes to one day research and develop an alternative therapy or classroom model for autistic children that is rooted in compassion and social justice.

“Besides time management, independence, and shamelessly asking questions, I believe Visions taught me resilience. It taught me that if Plan A isn’t working for you, there is always another option,” Mel shares. “When I realized I had picked the wrong college after high school and wanted to transfer,I thought back to when I transferred…to Visions and how that was the best possible decision for me. Because I made that leap in sophomore year, I felt empowered to retake control of my education and withdraw from Seattle University. Had I not done that, I would not be where I am today, at one of the top public research institutions in the country studying something I am extremely passionate about. My experience at Visions gave me the opportunity to develop trust in myself to build a life I am excited to live.”




Words of Advice

"Take advantage of the freedom you have with Visions. Take a break from studying and go for a walk to calm your mind in between classes. Involve yourself in the opportunities provided by the school, like concurrent enrollment with community colleges and 916 Ink. Practice your time management, as this will be a great skill to carry with you to college and the workforce. Appreciate the unique educational opportunity you have and pour your extra time and energy into things you love. High school does not have to be as dreary and difficult as traditional school makes it. Fall in love with learning again now that your education is in your hands."
Visions graduate in cap and gown
Mel M.
Alumna, Visions In Education, Class of 2020.

Visions Instructional Leadership Presenting At Huron Studer Education Conference

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Visions Instructional Leadership Presenting At Huron Studer Education Conference

Visions In Education is dedicated to preparing each student to succeed in a rapidly changing world. As part of this mission, we consistently look for ways to support our leadership, staff, and families through feedback and culture building.

To help with this, Visions and Huron Studer Education have been partnered for the past two years. Through this partnership, we have implemented surveys called Organizational Assessments to gather feedback from all levels of staff. The data collected is analyzed, shared out, and used to make school-wide improvements to ensure we’re all aligned in our common goal of serving students. 

To learn more about how this feedback shapes what we do at Visions, read our 23/24 1% Better article here.

Giving Back

Due to our success with this process, Superintendent Steve Olmos and Senior Director of Instruction Jennifer Morrison have been invited to present at the 13th Annual What’s Right In Education (WRIE) Conference hosted by Huron Studer Education! Their session, “Feedback is a Gift That Keeps Giving,” will share how Visions has used feedback data to drive continuous improvement and offer valuable insights for event attendees to learn from and apply to their own schools.

Visions looks forward to sharing our story and learning from other educators at the WRIE conference.

About Huron Studer Education and the WRIE Conference

Studer Education helps create great places to learn, work, and succeed. It partners with people-first organizations to achieve great results for those it serves. Huron Studer is privileged to partner with inspiring leaders to offer workshops, professional development, survey strategies, and much more. 

With deep learning and sharing opportunities, the WRIE conference is a unique event focusing on K-12 leaders. Event attendees are high-performers who sincerely care about their teams’ growth and the well-being of their district’s students and families. Attendees will walk away with actionable strategies to implement in their districts immediately.