Dehesa Method Sports Academies: School Innovation Starts With Listening

Last week’s inewsource story highlighted the rapid growth of Dehesa Method Sports Academies (DMSA), a unique program serving student-athletes through a blend of independent study, in-person instruction, and structured athletic training. We’re proud to see DMSA’s success, because its foundation is rooted in the work Method Schools began several years ago to rethink how flexible education can serve high-performing students with nontraditional schedules. DMSA is actually two related-yet-separate school programs: Method Summit Academy and Dehesa Sports Academy. Together, they're referred to as Dehesa Method Sports Academies. 

Method Schools first developed the DMSA model to meet the needs of student-athletes who wanted to pursue their sports dreams without sacrificing a strong academic path. The goal was simple but ambitious: build a public school experience that values both academic rigor and athletic commitment. But it's not just for student athletes! DMSA is a great option for any student who could benefit from a more active school experience. 

At Method, our approach to innovation starts with listening. Before designing new programs, we take time to research and understand the gaps that exist in the school community. Areas where students aren’t being fully served, or where traditional systems fall short. Through data analysis, student and family feedback, and collaboration with educators, we identify unmet needs and then design purposeful solutions to meet them. Whether that means building flexible options for student-athletes, creating project-based pathways for career learners, or developing new curriculum and instructional models, we focus on filling real gaps with thoughtful, sustainable programs that put students first. We do this not just because it's good business, but because we aren't assigned students based on home address. We're required to earn the enrollment of each and every student we serve. 

Since it launched, DMSA has grown rapidly, which is a reflection of the demand for learning environments that fit students’ lives, not the other way around. At Method, we continue to focus on designing, refining, and scaling innovative models that empower students to learn deeply while pursuing their passions, whether in athletics, the arts, or other fields that demand dedication and time. Sounds like a lot of jargon, I know, but it just goes back to listening to and delivering for students and families. We don't answer to a union or other outside misaligned groups. Our focus is always on students and what we need to do to make their school experience optimal. 

Our team remains committed to working closely with Dehesa and other partners to ensure the model continues to evolve responsibly and sustainably, focusing on transparency, academic integrity, and continuous improvement. Our entire school model begins with researching what families in our service area want and need, and then we get to work building solutions that fill those gaps.