Just In! Method Schools SD Charter Annual Performance Review

Each year, our Method Schools Dehesa (San Diego) charter undergoes a rigorous, independent evaluation by external auditors and California Charter Authorizing Professionals (CCAP). CCAP is led by a group of experienced charter school authorizing leaders and staff members from school districts and county offices of education around the state, with the goal of strengthening charter school authorizing practices in California. Simply put, CCAP is considered the premier third party reviewer of charter schools in California, and has a reputation for being tough but equitable.

CCAP reviews go hand in hand with annual financial audits to ensure we remain transparent, accountable, and focused on student outcomes. The findings are public, and we share them here so families, staff, and community members can see both our progress and the areas where we continue to grow.

The 2024–25 Annual Performance Progress Report affirms that Method is substantially on track for renewal, while also identifying areas where we are sharpening practices to better serve students.

Key Strengths

Academic Program

• A shift toward mastery-based learning and higher expectations has been embedded into the curriculum.

• Local assessments, such as i-Ready, demonstrate improved student growth and achievement.

• Teachers are focusing more on writing and higher-level thinking, supported by targeted professional development.

Financial Health

• Method maintains significant reserves and consistently meets fiscal reporting requirements.

• Projections confirm that the school is financially viable for the current and next two fiscal years.

• The most recent independent audit returned a clean opinion, with only one minor finding.

Governance and Operations

• Board members bring diverse perspectives and have received required governance training (e.g., Brown Act compliance).

Equity and Public Policy

• Enrollment practices reflect the diversity of Southern California’s student population.

• Staff are responsive to shifting demographics and continue to adapt instructional services accordingly.

Areas for Improvement

As part of our commitment to transparency, Method is also sharing the areas identified for improvement:

Academic Participation and Outcomes

• Participation rates for state assessments (CAASPP ELA, Math, and ELPAC) must improve to 95% or higher, as participation impacts overall performance ratings.

• Graduation rates showed a substantial decrease in Spring 2024, and addressing root causes of this trend is a top priority.

• The College and Career Indicator remains an area where further progress is needed.

Fiscal and Enrollment Reporting

• Average Daily Attendance (ADA) was over-projected by 93 students, creating a $1.5 million revenue discrepancy between forecasted and actual revenues. While corrective measures have been implemented, better enrollment projections are necessary. 

• A corrective action plan is required to fully resolve the single audit finding, which was immaterial in nature but still requires correction.

Governance and HR Compliance

• Personnel records need to be reviewed to ensure all employees are correctly identified in the HR database.

• Staff credential compliance monitoring must be tightened, including timely notifications of expiring requirements.

• Policies must be updated to include reproductive loss leave (per EC 12945.6).

• Annual safety plan adoption and TB test monitoring require stronger oversight.

Equity and Diversity

• Method is encouraged to increase efforts to reflect regional diversity in enrollment, particularly among English learner and low-income students. (Note: 34% of families declined to state ethnicity, which complicates accurate reporting.)

Commitment to Accountability

The review concludes that Method Schools continues to make meaningful use of state and local data to guide instruction, strengthen expectations, and improve student support systems. Teachers are receiving additional training on IEP writing, and systems for aligning the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) with annual needs assessments are being refined to serve as a strategic roadmap.

The authorizing agency has required Method to submit a written corrective update by October 31, 2025, detailing progress on all identified improvement areas.

Looking Ahead

Since its founding, Method Schools has been dedicated to challenging the traditional “factory model” of education by offering a personalized, flexible, and data-driven approach. This annual review confirms that while Method is compliant and financially sound, we are also deeply committed to transparency, continuous improvement, and accountability.

While no school is perfect, this independent review from a reputable and respected impartial source affirms that Method is financially stable, academically focused, and committed to improvement — all while being held to the highest standards of oversight.