California lawmakers are once again taking aim at non-classroom-based (NCB) charter schools. The latest proposal, Assembly Bill 84 (AB 84), is framed as a measure to curb fraud and increase accountability. While purportedly aimed at reform, the union-backed bill could end up dismantling successful programs instead of targeting the real problems.
The vast majority of NCB schools in California—including Method Schools—operate with integrity, innovation, and a deep commitment to student success. For thousands of families across the state, these schools aren’t just an alternative; they’re a lifeline.
After listening to a handful of legislators in Sacramento continually attack all non-classroom based schools, it’s time to set the record straight on the true value of these modern and personalized school options.
NCB charter schools are public schools that provide instruction primarily outside of traditional classroom settings. This includes:
These schools are public, tuition-free, and fully accountable to state education standards and oversight bodies. They operate under a charter that must be approved and renewed by an authorizing agency, often a county office of education or the State Board of Education.
Families turn to NCB charter schools for a wide variety of reasons—most of which boil down to flexibility, safety, personalization, and opportunity:
NCB schools serve a diverse student population, including:
Put simply, the flexibility to learn at one's own pace and on a personalized schedule empowers students who would otherwise struggle in a traditional and old-fashioned seat-time-based model.
NCB schools often provide more individualized attention than traditional schools. At Method Schools, for instance, students benefit from:
Many families seek NCB schools because their children have experienced bullying, social anxiety, or other challenges in traditional campuses. These schools create a safer, emotionally supportive alternative without sacrificing academic rigor. At Method, we've served countless numbers of students who fall into this category. Sadly, despite billions in investments, safety at public schools remains a concern.
Far from being lax or unregulated (which is a myth continually perpetuated by teachers unions), successful NCB charters operate with robust accountability systems. Schools like Method use real-time data dashboards, rigorous internal audits, and WASC accreditation standards to ensure high-quality teaching and learning outcomes. In fact, non-classroom based schools are subjected to even more stringent controls and reporting requirements than their traditional counterparts.
A side-by-side comparison outlines the benefits of non-classroom based options:
| Category | Non-Classroom Based Charter Schools | Traditional Public Schools |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Flexibility for Unique Schedules | Highly flexible: students can complete coursework on personalized timelines, ideal for athletes, performers, working teens, and students with health or family obligations. | Fixed bell schedules and rigid daily attendance requirements make it difficult for students with non-traditional needs to thrive. |
| 2. Individualized Learning and Support | Students receive tailored academic plans, frequent 1:1 teacher interaction, and interventions based on real-time data. Learning is paced to fit each student. | Standardized pacing and high student-teacher ratios limit individualized attention. Support often follows a one-size-fits-all model. |
| 3. Safe, Inclusive Learning Environment | Students often learn from home or in low-ratio in-person settings, reducing bullying and allowing for emotional safety and focus. | Large campuses can introduce social pressures, bullying, or distractions that hinder learning and emotional well-being. |
| 4. Innovation and Data-Driven Instruction | NCBs often use cutting-edge digital platforms, adaptive curriculum, and real-time data dashboards to adjust instruction and improve outcomes. | Many schools are slow to adopt tech-driven instruction and lack integrated data systems to personalize learning in real time. |
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, most of California’s education system was thrown into chaos. Schools closed abruptly, remote learning systems had to be built from scratch, and learning loss became a statewide crisis.
But not for NCB schools.
Because NCB schools were already operating in remote, tech-enabled environments, they continued providing instruction without interruption. While traditional schools scrambled to adapt, NCBs were already there—offering consistent, personalized, and standards-aligned instruction.
Here’s how NCBs compared to traditional public schools during the pandemic:
NCB students benefited from:
In contrast, many traditional districts reported:
At Method, we served hundreds of students during the pandemic who came to use because their home school district was floundering and had no idea how to serve students in any modality other than what what they were used to.
In short, NCB schools were a source of stability when students needed it most—a fact that should inform, not limit, how we shape the future of education in California. The pandemic provided a glimpse into just how far ahead NCB schools are when it comes to truly personalized learning, regardless of macroeconomic circumstances. Rather than continual union-backed attacks on charters, and particularly the soft targets that are NCB schools, it's time to recognize NCB models as integral parts of California’s public education ecosystem.
At Method Schools, we believe that every student deserves a learning experience designed around their unique needs, strengths, and goals. That’s why we offer a fully accredited, public, non-classroom-based model that blends personalized digital curriculum with live teacher support, hands-on project work, and real-time academic data.
We serve students who need flexibility—student-athletes, performers, those with medical or mental health challenges, students who’ve experienced bullying, and learners who simply need a different pace or environment to thrive. For these students, we’re not just an option—we’re a lifeline.
Our approach is simple: remove the barriers that prevent students from learning and succeeding. We do that with small student-teacher ratios, innovative tools like SmartFox curriculum, committed educators, and a student-centered approach that meets kids where they are—academically and emotionally.
As California debates the future of NCB education, we urge lawmakers and the public to recognize what’s at stake. Non-classroom based schools like Method are not the problem. We’re part of the solution.