Setting the Record Straight: Protecting Method Schools And Our Students

At Method Schools, our mission has always been clear: to serve Southern California students and families with innovative, high-quality educational options. Our work in San Diego County—including the Method Sports Academy (DMSA) and the development of SmartFox, our proprietary online curriculum—is guided by that mission every day.

Recently, an article was authored by an anonymous author using the fictitious name "Lizzy Bly" and published on a blog under the title:

“Method Musical Chairs: How Dehesa’s Enrollment Shuffle Fueled ADA Funding, Charter Growth, and Audit Flags.”

The piece included misleading and false statements about Method Schools, our programs, and our students. While we do not typically respond to online speculation, we want to ensure that our families and the public have the facts.

Setting the Record Straight

1. Enrollment Misrepresentation
The article implied that Method Schools was responsible for a dramatic enrollment surge at Method authorizer Dehesa School District (the article falsely claimed over 13,000 students). 

Fact: In the 2024–25 school year, Method Sports Academy (MSA) enrolled 87 students, 86 of which resided in San Diego County. By law, Method can enroll students in our San Diego charters from that county and any adjacent county. Our focus has always been local students and families. While we're always in "growth mode," MSA is a small program with limited capacity. To suggest Method and MSA is responsible for skyrocketing enrollment at our Dehesa is completely inaccurate. 

2. Student Performance and Curriculum
The article falsely claimed that our SmartFox curriculum was “poorly received” and led to educational gaps.

Fact: SmartFox is a state-approved, innovative online platform that has seen strong student achievement growth and high satisfaction among families. It continues to be a core strength of our instructional model. And as an ongoing Method project, it keeps getting better. 

3. Method Sports Academy and Dehesa Partnership
The blog referenced signage and claimed impropriety in how Method Sports Academy was identified at the Dehesa site.

Fact: School districts and charters may form partnerships and identify programs publicly, including outdoor signage and other marketing mediums. DMSA began as a program to support student athletes and later became a site-based charter school after completing the rigorous California Department of Education petition process. 

What We’re Doing to Protect Method Schools

Our priority is always our students, families, and staff. However, when false or misleading claims threaten our reputation, we must act:

• We have engaged our legal counsel, Young, Minney & Corr LLP, to formally demand corrections and retractions from the blog’s publisher.

• We are taking steps to correct the public record to ensure that families and the community have accurate information about Method Schools and our programs.

• We will pursue further legal remedies if necessary to protect our students, staff, and the integrity of our schools.

Our Commitment to Families and Students

While online speculation (and false information) comes and goes, our focus never wavers:

• Innovative curriculum through SmartFox that meets students where they are;

• Unique programs like Method Sports Academy that open opportunities for student athletes;

• Transparency and accountability to the communities we serve.

• Simply put, at Method we always put students first. 

Our mission is to "strive to advance educational systems for families in need of nontraditional learning methods and to promote their right to a transformational education." Thank you to our families, staff, and community partners for your continued trust and support. Method Schools will always defend our mission and the students we serve.