The Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School (LTESMS) is located in Meyers, a community within South Lake Tahoe, California. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountain range and located on the California/Nevada state line.
LTESMS was established in September 2005 to provide project-based, thematic, interactive instruction using environmental themes and technology articulated through the grade levels to foster life-long stewardship of the environment and to assist students in achieving maximum potential in their academic, social, and civic development.
In the summer of 2013 LTESMS received $3.7 million in modernization monies from the Measure G bond. This bond money allowed us to completely renovate the existing facilities, including constructing permanent classroom walls, eliminating an open-space configuration. In addition to the renovation, the school was outfitted with a dedicated science lab, a state-of-the-art facility unlike any other elementary school. The PTA funded $20,000 for materials and equipment to support our students’ science exploration. Students are now able to do pre-activities in the lab, followed by outdoor hands-on lessons, concluding with follow-up in the lab to further their understanding of the subject.
All classrooms at LTESMS are equipped with interactive whiteboards (SMARTboards) to enhance instruction through digital media. Students in grades 1-5 are equipped with computer netbooks at a 1:1 ratio. Students in grades 3-5 are able to check out the netbooks for use at home. These netbooks have both Wi-Fi and cellular capabilities - providing internet access for all students.
LTESMS has continued to set high levels of academic achievement, as demonstrated in our award as a California Distinguished School for 2014. As a Professional Learning Community (PLC), we are committed to collaborating to focus on student learning through the use of data, teaching essential standards, and sharing the best instructional strategies not only within our school but with the entire district. Response to Intervention (RTI) is another way that our staff is working together to individualize and differentiate instruction to assure high levels of student learning.