Launching from the relative cocoon of high school to college or a job can be a challenge for everyone, but for students with special needs, making that leap can be especially daunting. Lily Sawyer Holston, who has an intellectual disability, has always known she wanted to attend college, but finding …
Independent Learning Center
Local schools get NCW foundation grant funding
The Community Foundation of NCW has awarded $90,000 in Stronger Schools Grants to schools across North Central Washington, including the Methow Valley School District’s Independent Learning Center in Twisp and Methow Valley Elementary School. The Independent Learning Center received a $5,000 grant to support a mentorship program to break the cycle of generational poverty Methow Valley […]
MV School Board candidates offer distinct perspectives
Methow Valley School Board member Gary Marchbank is facing a challenge from Twisp Police Chief Paul Budrow as Marchbank seeks a third term on the board.
The only other board seat up for election is held by incumbent Dana Stromberger, who is seeking a third term and is running unopposed.
Changes coming to MV School District this fall
The coming Methow Valley School District year will provide more generous classroom and study spaces for students at the Independent Learning Center (ILC), new teachers at the elementary and high schools, and a new program in computer coding.
Other changes come …
ILC gets special waiver to measure learning instead of credit hours
The Methow Valley Independent Learning Center (ILC) is now one of only four schools in the state where students can show their progress by demonstrating what they’ve learned, rather than having to accumulate a set number of credits.
The Washington State Board of Education granted the unusual competency waiver to the ILC on May 12. The Twisp-based high school…
Students at ILC learn through ‘joy projects’
By Marcy Stamper
“They don’t have to talk about manipulating multi-variable equations in algebra — that might not be that exciting to them,” said Kim Odell, an instructor at the Independent Learning Center (ILC) in Twisp, where students have just finished presentations about their first semester.
ILC looks to broaden real-world learning
By Marcy Stamper Students at the Independent Learning Center (ILC) already create a curriculum around their own interests — this year’s topics include anthropology, World War II history and reggae music. But those interests are just a starting point. By doing extensive research into these topics and finding internships, the students turn these basic themes into a […]
Art becomes a permanent fixture through ILC programs
By Marcy Stamper
Art may be the spice of life, but at the Independent Learning Center (ILC) it also flavors subjects such as math, science and history. With little funding …
