EDITOR:
Sierra Crest Academy is an asset to our community. It would be a travesty if Sierra Crest Academy were to close. Even if you don't have children that attend the school, there needs to be alternative education in every community. It is important to have a choice.
I have two children that have been attending Sierra Crest for the last three years. They are excelling academically and socially. My oldest son identifies himself as a leader as a result of the fencing class. I would hate to see him lose that. He does very well in his classes and is able to take advantage of the electives through Western Nevada College offered at the academy. He is diligently working his way through their computer degree program thanks to the school. I would not be able to afford those classes for him otherwise.
My other son tried the Nevada Virtual Academy at the beginning of this year. He did fine but missed social interaction. So he tried Douglas High School for the rest of the semester. That did not work out at all. He needed more one-on-one interaction with the teachers. He got behind and could not catch up. He failed one class and barely passed two others. He was surprised at the amount of drug use and peer pressure among the students there. He is now back at Sierra Crest and doing very well.
I also have a fifth-grader who was looking forward to attending Sierra Crest. I don't think he will do well in the high school either. He has friends who were also looking forward to attending the school.
I know many parents who are at a loss as to what to do with their children next year if the school closes. They say that their children will drop out of school. I ask you: how will that serve our community/our economy?
Just as there are many different ways to learn, there needs to be different options for the children in our area.
I have seen much growth and refinement in the school and how it functions over the last three years. I am very involved in the school. I have helped to put on plays the last two years that were quite phenomenal because the students here are amazing. I can tell you that the school is on a roll. They have a wonderful education system going; this has been the best year yet.
Sierra Crest Academy serves a valuable purpose. Please don't let it die.
Dianna Lightfeather
Carson City
