about
Grimmway Academy Shafter is a K-6 charter school that embraces a unique blended learning model of instruction.
Grimmway
Academy
Shafter
is a program of
Grimmway
Schools*
Located in the small rural community of Shafter in California’s Central Valley.
*a charter management organization dedicated to improving education in rural communities, encouraging healthy and sustainable lifestyles, and inspiring students, parents, teachers, and communities to expect more from their schools and educational leadership.
Our Mission
and Vision
Our mission is for Grimmway Academy Shafter, a K-6 public school, to close the achievement gap for students in the rural areas of Kern County by creating an environment for student excellence and well-being.
Our vision is for Grimmway Academy Shafter to transform the educational landscape for students in the rural areas of Kern County by providing a model of excellence and innovation leading to college readiness and lifelong success.
Charter schools are
public schools.
At Grimmway Academy, we are guided by four strong beliefs:
Every child can have a bright future
Our focus is to support our students in their growth, both academically and individually. We maintain small class size, and our unique blended learning model allows for learning across a range of environments and experiences – in the classroom, in the Learning Lab, in the garden, and through enrichment programs. We are continually reinterpreting the learning experience, so that every child at Grimmway Academy is engaged, happy, and successful.
Every parent can be engaged
We could not do what we do without the support of our students’ families. We rely on our involved, informed parents to advance our principles of academic achievement and wellness at home, and in the Shafter community. We hold high expectations of our parents, so that they are empowered to expect the same level of commitment from our school, teachers, and community leaders.
Every teacher can be successful
Our strong academic performance is directly tied to our talented and committed team of teachers, administrators, and staff. What we are doing is critically important – with a direct impact on Kern County and powerful implications for rural communities across the U.S. We also want learning to be fun! We strive to create a vibrant, supportive professional environment so that staff and students thrive as part of the Grimmway Academy model.
Every community can flourish
Since 2017, we have demonstrated that high achievement is possible among students from rural areas who have often been overlooked by education reform efforts. Grimmway Academy is a source of pride for the community of Shafter and everyone involved in the effort.
​
​
In thanks and appreciation,
Joanna Kendrick
Principal
