Heather McKenna, Gem Prep Online’s principal, has watched teachers and students perform at a high level for the past several years.
She’s seen the performance numbers and has been proud of the results the school has produced.
This month, McKenna and Gem Prep Online received validation for their work as the school was recognized as Idaho’s Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished School for 2024.
“It was very unexpected … but we’re super honored,” McKenna said. “We’re an online school, and we’re kind of unheard of, so it’s really exciting for all of our staff and leadership to be recognized.”
Gem Prep Online teaches students from 64 towns and cities spread across Idaho. Gem Prep Online qualified for the ESEA award because 35% of its students come from an economically disadvantaged background.
“We really believe all students can learn … and we really strive to hold the bar high,” McKenna said. “I’ve seen students at every single level succeed. You just can’t lower the bar. … It’s not an easy task for our teachers to do this, but they have high expectations for their scholars as well as themselves.”
Still, Gem Prep Online was honored as a “Top Performer,” meaning it ranks in the top 10% on key performance indicators. For example, Gem Prep Online’s Idaho Reading Indicator (IRI) for the fall of 2024 was at a proficiency level of 82.7%, while the statewide number was at 59.5%.
“Pull up what we’re accountable for … and every year you’re going to see steady numbers and performance from Gem Prep Online,” McKenna said. “And that’s what I love about this award, because we work really hard to do this.”
McKenna credits her Gem Prep Online’s commitment to building relationships as a key element of its success.
“Our relationships with families is key,” she said. “I’ve always talked about education being like a three-legged stool. You can’t have a stool without three legs, right? So, the first leg would be the parents, the second is the student and the third is the teachers and staff. Without all those working together it just doesn’t work.”
Gem Prep Online’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed by Debbie Critchfield, Idaho’s superintendent of public instruction.
“This award recognizes schools that are most successful in reaching kids whose circumstances might make learning difficult, and this school has risen to the challenge,” Critchfield said. “I’m grateful to Gem Prep Online for providing an example of how to effectively serve students and the wider community.”
For her part, McKenna is grateful that Gem Prep Online might be on more people’s radars.
“I love our school, and I hope this brings some light to the hard work that we’re doing,” she said. “We really are a great online school.”
