Alta, Utah, a throwback ski destination known for its deep powder snow and family-friendly atmosphere, has found a unique way to preserve its small-town charm – a one-room public school. As long as the ski resort has been in operation, young people have come to work for a season and ended up staying for years, drawn to the simplicity and warmth of life in this tight-knit community.
About 20 years ago, town officials realized that families were leaving because there was no school for their children. The closest school district wouldn’t send a bus up the narrow canyon road, so Alta took matters into its own hands and opened a one-room school in a former storage room at the base of the mountain. The Alta School now educates the children of the town’s employees and has become a source of pride for the community.
The school, with just 14 students, offers a unique educational experience. Students of all grade levels learn together, and the teacher, Jaeann Tschiffely, moves between different levels to provide individualized instruction. The school day includes lessons on math, science, and art, with plenty of opportunities for hands-on learning.
For the students at Alta School, skiing is not just a recreational activity – it’s part of their education. The school’s location at the base of the mountain allows for outdoor P.E. classes on the slopes, where students can be seen expertly navigating the terrain.
The school has become a central part of the Alta community, with parents pitching in to help with P.E. classes and students spending weekends skiing together. Despite its small size, the school has proven to be a successful model, with students thriving in this close-knit environment.
As the ski season comes to an end and some families leave for other seasonal jobs, the school year at Alta School will wind down. But for the students who call this unique school home, the memories of learning and skiing in this picturesque mountain town will last a lifetime.
