In the small ski town of Alta, Utah, the community has established a one-room public school to cater to the children of employees who work at the ski resort. This school has become a source of pride for the town, bringing families together and providing a unique educational experience for the students. The school, known as Our Lady of Snows, offers a close-knit and personalized learning environment, emphasizing individualized teaching and allowing students to progress at their own pace. The school is located in a former storage room at the base of the mountain and serves as a central hub for the community.
Alta, a throwback ski destination, attracts young people who come for the powder snow and end up staying for years or even a lifetime due to the simplicity and warmth of life in the town. Recognizing the need to retain families in the community, town officials opened the one-room school to ensure that employees with children could remain in Alta. The school helps to preserve the unique character of Alta by providing a vital service to families and contributing to the sense of community cohesion in the town.
Despite its proximity to a larger school district just 13 miles away, the winding road to Alta often closes due to avalanche danger, making daily commutes impractical for students. The school helps to mitigate this challenge and has become an integral part of Alta’s efforts to maintain its identity and resist outside development pressures. The town, owned by the same families for generations, values its small-town atmosphere and natural surroundings, making it a peaceful retreat for those seeking a different pace of life.
With only 14 students attending the school, Our Lady of Snows offers a unique learning experience where students of different grade levels interact and learn together. The teacher, Jaeann Tschiffely, moves between students working on various subjects, providing individual attention and fostering a sense of community in the classroom. The students engage in a variety of activities, from math quizzes to science experiments, and art projects that reflect their experiences living in the mountain town.
Parents and community members play an active role in the school, helping to lead P.E. classes and participating in school events. The close-knit nature of the school creates a family-like atmosphere where students feel supported and engaged in their learning. Despite the small size of the school, students have thrived academically and socially, learning to work independently and be self-sufficient due to the unique teaching environment.
As the school year comes to a close with the end of the ski season, some students will leave as their parents move on to other seasonal jobs. However, the impact of the school on the students and the community will endure, with memories of shared experiences and an appreciation for the unique education they received. The school at Alta represents a commitment to preserving the town’s heritage and providing a quality education for its residents, ensuring that generations to come will continue to call Alta home.
