About Us

Defining our School

The School of Choice is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory academy for gifted students in grades six through twelve.

We are a non-denominational school which is open to qualified students of all racial, social, cultural, religious and intellectual backgrounds. We teach regular classes between 8:30 and 3:00 on Mondays through Fridays, except holidays, between August and June. We also sponsor educational enrichment programs in the summer and after school. We give students a classical education, which challenges them to read great books and ideas in each of the arts and sciences. Our intellectual freedom and rigor encourage students to think critically and imaginatively as they develop character and leadership abilities; they will become mature adults who can solve the world's problems.

We consider it arbitrary to divide students strictly by age, and not by ability. Therefore, our tracking system and honors programs ensure that students and teachers stay at high levels. We mix grades when necessary to keep our keenest students intrigued by the process of learning at the highest level. Our curricula prepares students to take all classes required by the University of California as well as Advanced Placement courses starting in the ninth grade. Our students will practice SAT and SAT II tests in middle school and will take diagnostic IOWA or ERB tests upon admission and at regular intervals to demonstrate their improving competence on standardized testing challenges. Naturally, students will receive regular grade reports on a quarterly basis. Their service upholds four principles:

Individualized instruction: We tailor very small classes to students' interests, abilities and needs.
Academic Freedom: Like college professors, we hire qualified professionals who teach great books and ideas with creativity.
Greater Expectations: We teach to the highest intellectual standards.
Supportive Instructors: Our empathy helps us understand each student’s means of attaining mastery of each academic subject.

Robert and Suzanne holds up the sign for the School of Choice.

A brief history of The School of Choice

Robert and Suzanne Arne founded The School of Choice in 1999 as an enrichment center geared towards advanced students that evolved into a school. Robert, who holds degrees from Berkeley, Oxford and Chicago, brings experience as a college history, ELD and English instructor. Suzanne, an Illinois credentialed teacher with a degree from Loyola University, taught middle and grade school as an ELD and music instructor for over fifteen years in Chicago Public Schools and Daley College's English Language Development program.

In the Fall of 2003, the Arnes opened the doors of a day school at 1718 Andover in San Jose with just three students. In the first year, they welcomed many homeschoolers and Lyceum students to their budding institution, but growth was slowed by the Valley’s recession. In this year, they began producing plays with Shakespeare’s A Comedy of Errors. By the Fall of 2004, they were able to move to the Blackford Avenue facility. This gave them access to better fields, indoor basketball courts, a large library and a superior stage. The school routinely sponsors special events: debates and mental challenges and field trips to plays, concerts and museums.

After receiving approval of candidacy for WASC, in 2004, staff and board broadened the Master Plan to include curriculum goals. Concern for student progress has always been the focus of School of Choice Middle/High School, but the steps had never been documented. Learning outcomes are still measured by standardized testing results from the beginning of the year and the end of the year. A master plan with a focus on documentation was adopted. The school was certified level two by Educational Testing Service and we gained the ability to administer PSAT and AP exams. We also gained the ability to issue I-20 visas from SEVIS. Staff, students, parents developed personal Master Plans with a focus on documentation. The Master Plans were combined, and at the Board of Trustees meeting in October of 2006, and preliminary Expected School Wide Learning Results were adopted. These have been revised in the past year.

After computerizing its records to correspond more readily with parents. Our School readily transfers credits to public and private high schools and to colleges (including the University of California/CSU system). We gained level two certification by the College Board The Harker School outbid our landlord at Blackford Avenue, thus forcing a move to 1095 Dunford Avenue in Sunnyvale, formerly the Patrick Henry Middle School. We obtained a conditional use permit to use our classrooms and playing fields. We have access to an outdoor basketball court and a large playing field and running track.

Our enrollment increased to 30 students in our first year at the new campus. But tragedy struck just as promise appeared. The sudden death of school founder Suzanne Arne (and grief of her husband) in 2006 forced us to sublease all but two thousand square feet of space. We survived only with a reduced staff and activities. Fortunately, in 2007, Kyong Kim joined the school’s staff. She brought business expertise obtained as a buyer and manager for Samsung. She successfully recruited foreign students through our I=20 program and filled up the summer school. Her financial and business organization enabled us to hire a full time school secretary and to increase the ELD, English and science teaching staff. Our school successfully renewed its lease contract with the Santa Clara School District. Our school has incorporated to reflect an invigorated business structure intended to create a school with over a hundred students.