Bluum

06/18/2026

Idaho's public charter schools are united by more than a model. They are united by shared values.
We're launching the first video in our "7 Values That Bind Idaho's Charter Schools" series, highlighting the schools, students, educators, and communities that make this work possible.
We are grateful for the schools that participated and excited to share these stories throughout the coming months.

05/20/2026

Our own Terry Ryan sat down with Jim and Vashaunta from the National Charter Schools Institute to talk about how leadership, talent, and shared values can transform educational opportunity across an entire state.

What does it take to build something that actually lasts?

Not just a school.
Not just an organization.
A movement.

Episode 10 of Bold by Choice is live today, and this conversation with Terry Ryan from Bluum is packed with bold ideas, hard-earned lessons, and a vision for what’s possible when leaders choose innovation over comfort. From launching charter schools in rural Idaho to building networks rooted in talent, values, and community, Terry shares what it really takes to create lasting impact for students and families.

🎧 Listen now: https://nationalcharterschools.org/podcast/
👉 Subscribe to Bold by Choice so you never miss an episode

05/12/2026

For years, One Stone has challenged traditional assumptions about what school can look like — empowering students to lead, create, and take ownership of their learning in ways rarely seen in education today. Now, under the leadership of Celeste Bolin, that bold vision may soon become accessible to even more Idaho families through a new public charter school initiative.

Read how One Stone’s student-centered model, built on trust, mentorship, and real-world learning, is preparing to take its next transformative step.

Kelly Trudeau joined a group of parents trying to open a K-12 charter school called Compass in Meridian, Idaho more than 20 years ago, with no intention of ever becoming an administrator. She was a school counselor whose own children attended a charter school in nearby Nampa, and she joined the grou...

05/05/2026

A thoughtful (and timely) conversation on one of the biggest questions in education right now: who should shape what students learn?

We’re especially proud to see Terry Ryan’s voice included in this dialogue, helping elevate the conversation with insight grounded in experience and impact.

This piece is a worthwhile read that challenges assumptions and sharpens the conversation:

Putting the science of reading and other instructional reforms into action requires micromanagement from the state level. But what are the risks?

04/28/2026

A new chapter with a bold goal. Bluum fellow Brian Bava is working to expand access by helping establish a public charter school presence on a college campus, creating new pathways for learning and growth. Take a moment to read his story and the mission driving this next phase of his work.

Kelly Trudeau joined a group of parents trying to open a K-12 charter school called Compass in Meridian, Idaho more than 20 years ago, with no intention of ever becoming an administrator. She was a school counselor whose own children attended a charter school in nearby Nampa, and she joined the grou...

04/15/2026

Great to see Idaho charter school leadership represented in broader conversations around education.

In a recent episode of The Ranch podcast, Steve Lambert, Executive Director of American Classical Schools of Idaho, shares insight into classical education, leadership, and what it takes to build strong, values-driven school models.

Well worth the listen:

1 like. "American Classical Schools in Idaho with Stephen Lambert"

04/13/2026

Bluum Fellow Sue Lux is helping bring an innovative vision for agricultural education to life in Idaho.

Her work on the Idaho AgriTech Academy was recently featured in Idaho Education News as the school received approval from the Charter Commission.

Today, we’re proud to share her story and the journey behind this milestone.

Kelly Trudeau joined a group of parents trying to open a K-12 charter school called Compass in Meridian, Idaho more than 20 years ago, with no intention of ever becoming an administrator. She was a school counselor whose own children attended a charter school in nearby Nampa, and she joined the grou...

04/09/2026

Bluum’s CEO, Terry Ryan, was recently featured on the Ever Onward podcast, where he shared insights on the rapid expansion of educational options across Idaho and what it means for families.

In the conversation, Terry highlights a clear trend: more Idaho families are actively seeking out high-quality public-school options that best meet their children’s needs. This growing demand is fueling the expansion of public charter schools and other forms of school choice across the state.

Listen to the full episode here:

Podcast Episode · Ever Onward Podcast · April 6 · 57m

04/02/2026

At Bluum, we believe strong schools start with strong leaders. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be highlighting four fellows who are working to bring new, high-quality public charter schools to Idaho. First up is Phillip Schwenk, whose strong leadership and extensive background in education make him a natural fit for the American Classical Schools of Idaho model.

Kelly Trudeau joined a group of parents trying to open a K-12 charter school called Compass in Meridian, Idaho more than 20 years ago, with no intention of ever becoming an administrator. She was a school counselor whose own children attended a charter school in nearby Nampa, and she joined the grou...

03/17/2026

As Nanette Merrill completes her first year as the Executive Director for the Idaho Charter School Association, she reflects on her experience so far serving all public charter schools throughout the Gem State.

“It’s been an exciting learning curve,” Merrill said. “I naively thought I knew charters coming in. But there’s another whole layer of the wonderful work that’s happening.”

When Nanette Merrill took the helm of the Idaho Charter School Association last July, she knew she had a lot to learn. She had spent years opening and running schools in the Gem Prep network, but leading a brand-new statewide association meant mastering a different set of skills: legislative advocac...