Preparing Students for Academic Excellence and STEM Success in College and Career

By Michael Reagan, One Stone Lab School Director

Now that admissions are open for the 2025-2026 school year, I am often asked what student-driven learning is and what it looks like at one of the world’s most innovative high schools. This article will explore the following:

1. The Growth Framework: One Stone’s competency-based learning model and our world-class staff

2. Essential Skill Development: why One Stone graduates succeed in college

3. One Stone diploma requirements: students drive their education in real-world relevant areas of interdisciplinary, project-based, and STEM learning

Competency-Based Learning Leads to Personal Growth, Confidence, and Academic Excellence

Learn more about One Stone’s Growth Framework

One Stone’s Growth Framework (aka BLOB) empowers students to set goals and be assessed in 24 competencies and abilities across four quadrants: Mindset, Knowledge, Creativity, and Skills. One Stone’s research working in innovative education and alongside teens over the past 17 years has proven that well-balanced growth in these competencies results in self-efficacy, self-advocacy, self-awareness, and self-confidence. More than memorizing information, these are the qualities that students need to do well in college and their careers. Students not only learn about the rapidly changing world we live in—they learn about themselves and how to thrive and be happy and successful learners and leaders.

One Stone high school's academic excellence equips students with the academic skills and understanding necessary for success in both college and their future careers. One Stone graduates have been accepted to and earned degrees from many of the nation’s top colleges and universities, studying everything from science, math, engineering, entrepreneurship, computer science, 3D design, business, and more.

Meet the One Stone staff

A World-Class Staff of Passionate and Caring Mentors and Experts

At One Stone, we value student-driven learning, allowing students to discover how they learn.

This is achieved through One Stone’s Growth Framework and a staff of innovative and dedicated educators who believe in the power of students.

We help students develop personal agency and accountability through scaffolded freedom and individual choice. The process is highly individualized and facilitated by One Stone’s world-class staff of passionate mentors, coaches, industry experts, and visiting college professors. Rather than teach using traditional methods, our staff work side-by-side with our students, getting to know what inspires and motivates each student.

Our staff support and challenge each student to reach their highest potential, while meeting each student where they are academically, professionally, socially, physically, and emotionally. Students are coached and encouraged to lead their learning journey, setting personalized goals and reflecting on their progress.

Equipped for College and Career Success

One Stone's holistic approach to education and growth ensures that students are not only academically prepared, but also equipped with the soft skills needed to succeed in college and in the workforce. One Stone high school's emphasis on academic excellence and a well-rounded education results in students who are curious, passionate, responsible, and prepared for anything. By engaging in interdisciplinary projects and real-world applications, students gain a deeper understanding of STEM subjects and how they intersect with other fields.

One Stone graduates credit their college success with the following essential skills they developed at One Stone:

1. They learned how to build and maintain relationships with trusted adults and became comfortable asking for help and advocating for themselves.

2. They identified their passions, strengths, and interests, which saved them thousands of dollars trying to figure out who they were while in college.

3. They were already excellent collaborators and leaders equipping them to thrive as freshmen in team projects and group work in college.

4. They developed the grit and resilience required to overcome obstacles, challenges, adversities, and difficulties that often arise in college.

5. They possessed the management and ownership skills to prioritize their work—they know how to plan and use their time effectively in college.

6. They knew how to become involved leaders on their college campuses, engaging deeply in their academic programs, communities, and relevant professional opportunities.

7. They graduated with a comprehensive portfolio and a robust resume of professional experiences, technical skills, internships, real-world partnerships and projects, and valuable social capital and relationships.

8. They have the confidence to try new things, explore new areas of interest, take risks, and embrace the possibility of failure.

Finding Relevance, Passion, and Purpose: One Stone High School Diploma Requirements

Download the 2025 One Stone School Profile

One Stone’s two-to-four-year high school program is rooted in competency-based learning and design thinking, a creative problem-solving process developed at Stanford University’s d.school. Although the learning method is innovative and interdisciplinary, a One Stone diploma represents a well-balanced transcript in the following traditional academic fields:

• English Language Arts

• Reading

• Applied Mathematics

• Science

• Social Science

• Computer Science, Technology, & Engineering

• Entrepreneurship

• Business & Marketing

Applying Math and Science to Real-World Problems

The components of One Stone’s Growth Framework include competencies such as Scientific Inquiry and Applied Mathematics. Students engage in place-based and project-based learning projects that require them to apply mathematical strategies, scientific principles, engineering and design mindsets, and essential technical skills to tackle complex issues, simulating the challenges they will face in STEM careers. These are not taught in isolation or in theoretical contexts, but instead, learning at One Stone is integrated into real-world problem-solving partnerships and situations.

Each term, every student engages in reading, English, research, human-centered design, and math, while science and social science are both recommended at least once or twice per year. Computer science, entrepreneurship, and marketing are each required once during a student’s time at One Stone.

In the 2024-2025 school year alone, students could design their own STEM learning opportunities or choose from the following variety of STEM-related experiences and workshops including:

• 3D & Virtual Design

• 3D Printing

• Advanced Trig & Wave Functions

• Agriculture & Food Science

• App Design

• Architecture & Design

• Audio Recording & Engineering

• Biomimicry

• Blacksmithing

• Boat Design & Engineering

• Botany

• Branding & Graphic Design

• Bridge Design & Engineering

• Chemistry

• Climate Science

• Coding & Robotics

• Electrical Engineering

• Exponentials & Logarithms

• Fluid Thermal Systems

• Game Design

• Generative AI

• Geography

• Geology

• Hydrology

• Linear Functions

• Math Fundamentals

• Musical Instrument Design & Construction

• Mycology

• Nuclear Energy

• Psychology & Mental Health

• Quadratics & Polynomials

• Qualitative Research Methods

• Statistics & Data Analysis

• Transportation Crash Data & Statistics

• Video Game Design & Coding

• Videography

• Welding

• Woodworking & Furniture Construction

• Woodworking & Product Design

Developing Research, Critical Thinking, and Information Literacy Skills

In today's information-rich world, the ability to discern credible information from misinformation is crucial. One Stone addresses this through its focus on Information Literacy, helping students to learn how to critically evaluate the origin and value of sources and recognize bias. Students develop their own research questions, conduct dozens of research interviews and experiments, and regularly prototype and test their solutions with partners and external audiences. This skill is particularly valuable in STEM and design thinking, where human-centered, data-driven decision-making is critical.

Conclusion

One Stone's Growth Framework provides a robust opportunity for high school students to develop skills and confidence, especially those who are passionate about STEM. By focusing on personalized learning, real-world applications, and critical information literacy, the One Stone high school prepares students to excel in college and beyond, inspiring the next generation of leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers who are equipped to make the world a better place.

Schedule a tour of the One Stone high school

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Student Stories of Academic Excellence at One Stone

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This article was initially generated by One Stone’s Growth Coach, a piece of proprietary AI technology that helps One Stone staff implement the Growth Framework.

A Story of Grit

By Matthew Lynn, Class of 2025

This article is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

When I first started here at One Stone, I would say that I was extremely nervous about being somewhere new, uncomfortable, and so drastically different from how I had been homeschooled the rest of my life. One Stone wasn’t entirely new to me. The year prior to being accepted into One Stone’s high school, I had been attending Project Good on and off, being there as much as I was able. Project Good is an after-school program that any high school student in the Treasure Valley can participate in. During that year of Project Good, I had the opportunity to work with teens struggling with mental health. Alongside the rest of my team, we ended up creating a small break room in a project called “A Shatter that Matters.” This was a space where teens could come and break everyday objects such as plates, glasses, vases, and other such items. But that whole year in Project Good, I never really found the ability to step up and be a leader. I was just going along with the flow of things and doing what I could to work with my team. That year in Project Good was really what I needed to make the decision to apply to One Stone.

In September of 2022, I had my first day of school. I had been homeschooled up until this year, and while One Stone’s teaching and learning methods were not entirely new, they were still very different from anything I had done before. After my first couple of weeks here, I had only just started grasping what it meant for my learning to be led by me. During October, all of the incoming students were split into groups to then come together later in the month and plan a Halloween event using One Stone’s design thinking process. The challenge of creating an event like this was coordinating a group of 25 or so people who were all so new to this and all had so many different ideas. The process was difficult, and there were times when I didn’t want to be doing it, but at the same time, I was doing more with my team, participating, and even starting to lead a little bit.

Over the rest of that school year, I started exploring my passions more deeply than before and trying to incorporate them into my learning. I took a few learning experiences and workshops that had to do with photography or podcasting, and from those, I learned a lot about self-management. Looking back, I grew more than I gave myself credit for during that first year.

While  reflecting on writing this story, I came across this quote from first portfolio presentation at One Stone:

“I believe that I have learned and grown a lot in empathy from Project Good and XLab. Some examples of how I’ve grown are learning to empathize with young kids and their parents. I have also grown in grit by not giving up when things were hard or stressful. For example, with the Nightmare Before Halloween event I put on with the rest of XLab, we had a lot of stuff go wrong or something happened, and at some points we wanted to give up on it, but we stuck with it, and it turned out great.” 

Now, in my final year here at One Stone, I can say that I know how to lead, I can empathize, and most of all, I haven’t given up. That last one is really important. I haven’t given up, but instead, I’ve taken control of my learning, incorporated my passions into my work, discovered new passions, and continued to learn and grow alongside my peers. Things haven’t been easy in any sense of the word, but I have kept going. If nothing else, this is a story of grit and perseverance.In the spring of 2023, I went on my first spring trip, which is an annual One Stone trip that allows students to connect and grow in nature. I chose to go on a 14-mile backpacking trip, even though I had never been backpacking. It was both physically and mentally challenging, and took grit and persistence to hike in the hot sun all day. But those hard and negative aspects didn’t seem to affect me as much with the amount of joy and connection I experienced. I spent the entire day talking with my peers and coaches, making new connections, and so many fun memories. I realized that the trip was exactly what I needed to feel more refreshed and more connected with the people around me. I learned more about myself and others and was able to recharge and experience mindfulness, while setting the stage for a mindset of growth.

In my second year, I challenged myself to step further out of my comfort zone. I did a Model Arab League conference for the first time, despite my fear of public speaking. Representing a country in a professional, fast-paced environment with older, more experienced students was intimidating, but within the very first session, so many people approached me, welcomed me, and helped me to feel more comfortable. I had to develop skills in debate, critical thinking, and communication to collaborate on world issues and current events. Although it was unfamiliar and scary, by putting myself into this setting it has helped me build confidence and learn valuable skills, while gaining new perspectives. I left the conference feeling empowered because I embraced the challenge and have grown through the experience.

This year, I decided to focus on exploring a long-time interest of mine—science. When a six week fast-paced chemistry experience was offered and coached by a chemist, Molliann, I was so excited, even though I had no background in the subject. We did a new experiment each day, and initially I was overwhelmed by the new concepts that were challenging for me to understand. I put a lot of effort into taking detailed notes and observations, and committed myself to doing research to understand the experiments. Overtime I began to adapt to the learning pace and manage my time efficiently to make sure I felt more confident in my understanding of the basics of chemistry. I loved the amount of engaging hands-on experiments we did, my favorite being an E. coli transformation where we introduced a fluorescent gene into the DNA of E. coli. This experience not only sparked a passion for chemistry but also strengthened my scientific inquiry and curiosity skills. It showed me that by putting in the effort and taking ownership of my learning, I can develop valuable skills and grow in new ways.

Through consistently embracing challenging opportunities like backpacking, Model Arab League, and chemistry, I not only discovered new passions but also built the confidence to tackle challenges and explore possibilities that once scared me. Managing and taking charge of my growth through each of these experiences has pushed me to face my fears, try new things, and develop a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me. I learned to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than failures. By diving into my curiosities and practicing grit and vulnerability, I have learned to value growth and strive to keep learning.

Learn more about how academic excellence at One Stone’s high school means challenging students to try new things, embrace the fear of failure, and ultimately thrive in rigorous learning and professional environments.

Embracing New Experiences

By Maggie Lindsay, Class of 2026

This article is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

At the start of my One Stone journey, vulnerability was my biggest fear. I struggled with putting myself out there. Even though this was a big fear of mine, I still had a strong desire to grow and take risks. I wanted to practice overcoming my fears, so I pushed myself to explore new experiences. During my first year, it was hard for me to define my passions, so I decided to explore a wide range of new interests like photography and backpacking. These past few years at One Stone have given me many opportunities to dive into new experiences and fill my schedule with not only my passions, but things that I want to try and learn about.

In the spring of 2023, I went on my first spring trip, which is an annual One Stone trip that allows students to connect and grow in nature. I chose to go on a 14-mile backpacking trip, even though I had never been backpacking. It was both physically and mentally challenging, and took grit and persistence to hike in the hot sun all day. But those hard and negative aspects didn’t seem to affect me as much with the amount of joy and connection I experienced. I spent the entire day talking with my peers and coaches, making new connections, and so many fun memories. I realized that the trip was exactly what I needed to feel more refreshed and more connected with the people around me. I learned more about myself and others and was able to recharge and experience mindfulness, while setting the stage for a mindset of growth.

In my second year, I challenged myself to step further out of my comfort zone. I did a Model Arab League conference for the first time, despite my fear of public speaking. Representing a country in a professional, fast-paced environment with older, more experienced students was intimidating, but within the very first session, so many people approached me, welcomed me, and helped me to feel more comfortable. I had to develop skills in debate, critical thinking, and communication to collaborate on world issues and current events. Although it was unfamiliar and scary, by putting myself into this setting it has helped me build confidence and learn valuable skills, while gaining new perspectives. I left the conference feeling empowered because I embraced the challenge and have grown through the experience.

This year, I decided to focus on exploring a long-time interest of mine—science. When a six week fast-paced chemistry experience was offered and coached by a chemist, Molliann, I was so excited, even though I had no background in the subject. We did a new experiment each day, and initially I was overwhelmed by the new concepts that were challenging for me to understand. I put a lot of effort into taking detailed notes and observations, and committed myself to doing research to understand the experiments. Overtime I began to adapt to the learning pace and manage my time efficiently to make sure I felt more confident in my understanding of the basics of chemistry. I loved the amount of engaging hands-on experiments we did, my favorite being an E. coli transformation where we introduced a fluorescent gene into the DNA of E. coli. This experience not only sparked a passion for chemistry but also strengthened my scientific inquiry and curiosity skills. It showed me that by putting in the effort and taking ownership of my learning, I can develop valuable skills and grow in new ways.

Through consistently embracing challenging opportunities like backpacking, Model Arab League, and chemistry, I not only discovered new passions but also built the confidence to tackle challenges and explore possibilities that once scared me. Managing and taking charge of my growth through each of these experiences has pushed me to face my fears, try new things, and develop a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me. I learned to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than failures. By diving into my curiosities and practicing grit and vulnerability, I have learned to value growth and strive to keep learning.

Learn more about how academic excellence at One Stone’s high school means challenging students to try new things, embrace the fear of failure, and ultimately thrive in rigorous learning and professional environments.

Meaningful Connections

By Hazel Mansfield, Class of 2025

This article is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

This school has undeniably led to life changing experiences. I have never been surrounded by so much love and encouragement in my entire life, and that is because of the people I have met during my time at One Stone. The student body itself is one of deep connection and value. Our school intentionally creates space for each student to interact with one another, whether it’s through group discussions, all community time, or simply modeling and encouraging behavior where we welcome each other into our space. In turn, I have gotten to know most of, if not all the other students. We know more than just each other's names; I know the passions and dreams of peers I have only talked to once or twice, and this goes beyond just the students. Our staff truly believe in us; they are the reason we are able to continuously work with one another and why a safe space exists in our community in general. In a public school environment I often experienced disconnection from my teachers, lost in the crowd. Here, the staff have genuine care to meet the students where they are at. This requires a more personal relationship and mutual respect between each other. This has made my drive for learning grow tenfold, as I know that those who I am learning from care about my future. 

A huge way this is implemented into our community is our mentorship program. Mentorship at One Stone is for students to connect to coaches and the staff on a more personal level, in order to provide a space that meets students where they are at and make them feel seen and important. Staff throughout the school are assigned a small group of kids to work alongside for their high school career. Camille has been my mentor at One Stone the past year, and she has gotten to see me at many angles of my personal and professional life. When first meeting with her, I was encouraged to jump in with vulnerability and a desire to grow.

She asked me what I needed from her, what my strengths and weaknesses were, and the goals she could support me with moving forward. I have never in my education been asked such questions, especially not in such a caring and personal way. I felt like what I was doing here actually mattered, that my future mattered, and that Camille could help me get there. Throughout the year, she has been a safety net. She has put a consistent effort into checking in on me, helping me set new goals and complete them. She encourages me when I feel an overflow of self-doubt. Her office has become a safe place. I can walk into her office, sit and work for an hour or two before rejoining again to work with groups. The best part is, she knows me. She knows how much I care about the work I do here, and she can guide me in the right direction in a way that works for me as an individual, rather than pushing me into a system that doesn’t work for my brain.The mentor program at One Stone and my connection to Camille has meant the world to me. I finally am able to show up to school feeling supported and safe, a privilege I wish every student in the world could experience

Learn more about how One Stone’s high school empowers students with the tools to build meaningful relationships with peers, teammates, and adults, which is a skill that is invaluable for working with college professors, bosses, clients, and coworkers.

One Event 2025

Picture a place where all the essential elements for growth are present. You’re surrounded by a caring and supportive environment, filled with people who believe in you. You’re encouraged to try, fail, and try again. You have opportunities to do good and make a direct impact on your community. And you’re given the chance to push the limits of what education and society think students are capable of. Imagine being part of a place that redefines how we assess students’ abilities and readiness to thrive in the real world.

At the 2025 One Event, we shared stories that prove this is possible. Many of these stories were deeply personal student stories and touched on sensitive topics. Part of growing is becoming self-aware and being willing to own and share our stories with authenticity. When it comes to mental health, Idaho teens are in crisis, which makes these stories both timely and significant. In Boise alone, 33% of teens report to be struggling with depression, reflecting a broader statewide challenge that demands urgent attention and action. 

One Event 2025 celebrated One Stone’s organizational growth, student growth, One Stone’s growth framework, and One Stone’s Growth Network of innovative partner schools.

These aren’t just tales of personal transformation—they’re examples of the exponential ripple effect created by an organization that believes in the power of students to grow into better leaders and make the world a better place.

STORIES OF STUDENT GROWTH

One Event 2024

Becoming my True Self

By Sylvie Rupe, Class of 2027

This podcast is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

Be the Good · Sylvie One Stone Story

Learn more about how One Stone’s high school accepts students for who they are, and helps them discover what they are passionate about learning and doing with their lives.

Learning by Making

By Hudson Alban, Class of 2028

This podcast is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

Be the Good · Hudson Podcast OS

Learn more about how student-driven learning and personalized learning inspires students at the One Stone high school to engage deeply in rigorous academics and professional, real-world projects.

Finding my Voice

By Amelia Larson, Class of 2027

This podcast is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

Be the Good · Amelia One Stone Story

Learn more about how One Stone’s high school helps students discover who they are, what they stand for, and what they are passionate about learning and doing with their lives.

Mentorship and Passion

By Joseph Davidson, Class of 2025

This podcast is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

Be the Good · Joseph One Stone Story

Learn more about how the One Stone high school empowers students with the tools to build meaningful relationships with adults, a skill that is invaluable for working with college professors, bosses, clients, and coworkers.

Collaboration in the Real World

By Lucia Cocozza, Class of 2028

This podcast is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

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Be the Good · Lucia One Stone Story

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Learn more about how One Stone’s high school empowers students to learn and develop relevant skills by working to solve real world problems.

Becoming Vulnerable

By Randy Amarillo, Class of 2026

This podcast is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

Be the Good · Randy One Stone Story

Learn more about how One Stone’s high school empowers students with the tools to build meaningful relationships with peers, teammates, and adults, which is a skill that is invaluable for working with college professors, bosses, clients, and coworkers.

How Soccer Empowered My Growth

By Ryah Miller, Class of 2026

This podcast is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

Be the Good · Ryah One Stone Story

Many One Stone students play club sports and high school sports with their home high school at the Junior Varsity and Varsity levels. Over the years, One Stone students have competed in football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, hockey, track and field, golf, swimming, rugby, baseball, climbing, mountain biking, BMX, skiing, and more.

Learn more about how the One Stone high school empowers students to be leaders, effective teammates, and helps them develop confidence in the real world.

How Student-Driven Learning Rekindled My Academic Passions

By Ashtyn Burgess, Class of 2025

This article is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

For as long as I can remember, I have been a good student. My family encouraged me towards advanced classes, and I excelled. Although by the time ninth grade arrived, my mental state had started deteriorating, but I had a hard time understanding what was happening. When I started high school, I’d walk through the doors, and these feelings of dread and self-loathing would fill my body as if a chemical in the air was forcing me to feel that way. 

I still had good grades. I was still participating. I was a good student, but something wasn’t working. I was depressed and struggling. It didn't make sense, but after some reflection, it became more obvious to me. No matter how hard I would try, I didn't feel I could reach the standards set by myself or my school. I started losing my drive and passion for my education thinking to myself there was no way I could ever be a good student. Soon I gave up on school. I gave up on everything. It was apparent to me what I was doing at school didn't matter. I knew I needed to make a change. I needed to find confidence in myself and my education. My first step was to find a new school that had an environment that was open and welcoming, giving me a breath of fresh air.

I discovered One Stone, a student-driven school that focuses on personalized learning. It was exactly what I wanted for my high school education. From what I learned from participating in Project Good, completing the application, doing a tour, and my conversations during the interview; the environment, focus on positive relationships, and commitment to personalized learning, drew me in.

From my very first day as a student at One Stone, I have felt completely and truly connected, whether it was from the staff or the students. I never found myself in a clique or witnessing exclusion but only the opposite - true inclusion and a supportive community. Even from my first experience, the community has built me up and supported me throughout my growth and struggles. 

What has been fundamental to me thriving here is being able to explore and pursue passions I didn’t even know I had. This includes my love for automotive collision repair and refinishing. I have had the opportunity to spend a portion of every day at The Dennis Technical Center completing level 1 through 3 automotive collision repair courses, and I also got fourth place in Idaho in the SkillsUSA Trade competition for this type of work. I love working on cars, like I love math. Every problem has a solution, no matter how confusing or hard it may seem at first. Finding solutions to real, hands-on problems brings me a sense of pride and accomplishment. 

I have also discovered a new passion for mental health. During our final year at One Stone, all students engage in a human-centered design thinking project of their choosing. And I have chosen to focus on improving youth mental health in our local communities. I have pushed myself way out of my comfort zone with this project, doing hours of extensive research on youth mental health, and  conducting interviews with medical and mental health care professionals. I also learned that by showing vulnerability I was able to connect more authentically with the topic.  This project has also pushed me to grow in my collaboration skills because I am working with another student on this project. I have learned that I cannot expect others to fit their time into my schedule and vice versa. This is going to help me immensely as I move on to college and a career. I have learned to trust my partner and also spend time doing advanced planning together. 

At One Stone I have grown in some big ways. I no longer dread going to school, I see school as a place where I truly be comfortable and a place accepting of change. I found my excitement and desire to learn again. Two years ago, there was no way I could imagine I’d be excited to go to school, but I am. I’ve improved my life, learning, relationships, and mental well-being. I’m finally making friends that feel secure. With my increased confidence outside of home, I’ve been able to start advocating for and communicating my needs, something I had previously felt scared to do.

The person I am today wouldn't be remotely possible if I didn't go to One Stone or have this community to help me grow.

Learn more about how student-driven learning and personalized learning inspires students at the One Stone high school to engage deeply in rigorous academics and professional, real-world projects.

My Journey in Beginning to Find Myself

By Dez McLenna, Class of 2027

This article is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

During middle school I was always known as the shy kid. I felt like I wasn't in a place to share my ideas and how I was feeling. So I stayed quiet and kept my thoughts inside my head. This did not feel authentic to me, and I knew this needed to change. I wanted to be at a high school that helped me focus on becoming a leader and supported my voice. 

That’s when I first heard about One Stone, and it felt like the perfect fit for me. My cousin, Asa Menlove, a 2020 graduate, shared his experiences with me. He talked about how One Stone empowered him to take control of his own learning and how he was able to explore his passions and curiosities. There was no focus on grades or traditional schoolwork. The more he told me about One Stone, the more I realized that this was exactly the kind of school I had been searching for. One Stone isn’t just about academic excellence; it is about growth, creativity, and finding your voice. I was convinced that this was the place where I could challenge myself and grow as a person and a student. 

In 2023, I made the decision to go to One Stone with the goal of expanding my knowledge, exploring my passions, and developing a stronger sense of who I am. My journey began in the 9th grade, and I knew it was going to be a year of transformation. From the very beginning, I committed myself to taking risks, stepping outside my comfort zone, and fully embracing every opportunity for growth. One of my main goals was to speak up more and to not be afraid to share my ideas and perspectives, no matter how small they seemed. I wanted to be an active participant in my learning. 

As the year went by I was given countless opportunities for growth, such as during XLab, where I worked with a group to solve issues in the Idaho Central Arena. I grew in writing workshops, where I shared my writing with peers. I learned Adobe Illustrator, where I got the chance to develop my new graphic design skills by working with real world clients, and so much more. Despite all of these opportunities, I still felt like I needed to challenge myself more. 

Each summer, One Stone students identify and pursue an internship, job opportunity, or a professional passion project that aligns with the values, interests, and goals that we put on our T-Popper. So, when Summer Experience rolled around I took the opportunity to try to push myself. My plan was to write and record an EP, all by myself. It felt like the perfect way to test my creativity, push my limits, and really commit to something I have always wanted to do. But honestly, the experience didn’t go as smoothly as I had hoped. At first, I struggled with motivation and found myself facing a lack of inspiration. There were moments where I questioned whether I could actually complete the project. However, the more I worked, the more I rediscovered my passion for music. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a huge step in the right direction. 

Looking back on my first year at One Stone, I’m amazed by how much I’ve changed. I’ve learned to embrace challenges, speak up for myself, and take control of my learning in ways I never thought were possible. I still have a long way to go, but I'm proud of the progress I’ve made. One Stone has given me the tools and the confidence to continue exploring my passions, pursuing my goals, and becoming the kind of person I want to be. I’m excited to see who I become and where this journey takes me.

Learn more about how One Stone’s high school helps students discover who they are, what they stand for, and what they are passionate about learning and doing with their lives.

Pursuing Open-Mindedness

By Felix Swarthout, Class of 2028

This article is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

When I first started at One Stone, I was quiet and shy. I rarely spoke and only joined conversations when someone addressed me directly. Staying in my comfort zone felt safe, and I wasn’t eager to step out of it. However, I eventually realized that clinging to my comfort zone meant missing out on making friends, connecting with people, and growing through activities like public speaking.

Determined to grow, I began pushing myself to be more social and engage with others. Over time, I gradually became more outgoing. Even now, in unfamiliar situations, I tend to be quiet at first, but once I get a feel for the environment or the people around me, I open up and participate more. During Week of Welcome (the first week of school), I met some amazing new people and connected with them quickly. For instance, a peer, Carson, and I went to the same school, but we weren’t friends back then. Meeting at One Stone felt like magic; it just clicked. We became friends and started talking to other people. We then formed our friend group and met everyone we now know! 

The friends I’ve made here have played a big role in helping me become more sociable and open-minded. Instead of feeling quiet and awkward, I now feel more at ease, which has made it easier for me to complete tasks more efficiently. Since then, I’ve made an effort to be more approachable and welcoming, whether someone needs help with their work or just wants to chat. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I hope to continue improving. One day, I’d love to fully overcome my social anxiety, especially in new or crowded settings.

Joining One Stone has been awesome, especially because of my mentor, Jordi. He quickly turned into a great mentor for me. His sense of humor always keeps things light and fun, which makes our time together really enjoyable. Whenever I'm stuck with my assignments, he’s always ready to help out and steer me in the right direction. Our mentor meetings are not only super helpful but also a lot of fun. I know I can count on him, and it’s clear he cares about my success. Having Jordi in my corner is just fantastic. He takes the time to walk me through the process, offering not just guidance but also encouragement and practical tips that help me understand the material better. Our mentor meetings are super fun; we often end up sharing a lot of laughs while talking about my goals and strategies for improvement. It’s clear that he genuinely cares about my success - not just in completing assignments but in helping me grow as a person and a learner. Overall, I feel incredibly fortunate to have someone like Jordi by my side, supporting me through this journey and making it all the more enjoyable.

Learn more about how One Stone’s high school empowers students with the tools to build meaningful relationships with peers, teammates, and adults, which is a skill that is invaluable for working with college professors, bosses, clients, and coworkers.

Strife

By Kamrin Cain, Class of 2026

This article is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

Before my first week at One Stone, I had a reputation that I wasn’t proud of. I was struggling in school and dealing with a lot of personal issues that I didn’t know how to handle. I often felt like I was messing up and making things worse, unsure of how to move forward without making even bigger mistakes. Throughout this time, I felt isolated. While I had close friends, they were focused on their own adult responsibilities—being homeowners, working full-time—and I didn’t want to burden them with my problems. I was left to tackle my dilemmas on my own, but that also meant I couldn’t rely on anyone for help. This led to trust issues and constant anxiety. I never knew if someone’s kindness was genuine or if it was a setup, so I stayed on edge, trying to protect myself from potential harm.

When I joined One Stone, I slowly started shedding that negative image of myself. I began to realize that the people at One Stone were different. They were unique, creative, and brought positive energy into everything they did. It was a community where everyone contributed their own ideas and talents, and that made me feel more confident in being myself. Being surrounded by so much creativity and support helped me put my past struggles behind me. I could feel myself growing, both as a person and as a student, and it pushed me to aim for higher goals and standards.

Before One Stone, I didn’t believe I had any real talents or skills worth pursuing. But the school helped me discover passions I never knew I had. One of the things that inspired me most was music. I’ve always loved rap, and now I have a clear goal: I want to make a name for myself in the rap industry. I want to create music that has an impact, music that people can connect with. It’s no longer just a dream, but something I am actively working toward. I know it will take time and effort, but I’m confident that I can make it happen.

In addition to music, I’ve also developed a strong interest in fashion and entrepreneurship. I’m working on launching my own clothing line called "Strife." The idea behind it is to create something unique, authentic, and meaningful—clothing that reflects the struggles we face in life and how we rise above them. I truly believe that this brand could one day be a huge deal. The business model I’ve developed is built on authenticity and creativity, and I think it could set my brand apart in a crowded market.

Slowly but surely, I’m making progress on both my music career and my clothing line, and I know that with the support of the amazing, creative individuals at One Stone, I can achieve my dreams. The community here has shown me that anything is possible if I’m willing to work hard and stay focused. I’m more confident than ever that I can make my mark, not just at One Stone, but in the world. The future is bright, and I’m ready for whatever comes next.

Learn more about how the One Stone high school develops students with entrepreneurial mindsets, skills, and experiences that build passion and confidence.

Motivation

By Finn Gerhardt, Class of 2025

This article is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

Desire. A desire for the pinnacle. The kind of desire to summit, to constantly climb the endless ladder with the vision of achieving something—yet that something is never clearly defined. It’s always just... something. Something great. Something to improve another something. Something that grows into something else in order to achieve yet another something. And this "something" is tied to only one major entity: myself.

My name is Finn Gerhardt. I’m an overly organized, poetic, anxious, empathetic, studious-yet-messy, pasta-with-red-sauce-loving guy. My journey has taken me all over the place, but through it all, it’s landed me right here. Today, I stand grounded by a steady structure of roots built on a desire for growth.

These roots have always been there—sometimes subconscious, sometimes hidden deep within my soul—but this past summer, they grew to a point of visibility. In June, I participated in a volunteer opportunity with the Idaho Conservation Corps, a program that educates workers about the conservation of public lands, invasive species, and professional work ethic. My group primarily focused on tree mulching, a process based on the idea that trees “breathe” better when a shallow ring is dug around their base and filled with bark, allowing for more direct airflow to their roots.

We worked long hours in the 90-degree heat, dressed in long-sleeved clothing, digging and hauling heavy wheelbarrows to dump sod into trailers. Needless to say, the work was strenuous. Yet, amid all of this, I realized something important. Each night, I would come home exhausted and sore, but I also felt astonishingly good.

This was confusing to me. Physically, I was drained. But mentally, I was thriving. I felt grit and strength that dazzled me, leaving me wanting to do more. After some reflection, I realized the reason: I was putting in my full effort and seeing the tangible results of my work right in front of me. The tedious, underwhelming tree rings became something polished and complete. The immense feeling of success that came from accomplishing such a difficult task was deeply satisfying.

Because of this, I found myself returning each day with even more determination. My desire to work harder and push myself grew with every passing day. Soon, I watched this newfound energy spill over into other areas of my life. It was astounding. Motivation, a desire for success, confidence in myself, and the natural dopamine of achievement all unfolded before my eyes.

Procrastination began to fade away, and the visibility of my potential slowly emerged from the thick fog. One of the most impactful things One Stone has done for me is provide support throughout this journey while also reinforcing my growth. Whether encouraging me to take risks or helping me develop attainable goals, this experience has taught me how to ignite the initial spark that fuels the fire.

That fire is the feeling of accomplishment—a reward so often greater than the energy it takes to achieve it.

Now, as I reflect, I see an opportunity in front of me. An opportunity for mentorship: to inspire others with the knowledge I’ve gained from my own experiences. It would be an honor.

Learn more about how One Stone’s high school is designed to help students develop internal motivation, ownership, and responsibility over their learning and their lives.

My Journey With Empowerment

By Keira Downing, Class of 2025

This article is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

In my first year at One Stone, I did a Project Good called EmpowHER about empowering young women. It was also my first ever Project Good experience at One Stone. Celeste was the coach lead of our group as well as another student’s mom, Crystal. At the start of Project Good, we had a student lead named Ella, but after the second term of the year she had joined a sport which required her to be gone every Thursday. She unfortunately had to step down from being the student lead and because of that a spot opened up to lead the group. I had never really been the leader of a group like this so I didn’t really know what to do but I decided to jump into the role. Of course, Celeste was there to help me navigate most of it and I was able to grow a pretty close bond with her and the other girls in the group. Since we were working towards empowering young women we got to share our personal stories with each other and connect on things we didn’t know others had ever experienced.  

We decided as a group that the best approach to helping young women would be to meet with different women around Boise and talk to them about their experience growing up. We asked them questions about their struggles with girlhood and what resources they wished they had at the time. After gaining a lot of insight and doing empathy work, we then narrowed down our meetings to potential partners we could work with. None of us had any idea what our final implementation for the group would be so we were hoping to find the right person to work with and brainstorm with them. I had done some research and found a woman in Boise who organizes mixers for local women-owned businesses to meet and exchange resources for each other. We met with her and loved her but there was one problem, she had never worked with younger girls and our target age group was 12-14 year old girls. We decided to keep searching and eventually found Wild Hearts Idaho, an organization that provides outdoor adventure programs for girls aged 12-18 to help empower them. They were more than happy to work with us, since they needed to find a way to get their word out and we needed a partner to help us achieve our goals. 

After establishing other connections, like Martha at the Foothills Learning Center who let us use that space for our implementation, we began to plan a final event to get together a group of girls between the ages of 12 and 14 and hopefully empower them in some way. The brainstorming process for this event was long and tiring, we just couldn’t think of what would be engaging as well as empowering to the girls. Since we were going to be using the Foothills Learning Center for our event, the first thing set in place was a quick group hike to get to know each other and pick flowers together to make flower crowns. Our partner, Wild Hearts Idaho, had already established a leadership group of older teen girls, so they sent a few of them to help us lead our activities. These girls were much more experienced with this topic so to me it felt like they were helping us feel more empowered, too.

Overall the experience was empowering to me personally because I got to become a leader and help empower other girls while also forming good bonds with my teammates and coaches. Working with the younger girls was fun and challenging and I would love to do it again. I talked to one younger girl that was in our event and she told me she hadn’t felt this proud to be a girl in a little while which was both sad and encouraging to hear. I loved the group so much that I was hoping to join again the next year but it didn’t end up working out. The growth and insight I gained from this experience will always be something special to me and I hope to see groups like this continue around the world someday.

Learn more about how Project Good, One Stone’s experiential service program inspires students to do good in the community and become more confident leaders.

CNC Reality

By Louie DePhillips, Class of 2026

This article is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

At the end of my first year at One Stone, I took part in a machining experience. This was the first time I truly led my own learning. The experience centered around using the CNC machine in One Stone's Foundry to create anything you wanted within reason. I decided I wanted to make a "robot arm." 

To prototype and design my robot, I downloaded a software called Fusion 360. This software became the backbone of my project. While I had dabbled with it before, I was by no means experienced. After a few days of trying different things and tinkering around in the software, I felt lost. I didn’t think I could learn quickly enough to make a final product.

That realization led me to talk to the Foundry lead and the coach for the experience, Sam Johnson. He understood where I was coming from and had a possible solution. He mentioned that one of his friends, Dan Beyer, was a Fusion 360 genius. Dan had been using it for years and was highly skilled. Sam offered to email him for me. A few days later, Dan responded and said he’d be happy to come in for a session and show me some of the basics.

That was great news for me. A few days later, Dan came in with his computer and spent two hours walking me through Fusion. He taught me the basics and showed me several useful techniques that made the software much easier to navigate. It was exactly what I needed, and by the end of the session, I felt much more confident in my ability to move forward with my design.

Once he left, I immediately started designing. My first designs were pretty rough, but as I kept working on them and making adjustments, they started to improve. With each iteration, the process became more intuitive, and I began to understand everything better.

As my designs were good enough, I began using the laser cutter. I had to learn how to convert my 3D files into PDFs so I could cut them to scale for my project. After wasting a lot of wood and acrylic, I started to get the hang of it. This led me to order electronics, such as servos, potentiometers, buttons, and Arduinos, so that I could control the arm. I then began measuring and incorporating these pieces into my designs, which brought its own set of challenges.

I want to say I made about five or six variations of each piece, improving them every time. But as the experience was coming to an end, I wasn’t able to cut out my final pieces. But I’m alright with that. The process of figuring out the design and working through challenges was rewarding enough. This experience showed me how much I can really drive my own learning and gave me a better sense of how much flexibility I have when it comes to my education. Even if I didn’t finish the final product, I gained many skills that have and will help me with future projects.

Learn more about how the One Stone high school provides students with opportunities and resources to develop important technical and trades skills as designers, engineers, builders, artists, and storytellers.