Discover Solare
Our Mission
Through individualized support, character development, and academic rigor, Solare Collegiate Charter School equips all students with the academic and personal skills to excel in the high school and college of their choice!
Our Values
Solare Collegiate is guided by six core values
Staff of Solare Collegiate emulate our beliefs in their actions, with teachers providing explicit teaching and modeling of them. Through clear rules and constant positive reinforcement, all Solare Collegiate scholars learn to take responsibility for themselves, their school, and their community.
Voice Strengthens Identity
Scholars are encouraged to express their ideas, perspectives, and experiences with confidence and clarity. By valuing student voice, the school fosters a strong sense of identity, belonging, and agency in both academic and community spaces.
Character is Critical
Strong character is the foundation of personal and academic success. Scholars are expected to demonstrate integrity, respect, perseverance, and responsibility in all they do, building habits that prepare them for lifelong achievement.
Literacy is Foundational
Reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking are essential skills for success in every subject. A strong emphasis on literacy ensures that all scholars can access, analyze, and communicate ideas effectively across disciplines.
Instruction is Rigorous
Scholars are challenged with high-quality, standards-aligned instruction that pushes them to think deeply and perform at high levels. Teachers provide meaningful learning experiences that promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and mastery.
Data Drives decisions
Student progress is continuously monitored through data to inform instruction and support. Educators use this information to adjust teaching strategies, provide targeted interventions, and ensure every scholar is on a path to success.
Structure Supports Learning
Clear routines, expectations, and systems create a safe and focused learning environment. Consistent structure allows scholars to maximize instructional time, develop self-discipline, and thrive both academically and socially.
Our Team
Rachel Sewards
Founder, Executive Director
Tiffany Orr
Middle School Principal
Sarah Tawwater
Elementary School Principal
Kaitlyn Pyke
Director of Special Education
Our Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is committed to providing an exceptional, equitable education for every Solare Collegiate student. Learn more about the individuals guiding our mission.
About our Founder
Rachel Sewards
Rachael was introduced to charter schools early in her career, when she headed to Memphis, Tennessee as a member of Teach For America in 2006. She taught sixth grade language arts at The Soulsville Charter School, during that time 94 percent of her students scored proficient or higher on the TCAP. Rachael moved to Columbus, Ohio and joined KIPP Journey Academy as a founding teacher. In 2011, she joined the team at The ASK Academy Charter School, a project-based STEM school in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, as a founding teacher in the middle school.
After four years at ASK, she began teaching middle school literacy at Cochiti Middle School, a rural, traditional public school. At Cochiti, her students have averaged 1.4 years of reading growth and a 1.845 value-added growth score on the PARCC assessment, earning her the distinction of Exemplary on the rigorous New Mexico teacher evaluation system. In addition to teaching, Rachael participated in the inaugural New Mexico Teacher Leader Network, a group of the state’s most effective teachers working to foster clearer means of communication between the Public Education Department and classroom teachers.
Rachael Sewards -Head Of School