Support • Collaboration • Community
We are Alturas Academy
Alturas is an IB-accredited public charter network committed to rigorous, inquiry-based learning. Through multi-age classrooms and small instructional groups, we teach students at their true academic level. This fosters meaningful growth, strong peer relationships, and a learning environment where curiosity and confidence are celebrated.
Mission
Alturas Academy promotes academic distinction while empowering students to be principled and intellectual leaders as they explore, create, investigate, and analyze in a safe, engaged, collaborative environment that inspires them to make a genuine difference in their local and global community.
Vision
Alturas Academy seeks to build a vibrant community of learners who are curious and compassionate, with a desire to understand the world and their place in it. We envision students who embrace shared responsibility to one another and act as thoughtful stewards of the world around them, contributing positively to both their local and global communities. Anchored in the IB philosophy, our vision is to inspire generations of young people to pursue excellence, honor diverse perspectives, and act with integrity throughout their lives.
Why Alturas?
Families choose Alturas because our instructional model unlocks potential that traditional grade-level structures often miss. By teaching students at their true instructional level and giving them the opportunity to collaborate in multi-age groups, we create an academically rigorous environment where every learner experiences continuous challenge and meaningful growth.
We are grounded in the belief that children are natural inquirers who thrive when they are active participants in their learning. When teachers act as facilitators rather than lecturers, students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning and communicate their thinking clearly. Our student-centered approach provides space for learners to ask thoughtful questions, analyze diverse perspectives, and apply their understanding in real-world contexts.
We complement our instructional model with a growth-mindset philosophy woven throughout our Alturas culture. Students learn to embrace productive struggle, persevere through challenges, and reflect on both their process and their progress. As an IB World School, we cultivate caring, principled, and open-minded global citizens who demonstrate the critical thinking, collaboration, and leadership skills necessary to contribute meaningfully to a constantly changing world.
Alturas Academy
Academics
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
Alturas offers Southeastern Idaho’s only full IB program pathway, providing academically rich programs that develop internationally aware, reflective learners from elementary through high school.
PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAMME
The PYP nurtures young learners through concept-driven learning that builds curiosity, foundational skills, and meaningful connections across subjects and real-world ideas.
MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAMME
The MYP develops creative, critical, and reflective thinkers by helping students explore big ideas, examine global perspectives, and connect their learning to real-world challenges.
DIPLOMA
PROGRAMME
The DP offers advanced, college-level coursework that strengthens students’ research, writing, and analytical skills while preparing them for success in higher education and future pursuits.
Alturas Leadership
Tiffany Lindaman
Child Nutrition Program Director
Kamron Cromwell
Facilities Director
Lorena Alvey
Operations Manager
alvey.lorena@alturasacademy.org
Lorena Alvey serves as the Operations Manager at Alturas Academy, where she applies her 10 years of management experience to help the schools run smoothly and support a positive educational experience for all students. She is especially passionate about student support, collaborative teamwork, and building effective school operations. In her free time, Lorena loves traveling, crafting, gardening, and enjoying the outdoors with her family, friends, and two beloved dogs.
Kristin Wright
Academic Coordinator
kristin.wright@alturasacademy.org
Kristin Wright is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Alturas Academy. She has 19 years of teaching experience as a teacher. She previously taught Spanish for 16 years at BYU-Idaho before coming to Alturas in 2022. Kristin loves working with students and staying actively involved in their school experience through advising the student leadership teams and the ski club. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with her husband and four kids- skiing, snowboarding, swimming, boating, and biking. She also stays involved in a community orchestra and plays both the piano and the French horn.
Bry Morgan
Director of Operations
bry.morgan@alturasacademy.org
Bry Morgan serves as the Director of Operations at the Alturas Academy Network of Schools. She brings 5 years of experience in education. Before joining Alturas, she worked in higher education at CEI, USU, and ISU. Her professional interests include developing systems that support continued growth and ensure consistency, efficiency, and excellence. She is passionate about building efficient, people-centered systems that empower teams, strengthen operations, and ensure every detail supports the mission’s success. Mrs. Morgan holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Idaho State University. Outside of work, she enjoys going to Target, sipping on iced coffee, and reading a good Romantasy.
Sarah Browning
Director of Special Education
sarah.browning@alturasacademy.org
Sarah Browning is the Special Education Director at Alturas Academy, bringing 19 years of experience supporting students across K–12. A Shelley, Idaho native, she studied Exceptional Child Education at Idaho State University. She also spent over 15 years volunteering with the Girl Scouts of Silver Sage, shaping her practical, community-focused approach to helping kids and families. She and her husband, Jerod, are proud parents of two college-aged daughters pursuing big dreams. Off the clock, she’s reading, listening to indie music, grabbing tacos, catching a movie, or heading outdoors to camp, fish, or watch baseball.
Brian Bingham
Chief Operating Officer
brian.bingham@alturasacademy.org
Brian Bingham serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the Alturas Academy network of schools. He began his career teaching Spanish and Humanities at Hillcrest High School before earning a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Idaho State University. He later served as principal at Alturas International and co-founded Alturas Preparatory Academy as its founding principal. Brian is passionate about building high-quality schools that serve all students and is excited to see the Alturas model grow in new communities. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his family—hunting, boating, skiing, snowmobiling, and dirt biking.
Michelle Ball
Chief Executive Officer
michelle.ball@alturasacademy.org
As an educator, I deeply understand how important it is to build a strong community for students to learn in an environment that is safe, collaborative, and engaging. I believe all students have unique talents and gifts to share, and it is the sharing of those gifts that enhances their lives as well as the lives of others to create a better and more understanding world. My goal and why as an educator is to have every student embrace that life and learning are full of challenges and it is the struggles that help us grow, find, understand and appreciate each other gifts and contributions.
l have been an educator for over forty years. For twenty-two years, I taught in a multi-aged classroom where students were taught at their instructional levels in small groups. Best practices were continually researched and implemented. This program of incorporating best practices in education is the foundation of Alturas which allows students to receive instruction tailored specifically to their needs and provided them opportunities to reach their academic potential. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, our students are inspired to be lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and global citizens.
Through my educational journey I had the privilege of receiving a Fulbright to Czech Republic to explore Eastern Europe and develop curriculum for students to explore a global community mindset. I have also published a series of books. “Wake Up Brain”, is a series of 6 books with brain-stretching challenges in math, geography, and language arts. “Brown Bag Science”, is, a series of 16 books supporting grades 1 st through 6 th in exploring science through hands on learning activates.
My family is an immense support in my life. Doug, my husband of over forty years, and I enjoy cross country skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, running, and biking. Our dogs, Ellie and Rosie, love to go on all our sport adventures. We are the proud parents of three children, Conrad, Rebecca, and Patrick who all have master’s degrees. Our family is even more enhanced by their spouses, Melissa, Tim, and Priya. Our four grandchildren Jameson, Gavin, Emma Michelle, and Kira are tremendous joy beyond words in our life.
Alturas Board of Directors
Richa Kohli Sabharwall
Board Secretary
richa.sabharwall@alturasacademy.org
Richa Sabharwall, originally from India, has called Idaho Falls home for the past 17 years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business from India, a Masters in Finance from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom, and is currently pursuing another Masters in cybersecurity policy. She is dedicated to education and believes that every student should have access to learning opportunities that foster cognitive, physical, social, and emotional skills, laying the foundation for lifelong learning. Richa and her husband, Piyush, have two children enrolled at Alturas. In her free time, Richa enjoys reading, experimenting in the kitchen, and traveling with her family.
Candise Gilbert
Board Chair
candise.gilbert@alturasacademy.org
Candise loves children and values exceptional education. She attended Snow College and Utah State University, graduating with a degree in Elementary Education. Her university studies were interspersed with volunteer educational opportunities which took her to Russia, China, and Australia. Candise spent some time in the classroom before making home and children the focus of her energies. She has been involved in the process of Alturas since its inception and is thrilled with the educational opportunities it provides her children and others in the community. Candise splits her time between motherhood, church service, school involvement, adoption education, and teaching piano lessons. She loves to make cookies, make dinner, and make things happen.
Shay Mattingly
Board Member
shay.mattingly@alturasacademy.org
Shay Mattingly was born and raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Upon graduating from Idaho Falls High School in 2005, she moved to Phoenix, Arizona to pursue schooling. After college, she worked and lived in the Phoenix area for 12 years before moving back to Idaho Falls. A place where she and her husband Kaleb, along with their two sons, are grateful to call home. Both of her children attend Alturas schools, with her oldest starting first grade in 2016 during Alturas International’s inaugural year. Her parents, Kim and Janet Hall, later became founders of Alturas Preparatory Academy in 2021. She prioritizes being involved within the Alturas community and making time to volunteer in the schools. She has a strong passion for education and believes that teaching children at their instructional level is a step towards building a lifelong love for learning. She is a local business owner and enjoys creating beautiful spaces for local homes and businesses. In her free time, Shay and her family enjoy skiing, hiking, and camping in the mountains.
Lee Stimpson
Board Treasurer
lee.stimpson@alturasacademy.org
Lee Stimpson is dedicated to advancing education that prepares students to thrive in a rapidly changing world. A Rexburg native raised by educators, he earned a degree in Recreation Leadership from BYU–Idaho and two master’s degrees from Utah State University in Human Resources and Management Information Systems.
Lee is currently with Idaho National Laboratory, where he specializes in data analysis, visualization, and workforce innovation. His work increasingly focuses on enabling the adoption of artificial intelligence tools across the organization, helping teams solve complex problems and adapt to future challenges.
As a parent with children in the Alturas system, Lee brings both professional expertise and personal commitment to his role on the board. He is passionate about shaping schools that equip students to become confident, capable thinkers and problem solvers who contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Tharon Hall
Board Member
tharon.hall@alturasacademy.org
Tharon Hall serves as a member of the Board of Directors at Alturas. He brings over thirty-five years of experience in business management, with strengths in enterprise-wide planning, compliance, negotiations, and capital investment strategy. As an owner of an advanced manufacturing business, he has played a pivotal role in aligning operations with long-term objectives and ensuring sustainable growth. He is passionate about supporting education and educational choice. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family and traveling with his daughter.
Jaime Mayo
Board Vice-Chair
jaime.mayo@alturasacademy.org
Jaime Mayo serves as the vice president on the Alturas board of trustees. She taught college biology courses both in person and online for years and currently owns a small business in Idaho Falls. She is passionate about helping education be accessible, engaging, and challenging for everyone. Mayo holds a Ph.D in Molecular Biology from Brigham Young University. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking delicious food for her friends and family and exploring the outdoors.