Connecting Waters Charter School

Who is Connecting Waters Charter School? CWCS is a public non classroom-based independent study charter school. The mission of CWCS is to "Empower a community of parents, students, and teachers to create learning opportunities which will develop accountable, responsible, and contributing members of society who are independent, life-long learners." We were established in 2002 as the 477th charter school in California. Our Charter was granted by the Waterford Unified School District. Don Davis is the current Superintendent of Waterford Unified School District. The Connecting Waters Charter School Executive Director is Sherri Nelson. We are currently serving K-12 grade students who reside in Alameda, Calaveras, Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne counties. Extensive information on CWCS educational approach and programs may be found on the CWCS web site at We are currently one of the charter schools managed by Innovative Education Management (IEM) of Placerville, CA. IEM is a non-profit public benefit education corporation. Additional information about IEM may be found at the IEM web site at We are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the Accrediting Commission for Schools. How does CWCS work? Connecting Waters Charter School is an independent charter school, where the parent is the primary teacher. Parents who enroll their children in CWCS shall, through specific enrollment and curriculum contracts, accept responsibility for their children’s education. CWCS will support its students and parents with appropriate educational materials, and with a team of education specialists (credentialed teachers) and advisors. CWCS education specialists and advisors shall advise and assist parents and students in all aspects of student education pursuant to relevant contracts.