Schedule a Tour (208) 806-2880 Mid-Year transfers available for some classes for 2024/2025
A Tuition Free Public Charter School

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Brian VanderWyst

I grew up in a small town in southern Idaho, and after graduating from Boise State, I decided to take a gap year in Puebla, Mexico. It was a year that changed me – I learned Spanish and immersed myself in a new culture. Eventually, I found my way back to Idaho, where I’ve lived in the Sun Valley area for the past 20 years with my wife and our three daughters.

Our family feels incredibly lucky to be raising our girls in such a vibrant and supportive community, and I am excited to contribute to Syringa Mountain School’s mission. With a background in finance and a passion for community engagement, I look forward to using my skills and enthusiasm to support the school and help it continue to thrive.

Nora Roebuck

Originally from Peru, I am a 24-year resident of the Wood River Valley. I’ve worked with students at Wood River Middle School and Wood River High School as a paraprofessional and translator. And as a preschool teacher at the Big Wood School. I hope to bring this experience and dedication to Syringa Mountain School Board.
I want to continue to strive for educational excellence for our students. I will continue these efforts by supporting our teachers and staff, so that all students can succeed.

My 12-year old son, Sebastian is in 8th grade and looks forward to attending Wood River High School thanks to the formation he has received over the last 5 years at Syringa.

I love our friendly, compassionate, and caring community, and I want to give back by serving as your school board member.

Cheryl Zimmerman

Cheryl Zimmerman and her husband Paul moved to the valley in 2007. She has two children of her own, two dogs and two cats. Cheryl has worked in education and family programming for the past 16 years in various areas serving the families and youth of the valley.

She owned her own state-aligned preschool for 11 years with an after school program and summer camp that ran year around. Cheryl then went on to the Wood River YMCA and became the Associate Director of Child Care. She volunteered and coached Girls on the Run and Boys Soccer. For the past three years, Cheryl has been a substitute teacher for BCSD as well as a first grade summer school teacher.

She has a love and passion for the youth in the valley and is looking forward to having the opportunity as a paraprofessional to serve and be part of the Syringa family.

Christopher Alexander

Chris moved to the Wood River Valley in 2020 with his Idaho-native wife Jane and now four children. He grew up in Boston and also lived in the DC Metro area. He has degrees from Boston University and Johns Hopkins University in International Relations and Economics respectively. Professionally he has a lot of experience helping health care institutions, government, and businesses better serve patients, citizens, and customers.

Chris loves Syringa. It’s the main reason he moved here and loves seeing his children thrive emotionally and academically. Chris paid rent during his college years translating Individualized Education Plans for Brazilian students. Then his first post-college job was at a health clinic advocating for kids to get appropriate school services. He’s very happy to contribute back to the Syringa Community by serving on the Board.

Shannon Harris


Shannon grew up in Shoshone, Idaho, graduated from Shoshone, and after college, was hired by the Shoshone School District in the administrative office. She and her husband Mark raised two daughters that also graduated from Shoshone School. The whole family while attending school competed in sports, including rodeo, which took them on many special adventures, and now the adventures continue with following grandchildren that are competing in many sports and activities, all the while maintaining high honors academically.

Shannon and her husband live in Gooding, Idaho at the present time. Her husband has been a self-employed farrier, oldest daughter is the SLP for Gooding School District and youngest daughter is a High School English Teacher for Shoshone School District. She and her oldest daughter have a greenhouse where they raise heirloom vegetables organically. Gardening is a large part of her life, and chasing grandchildren from ages 5 to 15, along with a rigorous work schedule. It all keeps life full of healthy energy!

She is excited to be a part of The Syringa Mountain School!

Kelly O’Neill


Kelly fell in love with the Wood River Valley years ago. She gave up her custom design and sewing business to become a teacher. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a minor in Latin American Studies from Boise State University. She continued her education by obtaining a teaching certification and an ENL (English as New Language) endorsement.

Her love of travel has taken her around the world but there is no place she loves more than Idaho, being in the mountains and on the rivers. She is an avid outdoors enthusiast and is passionate about skiing. In her free time, she loves to backcountry ski, dance, roam around the mountains and explore the rivers. In the summer you will find Kelly surfing waves and renting gear at Kelly’s Whitewater Park in Cascade with her loving husband Damon and their cat Daisy.

Kelly is thrilled to be part of the Syringa Community. She is excited to share her love of teaching and the outdoors to make creative and curious learners.

Sarah Seppa

Sarah moved from Buffalo NY to the Wood River Valley in 2002 where she met her future husband Jon. In 2008 they married and moved to Seattle where Sarah attended Bastyr University and received a Master’s degree in Nutrition and became a Registered Dietitian. After the birth of their son Silas in 2012, they moved back to the valley in 2013 and Sarah started working at St. Luke’s. She became a Certified Diabetes Educator in 2015 and their daughter Norah was born in 2016.

Sarah is passionate about ensuring her children have access to the outdoors, arts, and music through a Waldorf-inspired education model. She enjoys hiking, mountain biking, and downhill and nordic skiing with her family and friends. She currently works for St. Luke as the director of Community Engagement and manages the Center for Community Health.

Roster Openings: 2023-24

Syringa Mountain School has roster openings for the 2023-24 school year in most classes. If you are interested in joining us please fill out the form below to reserve a spot. It is “first come first serve”. We will get back to you within 10 business days to let you know if you have a roster spot or waitlist.