History

Cascades Academy was founded in 2003 in order to fulfill the need for an independent, K-12 college preparatory school in Central Oregon. The school opened its doors with 61 students. Now in its 9th year, the school has grown over 200% to its current K-12 enrollment of 130 students.

Mission Statement

Cascades Academy weaves a challenging academic program with a broad range of shared experiences and recognizes each individual in a community of inspired students, talented teachers, and involved parents.

Program Overview

Cascades Academy offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum that integrates experiential learning, outdoor education, and community service. Small class sizes allow teachers to discover every student's unique potential - finding the right balance of challenge and support to help each student excel in a caring and dynamic community.

Curriculum

All grade levels have instruction in language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, Spanish, art, music, and technology. In addition we offer the following specialty classes:

K-5: Storyline and fitness (swimming, gymnastics, taekwondo, skiing/snowboarding)
6-8: Health & fitness (yoga, skiing/snowboarding, field games, indoor soccer) and electives (guitar, computer programming, photography, First-Aid/CPR, woodworking)
9-12: Community internships (11th grade), Mastery Project (12th grade) and electives (documentary film, wilderness skills, The New Yorker, running, filmmaking, lyric writing)

Experiential Learning & Outdoor Education

We often get asked about what "experiential learning" means and how do we "do it". To us, experiential learning means that the students are engaged in their learning. They are active. They are outdoors. They are solving problems independently and/or collaboratively. They fail or succeed, but they are not afraid to fail. They reflect about what they have learned, and the learning sticks because of their engagement. "Studying for the test" seldom supports learning that lasts. Active learning supports creativity and deeper understanding.

This learning can take many forms. Some examples include:

Confluence leadership orientation (3 days) - Grades 6-12
Opal Creek orientation (3 days) - Grades 4-5
Fall Traveling School (one week) - Grades 9-12
Spring Traveling School (one week) - Grades 3-12
Outdoor School (3 days) - Grades K-5
Weekly Thursday afternoon Outdoor Adventures - Grades 6-12

Community Service

100% of students participate in our service learning program. Community service partners include the Adopt-a-Trail program, Bend Community Center, Fox Hollow Retirement Community, the Humane Society, and the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council.

Students & Faculty at a Glance

Grades: Preschool* - Grade 12
(* The school's preschool program is offered through partnership with the School of Enrichment.)
Faculty: 18 full & part-time faculty
Student Body: 129 (K-12) and 40 (preschool) students
Target Class Size: 16-18 students

Accreditation

Cascades Academy of Central Oregon is an accredited member of the Northwest Accreditation Commission. For more information, please visit www.northwestaccreditation.org.

Cascades Academy of Central Oregon is a Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools (PNAIS) Candidate school. For more information, please visit www.pnais.org.