September Confluence At Cascades Academy, we ease back into the school year with a three-day, two-night off-campus adventure. Confluence is, as the name suggests, where everything comes together. Before we get all wrapped up in classes, studying, and homework, we like to spend a little time getting used to each other and the idea of school again--to remember who we are, and what we are doing, and maybe why. And we like to do this somewhere where there are trees, and cabins, and places to swim, so we do not find ourselves getting too serious too fast. Much of what happens during confluence centers around Advisory meetings to review the handbook and academic schedule as well as to reflect on last year as well as set goals for the new year.

Thursday Expeditions

Every Thursday afternoon the upper school students head off-campus for an expedition together. These expeditions may take many forms from rock-climbing and snowshoeing to community service work. Sometimes these activities are teacher led, and sometimes it's the students who are in charge of all of the planning and execution. The purpose is to offer students life experiences beyond the textbook that enrich their growth and development.

During the winter trimester, students ski and snowboard at Mt. Bachelor every Thursday afternoon during the Expedition time.

Mastery Project

The purpose of the Mastery Project is for upper school students to learn new skills and trades from local experts in the community. This project primarily occurs in the junior year and spans the months of October through May. Each student averages two hours a week working in an internship with a local trade, organization, or company studying such topics as graphic design, photo journalism, or guitar making. By the end of the year, students verbally present their experiences and newly gained knowledge to the school community. They also create a physical culminating project, such as a collection of graphic design work, a photography portfolio, or a hand-crafted guitar.

The Senior Seminar

As a culmination to their high school career, seniors participate in an in-depth, research-based project. The seminar has more of an academic focus than the junior-year Mastery Project. Each student chooses one topic based on their interests, experiences or passions and spends the year developing an expert knowledge of that topic. Avenues of learning might involve working with professionals in their chosen field, visiting relevant sites, corresponding with others in the academic community throughout the country, and a high degree of research and study. The goal is for seniors to develop a thorough knowledge of their topics, hopefully gaining a head start on further study in their college and/or professional careers. Each student presents a public seminar toward the end of the year to demonstrate the knowledge gained and the contributions made through this project.