Campus
Nestled in the Beauty of Central Oregon
Our campus is located on a beautiful 53-acre property in Bend adjacent to Tumalo State Park. We relocated to this property in 2013 after spending ten years in our original home on Studio Road in mid-town Bend. The sustainably-designed building provides an inspirational learning environment and includes:
- Three classroom wings
- A versatile Commons area
- Three IDEA Labs (innovation, design, engineering, and art)
- Art studio
- Two science labs
- Library
- Gymnasium
- Athletic field
The dramatic natural features of the property offer beautiful outdoor learning spaces. With the Deschutes River and Tumalo State Park within easy walking distance, the site is ideal for the school's experiential learning programs. In essence, the campus provides a one-of-a-kind learning environment for Central Oregon students. Some highlights include:
- Canyon with natural trails, boulders, juniper trees, and other native vegetation
- Disc golf course
- Archery range
- Nature-based playground
Sustainability
An integral part of our mission to weave sustainability into our school culture began with the design of our campus buildings. Our values reflect a strong commitment to sustainability using specifications based on the LEED 2009 certification standards for the construction of new schools. These guidelines include well-defined measures in all aspects of the design and building process that minimize environmental impact, ensure energy efficiency, water efficiency, and a high standard of indoor air quality to create an environment where our students and staff can learn and thrive.
The school employs two specialized systems to reduce our energy consumption: geothermal ground source heating and photovoltaic solar panels. Through generous grants from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation's Solar 4R Schools Program, the Oregon Department of Energy, and friends of the school, we were able to install a 24.64 kW system on the school's roof in 2016.
We are proud to share that with the commitment of the Middle School Green Team, we received our Oregon Green Schools certification in the spring of 2016. The Green Team has also worked to greatly reduce waste on campus, particularly during lunch.
Cascades Academy is often named one of Oregon Business magazine's 100 Best Green Workplaces in Oregon. Based on its widely recognized 100 Best Companies to Work For in Oregon project, the 100 Best Green Workplaces are determined by an anonymous employee survey and an independent assessment of the employers' sustainability practices. This ranking shows that Cascades Academy has implemented a variety of green policies and that their employees place a high value on sustainable practices and believe the school's commitment to them is exceptional.
Directions
From Downtown Bend:
Take NW Bond Street to NW Greenwood Avenue. Turn left on Highway 20/Highway 97 Business North (also known as 3rd Street). Turn left onto O.B. Riley Road (The Shilo Inn will be on the left). Follow O.B. Riley Road for 4 miles. After passing Tumalo State Park, take the first left onto Tumalo Reservoir Road. The school is located .2 miles up the road on the right.
From Redmond/Portland:
Take Highway 97 South. Take the Tumalo Road exit and turn right onto Tumalo Road. Follow Tumalo Road for 3.6 miles. Turn left onto Cline Falls Road/Cook Avenue. Cross Highway 20 onto O.B. Riley Road. Follow O.B. Riley Road for 1.2 miles. Turn right onto Tumalo Reservoir Road. The school is located .2 miles up the road on the right.
From Sisters/Salem:
Take Highway 20 East for 15 miles past Sisters. Turn right onto O.B. Riley Road (Tumalo Feed Company will be on your right). Follow O.B. Riley Road for 1.2 miles. Turn right onto Tumalo Reservoir Road. The school is located .2 miles up the road on the right.
From Sunriver:
Take Highway 97 North. Take the Highway 20 exit toward Sisters/Salem. Follow Highway 20 for 2 miles. Turn left onto Old Bend-Redmond Highway (sign says "to O.B. Riley Road"). At the stop sign turn right onto O.B. Riley Road. Follow O.B. Riley Road for 1.4 miles. After passing Tumalo State Park, take the first left onto Tumalo Reservoir Road. The school is located .2 miles up the road on the right.
Land Acknowledgement
We want to acknowledge that Cascades Academy resides on the traditional land of native people past and present, including the Wasco and Warm Springs people. After the land was ceded to the United States in 1855, the Warm Springs reservation was created, and later in 1879, the Northern Paiute people were moved to the reservation. At that time, the three distinct tribes became known as the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. We would also like to recognize the Klamath tribe who used this land as a trade route to and from Celilo Falls and honor with gratitude the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations. This calls us to commit to continuing to learn how to be better stewards of the land we inhabit as well.
Mission
We deliver meaningful, challenging, and experiential education to inspire lifelong learners who are socially responsible individuals ready for a diverse and changing world.
Values
Ignite Curiosity
Learn By Doing
Foster Belonging
Empower Individuality
Embrace Challenge
Share Joyfulness
Vision
Cultivate Engagement
To foster lives of understanding, purpose, and meaning.
Build Community
To deepen connection, appreciation, and collaboration.
Inspire Goodness
To be a force of positive impact in the world.