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Headwaters Blog

Headwaters dives into experiential education and deeper learning at Cascades Academy, providing readers with a refreshing source of knowledge, inspiration, and insight into the world we live and learn in.

Student with computer
Kelly Fast, Director of Academic & Experiential Programs

In recent years, the role of screens in students’ lives has become a pressing topic of conversation among educators, parents, and researchers alike. At Cascades Academy, we’re exploring the benefits and challenges of screen use through various initiatives, events, and expert consultations. These efforts highlight the urgency of the conversation and the need for thoughtful, balanced approaches that center student well-being.

Read More about Screens & Students: Fostering Conversations, Understanding Data, Taking Action
Book Covers
Julie Amberg, Head of School

At Cascades Academy, a focus on continuous learning and innovation drives an exceptional, student-centered educational experience. The faculty’s dedication to professional growth and staying informed about emerging teaching methods ensures they are always evolving alongside their students. By embracing competency-based, hands-on learning and evidence-based practices, they equip students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in an ever-changing world. Read on to explore what faculty and staff are reading and leaning into this year.

Read More about Leading the Way: How Continued Learning Shapes Student Success
More Than a Transcript: A Powerful Approach to High School Education
Lauren Kelley, Upper School Head

We find ourselves in a time defined by rapid technological advancements and shifting social paradigms. And yet, educational models — particularly those that articulate student achievement and progress — have gone largely unchanged for more than a century. Upper School Head Lauren Kelley shares how the Mastery Transcript prepares our children for what awaits, shapes a transformational student experience, and challenges traditional notions of what education should be.

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AI Graphic
Kelly Fast, Director of Academic & Experiential Programs

AI in education is a double-edged sword. It promises a future where learning is limitless, engaging, and highly personalized, yet it also poses the risk of creating an over-reliance on technology, where the essence of human touch in education could fade. Director of Academic & Experiential Programs Kelly Fast explores how Cascades Academy is navigating this terrain with caution, embracing AI not as a replacement, but as a tool to augment the rich tapestry of human learning. The future of education with AI is not just about integrating technology; it's about striking a balance that preserves our humanity while embracing innovation.

Read More about Embracing AI in Education
Two students talking with a teacher
Julie Amberg, Head of School

With the completion of our Middle and Upper School Fall Traveling Schools earlier this month, this "Headwaters" entry offers an in-depth look at the design and purpose of this hallmark program. Head of School Julie Amberg was a leader on the 6th grade trip to Newport where students discovered the majesty and wonder of the Oregon Coast and navigated myriad experiences, both individually and collectively, that were joyful and challenging, engaging and exhausting, and purposeful and carefree.

  • Traveling School
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