Upper School

Portrait of A Cascades Academy Graduate
Our students will demonstrate competency and understanding in the following areas:

The humanities can be described as the study of how people process and document the human experience. Therefore, studying humanities benefits from the integration of many disciplines. For our purposes, these disciplines include history, language arts, sociology, psychology, philosophy, geography, and anthropology. Students explore place-based themes, classic literature, writing, and other styles of communication. The intentions are to develop deeper learning around cultural factors that shape the world around us.

Our humanities courses aim to instill open-ended learning values to teach students to comprehend, analyze, and question their experiences and research. We guide them to acquire the skills to communicate effectively and make ethical choices by providing access to myriad global literature, news, opinions, and history. Students are part of a living community to which they actively contribute through research and evidence-based writing and discussion. We want students to grow as individuals and as a community of learners who connect to the passion and versatility of their world.

Upper school humanities is approached in a place-based thematic format, with the fall and spring terms culminating with a Traveling School trip to the studied region. By approaching the curriculum through an integrated studies method, upper school students gain a deeper understanding of the material and its real-world application. Learning becomes more meaningful. Students become more engaged.

The mathematics department at Cascades Academy believes that an understanding of mathematics is essential in our increasingly complex world. Mathematics allows students to develop into fully literate and critical world citizens, while the beauty and power of mathematics makes it a worthwhile subject to study in its own right.

We aim to teach mathematics in a way that supports students in their goals, whether it be preparing for higher education in STEM disciplines or achieving fundamental mathematical literacy. The mathematics department brings experiential learning into the math classroom by providing opportunities and experiences for students to wrestle with and discover mathematical ideas. While often thought of as a solitary pursuit, mathematics learning is accelerated through discussion and collaboration with peers.

Courses Offered:

• Algebra I/II

• Geometry

• Pre-Calculus

• Calculus I&II

• Senior Applied Mathematics

Cascades Academy science courses are anchored by experiential learning opportunities where students learn by doing and are challenged to think critically as they develop scientific arguments supported by quantitative and qualitative data. Our courses are designed to expand and deepen a student's scientific knowledge while engaging them in mastering the fundamental aspects of the scientific process. We strive to ignite a curiosity about science through a variety of class formats and instructional techniques, including laboratory investigations, research projects, demonstrations, field work, direct instruction, and group discussions. 

We contextualize the cultural value of scientific knowledge so students can build connections that inspire lifelong learning by incorporating math, humanities, and real-world applications into the curriculum. Upon completion of the science sequence, students are able to use their knowledge confidently to explore their natural world and apply their understanding to explain natural phenomena. Furthermore, we aspire to arm students with the scientific literacy required to critically evaluate scientific arguments, the required depth of knowledge to make informed decisions, and the confidence to engage in discussions that impact themselves and their communities. In short, students will have the scientific foundations to make a positive impact in the world.

Courses Offered:

• Physics

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Environmental Science

We believe that knowing Spanish is valuable in today’s world, and that understanding the Spanish language as well as the culture and history of Spanish speakers enables students, regardless of background, to better understand the world in which they live and the people with whom they share their communities. 

While Cascades Academy only offers courses in Spanish, we support students in their independent study of a variety of international languages.  This is made possible through community partner organizations, community college coordination, or online learning platforms.  Past students have studied the following:

• German
• French
• Mandarin
• Arabic
• American Sign Language

Our Spanish classes use the study of the Spanish language as a vehicle to explore topics rooted in and associated with Spanish-speaking countries that have relevance and application to the lives of our students. We encourage students to draw upon their prior knowledge to make cross-curricular connections and draw comparisons between their own experiences and culture and those of the cultures being studied. Furthermore, students are provided with opportunities through their study of Spanish to enhance and advance universal skills, resulting in well-rounded, capable, and world-ready graduates. Integral to our departmental philosophy is the implications of the voices of diverse people from a variety of backgrounds, representing the full richness of geography, culture, language, experience, and giving students the opportunity to expand and challenge their own perspectives about the world in which they live.