Cascades Academy

Mission Statement
Cascades Academy is an engaged, vibrant community that weaves challenging academics with experiential learning to inspire socially responsible individuals ready for a diverse and changing world.

History
Cascades Academy was founded in 2003 in order to fulfill the need for an independent, PK-12 college preparatory school in Central Oregon. The school is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

Program Overview
Cascades Academy offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum that integrates experiential learning, outdoor education, arts, and service learning. 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, skiing/snowboarding)
• 6-8: Health & Fitness (yoga, skiing/snowboarding, field games, indoor soccer) and Clubs (guitar, computer programming, photography, First-Aid/CPR, woodworking)
• 9-12: Internships, Mastery Projects 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:

• Storyline Method - Lower School
• Guest speakers who present real-world expertise in their field - Grades K-12
• Independent Projects - Grades 5 and 8
• Mastery Projects - Upper School
• Robotics - Grades 4-5
• Science Fair - Middle School
• Confluence Leadership Orientation (3 days) - Middle and Upper School
• Opal Creek Orientation (3 days) - Grades 4-5
• Fall Traveling School (one week) - Upper School
• Autumn Outings (3 days) - Middle School
• Spring Traveling School (one week) - Grades 2-12
• Outdoor School - Lower School
• Weekly Thursday Afternoon Outdoor Adventures and Expeditions - Middle and Upper School
• Service Learning
• 100% of students participate in our service-learning program. Community service partners include: The American Red Cross, Deschutes River Trail, Bend Community Center, Fox Hollow Retirement Community, Humane Society of Central Oregon, Upper Deschutes Watershed Council, and many other organizations. Students have the opportunity to choose the organizations with whom they would like to work, keeping them engaged in the service and dedicated to the outcomes.

Students & Faculty at a Glance

• Grades: Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade
• Faculty and Staff: 39 full & part-time faculty and staff
• Student Body: 205 (PK-12)
• Target Class Size: 12 in PK, 16 in K, 18 in 1st-8th, 20 in 9th-12th