CASCADES ACADEMY COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROFILE 2020-2021

OUR MISSION SCHOOL HISTORY Cascades Academy is an engaged, vibrant community that Cascades Academy is an independent PK-12 day school. weaves challenging academics with experiential learning to The school opened in September 2003 to address the need inspire socially responsible individuals ready for a diverse and for an independent college preparatory school in Central changing world. We seek to create a safe, nurturing commu- Oregon. Enrollment has grown from an initial 61 students to nity where we honor our unique selves, embrace the diverse its current student population of 235. The Upper School has perspectives and backgrounds of others, and promote social a total of 54 students in grades 9-12. Due to the small size of responsibility both within the school and beyond. the classes, Cascades Academy does not rank its students.

ACCREDITATION COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES Cascades Academy is accredited by the Northwest Since our first graduating class of 2005, Cascades Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS) and AdvancED. Academy has had 67 graduates; 100% were accepted to college. Alumni of Cascades Academy have been CURRICULUM accepted at: Albertson College, Bard College, Cascades Academy balances a challenging college Benedictine College, Boston College, Boston University, preparatory curriculum with meaningful experiences outside Carroll College, Central Washington University, Colby- of the classroom, including required professional internships, Sawyer College, Colorado College, Cornish School of Art, service learning, fine arts classes, travel (both domestically Eckerd College, Elon University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical and internationally), and outdoor education. Both the fall and University, Emerson College, The Evergreen State College, spring trimesters are approached in a place-based thematic George Fox University, Grinnell College, Humboldt State format, with each culminating in an extended traveling University, Kenyon College, Lewis & Clark College, Linfield program to the studied region. By exploring the curriculum College, Loyola Marymount University, Lynchburg College, through an integrated studies approach, upper school College of Idaho, Menlo College, Montana State University, students make strong connections between the topics Naropa University, Northern Arizona University, Occidental studied and the related environments and cultures. College, Oregon Institute of Technology, Oregon State University, Oregon State University - Cascades, Oregon State The upper school program offers a flexible schedule that University - Honors College, Pacific Northwest College of Art, not only allows for class trips outside of the school, but also Pacific University, Portland State University, Purdue provides students with opportunities for internships in the University, Quest University, Reed College, Rensselaer local community. The goal of the Cascades Academy upper Polytechnic Institute, Santa Clara University, Seattle Pacific school program is to successfully prepare students for the University, Seattle University, Southern Oregon State years ahead of them, both in college and beyond. Cascades University, St. John’s College, St. Mary’s College of Academy strives to create lifelong learners, critical, California, Trinity University, University of Arizona, University independent thinkers, and socially conscious individuals. of Denver, University of Hawaii-Manoa, University of Idaho, The Cascades Academy upper school program does not University of Montana, University of Oregon, University of offer Advanced Placement courses; however, some of our Oregon-Robert D. Clark Honors College, University of students do take AP exams and score at the top nationally. Portland, University of Puget Sound, University of Redlands, University of San Francisco, University of San Diego, University of Utah, University of Vermont, University of Washington - Honors Program, University of Wyoming, Washington State University, Westminster College, Whitman College, and Willamette University.

CASCADES ACADEMY | Independent School PK-12 19860 Tumalo Reservoir Road | Bend, Oregon 97703 541.382.0699 | [email protected] | www.cascadesacademy.org LET’S CONNECT HIGHLIGHTS:

MASTERY PROJECT Every 11th grade student participates in an eight-month (October – May) internship with a local organization in order to learn new skills or trades from experts in the community. Students choose the internship based on personal or professional interest and work an average of two hours each week with their organization. By the end of the year, students summarize their experiences through a culminating paper and presentation to the school community. Recent Mastery Projects included internships with companies and organizations in the following areas: journalism, healthcare, baking and culinary skills, program design, architecture, forestry, and law. Cascades Academy graduates frequently SERVICE LEARNING describe the Mastery Project as the program where they Service learning projects begin with students identifying a learned the most about a specific subject or host organization that is of interest to them. After securing skill as well as themselves. a project, students regularly work with organization throughout the year. At the end of the school year, students deliver a short presentation to their peers about LEGACY PROJECT the nature of the service projects. Students are encouraged During their senior year, students complete the Legacy to complete four hours of service per month and are asked Project – a service-oriented project that leaves a tangible to document the various tasks they complete on an ongoing benefit to the local community. Students work as a class to basis. In addition to individual projects, the upper school create their project, detail a timeline of the different tasks community participates in other stand-alone service-oriented to be completed, choose mentors to help them through the projects in and around the school community. process, draw up a business plan if fundraising or sales are involved, and design a culminating presentation that clearly displays the process of this project. GRADUATION AND GRADING Cascades Academy is a member of the Mastery Transcript Consortium. TRAVELING SCHOOL Each year the Cascades Academy Upper School travels to places directly related to different subject areas in their GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS GRADING curriculum in order to learn experientially. Trips around the 12 credits* English A 93-100% Pacific Northwest serve to teach students about our local 12 credits Social Studies A- 90-92% region, including topics related to the social sciences, 12 credits Science B+ 87-89% literature, writing, art, and science. Trips further away, 12 credits Math B 83-86% such as Central America support not only these subjects 2.75 credits Fine Arts B- 80-82% but also complement the Spanish language program. 9 credits World Language C+ 77-79% Community connections and service learning are also prominent parts of this program. 6 credits Health & Fitness C 73-76% 3 credits Mastery Project C- 70-72% 2 credits Legacy Project D+ 67-69% HONORS PROJECT PROGRAM D 63-66% The Honors Project is a program which provides any student * 3 Credits = Full Year Course D- 60-62% in the Cascades Academy Upper School the chance to F Below 60% increase their academic challenge by creating a project based on a topic of interest. The topic chosen is directly AVERAGE SCORES IN 2020: related to a core course and mentored by the teacher of that SAT 1330 course. When the Honors Project is successfully completed, ACT 32 the student receives an honors designation on their grade report and transcript.