Academics & Curriculum

Real-world learning, plain and simple. Core content and culminating experiences, learning targets, hands-on field work, experts, local case studies, service learning and authentic products.

Our approach is centered around three design principals: academics, character and adventure! By engaging students in traditional text while applying real-world experiences and adventures we work together to facilitate growth and their full potential. Our focus remains on intellectual growth, character and confidence. Problem solving challenges and project based learning are the key. Our small group and multi-grade format allows us to cater our program to individual student needs, whether your student needs additional challenges or advanced curriculum or a little extra help in a particular area.

Using EL Education as a model and frame work each student will develop a character framework to be applied to their studies and every day life.

View the character framework here. Our curriculum will also be utilizing a regular approach of project based learning. Project based learning uses actual hands on projects, such as forestry study, circuitry, carpentry to draw the correlation from the text book to the real world. Our text books will be grade level and ability appropriate to each grade level and student’s ability. Our multi-grade classrooms and experienced teaching staff will be able to provide whole group and small group instruction to both high achieving and low achieving students. EL Education also gives us the framework for crew culture. This culture creates natural learning pods, and collaboration groups for our students.

You should expect that your children will be participating in numerous STEM and community oriented projects. The use of art in our curriculum is integral to it’s success.

 
 

Core Subjects

Core subject areas include English Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. Students will engage in project based learning to gain a deeper understanding of each subject matter. We teach students to learn a wide range of content, applied in real world contexts. Students will spend a significant amount of time learning, reading, writing, math and art. We will meet Arts and math standards, Next Generation Science standards and National Council for Social Science standards. Our students are also exposed to a spanish elective class.

We align the following subject with state standards:

Math

English/Language Arts

History

Geography

Science

Spanish

We utilize the following curriculums:

EL Education English and Language Arts

Bridges Mathematics

Carnegie Learning Math

Discovery History

Heath and MacMillian Science

Winter Wildlands Alliance Snow School Curriculum

Lego Robotics

Project Learning Tree

Outdoor Tomorrow Foundation

 

Challenge yourself. Good things will happen.

Programs

We offer three programs at our home site in Pinecrest, California.

  1. Site Based: our first passion is our site based program. This program intends for a student to spend five days per week on our Pinecrest, California campus. This program provides personalized instruction based upon our model and framework. This program provides ample outside time, led by qualified, California Certificated teachers and staff. We would encourage you to sign up for this program.

  2. Independent Study/Hybrid: This program would put students on campus 1-2 days per week, based upon the needs of the student and the families. Students would have meetings with their instructors, set goals and turn in and receive work and feedback. This program makes students eligible for fieldwork projects on Fridays and the Winter sports program. This program can be expanded to a more virtual option if needed, based upon family needs.