Cedar River Academy

Programs

Cedar River Academy (CRA) management and staff are dedicated to the practice of student-led active-learning where adults support and guide students as they construct knowledge. We have adopted the research based philosophy that humans only learn/construct knowledge effectively by doing, not by only watching and listening. CRA refers to our teaching and learning model as the Student-Centered Education Model (SCEM).

We are committed to continuous process improvement by using student focused information and data consistently provided by our automated instructional management system, Aspen. In this same light, we believe educators are professionals and should, therefore, be compensated based on their performance and contribution to students and the Academy.

Research has demonstrated that children construct knowledge very rapidly during their early childhood. With the objective of accelerating and deepening student knowledge construction, CRA students begin kindergarten programs early, as young as 3 ½ years of age. The CRA Pre-Kindergarten is focused on the development of cognitive processes and not isolated content.

While it is interesting to observe the results of annual summative performance measurements, CRA remains focused on providing opportunities for continuous learning through the use of formative assessments to understand where individual students are in relation to developmental learning sequences in reading, writing, mathematics, history, social studies, language arts, foreign languages, fine arts, music, technology, and science. The objective is, naturally, to develop critical-thinking skills and a deep conceptual understanding as we prepare each student to be successful in college and/or their career.

Experiential learning demands the student be actively engaged in interesting activities, projects, explorations, and field studies. Active engagement means hands-on, minds-on work individually and as members of teams, guided by lead researchers (teachers) and mentors that prepare learning plans that integrate subject specific standards into themes. Student presentations are a critical element for projects. At the conclusion of each year, students in upper elementary, middle and high school are required to complete a culminating project that allows them to demonstrate and describe the research, communications, published materials, and portfolios that illustrate their constructed knowledge of their interests and supporting disciplines.

Our faculty and staff form a professional learning community. We encourage teachers and staff to participate in a wide range of learning opportunities, such as college classes and professional workshops, in order to keep them abreast of the latest research in cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and educational best practices.

While the SCEM guides our instructional methodology, our instructional content is based on the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements, and is influenced by our children's own interests. Other opportunities are evident given our naturally beautiful, country campus, and its close proximity to the Seattle and Tacoma area.

Cedar River Academy curricula is defined as three segments:

Elementary school;
Middle school;
High school.

For the 2010/2011 academic year, we offer pre-kindergarten through 7th grade programs. These programs will be extended each year to include higher grade levels. The minimum requirement for an additional class is five students. The maximum number of students in upper grades is sixteen students. Some classes within a curricula segment will include multiple grade level students to maximize the effectiveness of the program. Mixed grade-level classes will not generally span defined curricula segments. We will expand the program as rapidly as enrollment and facility capacity allow.


Home Page About CRA Head of School's Welcome Our Mission Values for a Global Community FAQs Grow With Us Campus Development Accreditations Location & Hours Faculty & Staff Employment Admissions Admissions Process Application Packet Financial Aid & Scholarships Tuition Parent Handbook Programs Programs PreKindergarten Kindergarten Grade One Grades Two & Three Grades Four & Five Fine Arts Foreign Languages Physical Education Extended Day Options English as a Second Language On Campus Calendar Community Nights Photo Gallery Donate Now CRA Ultrapreneurs CRA Community Center Resources Aspen System Staff Lounge	Programs Cedar River Academy (CRA) management and staff are dedicated to the practice of student-led active-learning where adults support and guide students as they construct knowledge. We have adopted the research based philosophy that humans only learn/construct knowledge effectively by doing, not by only watching and listening. CRA refers to our teaching and learning model as the Student-Centered Education Model (SCEM). We are committed to continuous process improvement by using student focused information and data consistently provided by our automated instructional management system, Aspen. In this same light, we believe educators are professionals and should, therefore, be compensated based on their performance and contribution to students and the Academy. Research has demonstrated that children construct knowledge very rapidly during their early childhood. With the objective of accelerating and deepening student knowledge construction, CRA students begin kindergarten programs early, as young as 3 ½ years of age. The CRA Pre-Kindergarten is focused on the development of cognitive processes and not isolated content. While it is interesting to observe the results of annual summative performance measurements, CRA remains focused on providing opportunities for continuous learning through the use of formative assessments to understand where individual students are in relation to developmental learning sequences in reading, writing, mathematics, history, social studies, language arts, foreign languages, fine arts, music, technology, and science. The objective is, naturally, to develop critical-thinking skills and a deep conceptual understanding as we prepare each student to be successful in college and/or their career. Experiential learning demands the student be actively engaged in interesting activities, projects, explorations, and field studies. Active engagement means hands-on, minds-on work individually and as members of teams, guided by lead researchers (teachers) and mentors that prepare learning plans that integrate subject specific standards into themes. Student presentations are a critical element for projects. At the conclusion of each year, students in upper elementary, middle and high school are required to complete a culminating project that allows them to demonstrate and describe the research, communications, published materials, and portfolios that illustrate their constructed knowledge of their interests and supporting disciplines. Our faculty and staff form a professional learning community. We encourage teachers and staff to participate in a wide range of learning opportunities, such as college classes and professional workshops, in order to keep them abreast of the latest research in cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and educational best practices. While the SCEM guides our instructional methodology, our instructional content is based on the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements, and is influenced by our children's own interests. Other opportunities are evident given our naturally beautiful, country campus, and its close proximity to the Seattle and Tacoma area. Cedar River Academy curricula is defined as three segments: Elementary school; Middle school; High school. For the 2010/2011 academic year, we offer pre-kindergarten through 7th grade programs. These programs will be extended each year to include higher grade levels. The minimum requirement for an additional class is five students. The maximum number of students in upper grades is sixteen students. Some classes within a curricula segment will include multiple grade level students to maximize the effectiveness of the program. Mixed grade-level classes will not generally span defined curricula segments. We will expand the program as rapidly as enrollment and facility capacity allow.