Whether you’re curious about how we blend hands-on learning with a flexible schedule, or you just want to see some cool student experiments next door, come say hi! We’ll be hanging out from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM to answer your questions, show you around, and, most importantly, serve up some free pie! We’d love to meet you, but definitely try to get here on the earlier side, as it’s all while “su-pies” last!

Students have a Model United Nations meeting coming up. Model UN is an event where students act as delegates in a meeting to discuss a topic. Each student is assigned a country that they’ll research.

      We interviewed sophomore and Model United Nations club member, Cate Reed, to ask what skills are required and what the best part of the process is. When asked how critical thinking is used in the process, she responded, “I have to use critical thinking to find the best questions to ask.” She said she also uses “perseverance, because it can take a lot of time to find all the information you need.” 

      The topic for the students’ upcoming Model United Nations meeting is “What responsibilities do nations have when a citizen’s life is at risk in extreme or remote environments?” For this topic, students will research how their countries have acted in dangerous situations. Using their findings, students will write a position paper stating their country’s opinions on the topic. Students will also recognize their country’s values and principles to determine what to say during the meeting and how to vote on resolutions.

Questions (Cate):

• How have you had to use critical thinking in these meetings? “I had to use critical thinking to find out what questions to ask.”
• What skills (SLOs) do you use in these meetings? “Perseverance, because it can take a lot of time to find the information you need.”
• What are your favorite things about MUN? “I really like being able to meet with people and talk about ideas and collaborate.”
• What is the hardest part of the process? “The hardest part is figuring out what you want your solutions to be and what you want to get out of it.”

Questions (Lex):

• How do you feel going into MUN? Anxious because I’m unsure of how I might do presenting.

• What are you excited about? Researching the country presented to me, so I can accurately represent what that country should do.

What are you least excited for? Not necessary, least excited for anything, just a little nervous that I won’t perform.

Recently, students have been seeing robots popping up around school. Similar to last semester, students are building their own robots in robotics class. This time, they are focusing on attaching claws that can pick objects up. This hands-on approach allows students to learn experientially. When they are done, students explore moving their robots with controllers as they watch their creations come to life.

Robotics class engages students and prepares them for the future. 

1. Robotics activities are great for students to get familiar with communicating with others and building teamwork.
2. They problem-solve with peers as they work, increasing their confidence in collaborating. 
3. Robotics also prepares students for the tech-driven world by fostering science, technology, and engineering skills through hands-on experience.

 To conclude, robotics class helps students develop skills as they prepare for the increasingly technology-filled society.

The 11th and 12th graders are learning about crime in their new project! They will be doing forensic analysis in Chemistry and reading The Great Gatsby in English.  After they have finished reading the book, they will be doing a mock trial, based on a crime that occurred in the book. Students will be acting in all the roles in a real trial, like judge, prosecution, and defense. This mock trial will test and improve the 11th and 12th-graders’ critical thinking skills and their deductive reasoning.

The 9th and 10th graders are starting a project based on space! They will be researching the history of space and survival, and this topic will be incorporated into classes like Physical Science and Honors English.  They have already learned how to do multiple-step problems in Scientific Notation, and are writing short Science-Fiction stories in English.  Students will be doing this project individually, but at the end, all parts will come together to form a cohesive story of space.  Over the course of the semester, students will better their research abilities, along with historical thinking skills.

During the first week of December, students in the 9th and 10th grades invited participants to experience the work students put into their escape room. Over multiple months, the students designed rooms based on history topics. Including narratives, props, room design, and many other aspects of an escape room. The French Revolution was a topic of the rooms, and the group of four students brought together a secret society-based narrative that exemplified an experience during that time period in history. The room was one of the more difficult, causing the invitees to think outside the box to solve the puzzles presented.

And then there we’re none was a book read in English that was also brought to life in a story-based escape room. In the room, various elements from the book were incorporated to create an escape room inspired by the murder mystery, giving it a distinct feel of a murder-mystery novel. Some participants in these rooms escaped, while others did not, depending on the level of difficulty. After all the hard work by these students, the event turned out to be a hit, showcasing their talents and ability to create unique history-themed escape rooms.

We are excited to announce the return of the 15th annual Steps to College event, Northern California’s premier university fair. This comprehensive event is designed to empower students and their families with the tools and information necessary to navigate the path to higher education.

Whether you are just beginning to explore your options or are finalizing your applications, this event offers a wealth of resources tailored to your journey.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, February 7

• Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

• Location: Cal Expo (1600 Exposition Boulevard, Sacramento)

Why Attend?

The Steps to College fair provides more than just a brochure; it offers a direct connection to your future. Attendees will benefit from:

• In-Depth Workshops: Access expert-led sessions regarding the college admissions process, financial aid, and career planning.

• Scholarship Opportunities: Learn about various funding sources and gain eligibility for exclusive scholarships offered during the event.

• Engagement & Giveaways: Participate in a campus-wide raffle at the event’s conclusion for a chance to win exciting prizes.

Registration

This event is free to attend, but pre-registration is highly encouraged to ensure your family has access to all available resources. Please use the link below to secure your spot:

Steps to College Registration

Don’t miss this opportunity to take a proactive step toward your academic goals.

Our 9th and 10th graders absolutely crushed it at their

This kind of night is exactly what CCPA is all about — interdisciplinary, student-driven projects that bring real-world issues into the classroom and beyond! From science and English to history and design, students wove together knowledge from multiple classes to create something meaningful and relevant. It’s one thing to learn about climate change in a textbook. It’s another to research it, build a message, and present that message to your community. These are the moments when education feels alive, and our students get to see the power of their own voices. Do you know a high school-age student interested in project-based learning? Discover what’s next and reach out to us at (530) 285-2003 or email isabella.brenneman@cottonwoodk12.org to learn how to join us for the 2025 – 2026 school year!

As a college prep academy, building a college-going culture is at the heart of everything we do. Trips like this are a key part of how we support students in dreaming big and planning ahead. Whether it’s their first time visiting a college campus or one of many, we want our students to see higher education as an achievable, exciting step in their journey. Do you know a high schooler who would thrive in a forward-thinking, student-centered enviroment? Enrollment for the 2025 – 2026 school year is open! For more information, call us at (530) 285-2003 or email isabella.brenneman@cottonwoodk12.org.