School Information
Learn more about what makes Cottonwood College Prep Academy a great place to get an education.
College and Career Center
Get the information and tools to apply to college or prepare for a career after high school.
Design Thinking
Design thinking in a high school involves a problem-solving approach where students empathize with users, define issues, ideate solutions, prototype designs, and test them iteratively, fostering creativity and innovation within the educational setting. It encourages students to tackle challenges collaboratively, think critically, and apply interdisciplinary skills to address real-world problems effectively.

CCPA Mission and Vision
MISSION (The HOW): CCPA, influenced by Montessori principles, provides an innovative, rigorous, self-exploring education through experiential learning, design thinking, and meaningful interdisciplinary studies cultivating a growth mindset.
VISION (The WHY): CCPA’s vision is to guide our student community to love learning, to profoundly contribute to our diverse world, and to lead lives of achievement.
CCPA Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events
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3 events,
Math Tutoring
Math Tutoring
Struggling with equations or aiming to ace your next math test? The Math Tutoring is here to help! Whether you're tackling algebra, geometry, or calculus, our friendly tutors are ready […]
Leadership
Leadership
Unlock your potential and inspire others in the Leadership Club! This club is all about developing essential skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving to make a positive impact in your […]
6 events,
English Tutoring
English Tutoring
Whether you're working on a paper or a project, English tutoring is the place to be! Join us for one-on-one support, helpful tips, and a boost in your English skills. […]
Drawing Club
Drawing Club
This club is a creative hub for students passionate about art and drawing. It offers a welcoming space to connect with like-minded peers, explore new artistic techniques, and collaborate on […]
4 events,
Social Studies Tutoring
Social Studies Tutoring
Explore history, government, and more with Social Studies Tutoring! Whether you're analyzing historical events, understanding political systems, or preparing for an exam, our tutors are here to guide you every […]
Math Tutoring
Math Tutoring
Struggling with equations or aiming to ace your next math test? The Math Tutoring is here to help! Whether you're tackling algebra, geometry, or calculus, our friendly tutors are ready […]
4 events,
World Language Tutoring
World Language Tutoring
Unlock the world through language with World Language Tutoring! From mastering grammar and vocabulary to practicing conversation, we provide personalized support in a friendly and encouraging environment. Join us and […]
Ping-Pong Club
Ping-Pong Club
The Ping-Pong Club is a fun and active community where players of all skill levels can come together to enjoy the fast-paced game of ping-pong. Whether you're a beginner looking […]
Study Group
Study Group
Looking for a supportive space to stay on top of your schoolwork and boost your academic success? Welcome to the Study Group! Whether you're tackling tough homework, preparing for a […]
1 event,
0 events,
0 events,
3 events,
Math Tutoring
Math Tutoring
Struggling with equations or aiming to ace your next math test? The Math Tutoring is here to help! Whether you're tackling algebra, geometry, or calculus, our friendly tutors are ready […]
Leadership
Leadership
Unlock your potential and inspire others in the Leadership Club! This club is all about developing essential skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving to make a positive impact in your […]
6 events,
English Tutoring
English Tutoring
Whether you're working on a paper or a project, English tutoring is the place to be! Join us for one-on-one support, helpful tips, and a boost in your English skills. […]
Drawing Club
Drawing Club
This club is a creative hub for students passionate about art and drawing. It offers a welcoming space to connect with like-minded peers, explore new artistic techniques, and collaborate on […]
5 events,
Social Studies Tutoring
Social Studies Tutoring
Explore history, government, and more with Social Studies Tutoring! Whether you're analyzing historical events, understanding political systems, or preparing for an exam, our tutors are here to guide you every […]
Math Tutoring
Math Tutoring
Struggling with equations or aiming to ace your next math test? The Math Tutoring is here to help! Whether you're tackling algebra, geometry, or calculus, our friendly tutors are ready […]
4 events,
World Language Tutoring
World Language Tutoring
Unlock the world through language with World Language Tutoring! From mastering grammar and vocabulary to practicing conversation, we provide personalized support in a friendly and encouraging environment. Join us and […]
Ping-Pong Club
Ping-Pong Club
The Ping-Pong Club is a fun and active community where players of all skill levels can come together to enjoy the fast-paced game of ping-pong. Whether you're a beginner looking […]
Study Group
Study Group
Looking for a supportive space to stay on top of your schoolwork and boost your academic success? Welcome to the Study Group! Whether you're tackling tough homework, preparing for a […]
1 event,
1 event,
Steps to College Fair
Steps to College Fair
It is a joint project of the Consulate General of Mexico in Sacramento, the California Student Aid Commission, Cien Amigos advocacy group and the Mexican Cultural Center of Northern California, as well as public and […]
0 events,
3 events,
Math Tutoring
Math Tutoring
Struggling with equations or aiming to ace your next math test? The Math Tutoring is here to help! Whether you're tackling algebra, geometry, or calculus, our friendly tutors are ready […]
Leadership
Leadership
Unlock your potential and inspire others in the Leadership Club! This club is all about developing essential skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving to make a positive impact in your […]
6 events,
English Tutoring
English Tutoring
Whether you're working on a paper or a project, English tutoring is the place to be! Join us for one-on-one support, helpful tips, and a boost in your English skills. […]
Drawing Club
Drawing Club
This club is a creative hub for students passionate about art and drawing. It offers a welcoming space to connect with like-minded peers, explore new artistic techniques, and collaborate on […]
4 events,
Social Studies Tutoring
Social Studies Tutoring
Explore history, government, and more with Social Studies Tutoring! Whether you're analyzing historical events, understanding political systems, or preparing for an exam, our tutors are here to guide you every […]
Math Tutoring
Math Tutoring
Struggling with equations or aiming to ace your next math test? The Math Tutoring is here to help! Whether you're tackling algebra, geometry, or calculus, our friendly tutors are ready […]
4 events,
World Language Tutoring
World Language Tutoring
Unlock the world through language with World Language Tutoring! From mastering grammar and vocabulary to practicing conversation, we provide personalized support in a friendly and encouraging environment. Join us and […]
Ping-Pong Club
Ping-Pong Club
The Ping-Pong Club is a fun and active community where players of all skill levels can come together to enjoy the fast-paced game of ping-pong. Whether you're a beginner looking […]
Study Group
Study Group
Looking for a supportive space to stay on top of your schoolwork and boost your academic success? Welcome to the Study Group! Whether you're tackling tough homework, preparing for a […]
1 event,
0 events,
1 event,
1 event,
6 events,
English Tutoring
English Tutoring
Whether you're working on a paper or a project, English tutoring is the place to be! Join us for one-on-one support, helpful tips, and a boost in your English skills. […]
Drawing Club
Drawing Club
This club is a creative hub for students passionate about art and drawing. It offers a welcoming space to connect with like-minded peers, explore new artistic techniques, and collaborate on […]
4 events,
Social Studies Tutoring
Social Studies Tutoring
Explore history, government, and more with Social Studies Tutoring! Whether you're analyzing historical events, understanding political systems, or preparing for an exam, our tutors are here to guide you every […]
Math Tutoring
Math Tutoring
Struggling with equations or aiming to ace your next math test? The Math Tutoring is here to help! Whether you're tackling algebra, geometry, or calculus, our friendly tutors are ready […]
4 events,
World Language Tutoring
World Language Tutoring
Unlock the world through language with World Language Tutoring! From mastering grammar and vocabulary to practicing conversation, we provide personalized support in a friendly and encouraging environment. Join us and […]
Ping-Pong Club
Ping-Pong Club
The Ping-Pong Club is a fun and active community where players of all skill levels can come together to enjoy the fast-paced game of ping-pong. Whether you're a beginner looking […]
Study Group
Study Group
Looking for a supportive space to stay on top of your schoolwork and boost your academic success? Welcome to the Study Group! Whether you're tackling tough homework, preparing for a […]
1 event,
0 events,
0 events,
3 events,
Math Tutoring
Math Tutoring
Struggling with equations or aiming to ace your next math test? The Math Tutoring is here to help! Whether you're tackling algebra, geometry, or calculus, our friendly tutors are ready […]
Leadership
Leadership
Unlock your potential and inspire others in the Leadership Club! This club is all about developing essential skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving to make a positive impact in your […]
6 events,
English Tutoring
English Tutoring
Whether you're working on a paper or a project, English tutoring is the place to be! Join us for one-on-one support, helpful tips, and a boost in your English skills. […]
Drawing Club
Drawing Club
This club is a creative hub for students passionate about art and drawing. It offers a welcoming space to connect with like-minded peers, explore new artistic techniques, and collaborate on […]
4 events,
Social Studies Tutoring
Social Studies Tutoring
Explore history, government, and more with Social Studies Tutoring! Whether you're analyzing historical events, understanding political systems, or preparing for an exam, our tutors are here to guide you every […]
Math Tutoring
Math Tutoring
Struggling with equations or aiming to ace your next math test? The Math Tutoring is here to help! Whether you're tackling algebra, geometry, or calculus, our friendly tutors are ready […]
5 events,
Culminating Event: Artificial Intelligence Policy
Culminating Event: Artificial Intelligence Policy
CCPA 9th and 10th-grade students wrap up their AI Policy project with a presentation to a board of CCPA staff to pitch their AI Use Policy.
World Language Tutoring
World Language Tutoring
Unlock the world through language with World Language Tutoring! From mastering grammar and vocabulary to practicing conversation, we provide personalized support in a friendly and encouraging environment. Join us and […]
Ping-Pong Club
Ping-Pong Club
The Ping-Pong Club is a fun and active community where players of all skill levels can come together to enjoy the fast-paced game of ping-pong. Whether you're a beginner looking […]
1 event,
Office Hours with Mr. Shu
CCPAThis is the time for virtual office hours with Mr. Shumaker.
President’s Day
CCPAHoliday, no school.
Drawing Club
CCPAThis club is a creative hub for students passionate about art and drawing. It offers a welcoming space to connect with like-minded peers, explore new artistic techniques, and collaborate on […]
Cottonwood College Prep Academy:
A Hybrid High School Pathway of The Cottonwood School
Cottonwood College Prep Academy (CCPA) is an optional hybrid high school pathway of TCS located in the Buckeye Union School District in El Dorado Hills. CCPA is a hybrid pathway that includes in-person instruction in English, Science, Social Science, Video Productions, and mandatory online courses in Mathematics and World Language. Our pathway incorporates Design Thinking, emphasizing the creation and testing of innovative solutions to tackle complex, unfamiliar challenges. Students will actively participate in hands-on activities such as prototyping, robotics, Model UN simulations, and theater as well as engage in mentorships and internships to further develop their skills and real-world experience.
What’s Happening
Our students craft engaging “SLO Down” slides each week, by each selecting one of our Student Learner Outcomes (SLOs) as a framework for the content of their slide. Each slide spotlights the SLO as it relates to a current event or a personal interest. These slides serve as a visually captivating platform, illustrating the richness of our educational experiences!
Step into the vibrancy of daily life at CCPA. In our state-of-the art facility students engage in interdisciplinary projects that are designed to assist students in developing their collaborative and critical-thinking skills. These photos highlight the collaborative nature of student projects and our facility.
Valentine’s Day in Video Productions
The talented Video Production students at CCPA have reached a significant milestone! This past week, they proudly unveiled their first solo video project on Instagram! Given the creative reins to explore their imaginations, these budding filmmakers enthusiastically...
CCPA is open for tours
CCPA is thrilled to announce that we are now offering personalized tours to families with children of qualifying ages who are interested in enrolling in our school. These tours are designed to provide prospective families with an immersive experience, allowing them to...
New Episode Alert!
Tune into the new episode of the Cottonwood Counseling Podcast to learn how to enroll in college courses as a high school student! The link to the podcast can be found under the "Counseling" tab.
Introducing Video Production
Introducing CCPA's latest addition to our dynamic curriculum - the Video Productions class! Launched in January 2024 after winter break, this exciting course is already making waves under the guidance of CCPA’s newest member, Jessi Chapman. With a fresh perspective...
CCPA Swag Store Year-End Sale
The CCPA Swag Store Year-End Sale is live! The sale runs from January 30 until February 13. Use the discount code SPIRIT213 at checkout to receive 25% off all merchandise and free shipping on orders over $60. To access the store, click on the “Swag Store” link under...