School Information
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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.
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.
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.
What’s Happening
Our students craft engaging “PR Package Slides” each week, often using one of our Student Learner Outcomes (SLOs) as a framework for content, to spotlight the vibrant happenings within our school community and keep everyone updated on current events. These slides serve as a visually captivating platform, illustrating the richness of our educational experiences!
Step into the vibrancy of CCPA’s new school facility that we proudly unveiled at the beginning of 2024. Students, faculty, and guests gathered to celebrate this monumental occasion with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting ceremony and exploration of state-of-the-art facilities. The photos featured here highlight some of our brand-new spaces designed to encourage creativity, collaboration, and innovation amongst staff and students.
A Spectacular Unveiling: Grand Opening and Dedication
Yesterday marked a momentous occasion as CCPA opened its doors to the public in a Grand Opening which included a Dedication Ceremony. The air buzzed with excitement as board members, parents, students, and staff gathered to witness the unveiling of this...
CCPA American Government Students Write and Present Bills
CCPA 12th graders have spent the past few weeks of their American Government class stepping into the role of United States Congresspeople. After identifying a problem related to their personal interests, students completed extensive research to write bills that would...
CCPA Students Present Toy Product Pitch
CCPA students recently showcased their entrepreneurial skills by preparing and presenting a pitch for a toy product they created. They had the opportunity to present their toy prototype to a panel of professionals from the community. During their pitch, the students...
Self-Directed, Crime-related project to launch soon in Criminology
Criminology students are wrapping up a unit on the basics of crime. They've explored the way crimes are defined and categorized and how crime data is collected and reported. Students have considered crime through both a historical perspective (crime in other times and...
Exciting, New Things Happening at CCPA!
CCPA will be moving in the Fall of 2023! Our new location is next door to our current location. The new space will include: an innovation lab, media center, flex spaces for students to utilize for studying and creating, a United Nations stage and an outside space that...