Want more info? Click Here

Hybrid High School Pathway of TCS

Graduation Info

CCPA is a Tuition-Free Charter School

Enroll Today for '25-'26

Cottonwood College Prep Academy: A Tuition-free, Hybrid High School Pathway of The Cottonwood School

We pride ourselves on being an interdisciplinary, project-based, Montessori-inspired pathway of TCS that encourages
exploration, collaboration, and creativity. We serve El Dorado Hills, Folsom, Cameron Park, Granite Bay, Sacramento, Roseville, Rocklin, Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, and Placerville.

PreviousNext
1234567891011121314151617181920

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.

Montessori quote

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

Events Search and Views Navigation

Event Views Navigation

This Month

Calendar of Events

S Sun

M Mon

T Tue

W Wed

T Thu

F Fri

S Sat

0 events,

4 events,

- Event Series

Math Tutoring

- Event Series

Model UN

+ 1 More

6 events,

- Event Series

Drawing Club

- Event Series

Robotics

+ 3 More

4 events,

- Event Series

Yearbook

- Event Series

Math Tutoring

+ 1 More

5 events,

-

Park Day

+ 2 More

1 event,

1 event,

1 event,

4 events,

- Event Series

Math Tutoring

- Event Series

Model UN

+ 1 More

7 events,

- Event Series

Drawing Club

- Event Series

Robotics

+ 4 More

5 events,

- Event Series

Yearbook

+ 2 More

4 events,

+ 1 More

1 event,

0 events,

0 events,

2 events,

Study Group

Study Group

3 events,

2 events,

2 events,

3 events,

2 events,

2 events,

2 events,

2 events,

3 events,

1 event,

1 event,

0 events,

1 event,

1 event,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

+ 1 More
+ 3 More
+ 1 More
+ 2 More
+ 1 More
+ 4 More
+ 2 More
+ 1 More

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. 

Reviews

“My daughter is a couple weeks away from completing her freshman year of high school at Cottonwood College Prep Academy, and we couldn’t be happier! I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for an alternative to the traditional large high schools. 

The classes are well thought out, and an interdisciplinary approach with real-life application makes them interesting — my daughter didn’t use any textbooks this year, and the content felt exceptionally current. For example: the students spent a couple months learning about food. This was examined from a multitude of angles; they read “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan, they learned about worldwide food origins, they designed and built their own garden planter boxes after testing them on a 3D printer, they studied the food shortage crisis in Venezuela, and more. This same multi-pronged approach was given to the subject of artificial intelligence, and students studied the AI policies of various governments and educational institutions, debated the benefits and drawbacks, and ultimately crafted a policy for the school and presented it to members of the community. 

The teachers and principal, Dr. Beeson, have been amazing; they’re very supportive and have taken the time to get to know my daughter. The school has enough students for friendships to form and collaborative projects to be successful, while being small enough that nobody gets lost in the crowd. Aside from the educational content, my daughter and I have both been very happy with the schedule (4 days a week), the physical space (newly designed and beautiful, with a variety of workspaces), the extra-curricular choices (plenty of options meeting after school), and the daily variety (not the same agenda every day). This school is a real gem, and I’m grateful that my daughter is part of it!”

For my daughter’s sophomore year, I transferred her from the public school system to CCPA. My daughter was extremely shy, but with all the one-on-one help and support from all the teachers, she never had a chance to fall through the cracks. She was able to stay after school and get the support she needed. My daughter received the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma upon graduation. She has overcome her shyness and grown into a self-sufficient adult working in retail while pursuing her college degree in nursing. I owe the CCPA teachers and staff all the credit. 

My daughter is a high school freshman at the Cottonwood College Prep Academy. She has gone from dreading school, to being fully engaged. She participates in Model UN, has presented on behalf of her school to the School Board, and is content to be on site in the environment they’ve created.
PreviousNext
123

What’s Happening

PreviousNext
12345678910

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!

PreviousNext
1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132

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. 

3rd Annual Counselor Spring Institute

Dec 23, 2024

Registration is now open for the 3rd annual Counselor Spring Institute! Embark on a transformative experience at the 3rd annual Counselor Spring Institute: C.A.R.E. - The Counselor's Compass. This event is not just a conference; it's a unique opportunity to Connect,...

read more

Ping Pong Talent Show!

Dec 23, 2024

At CCPA, our students are always finding creative ways to work together, and our Ping-Pong Club recently showcased their teamwork in an unforgettable way! Rather than submitting individual entries for the school talent show, part of the club decided to join forces and...

read more

Showcasing Growth: Student-Led Conferences at CCPA  

Dec 20, 2024

As the semester draws to a close, our high school students are busy preparing for their Student-Led Conferences. During these events, they will reflect on their most rewarding and challenging projects, present a portfolio of their work, and set academic and personal...

read more

Meet Our Mascot: The Name Is In!

Dec 16, 2024

Big news at CCPA: our owl mascot is finally getting a name! Over the past week, students have been busy submitting their best name ideas, and let’s just say the creativity was off the charts. From hilarious puns to names rooted in history, the submissions did not...

read more

Marvel vs DC Spirit Day!

Dec 9, 2024

Our Leadership Club brought superhero-level creativity to CCPA with their amazing photobooth for Marvel vs. DC Spirit Day! Students transformed a corner of our school into an epic photo zone, complete with handmade props featuring iconic superhero symbols, masks, and...

read more