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!

What an amazing presentation done by Jojo from Conservation Ambassadors’ Wild Things for our lucky students. They were beyond excited to see all these fun and unique animals up close – especially the friendly capybara, the wiggly lizard, and the tiniest little owl with the biggest personality. Jojo shared incredible stories about each animal’s journey and how they came to be ambassadors for wildlife education. Students were all eyes and ears, snapping photos, asking thoughtful questions, and clearly loving every second of the experience. There’s something magical about seeing animals in real life that makes the science click, and this presentation definitely brought the wild to life!

Even better, this visit lined up perfectly with the 9th and 10th grade climate projects currently underway. As students dive into the ways humans impact ecosystems and climate, getting to meet real animals affected by these issues gives them a deeper, more personal understanding. At CCPA, we love making connections between our projects and the real world—it keeps learning meaningful, memorable, and engaging. Enrollment for the 2025–2026 school year is now open—don’t miss your chance to be part of it all! For more information, call us at (530) 285-2003 or email isabella.brenneman@cottonwoodk12.org.

This week, our 9th and 10th grade students launched their second project of the semester with a collaborative “circle time” reading of

The goal of this project is to encourage students to explore practical and impactful solutions to climate change that they and their peers can implement. Students will investigate the key factors contributing to climate change, their impact on the planet, and how they, as individuals, can become responsible stewards of the environment. They will research a range of solutions, from large-scale initiatives to small, everyday actions that individuals can take. Ultimately, students will develop their own strategies to address climate challenges, create a call to action, and raise awareness about how small, individual changes can collectively make a significant impact on the global climate.