This kind of hands-on, immersive project is exactly what we strive for at CCPA. We believe that learning should be engaging, dynamic, and thought-provoking, and this criminology activity showcased just that. By incorporating interactive assignments like this, we’re able to cultivate a passion for learning that goes beyond traditional methods, encouraging students to think critically, collaborate, and have fun while mastering new concepts. It’s all part of how we create a learning environment that brings subjects to life and prepares students for success.

At CCPA, we take pride in offering a wide range of exciting after-school clubs that cater to our students’ diverse interests and passions. During our hybrid time from 1:15 PM to 2:45 PM, Monday through Thursday, students can participate in a variety of clubs while still having access to in-person tutoring and academic help. Our club lineup includes engaging options like Model UN, Theater, Robotics, Yearbook, Pottery, Ping-Pong Club, Drawing, Games, and Sewing. These clubs are more than just a fun way to spend the afternoon; they’re an opportunity for students to explore new hobbies, build friendships, and develop skills outside the classroom. Students often look forward to these club sessions as a way to unwind and express themselves after direct instruction time, making their school day both productive and enjoyable.

What makes CCPA unique is our commitment to creating clubs based on student interest. If three or more students show interest in forming a new club, come up with a designated time slot, and find a staff member willing to supervise, we’re excited to get the club started! This approach ensures that students have a voice in their extracurricular activities, creating a school culture that’s inclusive and student-driven. Whether it’s building robots, creating pottery pieces, directing a play, or competing in a friendly game of ping-pong, our students know they have a place where their interests are celebrated and supported.

Halloween at CCPA was a total blast this year! As a hybrid high school in El Dorado County serving both the Folsom and Sacramento areas, we’re all about blending community spirit with fun and creativity. This Halloween was no exception! Our celebration began with a school-wide pumpkin decorating contest that brought out everyone’s artistic side. From spooky to downright hilarious, the pumpkins really showed off our students’ imagination. The costume contest took center stage, with students showing up in everything from classic characters to one-of-a-kind creations. Best Overall Costume went to a stunning handmade costume of Varian from “Tangled the Series,” crafted by one of our talented students. The Most Creative Costume award went to a clever Chick-fil-A “Eat Mor Chikin” cow, complete with a handmade sign, and the Funniest Costume prize went to a trio of students who teamed up as characters from “The Lorax,” including the Lorax himself, a Truffula tree, and the Once-ler. It was an epic group effort that had everyone laughing!

And, of course, it wouldn’t be Halloween without a little game time, so we played a spooky edition of Halloween Bingo that had the whole school cheering and competing for treats. Events like these go beyond just having a good time; they help us build a strong, supportive community where students and staff can connect and create memories. At CCPA, we know that fostering these relationships is key to a positive school experience, and holiday fun is the perfect way to make it happen!

Meanwhile, the 9th and 10th grade classes are in the middle of their “Growing Solutions” project, which challenges them to construct a raised bed with vegetables and other plants to answer the essential question: How can raised bed gardens be used to promote community engagement, environmental stewardship, and food security? Students have been exploring the development of our food system and evaluating perspectives on its current state. They are addressing food needs by designing and constructing raised garden beds, embodying the project-based learning model that CCPA’s hybrid high school is known for. Additionally, students will create a website for a restaurant—including menus and a restaurant history—based on the produce they choose to grow in their garden beds. At the mock election night, our CCPA community members were able to preview prototypes of the raised garden beds showcased in the Innovation Lab.

This unique approach to learning emphasizes community engagement and hands-on projects, embodying CCPA’s mission to deliver meaningful, project-based learning experiences to students in the El Dorado, Sacramento, and Placer counties.

, using real-life examples of psychological studies to consider the question, what makes good people do bad things?

World History students have embarked on a journey toward ‘thinking like a historian’. Each student chose one California state History standard of interest to them. They then designed a research question about that topic, anchoring their questions in one of the California History Project’s five Historical Thinking Concepts (historical significance, cause and effect, change and continuity, perspective, and contemporary relevance). Students are currently learning to evaluate primary and secondary sources through the lens of a historian, and will soon locate their own sources to begin answering their research questions. 

And, of course, US History and Government students have been working diligently on their Mock Election Night project, which all of us at CCPA are proud to present to you this coming Monday, November 4. 

– Ms. Douglas

As a teacher at CCPA, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to see how our focus on Design Thinking transforms the way students learn and engage with the world around them. When I first introduced my students to Design Thinking 1, it was exciting to watch them embrace a whole new approach to problem-solving. This process—learning how to empathize, define problems, brainstorm solutions, and then build prototypes—challenges them in ways that traditional classroom models don’t. Right now, we’re in the middle of a design challenge, and I’ve been blown away by how invested my students are.  Design Thinking allows for a student’s creativity to shine. They’re not just doing the work; they’re having fun, coming up with creative solutions, and learning from the iterative process. There’s an energy in the room that makes teaching at CCPA a truly unique experience.

Being part of this process has made me reflect on how special CCPA really is. We’re not like any other high school in the Folsom, El Dorado Hills, or Sacramento areas. Here, learning is hands-on, engaging, and most importantly, fun. I get to see students light up when they discover new ideas, and the sense of ownership they take in their work is incredible. It’s not just about getting good grades—it’s about preparing them for life beyond the classroom. Teaching at CCPA has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career, and I’m proud to be part of a school that truly puts students at the center of their learning journey.

Ms. Bermodes