Cottonwood College Prep Academy: A 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.

School Information

Learn more about what makes Cottonwood College Prep Academy a great place to get an education.

College and Career Center

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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.

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

Calendar of Events

S Sun

M Mon

T Tue

W Wed

T Thu

F Fri

S Sat

1 event,

1 event,

5 events,

- Event Series

Drawing Club

- Event Series

Game Club

- Event Series

Game Club

1 event,

1 event,

1 event,

0 events,

1 event,

8 events,

12 events,

- Event Series

Drawing Club

- Event Series

Game Club

4 events,

- Event Series

Yearbook

- Event Series

Math Tutoring

4 events,

- Event Series

Ceramics

1 event,

0 events,

0 events,

3 events,

- Event Series

Leadership

- Event Series

Math Tutoring

- Event Series

Model UN

6 events,

- Event Series

Game Club

- Event Series

Drawing Club

4 events,

- Event Series

Yearbook

- Event Series

Math Tutoring

5 events,

Historical Figure Day

- Event Series

Study Group

1 event,

0 events,

1 event,

6 events,

- Event Series

Game Club

- Event Series

Drawing Club

4 events,

- Event Series

Yearbook

- Event Series

Math Tutoring

4 events,

- Event Series

Study Group

1 event,

0 events,

0 events,

3 events,

- Event Series

Leadership

- Event Series

Math Tutoring

- Event Series

Model UN

6 events,

- Event Series

Game Club

- Event Series

Drawing Club

4 events,

- Event Series

Yearbook

- Event Series

Math Tutoring

4 events,

- Event Series

Study Group

1 event,

0 events,

Event Series Leadership

Leadership

CCPA

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 […]

Event Series Math Tutoring

Math Tutoring

CCPA

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 […]

Event Series Model UN

Model UN

Step into the shoes of global leaders and tackle real-world issues in the Model United Nations! Develop your public speaking, negotiation, and critical thinking skills as you represent different countries […]

Event Series Robotics

Robotics

CCPA

Step into the future with Robotics Club! Whether you're a tech enthusiast or just curious about how robots work, this club is the perfect place to design, build, and program […]

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. 

Leadership and Public Service Launches Field Study Project

LPS students are investigating the questions: If you could explore a topic or a place of your choice, what would you explore? How would you make it happen?  Through a multi-step process including inquiry, research, proposal writing, agenda planning, and public...

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Design Thinking Embarks on new project

The Design Thinking Concentration is about to embark on another interdisciplinary project for all students. In this project, students will design and build a scale model of a house. This project will incorporate curricular standards from all subjects; in addition to...

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Design Thinking Launches New Integrated Project

Design Thinking is in the beginning stages of our first major integrated project of the school year by looking at the essential question: How does my self-care have global implications? Students are tracking their sleep patterns, diets and physical activity to...

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What is Leadership?

The students in Leadership and Public Service have just wrapped up individual projects where they answered the research-based question: "What is Leadership?" Using their 21st-century research skills, all students wrote informative essays not only defining what...

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