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.
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
Math Tutoring
CCPAAll CCPA students and TCS high school students can receive tutoring in their math courses.
Social Studies Tutoring
CCPACCPA and TCS High School students can receive tutoring in their social science courses.
Science Tutoring
CCPACCPA and TCS High School students can receive help on their science courses.
Math Tutoring
CCPAAll CCPA students and TCS high school students can receive tutoring in their math courses.
Social Studies Tutoring
CCPACCPA and TCS High School students can receive tutoring in their social science courses.
Science Tutoring
CCPACCPA and TCS High School students can receive help on their science courses.
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.
Senior Night 2024
Last week, we celebrated our graduating seniors and their families with an enchanting, ice cream filled Senior Night! Laughter filled the air as everyone savored delicious scoops of ice cream and enjoyed each other's company. The highlight of the event was undoubtedly...
CCPA’s Yearbook 2023 – 2024
This year, CCPA is releasing our first-ever physical yearbook! It's been a long time coming, and it's all thanks to the students who spoke up and advocated for it. We started a yearbook club because so many students wanted one – how cool is that? And get this: the...
Prom Night!
Prom this year was an absolute blast! Seeing our in-person high schoolers and fully online students come together under one roof was incredible. The dance floor was alive with energy, as everyone let loose and had a great time. It was awesome to see friendships formed...
Prom Mask-Making
In anticipation of the masquerade prom, our students took the initiative to organize a mask-making activity. With creativity and enthusiasm, they transformed a simple gathering into a workshop where imaginations ran wild. Equipped with an array of materials, from...
CCPA’s Road Trip Through the 1920s
The "Road Trip Through the 1920s" immersive walk-through event at our school was an outstanding success, showcasing the remarkable dedication and creativity of our 11th and 12th graders! Through an interdisciplinary approach, students delved deep into the era of the...