The Academy

The Academy includes a skills-based curriculum of movement, social emotional learning, and academic exploration. Meaningful and impactful curriculum in these fields is co-created with students. 

Movement serves as a powerful grounding technique and source of joy for the community. Every morning begins with outdoor movement such as hiking, yoga, climbing trees, swimming, or new, student-inspired, games. Spending time in movement and play sets the foundation for the day somatically and creatively. Read more about the benefits of movement and play for teens here.

Social emotional learning is prioritized and interwoven throughout the day at CLA. Students learn to develop metacognition and self compassion that helps them navigate their emotions in response to the world around them. Students develop an emotional vocabulary, learn to identify their needs, and communicate them effectively. Students collaborate to create community agreements that nurture safety and growth. Read more about our community agreements here. 

Academic exploration prioritizes 21st century skills within the following integrated themes:

• Global awareness
• Financial, Economic, Business, and Entrepreneurial Literacy
• Health Literacy
• Civic Literacy
• Environmental Literacy

Students and teachers co-create the curriculum within these themes and develop 21st century skills such as innovation, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, media literacy, and leadership. The focus on skills allows students to understand their own learning style, build confidence and resilience, and be adaptable and successful in any environment. 

Students and teachers assess skills and content learned in a scaffolded process. Guidelines for assessing assignments, or rubrics, are co-created with each student prior to the start of a project. Teachers and students conference to develop guidelines for each project that are based on the needs of that specific student. After the projects are completed, students reflect on their own learning and develop goals for future projects. Learn more about the co-creating curriculum process here and the end of semester reflection process here. 

Students develop skills that allow them to balance their body, mind, and spirit which, in turn, uncovers their passions and interests in different fields.