Welcome to Cascades Academy. We are so glad you are here!Throughout these pages, we hope you'll discover how our unique approach to student and family engagement is designed to realize our vision to:
Cultivate Engagement. Build Community. Inspire Goodness.Our commitment to small class sizes (18-20 students) is paramount - allowing teachers to forge connections with our students, and students to develop authentic connections with each other.
This results in a safe, vibrant, and close-knit community where students are known, valued and appreciated for exactly who they are. With these relational foundations in place, transformative learning is possible.
What do we mean? We believe in learning that's engaging and challenging, authentic and meaningful, and full of rich experiences.
As you read through these pages, you'll discover how our unique approach to experiential education brings transformative learning to life. None of this would be possible without our talented team of passionate educators who are living embodiments of our mission and core values both in and outside of the classroom. In addition to being content experts, our teachers serve as role models, coaches, mentors, ski buddies, backpacking trip leaders, confidants, and the list goes on.As a parent of two Cascades Academy students myself, it's not lost on me that this wonderful group of adults is helping shape my children to be future leaders, thinkers, and doers with compassion and integrity. Our teachers share their gifts with my children so that they will go on to become forces of positive impact in the world.
I invite you to learn more about our incredible team.We are proud to be Cascades Academy, and we believe you'll fall in love with our school's positive energy just as we have.
So, please come and visit. Meet our teachers, students, and parents.
They are at the heart of this wonderful community.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- Top Ranked OR School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-12
- Enrollment: 256 students
- Yearly Tuition: $20,630
- Acceptance rate: 65%
- Average class size: 18 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Cascades Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Oregon for:
Category
Attribute
Acceptance Rate
Student Body
Sports offered
Extracurriculars
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Year Founded
2003
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
256 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
8%
State avg.: 25%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
55 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
5:1
National avg.: 13:1
Average Class Size
18 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$20,630
Tuition Notes
$20630 for PK-12, 5 full-days/week program.
% on Financial Aid
30%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$11,759
Acceptance Rate
65%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Buck McKenna
Sports
Total Sports Offered
8 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
11 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Traveling School, Yearbook
Club or Organization:
After-school Outdoor Sports, Chess Club, Climbing Club, Makerspace Club, Robotics Club, Social Justice Club
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Running Club, Ski and snowboarding program, Ultimate Frisbee
Club or Organization:
After-school Outdoor Sports, Chess Club, Climbing Club, Makerspace Club, Robotics Club, Social Justice Club
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Running Club, Ski and snowboarding program, Ultimate Frisbee
School Notes
- Mission Statement
- Cascades Academy is an engaged, vibrant community that weaves challenging academics with experiential learning to inspire socially responsible individuals ready for a diverse and changing world.Our Approach
- Core Values & Philosophy
- Cascades Academy is a student-centered community. What's best for our students is at the heart of what we do each day, and in every decision we make. Our core values are to: ignite curiosity, learn by doing, foster belonging, empower individuality, embrace challenge, and share joyfulness.
- Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
- Cascades Academy seeks to create a safe, nurturing community where we honor our unique selves, embrace the diverse perspectives and backgrounds of others, and promote social responsibility both within the school and beyond.
- Program Overview
- Cascades Academy offers a meaningful, challenging curriculum that integrates traditional academics and experiential learning. Our small class sizes allow our students to be known and valued. Our teachers work with each student to find the right balance of challenge and support to help them excel in a caring and dynamic community.
- Curriculum
- All grade levels have instruction in English language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, Spanish, and fine arts. In addition we offer a variety of specialty classes including Storyline, fitness, electives, Maker classes, robotics, and internships.
- Experiential Learning
- We often get asked about what"experiential learning"means and how do we "do it". To us, experiential learning means that students are engagedand learning by doing. They are active. They are solving problems independently andcollaboratively. They reflect about what they've learned, and the learning sticks because of their engagement. We know that "studying for the test" seldom supports learning that lasts. Active learning supports creativity and deeper understanding of the subject matter.
- Social Responsibility
- Part of our vision is to inspire our students to be a force of positive impact in the world.Throughout their years at Cascades Academy, students have many opportunities to participate in outreach efforts with community partners. Depending on the age of the student, this may look like a day of service at a local wildlife hospital, or a six-month internship with a non-profit of their choice.
- History & Governance
- Cascades Academy was founded in 2003 in order to fulfill the need for an independent, PK-12 college preparatory school in Central Oregon. The school opened its doors on Studio Road in mid-town Bend with 61 students. In the fall of 2013, the school moved to a 21-acre campus in Tumalo, and added a third wing to its campus in 2017. Since 2019, the school has added an additional 32 acres to the campus, bringing the campus size to 51acres.The school is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization governed by a volunteerBoard of Trustees.AccreditationCascades Academy is an accredited member of theNorthwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS)andCognia. Cascades Academy is also proud to be a member of theNational Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Cascades Academy cost?
Cascades Academy's tuition is approximately $20,630 for private students.
What schools are Cascades Academy often compared to?
Cascades Academy is often viewed alongside schools like Seven Peaks School by visitors of our site.
What is the acceptance rate of Cascades Academy?
The acceptance rate of Cascades Academy is 65%, which is lower than the national average of 89%. Cascades Academy's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Oregon with low acceptance rates.
What sports does Cascades Academy offer?
Cascades Academy offers 8 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Basketball, Cross Country, Nordic Skiing, Rock Climbing, Snowboarding, Track and Field and Volleyball. Cascades Academy is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Oregon for most sports offered.
What is Cascades Academy's ranking?
Cascades Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Oregon for: Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most sports offered and Most extracurriculars offered.
When is the application deadline for Cascades Academy?
The application deadline for Cascades Academy is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
Related Schools
Show me:
Popular comparisons: Cascades Academy vs. Seven Peaks School
People that viewed Cascades Academy also viewed these schools: Seven Peaks School, Trinity Lutheran School, Morning Star Christian School, St. Francis Of Assisi Catholic School and The Waldorf School Of Bend.
The nearest high school to Cascades Academy is Trinity Lutheran School (4.7 miles away)
The nearest elementary school is The Waldorf School Of Bend (2.9 miles away)
The nearest preschool is The Montessori Center (3.6 miles away)
Show me:
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Grades
Students
Grades: PK-8 | 239 students 6.5 miles 19660 SW Mountaineer Way
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 382-7755
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 382-7755
6.5
PK-8
239
Grades: PK-12 | 644 students 4.7 miles 2550 NE Butler Market Road
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 382-1850
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 382-1850
4.7
PK-12
644
Grades: PK-8 | 240 students 9.7 miles 19741 Baker Rd
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 382-5091
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 382-5091
9.7
PK-8
240
Grades: PK-8 | 161 students 5.3 miles 2450 NE 27th St
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 382-4701
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 382-4701
5.3
PK-8
161
Grades: K-7 | 64 students 2.9 miles 2150 NE Studio Rd Ste. 2
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 330-8841
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 330-8841
2.9
K-7
64
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