Welcome to Classical Academy High School
My name is Dana Moen, Principal of Classical Academy High School (CAHS). I am honored to serve as principal of this distinguished high school. I want each student to know they are LOVED and they BELONG at CAHS. We are passionate about partnering with parents to provide the best education possible so that students become successful THINKERS, COMMUNICATORS, and ACHIEVERS. We offer a rigorous and flexible academic program that meets the University of California A-G requirements. As a Distinguished, Gold Ribbon, California public charter school, CAHS provides a nurturing environment teaching students to work hard, live pure, lead with courage, and honor each other while preparing students for college, career, and citizenship. CAHS has been recognized by Newsweek magazine as the 136th best school in the nation for preparing students for college and number one in San Diego as the best high school for homebuyers. Classical Academy High School is located in downtown Escondido, is one mile from the 78 and 15 freeways, and is within easy walking distance from the Sprinter station on Valley Parkway.
To schedule a tour of our campus, call 760-480-9845.
Dana Moen
Principal
Program Overview
CAHS offers a flexible academic program with various college preparatory, advanced placement, and elective courses. Current advanced placement (AP) studio courses include World History, US History, Government, Calculus BC, Statistics, Language and Composition, Language and Literature, Biology, Physics, Psychology, Drawing, 2D/3D Art and Design, and Spanish. (Additional AP courses are offered in our Personalized Learning program or through UC Scout.) Elective courses include sports medicine, anatomy and physiology, creative writing, art, graphic design, photography, video production, yearbook, journalism, drama, band, choir, play production, dance, engineering, leadership, woodshop, life skills, and others. Students also have the opportunity to take courses at a local community college for dual credit.
CAHS Studio courses follow the quarter system. This allows students to focus on 3-4 courses at one time. Most courses are “accelerated,” covering a year’s worth of content in 18 weeks. Yearlong courses include all levels of math, advanced placement courses, physical education courses, and electives.
Vision
We believe learning best occurs when:
- Learners feel safe and secure in their learning environment
- Parents partner with the school in supporting and encouraging their children to make the most of their talents and abilities
- Learning is personalized for each student through the use of varied learning modalities
- A tight alignment of standards, curriculum, and assessment promotes constant improvement of the educational program
- Learners apply higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills while making connections across the various disciplines
- Students are challenged to think in complex ways and to apply their knowledge and skills when confronted with unknown circumstances
- Learners are held to rigorous academic and behavioral expectations
- Students learn academic content through real-world examples, making education relevant, engaging, and meaningful to their lives
- A low student-teacher ratio is maintained, allowing for stronger relationships, meaningful interaction, and the meeting of individual needs
Program Options
Classical Academy partners with parents to prepare students to be Thinkers, Communicators, and Achievers. Students have the flexibility to choose a program that best fits their learning style. CAHS offers various programs across two different campuses:
Classical Academy High School - Studio Campus
4 days on campus
The Studio Program is designed to serve students who would like to attend class in a traditional classroom setting four days per week (Tuesday - Friday) in an accelerated classroom environment. Studio teachers use lectures, small group interactions, labs, field trips, and projects to deliver an engaging and rigorous curriculum. Students in this program agree to exhibit respectful conduct and academic responsibility, including the timely completion of quality work and daily attendance. All core classes except for math and Advanced Placement (AP) are taught in an accelerated format of 18 weeks.
Classical Academy High School - Personalized Learning Campus
3-Day Workshops - Virtual Program - 5-Day Independent Study
Students at the Personalized Learning Campus have flexibility in blending classroom time and independent study options with college prep coursework while maintaining respectful conduct, academic integrity, and the timely completion of quality work. Students enrolled in any of the programs offered at the Personalized Learning Campus are all a part of Classical Academy High School, including all campus sports, activities, and events.
Three Day Workshops Program allows students who appreciate more structure and in-person instruction to attend a typical high school setting on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Our award-winning curriculum is provided via the Summit Learning platform and offers rigorous college preparatory course work. Workshops include A-G UC Doorways approved curriculum and Advanced Placement classes and are taught by Credentialed subject-area teachers Each student will be assigned to meet with their mentor for a 15-minute check-in every week.
Virtual Program offers online and virtual instruction with credentialed teachers for support. Our college preparatory curriculum is offered to students via the Summit Learning platform which is available to students 24/7 for flexibility in scheduling. The student will work under the guidance of a Credentialed subject-area teacher and follow a rigorous curriculum that meets UC and CSU A-G guidelines. All teachers will be available to the student via Schoology, Summit Feedback, and Virtual Office Hours on Friday from 9:00 am to Noon where they can check in with their Cohort Teacher for updates and with their classroom teachers for direct assistance. Each student will meet with their Cohort Teacher for a 15-minute check-in every week.
Five Day Independent Study Program is a full homeschool program where the parent is the primary educator. An Educational Specialist will assist the parent with choosing curriculum. The parent, as the primary educator, will teach the curriculum, grade all student work, and provide documentation to the Education Specialist to support the student's progress. If the student meets all the independent study requirements, a CAHS transcript will be issued for completed coursework. * Non-A-G
Student Life
CAHS provides various activities where students can connect and the community. Activities include sports, clubs, dance, cheer, flag team, debate, journalism (yearbook and news publications), robotics, Academic League, musical theater, choir, school dances, and a variety of ASB-sponsored events. The student culture at CAHS is remarkably accepting, nurturing, inclusive, and wholesome, and all school events are designed to help students engage with each other in safe and supervised environments. All students are encouraged to give back to their communities and must complete 37.5 community service hours each year they are enrolled at CAHS.
Robotics
CAHS Robotics Team (a.k.a. “Team 3021: The Agency”):
The CAHS Robotics Team consists of students dedicated to establishing and enhancing their skill sets and knowledge base in relation to industry-standard robots. An Advisor and several mentors work side-by-side with the students to guide their efforts to complete real-world projects that apply robotics to actual problems and issues that cobots (collaborative robots) can address. The CAHS Robotics Team is open to any CAHS students interested in participating and willing to contribute their time and effort. Skills acquired during the year include computer-aided design (CAD), programming/coding, wireless networking, 3D printing, machining and utilization of tools (under supervision), electrical wiring, grant writing, and team logistics. Currently, the CAHS Robotics Team meets on campus on Monday late afternoons/evenings during the school year (subject to change). For more information, contact the current CAHS Robotics Advisor.
Engineering Courses (Introductory and Advanced):
In addition to our after-school Robotics program, CAHS offers introductory Engineering (CAD/Fusion) and Advanced Engineering (Coding/Python) electives courses on campus. These two courses are open to all students, with no prerequisites or prior knowledge. For more details on these course, please consult the CAHS Course Description Catalog and peruse the courses under Engineering.
Band
Classical Academy High School offers the following band and music programs.
Band/Advanced Band
The Caiman Corps is a fully-featured instrumental music program that performs at pep rallies, home football games, and local and state competitions. The Caiman Corps has competed at the California State Band Championships and was a 2021 State Finalist taking 11th place. In the Winter and Spring, the program shifts to a combination of Jazz Band and Symphonic Orchestra programming. The band is offered as a performing arts class during the school day. Members are encouraged to explore a variety of instruments and are welcome to participate without previous experience.
Drumline
Classical Academy High School’s Drumline is a competitive ensemble of marching drums, mallet keyboards, synthesizers, and guitars. The drumline competes in tournaments through the American Drum Line Association. This program is open to any student from any Classical or Coastal Academy campus through workshops and auditions each December.
Choir
The Caiman Choir Singers learn music reading, vocal techniques, and performance concepts and participate in performances and concerts and festivals throughout the year. This program is open to students from both CAHS campuses.
Visual and Performing Arts
Curricular Philosophy
CAHS believes the visual and performing arts possess inherent value essential in the creation of well-rounded students with a complete education. We believe students should be given the opportunity to think like artists, just as they should also be given the opportunity to approach the world mathematically, scientifically, historically, and linguistically. Studying the arts enables students to connect to content in new ways and gain a greater understanding of oneself and others. The arts encourage and enable students to reflect on quality, celebrate multiple perspectives, solve a problem with multiple solutions, and ‘say’ what cannot be said with words alone. CAHS instruction follows the CA State Standards for artistic perception, creative expression, historical and cultural context, aesthetic valuing, and connections/applications, as well as the Common Core Standards for reading, writing, speaking, and listening. CAHS VAPA courses provide students with an academically enriching and rigorous study of the arts.
Minimum Graduation Requirement: 10 credits (Elective or A-G)
A-G Requirement: 10 credits (A-G only)
- Art 1 (P)
- Art 2 (P)
- Advanced Art
- AP Art & Design (P)
- Pep Band (P) @ PL Campus
- Advanced Band @ PL Campus
- Dance 1: Discovering Dance (P)
- Dance 2: Exploring Dance (P)
- Competition Dance (P)
- Drama (P)
- Advanced Drama
- Graphic Design (P)
- Advanced Graphic Design (P)
- Beginning Guitar (P) @ PL Campus
- Advanced Guitar @ PL Campus
- Musical Theatre
- Music Theory 1 - Introduction and Essentials (P) @ PL Campus
- Music Theory 2 - Composition @ PL Campus
- Photography (P)
- Public Speaking (P) @ PL Campus
- Stagecraft
- Video Production (P)
- Advanced Video Production
Clubs
The Associated Student Body organizes and approves clubs that allow students to meet and gather around a particular interest with a faculty advisor. CAHS typically has 30 clubs meeting throughout the year on various days of the week. This list may change or grow as the school year begins.
Club Rush Day allows all approved clubs to promote and recruit new members. This event is held within the first two weeks of the school year. For Club questions and approval, please contact the current ASB Advisor.
Athletics
The Caiman Way – Philosophy of Athletics
“The Caiman Way” philosophy of athletics focuses more on character development than the game's final score. Caiman athletics are characterized by FUN, FITNESS, FRIENDSHIPS, and FUTURE. Athletes are meant to experience FUN while becoming physically FIT, building lifelong FRIENDSHIPS and preparing for their FUTURE. Athletes are taught to work hard, live pure, lead with courage, honor their teams, and be committed to their sport. Athletic competition allows students to learn the values of discipline, commitment, respect, and hard work. Classical Academy High School’s coaches recognize that athletics is a platform to impact students' lives. “The Caiman Way” allows student-athletes to apply the lessons and values learned in high school athletics outside the athletic field. We hope to partner with parents to help impact young men and women to make a positive contribution to their community long after their time in high school sports is over.
Please follow the link to our athletic website or download the “Caiman Sports” app.
Please go to this link below for contact information for each CAHS athletic team as well as the information for sports clearances:
Student Leadership
The Associated Student Body (ASB) is the student-led leadership team whose primary responsibility is to promote school spirit, develop leadership skills, and provide relevant school activities. ASB sponsors various events throughout the year that allow students to participate while developing social skills and healthy relationships. ASB-sponsored events include spirit days, dances, events, student club promotion and management, and many community service and outreach projects. ASB students are elected every spring by their fellow students after going through an application and interview process. For more information, please contact Corie Shields at cshields@classicalacademy.com. Students not elected into the ASB may enroll in the Leadership Development course, which focuses on early leadership development in preparation for future opportunities on campus. Juniors and seniors may also apply to Link Crew, a group of upperclassmen dedicated to mentoring and supporting incoming freshmen during their first year of high school. For more information on Link Crew, please contact Shanda Lee at slee@classicalacademy.com.
Special Education
Classical Academy High School Department of Special Education’s mission ensures that children with disabilities receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). We work with families, students, teachers, and other professionals to promote student success through individualized learning and support. Classical Academy High School is committed to serving the needs of all students. Our schools believe that the Least Restrictive Environment begins in the general education classroom/setting for all students, and supplemental aids and services are added to students’ education settings according to their individual needs. Students with learning or behavioral disabilities are provided a comprehensive range of services as specified in students’ Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Classical Academy High School Special Education program includes various services for eligible students under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
4 Year College Acceptances - 2023
Albion College
American University
Arizona State University-Tempe
Azusa Pacific University
Baylor University
Belmont University
Biola University
Butler University
California Baptist University
California Lutheran University
Cal Poly, Pomona
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
California State University, Channel Islands
California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Monterey Bay
California State University, Northridge
California State University, San Marcos
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Davis
University of California, Irvine
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, San Diego
University of California, Santa Barbara
Cedarville University
Columbia University in the City of New York
Concordia University-Irvine
University of Denver
Eckerd College
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
George Fox University
George Washington University
Grand Canyon University
Hawaii Pacific University
Indiana State University
Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis
Massachusetts Institute of Tech
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion
University of Iowa
Lee University
LeTourneau University
Lewis & Clark College
Marquette University
University of Mary
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Montana State University
University of North Texas
Northern Arizona University
Northwestern University
The University of Oklahoma
Pacific Lutheran University
Palomar College
Pepperdine University
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Point Loma Nazarene University
University of Portland
Regis University
Saint Mary’s College of California
San Diego Miramar College
San Diego State University
University of San Diego
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle University
University of Southern California (College of Letters, Arts, & Sciences)
University of Southern California (School of Architecture)
Studio School Los Angeles
Trinity Western University
Union University
University of Oregon (School of Architecture & Allied Arts)
Vanguard University of Southern California
Waynesburg University
Westmont College
Wheaton College
Willamette University
Texas A&M University
Duke Kunshan University
Grade Change
Due to the pandemic, the Education Code provides some students an opportunity to catch up. These changes include the option to change a transcript letter grade to Pass or No Pass for classes taken during 2020-2021 and possibly retake a grade level. For the 2020-21 through 2023-24 school year, certain post secondary institutions, including the ones listed here, will accept, for admission purposes, a transcript with a Pass or No Pass grade instead of a letter grade. This change will not negatively affect your child’s grade point average (GPA). However, please be advised that some colleges, including those in other states, may not accept a Pass or No Pass grade instead of a letter grade for admission purposes. We recommend you check with specific colleges your student may be interested in before requesting this transcript change.
If you have additional questions, please contact Elenna Uribe at euribe@classicalacademy.com.