Welcome to the Most Personalized High School Program

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 760-317-9143.
Dana Moen
Principal
Program Overview

The Personalized Learning Campus features numerous programs, including independent study, 3-day-a-week workshops, an entirely virtual option, articulated courses with Palomar College, and dual enrollment options. The instructional practices utilize a dynamic blended learning platform called Summit Learning. Summit Learning enables us to offer students high-quality project-based learning and individualized mentoring.
When students learn through interdisciplinary projects, they have the opportunity to apply what they have learned to real-world situations and develop the skills they need for success in college and beyond. Teachers at the Personalized Learning Campus embrace project-based learning, which utilizes frequent student collaboration and inquiry and opportunities for students to “show what they know” in a variety of formats.
Mastery-Based Program
Content delivery also includes content assessments and cognitive skills to ensure mastery. Students are graded 30% on content and 70% on projects, collaboration, and exploring passions and talents. Students can access content and playlists anytime to personalize their learning experience. Projects are guided through checkpoints that lead up to their final project and presentation. Students may select their presentation format, such as videos, games, displays, or in other creative and innovative ways. Students manage their grades through goal setting, meeting with credentialed teachers, and mastery of content and projects.
Program Options

CAHS partners with parents to prepare students for college, career, and citizenship. Students have the flexibility to choose a program that fits their learning style. Rigorous academic courses, including college prep (A-G) and Advanced Placement (AP), are taught by California credentialed teachers. Extracurricular activities include field trips, sports, clubs, music, theater, and robotics.
Classical Academy High School – Personalized Learning Campus
CAHS Personalized Learning Campus offers many options for students:
Three-Day Workshops Program
This program offers three days on campus (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday), participating in 50-minute workshops and virtual office hours with teachers on Friday between 9:00 am -12:00 pm. Students who appreciate more structure and in-person instruction attend a typical high school three days a week. Students work independently on goal setting, content areas, and projects on Mondays and Friday.
Virtual Program
We offer Summit Learning via our Virtual Program for families seeking a college-prep curriculum. Students meet weekly to mentor with their cohort teacher and have online access to credentialed teachers for all courses via Summit, Schoology, or email. This flexible option allows students to work remotely while maintaining academic rigor. Synchronous and video instruction is available for core classes through Virtual Friday Office Hours.
5-Day Independent Study
Our equivalent of an entire homeschool program involves a commitment by parents to oversee their teen’s educational development. Although the parent is the primary educator, an Educational Specialist will assist families in choosing a curriculum. Parents will track their student’s progress and provide documentation to the Educational Specialist every three weeks.
Classical Academy High School follows a traditional schedule with core classes spread over two semesters (36 weeks). As space allows, students may choose which classes they prefer to take independently or have supported with a workshop. A rigorous, engaging environment is maintained in workshops through intentional student collaboration, projects, labs, and student mentorship. All students utilize the same curriculum and have the flexibility to complete their schoolwork at home. The 5-Day Independent Study Program allows parents to homeschool their students, choosing from various curricula. Families may choose from several options:
- Selecting their curriculum.
- Selecting Summit Learning courses.
- Working with outside co-ops or vendors.
- Taking community college courses.
All coursework must meet or exceed the California State Standards. Credentialed Educational Specialists (ES) know how coursework aligns with the school’s educational standards. Students will contact the Educational Specialist every three weeks (or at the discretion of the ES) to review and assess student progress towards learning objectives. Students conference with their ES at the beginning of the school year and after every quarter.
Approved for Palomar College Articulated Courses
CAHS-PL offers Keyboarding, Digital Art- Illustrator, and Digital Art- Photoshop as articulated college courses with Palomar College. Students who complete articulated courses with a letter grade of B or higher receive both high school and (free) college credit, as the courses are comparable to community college courses. These classes are the first strand of the Career Technical Education Program in Business and Graphic Communications. Classical Academy High School plans to articulate more courses in the future, increasing student readiness for college and career.
Placement Assessments
Students will take math and English language arts placement tests to ensure appropriate course placement. STAR testing is given twice a year to monitor progress and measure academic growth.
New Family Informational Meetings
For registration information and tours, please contact our Office Manager at eboitano@classicalacademy.com.
Student Activities
CAHS provides various activities where students can connect with the community. Activities include sports, clubs, dance, cheer, flag team, speech and debate, journalism (yearbook and news publications), robotics, synthetic biology, Academic League, play production, school dances, and a variety of ASB-sponsored events. The student culture at CAHS is remarkably accepting, nurturing, and wholesome, and all school events help students engage with each other in a safe and supervised environment. All students are encouraged to give back to their communities by completing 37.5 community service hours each year of enrollment.

Visual & Performing Arts
Classical Academy High School places a high value on a well-rounded education, including exposure to the world of visual and performing arts. CAHS provides students with various college prep and elective performing arts choices, including art, digital art, band, guitar, choir, drama, dance, and music appreciation. In addition to performing arts courses, CAHS sponsors a fall play and a spring musical each year. Students at all levels of acting experience are welcome to try out or join the crew team!
Student Leadership
Leadership empowers students to discover their leadership style. Students challenge themselves through team-building exercises and individual self-reflection. Students are equipped with tools and strategies to develop habits and daily practices to communicate effectively with others.
PLUS Program (Peer Leaders Uniting Student)
The PLUS Program was formed to have students mentor other students while in high school. Students facilitate forums that target their individual concerns. These forums create meaningful relationships and build community.
Clubs and Organizations
Students are encouraged to organize clubs based on their interests. Our Activities Director approves clubs which encourage students to meet new people, collaborate and exchange views on shared interests under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Clubs are created at the beginning of each school year, based on student application and participation.
Organizations at CAHS:
- Academic League
- Robotics
- Athletics
- Marching Band
- Color Guard
- Drumline
Athletics
Students from the CAHS-Studio Campus and the CASH-Personalized Learning campus join together to participate in student sports, dance, musical theater and music programs. Please visit https://caimansports.com/ our athletics website for more information!
The Caiman Way – Philosophy of Athletics “The Caiman Way” philosophy of athletics focuses more on character development than the final score of the game. Athletes are taught to work hard, to live pure, to lead with courage, to honor their teams, and to be committed to their sport. Athletic competition allows athletes the opportunity 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 the lives of student-athletes. The Caiman Way hopes to teach student-athletes to apply the lessons learned in athletics to their lives off the athletic field. Our hope is that we will 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.
California Interscholastic Federation (CIF)Athletic Department – athletics@classicalacademy.com

Choir
The Caiman Choir Singers learn music reading, vocal techniques, and performance concepts and participate in performances and concerts throughout the year. This program meets Mondays at the CAHS Studio campus and is open to students from both CAHS campuses.
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. 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 school and is also open to students from CAHS-Studio. 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/Coastal Academy campus through workshops and auditions each December. The CAHS-PL campus offers a Drumline class during the school day that teaches the concepts of rhythms, music reading, and performances in a non-competitive way. Students do not have to be part of the class to be part of the competitive ensemble.
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 with 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). Classical Academy High School believes in a team approach: student, parent, general education teacher, special education teacher, and any instrumental team member. This team works together to create and execute a plan to make the student most successful.
Conferences
The Personalized Learning Program allows students, parents, and teachers to access a student’s progress in real-time through the Summit Learning Platform. The administration alerts students who are behind every three weeks with Big Deadline Dates. At these three-week deadlines, zeros can be assigned for work not completed. However, we encourage families to meet with their Teacher, Guidance Counselor, or Principal as soon as they are struggling so an individualized learning plan can be developed or modified. Each student is assigned a Guidance Counselor upon enrolling in CAHS-PL. The Guidance Counselor is a resource for helping students stay on track and can arrange appointments with subject-area teachers.
Learning Period Cohort Conferences
Students enrolled in CAHS-PL will be assigned a Cohort Teacher in addition to their Guidance Counselor. The Cohort Teacher will meet with each of their students for weekly mentor meetings and meeting with students and parents once per quarter to discuss progress. These meetings are an integral part of the online and independent study experience.
4 Year College Acceptances
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 postsecondary 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.