Cedar River Academy Prepares Charter School Application

Cedar River Academy is preparing an application to the Washington State Charter School Commission to become an authorized Washington State Public Charter School.  

CRA was established in 2005 as a private, non-sectarian private school and has served pre-kindergarten through 8th grade students in the Enumclaw and surrounding area for the past seven years.  

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Now as a non-profit corporation CRA is conducting a public survey of Washington State families to learn of the level of community support for the creation of public schools that provide active learning, project-based and constructivist education.

“In traditional schools, teachers direct the learning process based on a set of standards, or a pre-designated curriculum, and students assume a receptive role in their education," said Kristin McSwan, Cedar River Academy Head of School. “CRA's student-centered learning reverses this teacher-centered education process by making the student's current level of knowledge and skills the instructional focus. Student-centered learning begins with what the student knows and understands, then provides opportunities for students to actively participate in learning processes and to construct the next level of understanding.”

At Cedar River Academy, teachers are observers, mentors, coaches, and guides of individual students. Teachers develop curriculum units that embody Washington State learning standards for multiple subjects. 

These units include projects and activities that allow students to explore the subject matter in multiple, real-world ways to leverage their multiple intelligences. Learning activities are designed to engage the mind and body, and leverage individual student interests.

“Cedar River Academy's research-based Student-Centered Education Model is naturally suited to address the needs of all students, especially those who live in economically challenging environments," said Roger Franklin, CRA founder. “The CRA Washington State Public Charter school application is intended to create a public charter school used to demonstrate and evaluate the effects of progressive education on kids.”

Cedar River Academy is asking families, business leaders, and government officials to voice their support for the formation of a Public Charter School that demonstrates an innovative and effective public school model.  

CRA management asks the community to visit its website at www.cedarriveracademy.com, review the information provided there, especially its Learning and Teaching description, and then, if motivated, complete the 4 question survey found on its Community Center page to indicate support for the CRA Charter School application.

Cedar River Academy is a non-sectarian, non-profit, private elementary and middle school. At Cedar River Academy, students develop state mandated learning skills as they learn to think at high-levels, analyze information and solve problems in multiple ways.  

Academy teachers support individual students as they learn to read, write, master mathematics, become fluent in a foreign language, appreciate arts and music, and present their work. 

For more information, visit the Cedar River Academy's website.