Cascade Independent High School

"Credit for learning your way"

The school was established to meet the needs of self-motivated, high-school students who have one of the following needs:

Homeschooled students wanting a recognized high school diploma.
Any student wanting to earn one or more individual credits, in order to transfer them to and graduate from another high school.
Students traveling abroad or otherwise displaced who need the credit for their experiences.
Students completing additional serious learning at home (like music or martial arts) but not receiving credit for it from any other institution.
Students whose learning style demands a completely non-traditional and very individualized plan of learning, which no other school situation has been able to address.
Students who have a portfolio of work completed, and wish to challenge certain courses for credit.
Students who have been enrolled in other schools (public or private), and now want more freedom and flexibility.

Students desiring credit will meet with the director or one of the staff to determine what subjects will be studied and to lay out plans for completing the study. The student must provide the director a detailed plan (curriculum) of what he will do (did) to earn the credit, including the order of study, books and references used, and his goal in studying this material. Payments will be taken at tutoring sessions and at final evaluation sessions when the portfolio is examined, but not at initial interviews. There is no fee for occasional short phone calls either.

Students wanting credit must keep accurate records of time spent studying and of all work completed during that study (worksheets, notes, essays, maps, charts, tests, etc.). This portfolio is what will be reviewed for the student's grade, and will comprise the evidence (along with some oral questions) of learning gained.

Students will be responsible to find any tutoring or help they need (including from C.I.H. staff, at an established fee) and to call for clarifications as needed. The directorate of C.I.H. is happy to refer all inquiries to other institutions or to personnel who can best help. We can recommend tutors, and full-service extension programs. Just ask.

Students may challenge any course in which they are competent. The director and his board will hear the challenge, examine the evidence and render a decision. C.I.H. reserves the right to accept, reject, or ask for additional evidence for any credit transferred to us. We do not accept all credits on all transcripts, nor do we believe all schools provide quality education. C.I.H. believes in rigor and quality.

Students who wish to receive a C.I.H. diploma must complete all applicable state requirements, 21 credits, including a rigorous research paper, and sit for and pass a comprehensive oral examination with the director. The director of the school, and a board selected by him, are the final authority on whether to admit any student or teacher, or to grant any credit for any work performed.

Graduation Requirements
(Cascade Independent High School)

* Recommended
** To earn a credit, students must show a record of time spent (at least 150 hours per 1.0 credit) and proof of work completed. This may include worksheets, notes, essays, artwork, tests, photographs, maps, or whatever is applicable. Please also bring the text or other books used, if any.

Fees

Referral Rebate: We welcome referrals, and will rebate/refund (upon his graduation from C.I.H.) $50.00 per referral to any current student who signs up his friends.

We always welcome barters. If you have something to barter. Please ask!

* this figure does not include tutoring!