The Center's Education Program is comprised of two components:

• A High School Academic Program for adolescents grades 7 - 12 (See Course Descriptions)
• A therapeutic Life Skills Curriculum which clients receive as part of treatment

HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC PROGRAM

The High School Academic Program is under the direction of the Center's Education Director and is staffed by a Principal and experienced, certified teachers. The Center's Cascade Mountain High School is a private school licensed by the State of Utah, and has been accredited by the Northwest Accreditation Commission since 2004. The school boasts creativity, individualized education planning, and a high degree of integration between clinical treatment and academic education. Adolescents have the opportunity to make significant academic progress while they progress towards recovery from their emotional and behavioral difficulties. 

Click here to see our Cascade Mountain High School Brochure and learn about our philosophy, what makes us different, recieve answers to frequently asked questions and get to know our staff.

LIFE SKILLS CURRICULUM

The Life Skills Curriculum was written by experienced staff at Center for Change, under the direction of a PhD in instructional psychology. Learning methods include: content, didactic teaching, assignments, and experiential activities and address the following topics: Building Self-esteem, Developing Relationships, Spiritual Awareness, Overcoming Addiction, Parenting, Social-skills Training, Self-defense, Dating Skills, Assertiveness Training, Communication Skills, Understanding Sexuality and Intimacy, Relapse Prevention, and Decreasing Cognitive Distortions and Negative Feelings.

CASCADE MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

• Science
• Health & P.E.
• Social Studies
• Computer & Business Technology
• Math
• Language Arts Core

SCIENCE

7-8th Grade Integrated Science (Core – 1 year credit)
This course is designed to show the relationships of different science disciplines (physical, earth, and life science) with one another with the emphasis of this course on change and how it relates to chemistry, geology, life science, and physics. This course prepares students for Earth Systems, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics by introducing students to key concepts important to each discipline.

9th Earth Systems (Core – 1 year credit) This course builds upon students’ experience with integrated science in grades seven and eight and is the springboard course for success in biology, chemistry, geology, and physics. The Earth Systems Science Curriculum emphasizes “systems” as an organizing concept to understand life on Earth, geological change, and the interaction of atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Earth Systems Science provides students with an understanding of how the parts of a system interact. The concept of matter cycling and energy flowing is used to help understand how systems on planet Earth are interrelated.

Biology (Core –1 year credit) Biology is an introductory course that concentrates on helping students develop a conceptual understanding of the areas of modern biology. Students will develop this understanding by learning that science is a process rather than an accumulation of facts. Students are also asked to use personal experience in scientific inquiry, while recognizing various unifying themes that integrate the major topics of biology. Topics covered may include, but are not limited to the following: evolution; energy transfer; continuity and change; and the relationship between structure, function and interdependence in nature.

Chemistry (Core –1 year credit) Chemistry is a general introduction to chemical phenomena, with emphasis on problems, and methods of chemistry. Chemistry is organized around major concepts of matter, structure, energy, and change. The Chemistry curriculum emphasizes the principles and laws that describe the conservation of matter, changes in the structure of matter, and changes in energy. Students will explore the topics of chemical equilibrium, thermo chemistry and thermodynamics, reaction kinetics and electrochemistry.

Physics (Core –1 year credit) This is an introductory course that relates the basic physical processes to everyday phenomena. This course is designed to expose students to exploration, discovery and investigation. The Physics Curriculum has three major concepts for the focus of instruction: (1) motion of objects, (2) forces acting on objects, and (3) energy. Areas covered include: mechanics, motion, force and simple machines, liquids and gases, gravity, waves, sound, magnetism, and radioactivity. This is a great course for the students who want insight into this field of science.

HEALTH AND PE

Physical Education
1.5 credits are needed for graduation. Students must have the following:
.5 credits of PE skills
.5 credits of PE elective
.5 credits of PE fit for life

Physical Education Skills (Core –Semester Credit)
PE Skills is a beginning level physical education class. The major objectives of physical education are to promote and develop physical fitness and to teach the fundamental skills in team and individual/dual sports and activities. Emphasis is placed on individual knowledge and development of a personal fitness plan. Students will be offered a selection of activities which will aid in acceptable social skills, as well as physical skills and knowledge of rules of the various activities. Activities will be selected from the following: volleyball, badminton, basketball, Frisbee games, weight training, cardiovascular activities, tennis, flag football, soccer, and other fitness activities. Students will be engaged in activities that they can participate in for the rest of their lives. This course emphasizes student’s participation in a variety of enjoyable physical activities that promote lifelong healthy active living.

Students may opt to take PE Skills twice to count for their PE Skills and PE Elective credit. This course also fills the state requirements for 7th and 8th grade. However, credit will not count for graduation requirement.

Physical Education Elective-Weight Training (Core –Semester Credit)
Weight training is a course that has been designed to introduce students to the basic principles and safety techniques of weight training. The overall purpose of this course is to demonstrate, through class participation, how the use of weight training can be effective to help plan and develop a healthy lifestyle. This class is individually oriented.

Physical Education Elective-Aerobics/Conditioning (Elective—Semester Credit) The Aerobics/Conditioning course is the total body fitness class. The class involves cardiovascular exercises that use choreographed movement to shape, tone, and relax the body. Activities may include: NIA, Yoga, Swimming, Hiking, Walking, Aerobics/kickboxing. Basic principles of fitness will be taught and applied in class.

For graduation requirements, only .5 credits of PE-elective classes are needed. PE-elective courses will only fulfill PE-elective credit, and will not substitute for other PE requirements.

Physical Education-Fit for Life (Core—Semester Credit)
Fit for Life is an individualized, concepts-based course designed to give students the knowledge and skills necessary to self-access, create, conduct, evaluate, and design a personal fitness program. Fit for Life is a combination of classroom-based and activity-based learning activities with a focus on students’ master of skills and concepts needed to becoming independent monitors of their personal lifetime fitness. Students are to become proficient in the use of a variety of assessments, measurement devices, exercise equipment, web resources, and software programs. Fit for Life is not to be a workout session directed by the teacher, but is intended to guide students in making independent decisions about personal fitness.

Fit for Life is a graduation requirement course that cannot be substituted with any other physical education course. It may also not be substituted with a Health class. This class is generally offered at the sophomore level.

Health (Core--Semester Credit)
Everything that goes on around you affects your health, which is each person’s most valuable resource. However, what you do about your health is what really counts. The emphasis in this course is to teach students how to get the most out of life by using their full mental, physical, emotional, and social potential. It is also designed to inform the students on a variety of mental, physical, and social health topics. These topics include: stress management, suicide prevention, personality types, sexual abstinence, dating communication skills, violence prevention, reproductive health, child development, nutrition, exercise and illegal drug use prevention. The health course is independent study. This allows students to work at their own pace, as well as uses their organization and time management skills to be able to focus and complete the course in a reasonable amount of time.

SOCIAL STUDIES

8th Grade US History (Core--1 Year Credit)
This course explores historic events from the Age of Exploration through Reconstruction and the western movement. Topics covered will include but are not limited to: exploration, colonization, Revolutionary War, constitutional issues, nation building, Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Western Movement.

US History (Core--1 Year Credit)
This course is designed to help students make connections between their world and the history of the United States. This examines the geographic, political, social and economic aspects of post-Reconstruction America to the present day. This course will place emphasis on the Constitution, the American way of government and citizenship, and what America’s place is in relation to the rest of the world.

World History (Core--1 Year Credit)
This course gives student an appreciation and understanding of the many diverse cultures and peoples of the world. Students will study the relationships that have developed between the word’s peoples over time. This course integrates many subjects and cultures together to provide students with a broad interpretation of their world. Particular emphasis is put on the differing world civilizations in regards to: political, economic, social, philosophical and religious, scientific and technological, and artistic relationships with one another.

US Government (Core--1 Year Credit)
This course prepares high school seniors to become active participants in their nation’s government. Students will understand the major ideas, protections, privileges, structures, and economic systems that will effect their life as a United States citizen. Emphasis is placed on the Constitution, Federal and State Powers, and the relationship the United States has with governments outside of the US. Students are given many opportunities to take part in civic life through field trips, outside presenters, and hands on activities.

COMPUTER AND BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

Keyboarding I: (Core – 1 semester credit)
In this beginning keyboarding course, the student will master touch operation on a computer keyboard. Correct fingering by touch and good techniques will receive primary emphasis; speed and accuracy will be given secondary emphasis. The fourth row numbers and symbols and 10-keypad will also be taught. The student will use basic word processing functions on a variety of document types.

Computer Technology: (Core – 1 semester credit) This class introduces computer application software through document processing, spreadsheets and presentations. An understanding of ethics and use of operating systems, information resources and e-mail is included. Students also produce a project using their skills for a different content area.

Technology Education: (Core-1 Semester Credit)
Activities will be taken from five basic communication technology areas including energy-power technologies, transportation technologies, manufacturing technologies, construction technologies with an emphasis on information and communications technologies. Specifically, students will become familiar with a variety of fundamental technologies through exploration of these systems and their impacts on society, through developing problem-solving skills and improving career awareness and through relating technology to math and science. Emphasis is placed on broad exploration in cooperative and individualized hands on activities.

Economics (Core--Semester Credit)
This course focuses on the study of economic problems and the methods by which societies solve them. Students will learn common economic terminology, study the influence of the federal government on the American economy, learn the major characteristics of the market economy of the United States and its function in the world as well as methods of applying economics to one's life. Business Management (Core—Year Credit) An introductory course that will teach theories and practices of management in business using computer technology. Analysis, problem-solving, and decision-making tools and activities will be emphasized and practiced through group and individual work. Students will develop effective communication skills in numerous types of situations using a variety of media. Work ethics and social responsibilities will also be emphasized. Management functions of planning, organizing, directing, evaluating, and motivating will be introduced.

MATH

General Math (Core--1 year credit)
In this course students will develop conceptual understanding and continue to build upon mathematical skills. The main concepts studied in this course will be focused on computation and estimation with rational numbers, proportional reasoning, and linear relationships. Those who display an in depth understanding of these concepts will be prepared to study Pre-Algebra in the next grade.

Pre-Algebra (Core--1 year credit)
In this course we will begin discussing basic algebra concepts including the study of rational numbers, proportionality, measurement, data collection and analysis, and probability. These concepts will help students transition into Algebra I and Geometry. Those who display competency in this class will be prepared to study Algebra I in the next grade.

Algebra I (Core--1 year credit)
In this course we will study and expand upon the student’s problem solving strategies and the ability to model real world problems algebraically, numerically, and graphically. Topics covered are: properties of the number system, linear functions, inequalities, operations on real numbers and polynomials, exponents, radicals and quadratics. Those who display competency in this class will be prepared to study Geometry in the next grade.

Geometry (Core--1 year credit)
In this course we will study Euclidian, Coordinate and Transformational Geometry. Students will be able to investigate geometric concepts using technology, manipulative, and hands on explorations. Emphasis will be placed on logical reasoning, geometric shapes and their relationships, as well as the application of these concepts in the world. Those who display competency in this class will be prepared to study algebra II in the next grade.

Algebra II (Core--1 year credit)
In this course we will be extending Algebra I concepts to include exploring functions and their behaviors. The functions that we will focus on primarily are quadratic, absolute value, radical, and sine and cosine. We will also study the concepts of complex numbers, matrices, systems of equations and inequalities, and probability. Those who display competency in this class will be prepared to study Pre-Calculus in the next grade.

Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry (Core--1 year credit)
The course is an extension of Algebra II and Geometry. Students will continue studying exponential, power, polynomial, rational, logarithmic, and piece-wise functions, along with trigonometric functions and their inverses. Students will be given the opportunity to investigate and explore mathematical ideas, which will give them a deeper understanding of fundamental concepts. They will also be able to analyze situations verbally, numerically, graphically, and symbolically. Those who display competency in this class will be prepared to study Calculus in the next grade. Calculus (Core--1 year credit) In this course we will study differential and integral calculus. Emphasis will be placed on limits, calculating and interpreting the derivative and integral of functions, the fundamental theorem of calculus, and L’Hopital’s rule. Those who display competency in this class will be prepared to study Calculus at the college level.

LANGUAGE ARTS CORE

The Language Arts Core is a multi-grade component of every English class. It has two areas of focus: first, using fundamental reading strategies with a variety of functional, informational, and literary texts, and second, improving composition skills through revising for content and editing for general rhetorical conventions.

English 9: Foundations
Core
Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade: 9
Foundations is an introduction to the four primary areas of language use: reading, writing, presenting, and listening. Students explore a variety of genres and learn their forms and contents so they can compose these genres themselves. Through the breadth of material in this class, students master basic skills and concepts to use in later courses.

English 10: Interpretations
Core
Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade: 10
Interpretations adds depth to breadth and requires students to develop their language skills as they read, respond to, and compose the most common forms of literary, functional, and informational text. These texts include narratives, analytical and research essays, and business and persuasive letters, with supplemental readings from novels.

English 11: Perspectives
Core
Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade: 11
Perspectives leads students through the development of English and American literature from the medieval to the modern period. Major authors and movements complement composition in this course as students choose to respond in writing to the literature they read or create texts of the same genre.

English 12: Explorations
Core
Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade: 12
Explorations allows students in their final year of high school to self-direct their learning by choosing focused areas of emphasis in literature and composition. Such areas of emphasis may include the writings of specific authors or time periods, composing multiple texts within a single genre, or completing cross-curricular projects that require language arts components.

FACS Exploration (Core—Semester)
This course provides students the opportunity to learn essential life skills. It allows them to develop skills in food and nutrition, childcare and safety, interior design, clothing construction and style, consumerism, family relationships, personal responsibility, and job-related tasks.

Visual Art (Core—Year)
This class focuses on teaching the basic elements of art through various mediums. Students study and create artwork that focuses on expression and self-awareness.