Campus Learning is called
California Academy

Utilizing the Nawa Academy Campus

The California Academy emphasizes experiential (hands-on) education in many aspects of its curriculum. Located on our 556 acre campus, the school sits on both sides of a river in a picturesque valley of meadows and pasture land, surrounded by mountains covered with oak and pine trees. There are still a few of the original structures that were once used for a stage stop on the Old Oregon Trail in the late 1800s. The campus has furnished cabin-style dormitory buildings, classrooms, a computer lab and science lab, a cafeteria, and a recreational building with an indoor climbing wall and skateboard half-pipe.

The Learning

The California Academy emphasizes a structured program of academic and vocational classes, group projects, outdoor adventure and rescue training, and recreational and social activities. College preparatory and basic curriculums are available.

The California Academy uses a combination of skill development and group projects that requires each student to use creativity, yet work collectively to problem-solve and think sequentially. Working in small groups enhances learning and encourages students to develop greater interpersonal communication skills. This not only prepares them for possible future inclusion into our International Academy or Snowboard USA, but prepares them to be successful in the rapidly changing global community.

Our Dean's Department offers guidance and support in many areas including SAT preparation and assistance with researching and applying to universities and colleges. Nawa Academy is fully accredited. Therefore, depending on their academic performance and SAT results, students may apply to any university or college.

Students who desire to attend a trade school upon graduation may focus on vocational internships. In this situation the academic courses can be structured to complement what is needed to be successful in a trade.

In addition, students may take vocational courses as part of their elective requirements. Fire Science is one of the more popular vocational courses. Nawa Academy has a fire science program located on campus where the students can gain training in wildland fire fighting, engine operation, forestry management, as well as Incident Command. Students do not respond to actual fires or emergencies. Other vocational courses may include metal fabrication, auto mechanics, computer science, food service, maintenance, building trades and landscaping.

Youth and Government

We are proud to participate in the California YMCA Youth and Government. This is a wonderful opportunity for students who want to experience government and law. More than 2,300 teenagers from YMCA's throughout California learn first-hand how our state government works; not by watching, but by doing. Hard work and commitment are rewarded as the youth delegates move into Sacramento for a week in February to "take over" the State Capitol and the Supreme Court. For additional information regarding this premier experiential opportunity please check out the California YMCA Youth and Government web site at: www.calymca.org.

Activities Offered

We believe that extracurricular activities are vitally important to the continual learning process of each student. Therefore, our students have the opportunity to involve themselves in a wide range of activities. For example, students can participate in arts, crafts, games, tournaments, and carnivals. Some favorite activities include skateboarding and the paintball program. Students who satisfy specific safety requirements can participate in these activities with parents' permission. Students may also choose to mountain bike or play games of volleyball on our sand court, basketball, soccer, football, ultimate Frisbee, tennis and badminton. On rainy days, students may play a game of pool, ping pong, foosball or chess or challenge themselves on the indoor climbing wall. Additionally, guest speakers visit the campus to discuss topics of interest to teenagers.

There are many options available to students each weekend. Along with the EdVenture program (see Outdoor Learning Opportunities), students have the opportunity to participate in camping, backpacking, skiing and snowboarding trips, field trips to Ashland for the Shakespeare festival, the outdoor leadership development seminar, and much more. Additional leadership skills can be gained through serving on the student government, student court, Youth and Government, or the yearbook committee.

EdVenture and Outdoor Learning Opportunities

Along with the weekend schedule of multiple activities, students participate in our *EdVenture program. *EdVenture combines education with outdoor adventure and leadership training. A new student orientation weekend is held at the beginning of the school year to introduce *EdVenture and for students to come together as a group to begin fostering love and respect for themselves, the school community and our environment.

*EdVenture activities are day long and focus on leadership skills and various outdoor activities. The goal is for our students to enjoy the outdoors while learning specific outdoor skills. This builds a greater self-awareness and understanding of their leadership strengths and weaknesses, while learning how to safely manage inherent risks associated with a given activity.

Students participate in 4 of these outings during a school year.

*EdVenture may not be available to students who enroll later in the school year. Offered activities may change due to different skill sets of the staff. Contact the Office of Admissions for further details. Snowboard USA (SUSA) counts as *EdVenture.

*EdVenture activity examples: Swift Water Rescue, Vertical Rescue, Caving & Cave Rescue, Rock Climbing, Rappelling & Ascending, Whitewater Rafting, Flat Water Kayaking, Surfing, Mt. Biking, Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness Survival Techniques, Snow Shoeing, Hiking, Snowboarding, Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Camping, and many more.

Service Opportunities

A spirit of giving back to others along with valuable skills are obtained through community development projects (Opportunity to Serve) which may include disaster relief, forestry projects, work with charitable organizations and assisting people in the community as the need arises.

In addition, students help build a sense of community by participating in campus projects. Being involved in the process of improving the school brings a sense of pride and accomplishment.


Recycle, Recycle, Recycle                        
Not a typical elective course!




Nawa Academy Promotes
--- Global Learning | Hands-on | Dynamic Learning | Individualized Instruction ---
-- Friendship | Mentoring | Extreme Education --