COTTONWOOD CLASSICAL PREPARATORY SCHOOL

IMPORTANT DATES

  • February 8, 2016:LotteryApplicationfor 6th-12thbegins at 9:00am - Application available on the

CCPS Admissions webpage:

  • March 4, 2016:LotteryApplicationCloses at 4:00pm
  • April 1, 2016:CCPS Lottery Draw at 4:00pm(It is not mandatory to attend the lottery draw,

and we recommend that students DO NOT attend.). The lottery list will be posted by the front entrance of the school. Students selected in the lottery will receive an email notifying them of their selection and instructions for completing enrollment.

  • April 18, 2016:Deadline to Submit Completed Enrollment Packet Online by 4:00pm

Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School is a state charter that offers a free liberal arts educational experience to students. Our pre-university curriculum is academically rigorous while still addressing the student as a whole—intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically. We offer small class sizes and a dynamic, interactive curriculum following the Paideia principles and pedagogy. One of our guiding principlesis that young adults learn by actively engaging subject matters with projects and Socratic discussions. Instead of passively accepting information in a typical lecture format, our classrooms are organized to be learning laboratories where students use their natural curiosities to experiment, discuss and create. As a part of this learning environment, students read classical texts and ponder the issues relevant to their lives and society in order to become active participants in the global community.

CCPS Academic Curriculum

The Cottonwood Classical curriculum offers high school credits which exceed the basic graduation requirements for the State of New Mexico. Students at CCPS will begin their high school accredited courses in eighth grade and will complete the majority of NM diploma requirements by the end of their tenth grade year. Students then continue with the International Baccalaureate curriculum during their last two years of study. A passing grade for all CCPS courses is a 70% (C-) or better.

Courses & graduation requirements include (27 required credits for graduation):

English Literature: 4 units
Mathematics: 4 units
Natural Science: 4 units (with labs)
Social Science: 3.5 units
Physical Education: 1 unit / Health: 0.5 units
Modern and Classical Languages: 4 units
Electives: 5 units
Senior Portfolio: 1 Unit (Creativity, Activity, Service/Extended Essay/Theory of Knowledge)

Current IB category courses include:

Group 1: English A
Literature SL/HL
Group 2: Language B
Spanish SL/HL
Spanish Ab initio SL
Chinese Abinitio SL
Group 3: Individuals & Societies
History of the Americas SL/HL
Philosophy SL/HL / Group 4: Experimental Sciences
Physics SL/HL
Biology SL/HL
Environmental Systems & Societies SL
Sports, Exercise & Health Science SL
Group 5: Mathematics
Math Studies SL
Mathematics SL/HL
Group 6: The Arts & Electives
Visual Arts SL/HL
Music SL/HL
Psychology SL / One important thing to know about our IB Program is that all 11th & 12th grade classes are IB classes.
Students have 3 options when it comes to their IB testing.
1)IB Diploma (if it is possible given credits earned)
2) IB Certificates – testing only in certain subjects
3) No IB Exams (No Fees)
Families are responsible for cost of IB exams and any needed online courses to be on track. There is an IB Scholarship that students can apply for to help defer costs of exams.

For more information on the International Baccalaureate Programme visit:

For more information on the Paideia learning method visit:

Frequently Asked Questions

Academics

Each year, we have a number of new students who join our 11th grade cohort. It is definitely feasible to come in and find success as a new 11th grader in our IB Program. As you may be aware, the IB Program is one of the most rigorous high school programs available to students, so success in the program is tied quite directly to a student's willingness to take on the challenge.We have fairly small class sizes and a very supportive teaching staff. If students struggle, but are willing to accept and pursue support, we provide as much help as we can.The other piece to consider is what credits students are coming in with. Our students complete many of the state requirements for graduation by the end of 10th grade, which enables them to pursue the full IB Diploma. Depending on what credits your son or daughter has earned by the end of 10th grade, he/she may or may not be able to pursue the Diploma. Credit recovery (summer school or online) is potentially an option if need-be in order to catch up, if doing the Diploma is a priority.12th graders can come in and get the benefits of IB coursework and preparation for college,but is unlikely they would take IB exams because most IB classes are 2 year courses. New 12th graders cannot earn the IB Diploma; the only exception would be if they are coming from an IB school, we may be able to work with them.

Athletics and Activities

CCPS is currently a member of the New Mexico Activities Association and is classified as a 3A school. We offer the varsity sports of cross country, golf, track, swimming, basketball & volleyball. We also have a multitude of club sports such as rock climbing, basketball, soccer, cross-country, track and volleyball. CCPS also offers a plethora of extra-curricular activities including yearbook, choir, social action club, chess, improv /acting, guitar, GSA, student government, and Science Olympiad. Many on-campus clubs are student run. Each year, CCPS administration evaluates athletic and activity programs in search of possible growth opportunities.

Transportation

CCPS does offer drop-off and pick-up bus services at centralized locations within each quadrant of the city at no charge. Students wishing to participate in this must register at the start of the school year. Carpooling is also available. Information will be available at the start of the school year. For city bus and biking routes, please visit

Lunch Program

CCPS does not have a full service cafeteria but the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) does provide food services. Food retailers and ordering information will be available at the start of the school year.

Dress Code

CCPS students are required to purchase school specific uniforms. Information on the CCPS uniform and dress code expectations will be available once the enrollment process is completed. The school dress code can also be found on the school’s website.

Calendar

The CCPS school year traditionally begins a week before APS resumes and adjourns a few weeks later. The longer school year is due to both meeting International Baccalaureate contact hours and extended 2 week breaks in the fall and spring. Though we attempt to align fall and spring breaks with both APS and UNM, alignment is not guaranteed and may change from year to year. The current school year calendar can be viewed and downloaded from the school’s website.

Sibling Policy

If you have multiple letters of intent for siblings in this enrollment period, all are eligible to enroll during this enrollment period, provided that the initial sibling pulled in the lottery enrolls and attends CCPS. Only siblings who have a letter of intent on file for the current lottery are eligible under the sibling policy.Siblings of returning CCPS students will only be given enrollment preference in their first year of eligibility (6th grade only).

Waitlist

Traditionally, CCPS does end up with extensive wait lists after the lottery draw. Students on the wait list will be notified if a slot becomes available up to the 40th day reporting period (mid October). After this time, CCPS will not enroll new students. Wait lists do not carryover from yeartoyear and are purged at the beginning of the next year’s enrollment process.

School Tours

CCPS does not offer school tours for interested students. If you have specific questions, please email us at .

For further information, please send an e-mail to.