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Cortes Island Academy

cortesislandacademy

- Immersive & Experiential High School program- Cortes Island, BC - Klahoose, Tla’amin & Homalco Territories
As we reflect on the last three years of Cortes Is As we reflect on the last three years of Cortes Island Academy, we are feeling immense gratitude for the brave students who have chosen to do things differently—to dive deeper into their education, ask big questions, and create real-world impact projects that extend far beyond the classroom. Thank you to the incredible students, teachers, facilitators, and community members who have supported the birth of this program—one that fills the gap in rural education and provides access to students who otherwise wouldn’t have a school to attend. CIA is not just a school; it’s a movement toward experiential, place-based, and meaningful education for those who need more than just a traditional high school experience. Want to be part of this transformative learning experience? Applications are open for our Fall 2025 Marine Ecology Semester! 🌊🦀 🔗 Apply now – Deadline: March 23! https://cortesislandacademy.ca/register/
Applications for our Fall 2025 Marine Ecology Seme Applications for our Fall 2025 Marine Ecology Semester are due March 23th! Earn 24 High School Credits – In Science, Outdoor Ed, Art, English, Socials & Careers on Cortes Island! Community & Impact – Work on real-world projects, from biological monitoring to citizen science initiatives that make a difference. Spots are limited! Apply today! Link in bio!
Curious about Cortes Island Academy? Join our Virt Curious about Cortes Island Academy? Join our Virtual Info Session! 📅 March 15th @ 10 AM PST 💻 Learn more about our immersive, place-based curriculum! Our Fall 2025 Marine Ecology Semester is designed for students in grades 10-12 who want to: 🌊 Explore marine ecosystems through hands-on learning 🎙 Create investigative journalism podcasts 🛶 Embark on epic outdoor expeditions 🌿 Learn from Indigenous knowledge keepers & scientists Bring your questions & meet our team! Sign up now! [Link in bio]
Two more weeks to apply for our fall semester! Lin Two more weeks to apply for our fall semester! Link in bio 🌊
Our students took to the ocean for an unforgettabl Our students took to the ocean for an unforgettable backcountry kayak expedition, learning hands-on navigation, leadership, and teamwork while exploring the stunning coastal waters of the Salish Sea. Guided by experienced outdoor educators, students honed their skills in: 🧭 Marine navigation & route planning 🔥 Wilderness survival & backcountry cooking (in teams= teamwork!) 🌊 Tides, currents, & ocean safety 🦦 Deepening their connection to marine ecosystems Want to be part of our next adventure? Apply now for our Fall Marine Ecology Semester! 🦀 Link in bio!
One of the highlights of our fall semester? The CA One of the highlights of our fall semester? The CASE Intensive at Hollyhock! 🌿✨ This week-long experience brought together students from multiple schools alongside youth from Klahoose, Homalco, and Tla'amin for an unforgettable week of learning, connection, and creativity. By day, we explored Mother Tree Network soil pits, biosonification music, Ayajuthem language, and even parkour. By night, we came together for theatre performances, cultural sharing, thought-provoking presentations, and an open mic night. 🎭🌎🎤 It was a powerful and inspiring week—one that deepened our understanding of the land, each other, and the stories we share. 🌊 Want to be part of experiences like this? Apply now for our Marine Ecology Semester! Link in bio!
Do you want your voice to be heard? 🔊 Ready to Do you want your voice to be heard? 🔊 Ready to work on high school projects that create real-world impact? 🌎 We’re bringing back our Creative Tools for Truth-Telling course—a journalism and podcasting program where students create investigative podcasts and hone their storytelling skills. 🎙️✨ 📍 Join us this fall! Apply now – Link in bio!
Do you thrive in hands-on, real-world learning? At Do you thrive in hands-on, real-world learning? At Cortes Island Academy, we take education beyond the classroom—exploring the land, sea, and community that make this island so unique. Join us this fall for our Marine Ecology Semester and dive into an immersive, place-based experience! 📍 Apply now – Link in bio!
Cortes Island Academy is designed for students who Cortes Island Academy is designed for students who are looking to expand their educational experience beyond the classroom through nature and project-based experiential learning. Cortes Island is both campus and curriculum and is one of the most ecologically sound and diverse places in the world with old growth forests and endangered flora and fauna. Students will learn from thought leaders and local knowledge holders. Learn more: link in bio!
Project Highlight! This year our studio arts class Project Highlight! This year our studio arts class created wild clay masks. The project spanned the whole semester, starting in September, when our class gathered and processed local clay. Then in October, we spent time in class sculpting while engaging in thoughtful discussions about creativity, art, and identity. After drying and waiting for a weather window, we did traditional pit firing in November. We spent the day around the fire, with student led activities and discussion. The process of building the fire and getting it to 700 degrees was collaborative. The firing was successful with no broken pieces! The next steps were to add string to hang the pieces for the showcase which we did in January. Then we finally showed them to the community at the showcase event. Stay tuned for more student projects!
Students in grades 10–12, from Cortes and beyond Students in grades 10–12, from Cortes and beyond, are welcome to apply to our Marine Ecology semester, earning 24 credits across courses in Social Studies, Art, English, Science, Outdoor Education, Leadership, and Career Education. Through fieldwork, creative expression, and real-world research, youth will elevate their voices and take action through meaningful projects. Learn more & Apply: Link in bio!
Remembering our year end showcase: from what is to Remembering our year end showcase: from what is to what if? Inspired by our readings from the year, our class decided to host a “vision of the future” event where guests could join us in the year 2040 and imagine what positive realities might be taking place on Cortes Island. The hall was filled with student’s work from throughout the year, with intermittent performances & sharing by the students. Thank you to everyone who made the night such a success!
Looking back on last semester. One of the highligh Looking back on last semester. One of the highlights was hiking the northern part of the Sunshine Coast trail. We had long days hiking, staying in huts along the way. Learning about Fungi, old growth ecosystems, and more! We can't wait to do another class hiking trip this fall. Apply for the 2025/26 semester! Link in bio!
2025/26 Information Session: Saturday March 15 10 2025/26 Information Session: Saturday March 15 10-11am Open to students, parents and guardians. Bring your questions! The theme for this fall semester is Oceans. Students will be able to earn up to 24 credits in Science, Arts, English, Socials, Outdoor Education, and Careers. New this year: an optional second semester hybrid add-on for those students who won’t be returning to a bricks-and-mortar high school with Math and Art + Design focus. Register: Link in bio!
This year, students at Cortes Island Academy came This year, students at Cortes Island Academy came together to create an anthology titled Growing Up in the Anthropocene. This collection is a powerful culmination of their learning, creativity, and personal reflections, exploring what it means to come of age in a world fundamentally reshaped by human activity. We invite you to explore their work! Check out the online version - Link in bio! Apply for our fall 2025/26 semester- link in bio!
September means soaking up the last of the warm we September means soaking up the last of the warm weather with a backcountry kayaking adventure! Our students take the lead, planning the route, meals, and activities through their ‘leaders of the day.’ We’re so excited for this year’s trips! APPLY NOW for our upcoming Marine Ecology semester – link in bio! #cortesislandacademy #cortesislandbc #placebasededucation #quadraisland #quadraislandbc #outoftheboxeducation #school #highschool
Exploring Our Students’ Visions: These brochures Exploring Our Students’ Visions: These brochures from the future showcase imaginative organizations created by our students, inspired by their views on community needs. From animal sanctuaries and community housing initiatives to a crafts guild, these projects reflect what today’s youth see as essential for thriving communities. Learn more and apply for next fall: link in bio!
Looking back at the semester and reflecting on our Looking back at the semester and reflecting on our community art piece: Will you dream with us? At our showcase event, guests were invited to dream with us— by dipping their hands in wild clay and leaving their handprints on a the wall. As the evening unfolded, this collective creation took shape, revealing the question: Where do you find hope? Apply for this fall's semester on ocean ecology! Learn more- link in bio. #whatistowhatif #PlaceBasedLearning #ArtAndIdentity #cortesislandacademy #socialpractice #socialpracticeart
Apply for the Fall 2025-26 Semester We are now acc Apply for the Fall 2025-26 Semester We are now accepting applications for the 2025/26 semester. Applications open until March 23, 2025. The theme for this fall is marine ecology. Highlights include: Immersive, experiential & place based curriculum Backcountry kayaking and hiking trips Journalism & podcasting course Project based learning Learn more- Link in bio!
Each year, the CIA curriculum is built around a ce Each year, the CIA curriculum is built around a central theme, and this fall we are diving into marine ecology. Our Marine Ecology semester immerses students in hands-on learning, guided by scientists, thought leaders, and the natural world itself. Through a place-based, project-driven curriculum, students will explore marine ecosystems and create impactful projects to share with the community. Learn more: Link in bio!
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