Education

The mission of Cedar Ridge Academy is to guide our students in a process of positive intellectual growth toward academic competence, striving to develop healthy attitudes supportive of lifelong learning and productive citizenship. Individually Tailored Program for Each Student Cedar Ridge Academy is the educational component of the program.  The Academy is accredited as a special purpose school by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools, and the Utah State Office of Education.  Credit earned through Cedar Ridge Academy will transfer to high schools throughout the nation.  CRA graduates have been accepted at colleges and universities throughout the U.S. Faculty members are certified in their respective areas of responsibility. Academic advisors assess initial and ongoing needs and progress. CRA graduation requirements are consistent with college preparatory programs nationwide. Students take courses in a guided individual study format, or small classes of direct instruction. Career assessment, aptitude testing, career guidance, and college counseling are available. PSAT and ACT testing and test preparation are available.

Students who have not yet reached the ninth grade are required to complete appropriate course work in the core academic subjects of math, English, science, and social studies.  Students may enter the ninth grade when they have the academic skills required to cope with ninth grade level course work.

Educational Philosophy

At Cedar Ridge Academy, we focus on teaching more than just the curriculum.  We also focus on teaching our students how to be effective students.  As a result of this additional focus, we avoid 'just getting them through' their high school credits.  Cedar Ridge Academy students are required to demonstrate an acceptable level of competency in each area before moving ahead, regardless of their current grade level.

When a student arrives at Cedar Ridge, we test their academic skills in order to place them at the appropriate levels in their core classes.  Some may be required to repeat a class due to insufficient skill.  For some of them, the material serves as a review and they are able to move ahead quickly to catch up to their grade level in that subject area.  Our individual approach allows us to meet the needs of student who have learning differences or who need accommodations.

Although the content comprehension is one way we gauge a student's academic placement, we also consider the student's ability to study, their desire to manage themselves in an academic manner (motivation), and their ability and desire to form a working relationship with the teachers.  Almost all of the students at Cedar Ridge have struggles with school, sometime for academic reasons  and sometimes for psychological reasons.  Our goal is to ensure that when they exit Cedar Ridge Academy, they are prepared for success in any academic setting they choose to enter.

Quick Facts