Academics

Our academic and therapeutic teams collaboratively work with each student to develop the skills necessary to achieve their short-term and long-term educational goals. Our on-site school individualizes students’ academic trajectory through proficiency/project based instruction. Once the students has reached a skillful point in their treatment they have the opportunity to attend our local high school or community college.

When students enroll at The Academy at Sisters, one of our goals is to help them become engaged and invested in learning. The Academy at Sisters school has adopted an innovative and progressive academic model, which involves:

• Standards-Based Curriculum
• Project Based Learning
• Proficiency Grading Scale
• Credit Recovery
• Dual Enrollment
• GED® programming

A Standards-Based Curriculum ensures that students develop essential knowledge, skills, and competencies crucial for success in the 21st century. It allows for a more accurate assessment of student progress by providing a clear and concise set of learning standards that align with state and/or national standards.

The Academy personalizes learning by offering students the opportunity to progress at their own pace and engage in project-based learning. This allows for the development of thinking, problem-solving, and real-world application skills.

Our standards-based curriculum combined with our focus on Project-Based Learning allows students to gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter and become more invested in their learning. Additionally, our proficiency grading scale promotes a positive and growth-oriented learning environment, allowing for a more accurate evaluation of a student’s actual level of mastery compared to a traditional grading scale that focuses solely on completion or memorization, as it recognizes and celebrates progress rather than focusing solely on final grades.

Our team works hard to empower students to take control of their learning and make meaningful connections with the material; Each student has a team of academic and therapeutic professionals who help them as they develop the skills that are necessary for them to be successful in their next academic setting.

The Academy assists the students in transitioning back into the mainstream public high school with the support of the family and team. Some students have the opportunity to transition directly into Central Oregon Community College or OSU Cascades which are located in Bend.

Academics and educational services at The Academy at Sisters are provided by The J Bar J Learning Center.

With on-site school facilities and dedicated staff, we offer the advantages of small class sizes and a program tailored to the needs of a therapeutic boarding school population. Our school is accredited by Cognia (formerly called AdvancEd) and registered with the Oregon Dept. of Education, and the Learning Center is a contract school with the Bend/LaPine School District. We offer college prep curriculum with a focus on common core standards.

Driving our mission, the Learning Center believes that all students are capable of being confident, self-directed, lifelong learners.

Required Links for The J Bar J Learning Center:
Link to The Academy student vaccination report
Link to the School Readiness Blueprint
Link to Deschutes County Immunization Rates