A truly World Class Education
Beginning and ending each academic year at the school's headquarters along the Clark Fork River in Montana, WCKA students spend the majority of their time learning around the world. In doing so, it is fundamentally World Class Kayak Academy's mission to provide a college preparatory education. In the spring of 2009 the WCKA board, administration and faculty made the decision to pursue independent accreditation for the academy. Beginning in 2002, WCKA academic coursework was endorsed by Alberton High School, in the nearby town of Alberton. This partnership allowed WCKA students' credits to transfer as Montana public school credits and gave World Class Kayak Academy its beginning as a respected secondary school. The advantages to an independent accreditation over a relationship with Alberton however were recognized, including: more oversight and accountability for curriculum development, instruction, assessment, support and finance. After examining several options for both accreditation and curriculum, which included the possibility of pursuing International Baccalaureate (IB) approval; the decision was made to start working with the
Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. This option ensured that the quality of education provided by World Class Kayak Academy be at a college preparatory level with greater consistency and review, while the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools is one of the nation's six acknowledged accreditation agencies. Being accredited by the organization is and always has been valid and acknowledged by the other five regional accreditation associations and all of the commissions on colleges and universities. The Northwest Association of Accredited Schools has been acknowledged along with the other five commissions on schools since 1917. WCKA was approved for accreditation by the Commission in June 2010, at which time it began acting independently of Alberton High School.
WORLD CLASS KAYAK ACADEMY
Director - Scott Doherty
Academic Director - Kristi Murrin
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| | (Freshman only accepted upon referral)
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| Average Attendance: | 1 year (ranging from 1-6 semesters) |
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| Student Origins: | 55% Mountain
19% Eastern
17% Pacific
6% Central
2% International |
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| Students on Scholarship: | 3-5 students/semester |
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| Faculty: | 4 full-time faculty and 1 intern. Faculty member roles include: Academic Director, Logistics Director and Head Coach. |
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| Student-Teacher Ratio: | 3 to 1 or less |
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| Schedule: | Each semester maintains a minimum of 13 academic weeks, not including: field trips, study sessions or finals. During each academic week, classes are scheduled to meet for three, hour and a half periods. Homework is assigned accordingly and free periods serve as study halls, provided students are performing successfully. |
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| Registration: | Students are required to register for a minimum of four academic courses each semester. |
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Graduation Requirements:
| To receive a diploma from World Class Kayak Academy, graduates must earn a minimum of 24 credits meeting the following requirements:
| | Required | Recommended | | English | 4 credits | 4 credits | | Social Studies | 3.5 credits | 3.5 credits | | Mathematics | 3 credits | 4 credits | | Laboratory Science | 3 credits | 4 credits | | Foreign Language | 2 credits | 4 credits | | Vocational/Technical | 1 credit | * | | Fine Arts | 1 credit | * | | Kayak Training & Health | 2 credits | * | | Independent Study | .5 credit | * | | Elective Credits | 4 credits | * | | | | | | Total Credits | 24 credits | 26 credits |
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| | * A student may choose from any of the listed electives to complete the recommended 26 credits.
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Colleges Attended by Alumni:
| Colorado State University
Colorado Mountain College
Dartmouth
Evergreen State College
Fort Lewis College
Lewis and Clark College
Marist College
Metro State College of Denver
Montana State University
Sewanee
UC Santa Cruz
Univ. of Alaska Anchorage
Univ. of Hawaii
Univ. of Montana
UNC Asheville
Univ. of Oregon
Univ. of Puget Sound
Univ. of Vermont
Vancouver Film School
Warren Wilson College
Western State College of CO
Western Washington Univ.
West Virginia University
West Virginia Wesleyan
Willamette University
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