Tahoe Expedition Academy

Embracing Challenge As Opportunity

We are using calculated risk taking, adverse learning environments and real world challenges to change the face of education.

We are a fully accredited, Pre-K–12 school developing creative, resilient and character-rich youth who are using their intelligence to improve the world. Our students are actively solving real-world problems in hands-on environments, all alongside highly trained teachers and trail-blazing industry leaders.

ANNUAL "REAL-WORLD" EXPERIENCES BY THE NUMBERS

OUR LEARNER OUTCOMES

01

ADAPT TO THRIVE IN CHALLENGING AND CHANGING ENVIRONMENTS

We teach our Adapt to Thrive learner outcome by strategically pushing students out of their comfort zone both inside and outside of the classroom. Examples include engaging with adult experts on a peer-to-peer level, grappling with real-world problems that can result in failed prototypes, extended physical challenges including multiple day 30+ mile hikes, and embracing mental curveballs that simulate a variety of challenges professionals face on any given day.

02

USE A SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND ECONOMIC LENS TO FIGHT FOR A JUST AND EQUITABLE WORLD

We teach our Triple Bottom Line for a Just and Equitable World learner outcome through hands-on investigations of topics like climate change and the balance of power. Students learn the impact on different populations through statistical analysis, and evaluate solutions by looking at the social, political, economic, and environmental opportunities and impacts. We seek to teach our students how to critically think and analyze multiple perspectives so they can identify how they wish to contribute to the world in line with their own personal values.

OUR RESULTS

Our graduates are thriving in top schools across the country from UC Berkeley to Georgetown University while our current students are changing the world every day in school. And while we do not “teach to the test” our students outperform national averages in standardized tests. We’re proud to be the only WASC accredited K-12th-grade private school in the Reno/Tahoe area.

COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES
WASC ACCREDITATION
STANDARDIZED TESTING
Changing the World

COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES

WASC ACCREDITATION

STANDARDIZED TESTING

Changing the World

COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES

From the University of California at Berkeley to Georgetown University, our students are being recognized for their outstanding academic achievements and breadth of real-world experiences. View Class of 2020 acceptances here, Class of 2019 acceptance here, Class of 2018 acceptances here, and Class of 2017 acceptances here.

 

WASC ACCREDITATION

TEA has earned the highest accreditation possible through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). We received our letter yesterday and have attached it to this post. We are the only fully accredited K-12th-Grade independent school in Tahoe, Truckee, and Reno.

 

STANDARDIZED TESTING

While we do not teach to standardized tests, our students do perform above national averages. The ACT is the standardized test that is most aligned with our program. All of our high school foundations courses are UC A-G approved.

A graph comparing TEA students to the national average scores

Changing the World

From creating renewable energy devices to saving the Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Mountain Frog from extinction, our students tackle real-world problems starting at age 4. Here are some of the highlights from our students in action.

11th/12th-grade students traveled to Iceland to study geothermal energy implementation

7th/8th-graders study immigration issues via canoe on the US/Mexico border

5th-graders created a green energy device for a local wildlife park

2nd-graders work with local Washoe tribe to keep their native language alive

Kindergarteners raise money and awareness for endangered frogs

 

 

Our Values

We founded TEA on some important guiding principles and core values. In modern times like these, we must lean on them to guide us forward, together. These values and beliefs are core elements of our culture at TEA. They are embedded in our learner outcomes, guide schoolwide decisions, and embody the most important elements for which we stand. Now, more than ever, we stand committed to our values and to providing our students with the opportunity to look at current events through a critical lens. Our goal as educators is to teach students how to critically think, not what to think. We utilize experts and resources with diverse perspectives, data, and historical context to help students to develop their own critical thinking, evidence-based decision making, sense of self and ability to engage with one another and the world. We foster learning environments that allow us to expose students to multiple and diverse perspectives and encourage healthy, constructive discourse.

 

School Stories