Northwest Prep Charter School Program Overview
Located in northwestern Santa Rosa, California, Northwest Prep Charter School was originally founded as a vocational Career Academy in 2005. In 2012, NWP was completely reinvented and began implementing a Project-Based Program of Inquiry. Northwest Prep’s student body of 150 students in grades 7-12, is small by design. Establishing and maintaining close working relationships is a tenet of Northwest Prep’s highly personalized program. Inquiry Class (Project Workshop) utilizes blended grade levels and curriculum where all academic subject areas are integrated so students can comprehensively investigate topics defined by each semester’s Driving Question.
The NWP Leadership Skills (Personal Integrity, Productive Collaboration, Critical and Creative Thinking, Effective Communication, Reflective Learning, Citizenship and Global Responsibility, and Resiliency and Drive) are both the long-term goals and the means of assessment for all students. At Northwest Prep the personal and academic development of each individual student, their unique needs, interests, gifts, skills, passions, and attributes, are recognized and honored. NWP’S intent is to engage each student in a process of learning that results in the most productive and meaningful realization of each student's potential and success.
Accreditation/Awards
Academic Reporting
Northwest Prep employs the Aeries academic reporting system through student/parent portals and at the end of each semester. Reports show course grades, credits earned for that semester, as well as a cumulative credit total for all high school courses taken. Courses taken at the college level are noted as such and awarded AP credits. Grade point average is computed for all high school students at Northwest Prep. Honors and AP classes are offered at NWP and all upper grade students are encouraged to take at least one college level class to demonstrate college readiness prior to graduation.
Athletics
Northwest Prep Charter School does not offer a formalized sports program, but three times a week students participate in 60 minutes of a physical activity including volleyball, soccer, basketball, supervised hiking at the adjacent Santa Rosa Park trail and other planned activities depending on the weather and student interest. Our students often choose from a broad range of local community and private sports-based activities. During some semesters we offer intramural sports after school.
Graduation Requirements
Students must earn a minimum of 220 units to graduate. Northwest Prep integrates into its curriculum the minimum expectations for graduation, following California high school graduation requirements. Students must pass eight semesters of Inquiry Team (VPA credit) and Crossroads (College and Career Readiness) classes. Additionally, students are also required to complete volunteering credits, two externships, and two professional internships as a part of Crossroads class by the end of their senior year. They also must successfully pass a Portfolio Defense before a panel of peers, staff, and community members during their 10th and 12th grade years.
Graduates
All Northwest Prep seniors apply to at least one college of their choice, and most NWP graduates subsequently attend either a four year or junior college. Colleges that have accepted Northwest Prep students include: UC Berkley, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, UC Riverside, UC Merced, Humboldt State University, Sonoma State University, San Francisco State University, CSU Chico, Sacramento State University, CSU East Bay, Academy of Art University, Seattle University, Dominican University and more, .
The NWP Leadership Skills (Personal Integrity, Productive Collaboration, Critical and Creative Thinking, Effective Communication, Reflective Learning, Citizenship and Global Responsibility, and Resiliency and Drive) are both the long-term goals and the means of assessment for all students. At Northwest Prep the personal and academic development of each individual student, their unique needs, interests, gifts, skills, passions, and attributes, are recognized and honored. NWP’S intent is to engage each student in a process of learning that results in the most productive and meaningful realization of each student's potential and success.
Accreditation/Awards
- Northwest Prep is fully accredited by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) and was awarded a Six-Year accreditation in April of 2023, good through June 30, 2029.
- Northwest Prep received the Pivotal Practice Award (formerly the Distinguished Schools award) in 2022 celebrating the implementation of innovative practice during the pandemic.
- Two Northwest Prep Teachers received the Sonoma County Exemplary Teacher Award in 2021
- In April of 2013, Northwest Prep received Sonoma State University’s Jack London Award for Educational Innovation.
Academic Reporting
Northwest Prep employs the Aeries academic reporting system through student/parent portals and at the end of each semester. Reports show course grades, credits earned for that semester, as well as a cumulative credit total for all high school courses taken. Courses taken at the college level are noted as such and awarded AP credits. Grade point average is computed for all high school students at Northwest Prep. Honors and AP classes are offered at NWP and all upper grade students are encouraged to take at least one college level class to demonstrate college readiness prior to graduation.
Athletics
Northwest Prep Charter School does not offer a formalized sports program, but three times a week students participate in 60 minutes of a physical activity including volleyball, soccer, basketball, supervised hiking at the adjacent Santa Rosa Park trail and other planned activities depending on the weather and student interest. Our students often choose from a broad range of local community and private sports-based activities. During some semesters we offer intramural sports after school.
Graduation Requirements
Students must earn a minimum of 220 units to graduate. Northwest Prep integrates into its curriculum the minimum expectations for graduation, following California high school graduation requirements. Students must pass eight semesters of Inquiry Team (VPA credit) and Crossroads (College and Career Readiness) classes. Additionally, students are also required to complete volunteering credits, two externships, and two professional internships as a part of Crossroads class by the end of their senior year. They also must successfully pass a Portfolio Defense before a panel of peers, staff, and community members during their 10th and 12th grade years.
Graduates
All Northwest Prep seniors apply to at least one college of their choice, and most NWP graduates subsequently attend either a four year or junior college. Colleges that have accepted Northwest Prep students include: UC Berkley, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, UC Riverside, UC Merced, Humboldt State University, Sonoma State University, San Francisco State University, CSU Chico, Sacramento State University, CSU East Bay, Academy of Art University, Seattle University, Dominican University and more, .
