Skip to main content

Competency-Based Education

In a competency-based education, or CBE, students advance based on what they know and can do, rather than the time they have spent in class. They receive the support and opportunity to build skills, not only absorb content. Goals and rules are established, then students create their own paths to success. Read more about this.

Design Thinking 

Paired with CBE, Chinook Trail learners use real-world thinking to explore and solve social, economic and environmental issues using creativity and collaboration. Students demonstrate learning, not regurgitate it, using five dimensions: empathize, define, ideate, prototype and test. Read more about this.

Core Coursework

With a focus on state standards and personal growth, Chinook Trail students are assigned to an academic team for humanities, math and science. They then choose their own exploratory courses in art, industrial tech, physical education, computer science, world languages or other areas of study. 

Space to Soar

Think of the Chinook Trail CBE curriculum an arc. Goals are clearly identified and sustained learning spans experiences and time, as opposed to singular lessons and spotted activities. This affords students the flexibility to work at their own pace, receive feedback, and reflect and revise as much as needed.

How Learning Applies 

At Chinook Trail, adaptable learning is used in a range of subject areas and is naturally interdisciplinary. In any project, students have practical and relevant opportunities to improve verbal, written, and visual communication skills. Students gain a running start for the jobs and challenges of tomorrow.