Pacific Crest Innovation Academy, a free and public high school in the State of Washington that focuses on college and career development, is pleased to share that student enrollment for the 2021-22 school year is the highest it’s been since the founding of the school in 2017. The school’s enrollment for the current school year is 23 students, including 15 first-year students, nearly double the enrollment from the previous school year. 

“We have far exceeded our five-year growth goal, which is so exciting!” said Dean of Students Kaylene Herman. “It means so much to us that more and more local families and students are enrolling at PCIA as their high school of choice.”

The school attributes the welcome rise in enrollment to a number of factors, including its roster of all-star students, who are truly committed to their education and success.

“PCIA students are the best advocates when it comes to getting the word out about our school,” said Herman. “They live and breathe PCIA each and every day, and their enthusiasm for our school and community are infectious.”

In order to familiarize the Columbia River Gorge community with the school, PCIA has shared numerous staff and student stories over the past year that show what a great place PCIA is to grow and learn while preparing for college, career, and beyond. It’s PCIA’s goal to know and serve each of its students individually and in ways that are customized for them. This comes in many forms, including close relationships among each other and with their instructors, who are some of the best and brightest in their fields. 

“Our faculty are top notch instructors who come with a wealth of knowledge and experience in their respective fields,” Herman said. In fact, instructors at PCIA all have at least one masters degree in their subject area in addition to their teaching certification. “This allows for robust classroom dialogue, learning, and engagement. Our teachers are caring individuals who are passionate about teaching and helping students achieve their academic goals.”

PCIA also has a number of partnerships that help support its mission and growth as a school. These include a partnership with Lower Columbia College and Columbia Gorge Community College, which makes its College in the High School program available to all students free of charge. PCIA has also partnered with state agency ESD 112, based in Vancouver, Wash., for marketing services, such as a new website launched last fall, as well as support from the agency’s Career Connect SW program to develop internship experiences for its students. 

Lastly, PCIA is proud to have the support of the Mill A School Board, who provided the original scaffolding needed to form the school in the first place. 

“Many thanks to our School Board for their support over the years,” said Herman, “and for allowing us to dream of possibilities and then turning those possibilities into reality.”

Interested students can now apply for PCIA’s spring semester.  Applications are due January 7, 2022.