Canyon Crest Academy

We are so lucky to have this amazing public school in our neighborhood!
First off, I’m a Falcon. Yes, I attended TPHS, where I met my husband and lived happily ever after. So, when we had kids, we decided to move to the district so our kids could have the same great education we enjoyed.
But, the area grew. And SDUHSD decided to build CCA just a couple of miles from TPHS. And, most importantly, they decided to give kids a CHOICE. That’s really amazing.
So, now we have 2 young Ravens in our Falcon’s nest. Both of my kids have opted to attend CCA over TPHS. The better choice? No… the better choice for them. These are two GREAT schools. CCA is tough. The pace is very fast in the 4×4 schedule. You’ve got to work hard to keep up. While TPHS has cheer and football, CCA does not. I think this difference is special – kids get to decide which high school scene is right for them.
I have been so impressed with the performing arts at CCA. My kids haven’t been in the plays or musicals, but the student actors are amazing. The athletics are great and the facilities are exceptional.
I understand from SDUHSD that the teaching and the classrooms and the class sizes are exactly the same at the 4 district high schools. So, I won’t comment on that aspect except to say that my kids have had mostly great experiences. And that we are so fortunate that our district provides an excellent education.
I hear that CCA is quite competitive. I think that’s real, and there is some self-​selection that takes place. The kids that choose this school tend to be great students – you’d almost need to be to take the same district classes in half the time. At the same time, I have witnessed a great deal of collaboration amongst the students and I see much of the pressure comes from within. I don’t think my kids would feel less pressure anywhere else – they want to succeed.
Caw! Caw! Go Ravens! :)

Great school, better than TP!!! This school is ranked 4^th on California!
Great

CCA is great IF you are a good match for it. A good match is very important! Here is my advice, to which all of our three kids agree, each of whom had a different experience attending CCA…
First of all, if you’re not a good match for CCA, the great thing is that there are schools much better suited to you out there that can turn your special gifts or unusual learning style into a huge personal advantage.
In summary: If you are an ‘A’ student, are very motivated, and do your homework early without being asked, it’s a great school. If you have at least a tolerance for competition, and enjoy doing 80% of what you are asked to do, just for the sake of getting a great grade, then go for it.
Schools like CCA have a great reputation, and if you go in there with great grades, you will get great teachers, who make it almost easy to learn alot and get great grades and stellar opportunities.
If you are not an ‘A’ student, don’t do it, even if you have a great work ethic; You’ll find it nearly impossible to compete with the thousands of others needing help with their weak spots. You will be MUCH better off at a smaller school where the counselors and teachers can remember your name.
I suspect that if you don’t go in there wth great grades, you may not be assigned the best teachers. Sorry, kid, you won’t get the benefit of the Elite teachers at the school, and you’ll waste your time in a dull, mass production line classroom. Even ‘accomodations’ and requests for help will only frustrate you if you stay at the school.
Conversely, if you have an ‘unusual’ learning style, you will need a small school, especially one which allows substitution modules, which will better accomodate your special gifts.
Here are the positives:
* Some Incredible pedagogues, unusual and fun, they know how to make it easy to learn, and they are the best of the lot out there, IF you go in there with good grades.
* Great programs, and lots to choose from, IF you qualify.
* Stimulating, you get to compete with the best! You may even have time for a well planned social life, with good friends, with a great work ethic and good values.
The negatives:
* Some teachers who can’t teach. This can happen if you don’t go in as an ‘A’ student. (in my opinion, middle school grades ARE important)
* CCA is VERY competitive, and caters to a particular style of learning. If you don’t fit that, you will have no time for any kind of social life, just to keep up your grades in those classes that are the toughest for you.
There will be exceptions to the rule. However, we’ve experienced all sides of the issues involved, and our kids have each eventually found there way at CCA, or at a carefully chosen smaller school. If you have joy in learning, and choose carefully, you will find an excellent fit eventually.
Personally, I think we have learned the importance of a good match!

Performing Arts Center review.
I recently attended a student performance at their Performing Arts Center.
When viewing the campus map online it appeared much larger and much more confusing than it actually was. The PA Center was immediately to my left as I pulled onto campus, very easy to find and parking was extremely close too!
I also viewed the theater seating chart online to pick my seat. I really loved that it showed me which seats would have a blocked view, encouraging me to pick another one. The theater seemed much larger online than it actually was. So when I chose a front row seat, I had no idea I would be «kick up my feet onto the stage» close. It was still a great seat and I could see the entire performance.
The acoustics were good as was the lighting. They could definitely use another bathroom, one is not enough!

Class of 2013. Moving on to study at a highly-​ranked liberal arts college. CCA is getting a little bit too competitive. And CCA is becoming less and less weird each year, which isn’t a good thing.
There is a growing presence of spoiled North County children who don’t know how to throw away their trash, and don’t appreciate the amazing free education that they receive.
No football team, which is a plus.
Student-​run café, the Nest, has pretty decent food, but can be expensive.
Samba Corvo!
Mrs. Burton of the College and Career Center is AMAZING. Same with Ms. Sage (counseling).
Indebted to the music program for giving me opportunities to play in various eccentric showcases, and the awesome teachers (Shay, Gerstin, Gaughen, Perisic, Stiven).
Although there is a 4×4 schedule, there are still so many electives that I want to take…
On the second to last week of school, I figured out that there’s always been free breakfast on campus.
Not to mention, 917. Our API Score.
I believe that high school is what you make of it, and it’s up to the student to take the initiative to grasp all the opportunities that there are. Especially at CCA.
Go Ravens.