RISE Program

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About Middle School RISE

Dynamic Academics

The Cottonwood School’s RISE program reimagines and elevates the home study experience and strives to build community among our middle school students. This program offers live, virtual instruction in Math, Language Arts, and Science for students in 6th through 8th grade.

Connected Community

RISE is crafted to meet not only our students’ academic needs, but also their social and developmental needs. Interaction with their peers, teacher-guided discussions, project-based learning, and local meet-ups and field trips are woven into the fabric of our courses and approach.

Streamlined Support

The goal of our program is for our students to develop their own sense of agency, build a growth mindset, and take ownership of learning. We do this by providing students with the structure of deadlines and grades, alongside with the support of homework help, HST/RISE teacher collaboration, and targeted support for students who need it.

spiral notebook with the word registration in big bold letters and a mechanical pencil lying under the words

How to Register

Schedules, Fees, and Add/Drop/Change Requests

bucket of tools, includinghammer, screwdrivers, pliers, and wrench

How to Get Started

Logins, Links, Class Info, and Troubleshooting

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How To Have a Successful Year

Canvas, Grades, and Samples

Are your RISE students’ grades indicating the need for more support?

Click the How-To button below to learn more about RISE’s student support process and how you can monitor their progress and partner with their RISE teachers.

RISE News and Community Updates

Important Program Dates
  • Note – The final day to add RISE classes or drop RISE classes for a full refund has passed
    • Students’ instructional funds accounts will be charged for RISE class fees in the weeks following the Add/Drop Deadline to insure that student budgets reflect accurate fund amounts.
  • Weekly Homework Help
    • Held every Monday from 1:00-1:30
    • bit.ly/RISE_Homework_Help
  • 10/3 – Last day of Quarter One & final day to submit Quarter One assignments for credit
    • Late Work Policy: Students are expected to submit work on time and keep up with the pace of their RISE classes; however, late work IS accepted for credit until the end of the current quarter. Students can (and should) complete and submit all assignments. Missing/late work is marked as a “zero” until it has been received, graded, and updated by the RISE teacher.
    • For 6th and 7th Grade Students: late work submitted by the quarter deadline will receive full credit.
    • For 8th Grade Students: work submitted over one week late will receive a 10% deduction; work submitted two weeks late or later will receive a 20% deduction.
  • 12/12 – Last day of Fall Semester & final day to submit Quarter Two assignments for credit
  • 1/5 – First day of Spring Semester

ALL RISE: Ice Cream Social

What: Ice Cream Sundaes and Games with RISE Friends and Teachers

Where: El Dorado Hills Academic Achievement Celebration @ Promontory Park, 2700 Alexandra Drive

When: Friday, September 26th, 10:45-12:45

Cost: Free!

Register: Here

ALL 7th + 8th Grade: Aerospace Museum

What: Aerospace Museum Tour + Workshop

Where: 3200 Freedom Park Drive, McClellan Park

When: Monday, September 29th, 9:30-12:30

Cost: $15 (instructional funds may be used)

Register: Here

ALL 6th Grade: Bernhard History Museum

What: Bernhard History Museum Tour

Where: 291 Auburn-Folsom Road, Auburn

When: Wednesday, October 29th, 10:00-11:30

Cost: Free!

Register: Beginning September 11th

RISE Homeroom

RISE Homeroom schedule Aug 25-30 Monday:

Join us for RISE Homeroom!

We’re building community and study skills together every morning at 8:45 am.

Mondays and Wednesdays will focus on time management, digital literacy, and other tools to support a successful year. Tuesdays and Thursdays will be community-oriented, with our first-ever RISE clubs. And Fridays are all fun and games!

Use the bit.ly/RISE_Homework_Help Zoom room link to join – we hope to see you there.

About RISE Classes

Eric Parish

Math 6
Our RISE 6 mathematicians engage in a variety of collaborative activities to accomplish grade level standards. Our class covers lessons on integers and rational numbers, algebraic expressions, equations, inequalities, rates and ratios, percents, geometry and uses of data. Students love using IXL, iReady, and Nearpod to practice skills, and most importantly, we build a strong community within our virtual classroom where students boost their self-confidence and make lots of friends.
Instructor: Eric Parish

Erin Hunt

English 6
Our RISE 6 mathematicians engage in a variety of collaborative activities to accomplish grade level standards. Our class covers lessons on integers and rational numbers, algebraic expressions, equations, inequalities, rates and ratios, percents, geometry and uses of data. Students love using IXL, iReady, and Nearpod to practice skills, and most importantly, we build a strong community within our virtual classroom where students boost their self-confidence and make lots of friends.
Instructor: Erin Hunt

Evan Clark

Math 7
RISE Math 7 is about connecting with other students who are learning 7th grade math concepts. You will have fun, participate in PI Day and a math-inspired field trip, and learn about equations, expressions, integers, proportions and oodles of other math concepts, making you a mathematician!
Instructor: Evan Clark

Tricia DeJersey

English 7
In RISE English 7, students will develop their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills by analyzing literature, nonfiction, and poetry. They will learn to write structured essays, use persuasive techniques, and incorporate figurative language to enhance their writing. Through discussions and vocabulary development, students will strengthen their communication skills and deepen their understanding of the English language.
Instructor: Tricia DeJersey

Stephanie Mitchell

Science 7
In RISE Science 7, students delve into life science and the fascinating world of living organisms and their interactions. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including animals, plants, ecosystems, habitats, cellular biology, and the human body systems, offering a comprehensive understanding of how life functions and connects.
Instructor: Stephanie Mitchell

Evan Clark

Math 8
RISE Math 8 is the stepping stone between the fundamentals of math taught in K-7 and the upper levels of math taught in high school and college. Students can expect to put all their math training to practice, including work with fractions, negative numbers, and primary operations (addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication). The goal of this class is to both learn and have fun, and there are plenty of fun projects along the way to break things up, such as cooking, coding, and constructing.
Instructor: Evan Clark

Wendy Coller

English 8
In RISE English 8, we value collaboration, connection, and meaningful communication as we work together to learn, stretch, and grow as readers and writers. We explore themes such as personal growth and intelligence, as well as the perseverance and perspectives of individuals from different eras and cultures, through reading and discussion of works of fiction and nonfiction. Students write a variety of works; developing abilities as storytellers and debaters, and building personal blog websites to creatively showcase knowledge and expertise in areas they choose.
Instructor: Tricia DeJersey

Stephanie Mitchell

8th Grade Science
In RISE Science 8, students will dive into the world of physical science using interactive simulations and virtual tools that bring the concepts to life. The course focuses on understanding the science happening around us every day, from energy and motion to forces and matter. Through engaging online lessons and activities, students will explore how these principles are connected to their everyday experiences.
Instructor: Stephanie Mitchell

Ana Santana

Spanish I and Spanish Explorations 6-8
Spanish I for Middle School is a comprehensive Spanish language curriculum with authentic Spanish language practices through texts, videos, and recordings.

In Explorations in Spanish, each week students learn new basic vocabulary topics in Spanish. Students practice the topics learned by playing games in Kahoot, Nearpod and Quizzlet. Some of the topics students explore are on foods, colors, numbers, clothing and also on Hispanic culture.
Instructor: Ana Santana

Dann Hagstrom

Art 6-8
RISE Art 6-8 explores expressive ways to communicate ideas and feelings as we learn to use various art materials. We learn skills of realistic representation and then remix ideas in abstract and “cartoon” forms as well. We do 2D work as well as 3D projects where we explore how artwork can fill space. This is set in a supportive, fun, online environment where interaction is required to work, talk, ask, and laugh.
Instructor: Dann Hagstrom

Jamin Coller

Music 6-8
RISE Music is an engaging journey through music theory, ear training, and the rich histories of both jazz and classical music. Students develop essential skills in rhythm, notation, and listening while exploring the stories behind great composers and jazz legends. Through interactive lessons, composition activities, and group discussions, students not only build a strong musical foundation but also gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry and evolution of music.
Instructor: Jamin Coller

RISE 2025-26 Fees

Prices for year-long classes. Semester-long classes (21st Century Study Skills) can be bundled or a la carte for $200.

Annual fees
Includes
4+ classes
$1500
All Classes
Computer
Tech Support
3 classes
$1200
Classes
Computer
Tech Support
2 classes
$800
Classes
Computer
Tech Support
1 class
$400
Class
Computer
Tech Support
Students may use their instructional funds to pay for classes. Cottonwood staff will deduct Program fees from student accounts in two equal installments from fall and spring funding. Students who withdraw within 2 weeks of attending their first class will be granted a full refund. No partial refunds will be granted to students who withdraw after 2 weeks.