
About Middle School RISE
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.
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. 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.
How to Register
Schedules, Fees, and Add/Drop/Change Requests
How to Get Started
Logins, Links, Class Info, and Troubleshooting
How Tos for HSTs
Canvas, Progress Monitoring, Grades, and Work Samples
RISE News and Updates
Important Upcoming Dates
Program Dates
- 4/7-10 – RISE CAASPP Testing Week
- 4/7-9 – RISE Info Sessions for 25-26 School Year
- 5/1 – RISE Up Preview Day for 25-26 School Year
- 5/16 – End of Spring Semester, Final Day to Submit Spring Semester Assignments
- 5/23 – RISE Semester Grades Complete & Ready for Report Cards
RISE Community Events
- 4/26 – RISE Retreat for All RISE Students
About RISE Classes

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: Nicole Ball

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

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, help with schoolwide math days, and learn about equations, expressions, integers, proportions and oodles of other math concepts, making you a mathematician!
Instructor: Stacey Hay

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

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

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

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: Wendy Coller

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: Coral Ericson

These classes will give students the study skills they need to be successful in school.
Instructor: Eric Parish

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

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

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 2024-25 Fees
Prices for year-long classes. Semester-long classes (21st Century Study Skills) can be bundled or a la carte for $200.
RISE
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
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Wendy Coller is the the Hawks’ Nest Point Person for this section.