Ladell chose the name KapKa, which is an English approximation of a Klamath word for a small evergreen tree, as a metaphor for the natural growth that occurs when a child is rooted in a nurturing environment.

At KapKa, we believe the role of the teachers is to create an academically stimulating environment where learning happens naturally and in a variety of ways that include both independent study and team projects. Parents assist teachers in the classroom and have an integral role in running the school. The experience, commitment, and creativity of our professional teachers, combined with the talent and dedication of our parents, make KapKa a place of joyful exploration and a close, caring community.

We welcome children of every nationality, race, creed, and background.

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At KapKa, we acknowledge that every person—adult and child—is a learner. The children are just beginning to become responsible for the direction their learning will take. We guide the process by encouraging children to think creatively for themselves, develop successful academic skills and strategies, grow in self-management, and solve problems through cooperative interactions.

Our three-year curriculum offers a multi-age, multi-disciplinary approach to learning that weaves together academics, the arts, community service, and environmental studies. We encourage independent exploration as well as teamwork, and honor the uniqueness and growth of each child as he or she makes new discoveries about his or her self and the world around us.

KapKa Salmon Life-Cycle Clock

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What Makes Us Unique? What Is a Cooperative School? How much time are parents expected to contribute to KapKa? Why a K-2 Focus? How can you mix kindergartners with 1st & 2nd graders? Will my kindergartner be overwhelmed by the pace? I don't have any teaching experience. Won't I just be in the way in the classroom? What happens when my child moves on to 3rd grade?

Many things come together to make KapKa a wonderful place. Here are some highlights:

• We are a cooperative school.
  
  
• We are a small school (approximately 40 students in kindergarten through second grade).
  
  
• We have an excellent student-to-teacher ratio (<14:1).
  
  
• Parent participation (two to four parents assisting at all times) allows even more one-on-one opportunities with students and frequent outings.
  
  
• The multi-age environment encourages leadership.
  
  
• The themed curriculum is creative, integrated, and engaging; learning is exploratory and relevant.
  
  
• Multi-sensory learning accommodates different learning styles (auditory, visual, tactile, kinetic, relational).
  
  
• Community building occurs through participation in projects and celebrations at school and beyond.
  
  

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Cooperative schools value the importance of the school-family connection. In a cooperative school, parents are more than volunteers--they are the "third leg" of the school, along with the students and teachers. Participating in a cooperative school requires commitment.

At KapKa, the parent role is substantial. While the teachers plan the curriculum and are ultimately responsible for classroom management, without the parents, much of what we do couldn't happen. The school is run by a parent-led board; families each provide a minimum of three hours of classroom support each week; parents bring special talents and interests into the classroom, and participate in special projects and field trips; parents maintain the facility, purchase supplies, and so forth.

Although the time and effort put in can be significant, the rewards are immeasurable. Not only do our parents get to spend time with their child and discover their child's "classroom persona" and scholastic needs, but also we share friends and social events; have immediate access to teachers; learn many new parenting, teaching, and communication skills; and get to do a lot of fun, hands-on learning ourselves. Belonging to a cooperative school is a bonding and unforgettable experience.

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Because KapKa is a cooperative organization the parents, students and teachers REALLY do run the school.

Parents are expected to work one half-day each week in the classroom (either 8:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m., or 11:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.), hold a parent job or committee position, attend a monthly parent meeting, and supervise and/or drive students on our frequent field trips.

Several times a year, students also become involved in intensive hands-on projects (cooking Thanksgiving meals for friends in need, holiday gift-making, street cleaning, etc.) that require more parent support, and we all help clean and maintain the school. Each family should expect to work an extra shift each month to support these special projects and off-site experiences.

There are about 40 different parent jobs available (such as garden coordinator, arts coordinator and supplies purchaser) and each requires somewhat varying amounts of time. We try to match our parents' skills with appropriate jobs and involve parents in the selection process. (We won't make you do something you hate!)

More information can be found in the Parents section.

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KapKa focuses on the kindergarten through second-grade years, because these are formative years in a person's educational process. Children love to learn, and we want them to be successful at it, now and always. We believe that children and families have the answers to their learning, and that our role is to keep the door open: to challenge, support, and encourage the child/family as they follow their individual paths emotionally, socially, and academically. Our small size and personal approach ensures that each child is heard, and appropriately mentored.

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At KapKa you'll often hear the phrase "my size job". We use it to help children determine whether they are attempting work that is appropriate for their skill level. This way, for example, second-graders are encouraged to stretch their skills while a kindergartner will understand that no one expects them to perform at the same pace as their older friends.

Throughout the day, all students work in a variety of groups—from their "family group", which provides a smaller community base, to skills-based reading and mathematics groups, to working with a partner, and working individually. Learning becomes a process of sharing, communicating, evaluating, and celebrating exchanges with others. We stress that we all learn from each other.

We find that as a result of such a diverse and rich environment KapKa students learn to direct their own explorations - to take responsibility for finding answers to their questions. The result is children who become self-sufficient, life-long learners and creative thinkers.

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No, you'll be a wonderful addition and bring your own unique qualities and outlook to the classroom. You'll also find that you will quickly pick up some wonderful skills from observing our talented professional teachers and other parents.

We also ask parents to do "their-sized" jobs. For some this means reading aloud, being a good audience to a new reader or leading a discussion about the life cycle of salmon, for others it may mean organizing art supplies, preparing teachers' materials or teaching jump rope at the playground.

Most parents find classroom duty extremely rewarding and love the chance to get to know their child's classmates and their parents.

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By the time they have completed the 3-year program at KapKa, our students are flexible and creative learners who successfully transition to all types of schools, including public alternative, neighborhood and private institutions. A three-day trip and an insightful Moving-On Ceremony mark this rite of passage.

For parents of second graders, there is usually a mid-year seminar to help navigate through the school selection process and to determine what school will present the best opportunities for their child. The robust KapKa alumni community is also a wonderful resource from which you can draw lots of valuable first-hand information about transitioning to other schools.

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Stained glass gift from the class of 1994.