Focused Programs of Study

For students who have identified a preferred learning model or academic area of interest, Camas School District offers several magnet-type programs for a more focused and hands-on approach.

In the truest sense, a “magnet school” is a standalone entity with a defined learning focus and curricula that achieve district and standards across subjects while reinforcing the overall theme of the school.

CSD is home to one magnet program — the Math Science and Technology (MST) Magnet — as well as other programs of study that allow students to home in on their academic strengths and preferences among classmates with similar interests and inclinations.

 

CamTech

Grades: 9-12

Enrollment: 80 Students

Admission: Open to all students who express interest until full, or by lottery if interest exceeds the capacity

The CamTech Program is an opportunity for students to become part of a larger family with similar

interests in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) areas that satisfy the State Personalized

Pathway Requirements. The CamTech program provides applied opportunities for like-minded students wanting to explore or pursue skills and knowledge in technical occupations and skilled areas. In addition, students are prepared for professional internship opportunities in their junior/senior years.

Students completing one or more of the CamTech Strand areas of study are recognized at graduation and will have better opportunities when competing for future employment and college entrance. All students at grade level are welcome in our CamTech program. Major areas of study include Engineering Robotics & Manufacturing, Digital Computer Design and Publishing, Computer Science and Game Programming, Construction, and Machine Tool Fabrication.

For more information, visit the CamTech website.

Math Science and Technology (MST) Magnet

Grades: 9-12

Enrollment: 130 Students

Admission: Highly competitive

Requirements:

  • Submission of an application. Details here: https://chsmstmagnet.com/admissions/
  • Recommendations from your current math, science, and English teacher, as well as a fourth recommendation from an adult of choice.

Once students have applied, they will visit Camas High School for an entrance exam, which tests their math and English skills. Final acceptance into the program will be based on a review of their application and recommendation letters, GPA, and exam results.

The goal of the MST Magnet program is to instill the underlying values, skills, and behaviors that will enable students to enter chosen careers in the fields of science, math, and technology. The program will provide students with opportunities to conduct authentic scientific research and complete an internship in an area of interest.

Project-Based Learning Program

Grades: 6-12

Enrollment: 600 Students

Admission: Open to all students who express interest until full or by lottery if interest exceeds the capacity. Our PBL program is housed exclusively at Odyssey Middle School and Discovery High School.

*Program will expand to include grade 8 in the 2017–18 school year.*

Camas School District’s Project-Based Learning Program began in the fall of 2016 is made up of approximately 120 students, in equal parts, and 10 staff from Liberty Middle School and Skyridge Middle School. Due to overwhelming interest, enrollment for the 2016–17 school year was based on a lottery. The program is housed at the newly acquired Sharp facility building at 5750 NW Pacific Rim Blvd., which has the capacity to accommodate up to 600 students and staff as the program grows.

Project-Based Learning is an effective, meaningful, and enjoyable way to learn and to develop these skills for college, career, and life. In a PBL classroom, students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge. Projects address content standards through an integrated approach and focus on additional success skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and self-management. Additional benefits include these:

  • PBL makes school more engaging for students.  Projects provide real-world relevance to learning.  By providing a vision of an end product, PBL creates a context and reason to learn and understand the information and concepts. This is further enhanced through presentations for an audience beyond the school.
  • PBL builds success skills for college, career, and life.  Students learn how to take initiative and responsibility, solve problems, work in teams, and communicate ideas, thus increasing their confidence and transforming how they think of themselves as learners.
  • PBL helps address standards. The Common Core and other state standards emphasize real-world application of knowledge and skills, such as communicating in a variety of media, and speaking and presentation skills. PBL is an effective way to meet these goals.
  • PBL connects students and schools with communities and the real world.  Projects provide students with opportunities to interact with adults and organizations within their community.  They are exposed to workplaces, adult jobs, and can develop career interests.