2023-24
Dear Friends,
We are proud to present our 2023-2024 Annual Report. Together, our community contributed $1.4 million in gifts and pledges, a remarkable commitment that speaks to a small school with a profound impact. Here are some achievements from last year, made possible by your support:
Record-Breaking Enrollment & Graduates
We welcomed 250 students to Cascades Academy last year, marking the largest enrollment in our 21-year history. Our campus is as vibrant and busy as ever with students excelling inside and outside of the classroom. The Class of 2024, our largest graduating class ever, achieved remarkable success with a record number of scholarships and university acceptances. Their accomplishments reflect years of hard work and the dedication of our deeply caring faculty throughout their academic journey.
Strength in Our Community
The sense of community within our school is incredibly strong. Last year we saw an increase in parent and grandparent involvement and volunteerism, all contributing to a vibrant and supportive environment for our students. Our flagship events were well attended, from the Aprés Ski Fundraising Celebration and Storyline culminations to project presentations and athletic events. These gatherings fostered a spirit of unity and collaboration that extends beyond the classroom.
Acknowledging Our Faculty and Staff
Everyone knows it. Our school’s ace card is the dedication and passion of our faculty and staff. Last year we built on a steady, multi-year effort to increase teachers’ pay and expand their benefits. Thanks to our committed volunteers and thoughtful gifts from our community, we demonstrated palpable appreciation to this cadre of people who are so devoted to our students.
Looking Ahead
Kickstarted through last year’s successful Northwest Association of Independent Schools re-accreditation process, the Board of Trustees and school leadership began a year-long process of community consultation and focused reflection to identify our school’s distinctions and, ultimately, chart our course for the next decade. We look forward to sharing outcomes on this exciting journey.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all members of our school community. Your contributions and dedication are what make our school a place of excellence and a beacon of hope for the future.
With warm regards,
Julie Amberg
Sally Audette Head of School Chair, Board of Trustees
YOUR IMPACT:
July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
Board of Trustees 100% Faculty/Staff
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN GIVING
Current Families (parents and grandparents)
88%
Total dollars raised:
$1,401,867
$1,231,867 cash in the door
$170,000 in new pledges
Aprés Ski Fundraising Celebration & Auction:
Total raised - $354,694
Total raised for Tuition Assistance (paddle raise commitments):
$110,000
DYLAN WARING ‘20: AN EARLY COMMITM ENT TO GIVING BACK
Since graduating in 2020, Dylan Waring has made it a priority to give back to Cascades Academy, even as a college student. “I had many formative experiences like traveling school and robotics that I would not have had the means to participate in without Cascades Academy,” Dylan says.
Hands-on STEM experiences and mentorship at Cascades Academy, particularly through Dylan’s four years on the Mystic Biscuit robotics team, solidified his career path. These experiences led Dylan to pursue a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering with a minor in aerospace engineering. He graduated this summer and accepted a dream first job as a mechanical engineer at General Dynamics Mission Systems.
Cascades Academy’s emphasis on personalized education allowed Dylan to advance at a pace that maximized his learning in college. Programs like 8th-Grade Project and Mastery Project allowed him to investigate topics relevant to his interests and ultimately prepared him for his Honors Thesis at Oregon State University.
“I donate because I believe in the school’s mission,” Dylan shares. “I want students to have the same growth opportunities and unique experiences that support a lifelong process of curiosity and learning.”
Dylan remains committed to supporting Cascades Academy and is excited about emerging opportunities for alumni to connect with the school and give back to current students as volunteers.
GIVING DIRECTION
2023-2024 SCHOOL BUDGET
Here is how donors directed their giving to Cascades Academy.
Unrestricted General Support
Tuition Assistance & Scholarships
4% - CAMPUS & FACILITIES
Academic & Extracurricular Programs
Campus & Facilities
Faculty & Staff Appreciation
Total dollars raised: NEED - BASED TUITION ASSISTANCE
TOTAL TUITION ASSISTANCE PROVIDED $975,935
Percentage of students who received tuition assistance: 30% Average tuition assistance award: $12,840
COMMUNITY GIVING
$1 - $499
Jason and Jill Adams
Olivia Agraz
Chad and Lindy Alasantro
Christina Albert
Kai and Sara Andersen
Tom and Laura Anderson
Danielle Andrus
Brian and Rachel Austin
Dave and Emily Bachofner
Carol Barnes
Greg Bender and Amy Sidran
Avi and Rhu Bikszer
John and Elizabeth Bokish
Brady Boos ‘16
Adriana Boylan
Leah Candland
Dan and Barb Cartmell
Christopher and Katie Chatwin
Jessi Christiansen
Camilla Cok
Gary and Judith Curbow
Everett and Alyson Dahl
Cameron and Dakota Dawson
Ryan and Jamie Doty
Evan Dougherty
Bryan and Alexandra Du Toit
Michael Edwards and Leah Rapaport
Dr. Anne-Marie Eklund
Loren and Autumn Elkins
Andrew and Francie Engel
Gus and Danielle Erickson
Eric and Stacy Ezrine
Kelly Fast and Hallie McCormick
Ken and Theresa Floyd
Kelsi and Deanna Fraley
Mark Francken
Kevin and Julie Frederick
James Garrison
Charles and Jean Golden
Andrew Goldstein and Jana Hemphill
Betsy Green ‘19
Chloe Green ‘16
Tim and Jenny Green
Brandon and Marissa Groza
Kenny Hadden
Mike Hagan and Erin Branson Hagan
Scott and Nicole Handley
Andrew Heide and Erin Maxon
Jared and Tami Hertzler
Jeannette Hereniko
Brian Hickey and Brooke Riemer
Ciara Hill
Jonathan and Jennie Hopper
Taylor and Clarcie Howell
Mandy Hullander
FY24 giving includes all cash gifts. It does not include gifts-in-kind, such as items donated for the auction, or auction purchases.
Steve Jansen and Heather Marks
Steve Johnson and Marti Fields Johnson
David and Bea Junkin
Mary Keating
John and Lauren Kelley
Joel and Rachel Kent
Joshua Klaus and Margi Hoffman
Gregoire and Kristine Klees
Robert and Dale Klein
Andy and Judy Kline
Wally and LeAnne Kropf
Ryan and Sarah Lanigan
Russell and Alice Leavitt
Josh Lippincott and Amber Kirkendall
Jennifer Luebke
Jennifer Lynn
Javi Makepeace and Maire Makepeace Linero
Quinn Martell
Eric and Cecelia McClellan
Nancy McCormick
Colin and Cecilia McCusker
Buck McKenna and Anna Woodsmall
Emilie McMahon
Joe McMahon
Rich McPherson and Tristen Ross McPherson
Amy Meadow
Rose Moisan
Aaron and Chelsea Moorhead
Yvonne Nabbefeld
Basim Nasr and Lisa Hatley-Nasr
Hannah Nebeker
Andrew and Mia Neeb
Ed and Barbara Neumann
Hailee Newman
Jenny O’Keefe
Patrick Oldham
Gene and Kristen O’Neill
Matt Orr and Dr. Kathryn Kocurek
Bill and Shirley Parish
Amin and Mariah Patel
Yon and Nicole Perullo
Dan Petrescu
Jane Pierie
James Reigner and Stephanie Letersky
Justin Roberts ‘16
Sam and Amanda Roberts
Alex Rocco
Jacob and Jenna Roe-Bauer
Doris Ruff
Ryder Sanders
Santa Rosa Cycling Club
Bernie Schiffer
Jason and Becca Schroeder
Chris and Meredith Schweppe
John and Holly Sereni
Anneliese Sharpe
Shawn and Bernadette Shilliam
Lisa and Erin Shinn
Carlos and Emily Simpson
Andrew and Amelia Smith
Carlos Smith and JoAnn Mast
Stanley and Jody Smith
Curtis and Jenny Smithers
Paul Snape
Brian and Megan Souter
James and Sarah Souter
Ellen and Leslie Steier
Reuben Steinglass
Danielle Takla
Andrea Thomas
Chris Tovar
Bob and Carole Triplett
Cliff Triplett and Merry Fiore
Jeremy and Emilie Tufts
Dave Vealitzek and Susan Kinder
Dylan Waring ‘20
Rick and Alissa Waring
Jordan and Angelica Webb
Jeff Wenger
Ryan Wheelwright
Matt and Jacqualyn Whiteley
Michael and Tanya Whitley
Jason and Jennifer Wilson
Oliver and Tammy Wisco
Nancy Wiseman
Greg and Carissa Ziarko
Jacob and Donna Zollinger
$500- $999
Joseph Andrew and Lisa Ruff
Rajesh and Melodie Champatiray
Raymond and Irene Cole
Jennifer Delahunty
Jason and Cynthia Eckhoff
Luis Elenes and Natalie Jacuzzi
Warren Godrige and Thea Vaughan
Tim and Kristi Holmberg
Sarah Jeffries
Jason Kropf and Anne George
Richard and Deborah O’Neil
Patrick Orr and Erin Merz
Pratt and Heidi Rather
John and Julia Scheppach
Kevin and Angie Shaw
Brad Thomas and Kelli Noftle
Andy and Karla Toms
David and Terry Vaughan
Nick and Shannon Vealitzek
Roger Young
$1,000 - $2,499
Chris and Anne Arathoon
Devon and Jody Arscott
Eric and Jessica Bollinger
Bill and Kendra Boos
Jeffrey and Laura Breit
Andy Caplan and Julie Sheppard
Matt and Leigh Capozzi
Gabriel and Susan Farkas
Elliott and Courtney Feldman
David and Marita Glodt
Andrew Green and Lindsey Wiseman
Derek and Peggy Hayner
Keith Higbee and Alexandra Gallo
Tony and Wendy Hynes
Dennis and Judith Jacuzzi
Michael Kelly and Amy Swano
Lo and Holly Klein
Andrew Mahlstedt
Michael and Brittany Mallin
Nicholas and Sarah Mancuso
Russell and Sheryl Massine
Whit and Blaire Morriss
David Neidorf and Pauline Lyders
Mark and Suzanne Peterson
Jeff and Anna Phelps
Matt Plante and Ann Scott-Plante
Jay and Melanie Rathe
Dr. Dean Sharpe and Marlis Beier
Daniel Smith and Natalia Bokish
Richard and Brenda Snow
Kevin and Katie Thomson
Josef and Jill Vacek
Peter Weber
$2,500 - $4,999
Nate August and Courtney Anders
Tyler Barnes
Ira Fefferman and Astrid Orrego Lopez
Matthew and Jaymee Giddings
Andrew and Melissa Griffiths
Sean Horrel and Asa Watts
Steve and Blair Jenkins
Bob Komin and Charlie Hays
Jesse and Carol Laird
Joe McMahon
Irwin and Margaret Much
Charlie and Linda Naftalin
Mark Stamler and Dr. Nora Takla
Bryce and Carly Taylor
LEADERSHIP GIVING
$5,000 - $9,999
The Aguilar Family
Julie Amberg and Mathias Perle
Louis Capozzi
Micah Carlson and Heather Halvorson
Richard and Susan Fox
Brett and Laura Hazlett
Betsy Kelly
Jim and Alison McElroy
Rick Oncken
John and Amanda Peoples
Mary Ann Peoples
Andrew and Emily Smith
Jan Webb
Patrick Youngs and Tiffany Mendenhall-Youngs
VISIONARY CIRCLE
$10,000 - $19,999
Tsiona Bitton
Robert Costello and Jandi Kelly
Ken deLaski and Sarah Goracke
Eric and Sandra Etherington
Aviv and Christina Hadar
Darren Hansen
Chuck and Barbara Johnson
Kirk and Lauralee McDonald
Brant Mellor and Wendy Krebs Mellor, DVM
Jeremy Much and Stacey Stewart
Paul and Serafina Neibergs
Brian and Linda Opdycke
Andy and Neda Wilson
$20,000+
Bill and Mary Estelle Amberg
Adam and Sally Audette
Patrick and Tanya Buchanan
Mark and Shelly Callaghan
G. Terry Causey
Tom and Megan Connor
Tyler Hauth
Mathias and Heather Heraeus
Tim and Lisa Kerns
Garett and Victoria Oliphant
Scott Oliphant
Wesley and Denise Oliphant
Samantha Richardson
Classes that achieved 100% family participation
2nd grade (Class of 2034)
10 0% THE HUNDRED PERCENTERS CLUB
4th grade (Class of 2032)
5th grade (Class of 2031)
7th grade (Class of 2029)
9th grade (Class of 2027)
Caroline Eiting VanRoekel
Steve VanRoekel
