Educating every student as the unique human they are.
Educating every student as the unique human they are.
Instead of asking if your child is smart, our focus is on asking how is your child smart.
Instead of asking if your child is smart, our focus is on asking how is your child smart.
THE STUDENT
Our vision is that every child will leave Forge with the clarity about who they are and their place in the world; and the capacity to create a positive, meaningful and impactful life.
We do this by building Next Generation leaders with the core capabilities of Story Telling, Problem Solving, and Prototyping.
In addition, we instill 6 Attributes in each student:
THE SHIFT
The traditional education system fails to uncover an individual student’s unique talents and gifts.
The system presupposes that students, and the ways in which they learn, are the same. Thus, many students are left disengaged, labeled, overlooked, and sorely lacking in self-confidence. This system, in no way, sets our youth up to be highly functioning adults.
At Forge, we firmly believe that every student has unique talents and gifts and have implemented 5 shifts in education.
Forge is focused on building leaders
capable of thriving in the
next-generation workforce.
These next-generation capabilities
are Problem-Solving, Prototyping,
and Storytelling. Being adepta
t these 3 capabilities produces
a strong sense of self.
In addition, next-generation leaders
will be required to have a
set of attributes to navigate globalun
certainty and complexity.
These attributes are Confidence,
Creativity, Compassion, Curiosity,
Courage, and Collaboration.
Forge teachers are best-in-the-world
at designing experiences that unlock
your child’s passion and potential.
via “report cards”. The growth of
a student’s experience and capacity
is shown through his/her
cumulative body of work.
We are developing a proprietary
software platform (ENSMBL) to track
a student’s body of work overtime;
to ensure that they realize
the fullness of their potential –
whether their path forward is
college, entrepreneurial, or some
combination thereof.
Students are evaluated three times
a year against their level of mastery
against the three Competencies
and six Leadership Attributes.
We do not grade or rank students.
via “report cards”. The growth of
a student’s experience and capacity
is shown through his/her
cumulative body of work.
We are developing a proprietary
software platform (ENSMBL) to track
a student’s body of work overtime;
to ensure that they realize
the fullness of their potential –
whether their path forward is
college, entrepreneurial, or some
combination thereof.
Students are evaluated three times
a year against their level of mastery
against the three Competencies
and six Leadership Attributes.
We do not grade or rank students.
that genius is other-worldly and
that there’s one path to brilliance.
Instead of asking“if your child is smart”,
our focus is on asking
“how your child is smart”.
Forge is focused on building leaders
capable of thriving in the
next-generation workforce.
These next-generation capabilities
are Problem-Solving, Prototyping,
and Storytelling. Being adepta
t these 3 capabilities produces
a strong sense of self.
In addition, next-generation leaders
will be required to have a
set of attributes to navigate globalun
certainty and complexity.
These attributes are Confidence,
Creativity, Compassion, Curiosity,
Courage, and Collaboration.
Forge teachers are best-in-the-world
at designing experiences that unlock
your child’s passion and potential.
via “report cards”. The growth of
a student’s experience and capacity
is shown through his/her
cumulative body of work.
We are developing a proprietary
software platform (ENSMBL) to track
a student’s body of work overtime;
to ensure that they realize
the fullness of their potential –
whether their path forward is
college, entrepreneurial, or some
combination thereof.
Students are evaluated three times
a year against their level of mastery
against the three Competencies
and six Leadership Attributes.
We do not grade or rank students.
via “report cards”. The growth of
a student’s experience and capacity
is shown through his/her
cumulative body of work.
We are developing a proprietary
software platform (ENSMBL) to track
a student’s body of work overtime;
to ensure that they realize
the fullness of their potential –
whether their path forward is
college, entrepreneurial, or some
combination thereof.
Students are evaluated three times
a year against their level of mastery
against the three Competencies
and six Leadership Attributes.
We do not grade or rank students.
that genius is other-worldly and
that there’s one path to brilliance.
Instead of asking“if your child is smart”,
our focus is on asking
“how your child is smart”.
Forge is focused on building leaders
capable of thriving in the
next-generation workforce.
These next-generation capabilities
are Problem-Solving, Prototyping,
and Storytelling. Being adept at
these 3 capabilities produces a
strong sense of self.
In addition, next-generation leaders
will be required to have a set
of attributes to navigate global
uncertainty and complexity.
These attributes are Confidence,
Creativity, Compassion, Curiosity,
Courage, and Collaboration.
Forge teachers are best-in-the-world
at designing experiences that unlock
your child’s passion and potential.
via “report cards”. The growth of
a student’s experience and capacity
is shown through his/her
cumulative body of work.
We are developing a proprietary
software platform (ENSMBL) to track
a student’s body of work overtime;
to ensure that they realize
the fullness of their potential –
whether their path forward is
college, entrepreneurial, or some
combination thereof.
Students are evaluated three times
a year against their level of mastery
against the three Competencies
and six Leadership Attributes.
We do not grade or rank students.
via “report cards”. The growth of
a student’s experience and capacity
is shown through his/her
cumulative body of work.
We are developing a proprietary
software platform (ENSMBL) to track
a student’s body of work overtime;
to ensure that they realize
the fullness of their potential –
whether their path forward is
college, entrepreneurial, or some
combination thereof.
Students are evaluated three times
a year against their level of mastery
against the three Competencies
and six Leadership Attributes.
We do not grade or rank students.
that genius is other-worldly and
that there’s one path to brilliance.
Instead of asking“if your child is smart”,
our focus is on asking
“how your child is smart”.
The 2023/24 immersive studies will be The Science of Storytelling.
Our students, guided by our teachers and experts-in-residence, will explore the frontiers of Life Sciences, Physical Sciences and Social Sciences and will advance their storytelling skills through the application of Videography, Film, Animation, Adobe Creative, Advertising and Design.
Throughout the school year, the students will have two 5 week deep dive immersions in each of the 3 sciences. At the conclusion of each immersion students will present their “science of storytelling” product or project. As an example:
Life Sciences ~ deep dives into Botany and Zoology Individual student understanding of theories, principles and concepts will be expressed through Videography and Film as well as other mediums.
Physical Sciences ~ deep dives into Chemistry and Earth Science. Individual student understanding of theories, principles and concepts will be expressed through Adobe Creative and Animation as well as other mediums.
Social Sciences ~ deep dives into Societies and Archeology. Individual student understanding of theories, principles and concepts will be expressed through Advertising and Design as well as other mediums.
After School Programs:
Forge offers after school programs on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. These rotate every 6-8 weeks and explore a wide range of activities such as robotics, mountain biking, pottery, kids fitness, jewelry making, survival skills, photography, etc.
One of the gifts of Forge is how well you know each child. No other school can truly say that. No one else is thinking about the big picture for these children, where they will be beyond their current academic year. Forge is figuring out the factors that play out for them on a longer time horizon. Where do we want them to go and what are the steps to get them there.
I see Forge not simply trying to give them a happy year, you’re focused on what we need to do to change their relationship with school, peers and teachers. It’s not an easy task, but it’s SO right. It’s the model every child should have, but that no one else has the time or vision to create.
– Dr. Wendy Laakmann, Pediatric Neuropsychologist
Bend Nest Parenting Magazine article: Forging the Future: A radical new school opens in Bend
THE GPS
Genius. Passion. Spark.
Individualized projects that are student-driven and guided by our educators.
GPS is where a child discovers; through exposure, projects, tools; what their individual talents, passions, and genius are. Students are regularly exposed to new tools and experiences. They are encouraged to explore new skills, tools and crafts. They can spend as much time as they want after school hours and on weekends in our Innovation Lab and Workshop to feed these interests and passions.
Our Innovation Lab and Workshop are stocked with iMacs with full access to Adobe Creative Suite, 3D printers, drafting boards, Lego Mindstorm Robotics, power tools, a forge, a welding machine, 3 pottery wheels, a kiln and 4 sewing machines. The equipment supply keeps evolving and expanding.
We have experts-in-residence that teach welding, pottery and blacksmithing and continue to grow our pool of experts.
Forge has established a Venture Fund that supports each student in their GPS ambitions.
At the end of the school year, students participate in a Forge exhibition where they showcase their individual GPS projects to a public audience.
THE EXPERIENCE
Our classroom is everywhere – inside and out.
Situated on 11 acres in the Central Oregon high desert, our classrooms are both inside and out. Outdoor spaces include a rope and obstacle course; a pond with zip line, kayaks, and SUPs; 3 rescue horses, and 4 Pekin ducks. Indoor spaces include our state-of-the-art Innovation Lab, 2 large Native American Sioux tipis with radiant floor heating and wood-burning stoves, a 14 passenger van, and a cargo trailer so we can haul gear for travel expeditions; skis, snowboards, mountain bikes, kayaks, and SUPs.
Our student to teacher ratio is 5:1, thus allowing for deep connection and understanding of your child as well as instant teacher guidance and feedback.
Our current classroom is mixed age and our age range is from 10-14, however our program goes from 5th grade through high school. This model encourages mentoring, leadership, and collaboration while allowing struggling students enough time to master material and concepts.
THE EXPERIENCE
Our classroom is everywhere – inside and out.
Situated on 11 acres in the Central Oregon high desert, our classrooms are both inside and out. Outdoor spaces include a rope and obstacle course; a pond with zip line, kayaks, and SUPs; 3 rescue horses, and 4 Pekin ducks. Indoor spaces include our state-of-the-art Innovation Lab, 2 large Native American Sioux tipis with radiant floor heating and wood-burning stoves, a 14 passenger van, and a cargo trailer so we can haul gear for travel expeditions; skis, snowboards, mountain bikes, kayaks, and SUPs.
Our student to teacher ratio is 5:1, thus allowing for deep connection and understanding of your child as well as instant teacher guidance and feedback.
Our current classroom is mixed age and our age range is from 9-13, however our program goes from 4th grade through high school. This model encourages mentoring, leadership, and collaboration while allowing struggling students enough time to master material and concepts.
OUR EDUCATORS
More than just educators, our teachers are catalysts for growth.
Our certified educators are Jackie La Frenz, Todd LaFrenz, and Jack Husmann. Both Jackie and Todd have taught in central Oregon for over 25 years and have always been huge proponents of educational reform and alternative learning models. Each was part of the founding team at Bend’s Seven Peaks School where they each taught for over 10 years.
Jack is a native Bendite and has been super active and involved in the Bend athletic arena – as an athlete and as a youth coach. Jack has been a Youth Park City Ski and Snowboard coach, a Youth Down Hill Mountain Bike coach at Mt. Bachelor and a Youth Freeride Ski Coach with MBSEF.
“Todd and I don’t teach standards and we don’t teach content. We teach human beings. Honoring that has always been our lens“
– Jackie
“Humans are innately wired to learn. As educators, it is our job to help students connect the dots. When we take a challenging math concept, tie it to a real world problem, explain how to think through it and then seeing the light go on in the student – that is a learning connection! Those are powerful moments.”
– Todd
“I want to support students in finding their passions and learning to think critically and creatively which are at the forefront of the mission at Forge!”
– Jack
OUR EDUCATORS
More than just educators, our teachers are catalysts for growth.
Our educators are Jackie La Frenze, Todd LaFrenz, and Jack Husmann. Both Jackie and Todd have taught in central Oregon for over 25 years and have always been huge proponents of educational reform and alternative learning models. Each was part of the founding team at Bend’s Seven Peaks School where they each taught for over 10 years.
As well as jumping into executing our 2022/23 Art and Architecture curriculum, Jack Husmann will be launching a unique cycling program for Forge as well as launching other camps and workshops for Bend youth in the 10-18 years of age range.
Jack is a native Bendite and has been super active and involved in the Bend athletic arena – as an athlete and as a youth coach. Jack has been a Youth Park City Ski and Snowboard coach, a Youth Down Hill Mountain Bike coach at Mt. Bachelor and a Youth Freeride Ski Coach with MBSEF.
“Todd and I don’t teach standards and we don’t teach content. We teach human beings. Honoring that has always been our lens“
– Jackie
“Humans are innately wired to learn. As educators, it is our job to help students connect the dots. When we take a challenging math concept, tie it to a real world problem, explain how to think through it and then seeing the light go on in the student – that is a learning connection! Those are powerful moments.”
– Todd
“I want to support students in finding their passions and learning to think critically and creatively which are at the forefront of the mission at Forge!”
– Jack
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ADMISSION
Forge operates on a year-round school schedule, thus the tuition calendar reflects this cycle. Our school year commences mid-July of each year.
Annual Tuition:
Grades 5-12: $22,500
Tuition Includes:
- Books
- Supplies
- Field trips (including overnight trips)
- Classroom technology
- Summer Institute, each student is provided a backpack with the necessary supplies for the coming year’s immersive area of study.
Tuition is evaluated every year and any increases are set by January for the following year.
