The most innovative upper school in Bend and beyond.
The most innovative upper school in Bend and beyond.
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 PROGRAM
Forge is structured as a studio-centric model that ignites passions, taps into potential and ultimately develops mastery and builds the leaders of tomorrow.
This program runs from middle school through high school. At the conclusion of a Forge student’s education, they are equipped with a portfolio that captures their entire “body of work” – from their first weeks on campus through their graduation. This portfolio can be used to start a business, apply to college, seek an internship, or apply for a job.
Art + New Media Studio
Art
Fashion/Garment Design
Graphic Design and Illustration
Pottery
New Media
Digital Photography
Animation
Videography + Film
Game Design
Tech Studio
2D/3D Drafting, Design and Printing
Coding
Robotics
Build Studio
Woodworking
Welding
Blacksmithing
Construction
Leathersmithing
Futures Studio
My Unique Genius; Unlocking possibilities through deep self-discovery, career exploration and the development of essential skills for your professional life.
Our studios are outfitted with 3D printers, iMacs, digital cameras, drones, robotics, drafting boards, welding machine, forge and anvil, woodshed, art supplies, sewing machines, pottery wheels and kiln to name a few. Each student is equipped with the Adobe Creative Cloud suite.
Forge uses a design centered approach throughout each of the four studios. Each group, or individual project, uses both Design Thinking and the Design Process to execute projects and experiences.
Our students are guided by our educators to ensure the elements of the design process are being integrated and used to solve problems. Our educators are responsible for building and growing our future leaders.
We supplement our educators with a faculty of “experts-in-residence”. These experts bring their knowledge and experience to each of the studios. Our pool of experts is continually expanding.
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 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 ratio 1:8 and less when the students enter into the Studios with the Experts-in-Residence. Because our educators are guides and mentors, they know each child extremely well and can quickly ascertain when something needs to be tweaked or changed.
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
Our educators are catalysts for growth.
Our certified educators are Todd LaFrenz and Zack Henry.
“At Forge the system constraints are removed and as an educator and I am empowered to innovate. Through this lens, I am then able to guide the students to become innovators themselves”
– Zach
“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
“At Forge the system constraints are removed and as an educator and I am empowered to innovate. Through this lens, I am then able to guide the students to become innovators themselves”
– Zach
“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
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 6-12: $22,500
Tuition Includes:
- Supplies
- Day field trips
- Classroom technology
Tuition is evaluated every year and any increases are set by January for the following year.
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 6-12: $22,500
Tuition Includes:
- Supplies
- Day field trips
- Classroom technology
Tuition is evaluated every year and any increases are set by January for the following year.