ASCEND is a TK-8th school located in the heart of the Fruitvale District of Oakland, California. The school prides itself in having a learning community that works to develop the whole individual through arts-integration,                expeditionary learning, personalization, and a focus on social and emotional growth. 

These values have led our school to have yet another intersession week where students will have the opportunity to select and take a class different from their day to day core subjects. The hope is that through intersession we are able to offer our students access to an enrichment opportunity that they wouldn't typically experience, all in the spirit of equity. Last year during intersession, students took classes ranging from camping, backpacking, creating social justice swag to raise for causes of their choice, bicycling, hiking, and so much more!



For our intersession class this year we will be taking a group of 3rd-8th graders on a outdoor rock climbing adventure in the Santa Cruz mountains. Shown above are a couple photos of ASCEND's first rock climbing intersession two years ago when students went to local climbing gyms in Oakland. This year, we are hoping to give students the opportunity to rock climb in the outdoors, learn new outdoor skills, experience the beauty of nature, take on leadership opportunities, and challenge themselves to go to new heights! Below are photos of Castle Rock State Park, where we're hoping to go! 



In order for us to be able to take students on this adventure, we are raising $3,000 to pay for the bus and cost of tuition for the Castle Rock Climbing School.

We are grateful for any contribution you are able to give! Thank you for helping to make this a possibility.

-ASCEND Staff