Partner Spotlight: Pinnacles Prep
Nurturing Lifelong Learners in North Central Washington
At Thriving Together NCW, we know that access to lifelong learning has implications for health and wellbeing that extend across one’s entire lifetime. It empowers people to reach their full potential, supports social mobility, and enables meaningful work and wealth.
This month, we sat down with with our partners at Pinnacles Prep, a Wenatchee-based charter school that embodies the vital condition of lifelong learning and is helping to shape the future of education in our region.
The Vision for a Community-Centered School
The concept for Pinnacles Prep, now in its fourth year of operation, was born out of a community-wide effort to reimagine education in Wenatchee. In 2011, over 4,000 residents participated in the Wenatchee Learns Strategic Planning project, which identified a need for more individualized, project-based learning environments. Inspired to create change based on community feedback, co-founders Sara Rolfs and Rick Wray, envisioned a school system that would not only equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to become leaders but that would also serve as a connection point to the community.
Today, Pinnacles Prep is a tuition-free, public charter school that offers grades 6-10 in Wenatchee. As the grade levels matriculate up, a new grade level is added each year meaning that by fall of 2026, grades 6–12 will be offered. Their commitment to high expectations and equity for all scholars at their school reflects their belief that every child is capable of solving big problems and creating meaningful change.
Learning Beyond the Classroom Walls
At Pinnacles Prep, education doesn’t end at the classroom door. Scholars regularly engage with the local community through hands-on projects to build social capital and apply lessons from the classroom to real-world challenges. Last year, the school partnered with over 140 local businesses and organizations to provide opportunities for students to connect, think critically, and gain confidence in their abilities and skillsets.
Their approach is lifelong learning in action, ensuring individuals graduate with both academic readiness and a network of community relationships, better enabling them to access careers they are passionate about.
Supporting Whole Person Health
Pinnacles Prep prides itself on being more than an academic institution; it’s a place where scholars’ social, emotional, and behavioral needs are also met. One of the ways these needs are met is with a campus wellness center where anyone can go to recharge, access support from counselors and nurses, or simply take a moment to regulate their senses.
The school also partners with organizations like Columbia Valley Community Health (CVCH), Catholic Charities, and the Chelan-Douglas Health District to ensure scholars have access to essential health and wellness services. CVCH’s Mobile Connect Clinic even brings healthcare directly to the campus each month providing services like sports physicals, immunizations, and well-child exams. This reduces a variety of barriers for students and parents such as coordinating transportation and time taken away from class.
Celebrating Community and Connection
Pinnacles Prep is deeply committed to being a hub of connection for families and the broader community. By celebrating Wenatchee’s unique cultures and traditions, the school fosters a sense of belonging and civic pride.
During the last quarter of each year, every scholar works on a passion project, allowing them to explore their own unique areas of interest while applying the knowledge they learn in the classroom to the real world. Examples of past passion projects range from scholars creating a food pantry for the school to providing free haircuts to individuals in the community.
Their enrollment process, which includes a weighted lottery system that prioritizes at-risk youth, reflects their commitment to equity and inclusion.
Allan and Christian turned their Passion Project into a community service opportunity.
After collaborating with local barber shop Infinite Fades to learn the trade, the scholars are now giving free haircuts at Lighthouse Ministries.
Working Upstream for a Brighter Tomorrow
As a member of the Thriving Together network, Pinnacles Prep exemplifies what it means to invest in upstream solutions through lifelong learning. By nurturing curiosity, resilience, and a passion for learning, they are helping to shape the next generation of leaders and the wellbeing of our region long after each scholar has graduated.
To learn more about Pinnacles Prep or explore enrollment opportunities, please visit their website or reach out to their team.