World Class Academy Prepares Students for Life Beyond the Classroom from Outside magazine elessard

What if high school included kayaking classic whitewater in Patagonia, climbing tufas in Greece, riding A-Line in Whistler, or kiting perfect wind in Brazil—while earning a diploma and applying to college? At World Class Academy (WCA), that’s just a typical semester. For 25 years, WCA has combined rigorous academics with elite-level adventure sports, creating a totally unique high school experience. From the Andes to the Amazon to the Alps, students don’t just learn—they live their education. Climbing Academy alumnus-turned-instructor Kieran Hadley, MTB Academy head of school Riley Gardner, and dean of students Crista Wiles offer a behind-the-scenes look at how WCA is evolving, what makes its students stand out, and why this untraditional path leads to growth far beyond GPA or podiums.

Student Experience

Kieran Hadley, Alumnus and former Climbing Academy Program Director

Outside: What is the lasting impact of WCA for students?

Kieran Hadley: The ability for WCA students to see the world through the lens of sport and learning is an unreal opportunity. In 2015, my senior year of high school, I climbed with my classmates and teachers in Maple Canyon, Ten Sleep, Joe’s Canyon, Ulldemolins, Albarracín, Potrero Chico, El Salto, Bishop, and Las Vegas—all in one year!

As a WCA Climbing Academy graduate, I left our program equipped with life skills that others often aren’t able to build in a traditional high school environment. I learned to adapt to new environments and situations more quickly, be a more effective team member, and understand how to set and achieve goals. Most importantly, students in the WCA programs develop new perspectives and social connections that stick with them long after graduation.

After graduating from WCA, my classmates and I approached life in a new way, having gained appreciation for process over achievement and community over competition. I went into my WCA program as a competitive climber and came out of it with an even greater passion for outdoor climbing and a community of friends to share that with, many of whom I’m still in contact with today. I saw the same evolution in my students when I returned to teach at the school. The WCA alumni I know are the type of people who “get it”—who chase their goals humbly yet playfully, respect nature and the people around them, and pursue their sport at an elite level.

In what ways did your experience at WCA shape your career path or professional goals?

When I was a WCA student, one of my teachers read a piece of my writing and told me I should consider pursuing journalism. This recommendation from a trusted mentor planted a seed that followed me through my undergraduate education and pushed me to explore the field through internships and my own writing and photography. I eventually decided to go back to school to pursue a career in journalism, but I set that goal aside for a few years because I wanted to go back and teach at WCA, which was absolutely worth it. After teaching, I had saved enough for graduate school, and now I’m halfway through my master’s in journalism. So it’s sort of become a full circle that WCA both inspired and helped me to achieve.

Culture and Curriculum

Riley Gardner, WCA MTB Head of School

How is WCA evolving—what’s available now, and what’s coming next?

Riley Gardner: World Class has got to be one of the most unique high schools out there. What sets us apart is our dedication to the highest caliber of athletic destinations to promote passion for sport and learning in our students. We are constantly advancing our academic curriculum, improving coaching practices, and expanding our destinations. Our current student-to-teacher ratios are 3:1, with about 20 students per academy. Our four academies are:

1. Whitewater kayaking
2. Kiteboarding
3. Rock climbing
4. Mountain biking

In 2024 and 2025, we also offered the Paddle Tribal Waters Academy—a tuition-free version of the World Class Kayak Academy—specifically designed for Indigenous youth, in preparation for the first source-to-sea descent of the undammed Klamath River. Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, we’ll introduce our fifth program—surfing!

What do you consider when choosing academy destinations?

We operate our academies in some of the world’s most inspiring locations, setting WCA apart from other academic institutions. The athletic caliber of a destination is at the core of our school.

For mountain biking, we are looking for trails and MTB scenes that are considered to be the best in the world. We choose destinations that stand out as a global hot spot for the sport. Next, we review the environmental and cultural aspects of the destination. We look for places that are exciting and engaging places that our students are fired up on, with good local food and a variety of experiences beyond mountain biking. Finally, we examine logistics. The right accommodation is essential—it must support classrooms, morning workouts, nutritious meals, and storage for the massive amount of gear we bring along.

Before finalizing a location, I always consider how it fits within the broader itinerary for the school year. I ask myself: How does this destination balance with the others? Does it make sense in the context of where else we’re going? I want the yearlong itinerary to have a balance. I prefer to mix in classic WCA destinations like Whistler and Queenstown with more niche locales like Peru and Tasmania. Many factors go into choosing a location for WCA, but seeing it all come together—and watching students be blown away by a place—is one of the most rewarding parts of my role. The considerations I put into MTB destinations are reflected in our other academies, where the kayak, climb, and kite heads of schools are asking similar questions and putting together equally standout yearlong itineraries.

World-Class Education

Crista Wiles, WCA Dean of Students

Who are your students?

Crista Wiles: Students come to WCA to complete their high school education while traveling to participate in the sport they love—a dream-come-true opportunity. They have varying levels of athletic expertise, but they are all motivated to learn from their athletic heroes and teachers (which turns out to be a terrific motivator for academic performance), grow as global citizens, and challenge themselves in a dynamic and engaging environment. Whether they attend for a semester or their whole high school career, students in our program will explore the world, push their limits, and connect with peers who share similar interests.

What sets our student body apart is not just athletic skill but the rapid development of character. Students come to WCA eager to learn from our expert staff and pursue their individual goals. They leave with even more growth than they imagined: a deeper understanding of themselves and a clearer vision for how they want to engage with the world. Through personalized life skills lessons, hands-on experience, and the college seminar, students learn the college process, explore new interests, and envision their future. By the time they leave WCA, they’re not just prepared for the next step—they’re ready for wherever life takes them next.

What personal growth do you witness in students as they move through the program?

For many students, this is their first extended time away from home, and that offers a powerful opportunity for personal growth. Students develop character through the day-to-day realities of group living, independently managing responsibilities, and adapting to new routines while traveling internationally. The unique structure of our academic program—small class sizes, personalized instruction, and deeply invested teachers—allows students to grow in confidence and capability in the classroom.

Athletically, they are immersed in their sport in some of the most iconic destinations in the world, with consistent training and meaningful coaching that fuels progress. They learn how to contribute to a team, navigate conflict, and hold themselves accountable.

Beyond these areas, I see students begin to explore who they want to be in the world. They gain independence, empathy, and self-awareness. WCA isn’t just a school: It’s a launchpad for the kind of growth that stays with students long after they leave.

World Class Academy is an accredited 501(c)(3) high school based in White Salmon, Washington. World Class Academy has been providing student athletes with a high school education since 2001. It currently runs four distinct internationally traveling high school academies for climbers, mountain bikers, whitewater kayakers, and kiteboarders.

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