Deschutes River High School

In the fall of 2026, Bend-La Pine Schools will offer a new Choice Options high school open to all students in the community. Deschutes River High School will offer Expeditionary Learning (EL) and Career and Technical Education and will be located at the existing Bend Technical Academy campus.

The school will allow students to explore applied learning through interdisciplinary, project-based work; college-level AP classes; and Career and Technical Education. The school will be led by current Bend Tech Academy Principal Dr. LaKisha Clark and current Realms High School Assistant Principal Zach Harju.

As a Choice Options high school, Deschutes River High School requires a lottery application. The initial lottery application deadline was January 23, 2026. The application window will remain open if slots are available after the deadline.

Families can apply now. Click the image below to learn more!

Questions from our Families

Will the Realms HS and BTA programs be merged, or will there be two high schools sharing the same space?

This will be a merger of both schools.

Will there still be Realms programming at the high school, or are the students just being put in BTA?

This is a merge, not a co-location, which means that alterations to components of both schools will take place. The transition team is working to determine which aspects of each school will remain or expand. Our leadership team will focus on fostering a positive climate and culture at Deschutes River High School.

Will existing Realms High or BTA students need to enter the Choice Options lottery for Deschutes River High School?

All students currently attending Realms High and BTA will be able to attend Deschutes River High School without enrolling in the Choice Options lottery.

Will my student automatically be enrolled into BTA from 8th grade at Realms Middle School, or will we need to enroll in the lottery at Bend Tech?

All students currently attending Realms High and BTA will be able to attend Deschutes River High School without enrolling in the Choice Options lottery.

Will class sizes be larger and the school will be more crowded in general?

Class sizes will likely increase because of this merge. Deschutes River High School will continue to be small compared to other high schools in our district. The capacity of the BTA campus is a little over 200.

Will students impacted by the school relocation and merger be provided priority for selection of a high school next year, or are they "forced" to attend Deschutes River High School?

If students would like to attend their neighborhood school rather than attend Deschutes River High School, they are welcome to do so. If students would like to attend a school that is not their neighborhood school, they will need to do so through an Area Change Request (ACR) consideration process. Priority ACR applications closed in January 2026; ACR applications received after that time may be considered for wait list spots.

Will they still have Realms core curriculum of learning? Their travel studies and outdoor learning? Will it still be the EL Education model?

The transition team is working on what the programming will be in Deschutes River High School. We know that some career pathways will exist and some opportunities for field work will exist. The decision to adopt the EL framework has not yet been made.

How will Realms’ project-based, hands-on curriculum align with BTA’s programs without losing what makes Realms distinctive?

Both schools provide hands-on learning opportunities. The transition team will consider which experiences and programming to bring to Deschutes River High School and are working to determine which aspects of each school will remain or expand.

I loved the small student count at BTA and how it’s career-based with certain values. I worry the values will be questioned with this merger.

Deschutes River High School will continue to be a small school, compared to other high schools in our district. Career pathways will continue to be a focus at the new choice high school. The norms regarding student conduct will be the same as those expected of all students in Bend-La Pine Schools.

Can you make a mock bus route for Realms High and Realms Middle to the new locations for current students to understand transportation needs?

Great question. We will ask our Transportation team to weigh in on this.

I want to ensure that Dr. Clark will remain as principal of the school. She gives me confidence to send my student to BTA. Another reason we opted for BTA is that my student receives support from the smaller class sizes. Merging another student body into this campus raises the question of maintaining smaller class sizes.

Dr. Clark will continue to be a leader at BTA. It is likely that class sizes will increase as a result of this merge; however, support for specialized student needs will continue as it is available at all schools.

What will be the impact on the availability of classes for students to take?

As is the case each year, the availability of classes is highly dependent on total enrollment. With growing enrollment, more courses, including new electives, can be offered.

What about staffing – current teams and teachers?

Many staffing decisions will be determined as a result of enrollment and programming decisions.

 

Questions from our Students

What will be the process to merge both schools?

We will engage staff, students, and families and provide input on the merge.

Will the Realms expanded options still be available? Will I still able to take one COCC class per trimester next year?

Yes, this option will continue.

What will happen to the pollinator path at Realms? What will we do with all the plants?

The planning and transition team will take this topic into consideration as they move forward.

Will BTA continue to be a vocational (Career Technical Education) school?

Deschutes River High School will continue to have career pathways as well as other opportunities for learning.

Will there still be hands-on learning like Realms offers?

Both schools provide hands-on learning opportunities. The transition team will consider which experiences and programming to bring to Deschutes River High School.

Are we still going to have free breakfast and lunch?

Yes.

A part of what makes Realms so special is that they’re an intimate community that helps teens not be so overwhelmed by school. Forcing them to merge with a completely new community in a completely new environment (means that) we have to get used to a new everything.

We recognize this is a difficult transition for the staff, students, and families at both BTA and RHS. Our goal is to bring the best of both schools together to create a new choice high school where all students, staff, and families feel welcome. We hope you will join us in creating a positive place for our students.

Why do the Realms students need to merge with BTA, as opposed to another school?

Both BTA and Realms High offer quality programming for students but are affected by low enrollment. Because of the low enrollment at the BTA campus, there is capacity to add students. By creating a new opportunity that merges both programs, Deschutes River High School will be more sustainable, fiscally and for educational programming.

What classes will be added to BTA?

If student enrollment increases, which is the intent, it is likely classes will be added to Deschutes River High School.

Why not build a building or buy it or something?

We are not in a financial situation that would allow us to build a new building for a small student group.

Our norms are very different from (the other school) so it’ll be hard for them to connect to our norms.

The norms regarding student conduct will be the same as those expected of all students in Bend-La Pine Schools.

Will we get to be able to still go on the fieldworks like the sophomore coast trip?

Field experience is part of both BTA and Realms HS currently. A form of hands-on and real-world learning will continue to exist in the new school.

All the friends and community I’ve worked so hard to build over the past two years at Realms are now being taken away. Realms was a place where I finally felt like I belonged and could focus on my future without all the negativity I experienced before. I truly thought this school would be good for me, and now that stability and support system are being taken away. It’s hard to start over again, especially when I’ve already overcome so much to get where I am.

Staff at both current BTA and Realms HS are working together to create a place that expands offerings for students and creates a culture of support and safety. The intention would be to continue to offer opportunities that you are experiencing currently, while adding more. This outcome will be based on enrollment.