Since its creation in 1981, Cascade Canyon School has been an alternative to the public elementary schools in the community. Set amid trees and open space at Fairfax's west end, Cascade Canyon offers a progressive education with a focus on the environment. The small school also provides multi-age classrooms, so that students can learn from each other. The classrooms each have core teachers and the students take classes like arts, music, theater, physical education and sign language with specialty teachers. The school has become more involved with the community at large, even working with the town this year to put on Kidzstock -- a large, kids' music festival. Applications for admittance are accepted starting in January and February for the following year. Tuition for one student is $14,238, with discounts for families with multiple kids enrolled.