Location
Grade Levels
- 6-8
- 9-12
Learning Models
- Personalized Learning
- Project-Based Learning
- Real World Learning
Governance
Students Served: 111
About
Watershed School, located in Boulder, Colorado, is an independent middle and high school that offers a transformative, project-based educational experience designed to connect students deeply to their learning, their community, and the world. Serving grades 6 through 12, Watershed emphasizes interdisciplinary, experiential learning and fosters critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.
At Watershed, students engage in rigorous academics through hands-on, real-world projects that cross traditional subject boundaries. These projects often address complex global and local challenges, encouraging students to develop a deep understanding of the issues while applying their knowledge in meaningful ways.
Key features of Watershed’s educational model include:
- Project-Based Learning: Students work on in-depth projects that integrate multiple disciplines and emphasize real-world application.
- Experiential Education: Learning extends beyond the classroom through fieldwork, service projects, and partnerships with local and global organizations.
- Personalized Approach: Small class sizes and close relationships with teachers ensure individualized attention and support for every student.
- Global Perspective: Watershed incorporates global themes into its curriculum, helping students understand and address challenges in an interconnected world.
- Leadership and Character Development: The school emphasizes social-emotional learning, resilience, and community engagement, preparing students to lead with integrity and empathy.
Watershed School’s mission is to create lifelong learners who are passionate about making a positive impact in the world. They also adopted Getting Smart’s 25 most pressing problems (also known as the Earth Owner’s Manual) as a project framework.