Academic Philosophy

Watershed was founded on the best learning and teaching research, a commitment to focusing on our students’ futures, and a dedication to serving the human and ecological communities within and beyond the walls of the school. This is why we describe our program as research-based, future-focused, and community-engaged.

Skills & expedition courses

Our academic program is rooted in the understanding that we learn best when exploring topics that matter to us and are directly relevant to our lives and world. Our deepest learning happens from direct experiences, and our best work comes when we engage in projects that are truly meaningful. At Watershed, we group academic courses into two different categories: “Skills” courses and “Expedition” courses. This is on purpose, and is linked to research on learning and teaching. 

SKILLS COURSES

Skills courses (e.g math, Spanish, writing, art, athletics/wellbeing, etc.) help students develop the skills and abilities to take on the world’s great challenges. These include: research skills, communication skills, quantitative reasoning skills, craft and artistry, and leadership. These skills and abilities are listed in our Portrait of a Graduate, and they clearly link to the research on success in college and beyond. In many ways, these courses help students develop foundational skills that enable them to do the work of exploring the world’s great challenges, in our expedition courses and beyond.

EXPEDITION COURSES

Expedition courses begin with essential questions and challenges that are real in the world and alive in the heart of our students. The content flows from there, ensuring that the material is responsive to the issue at hand. Expedition courses are transdisciplinary and categorized as science or humanities as appropriate depending on the content. Expedition courses become natural places to engage students in Work that Matters beyond the walls of the school.

How Skills & Expedition Courses Support Each Other

Skills and Expedition courses are coequal aspects of a Watershed education. Expedition courses and Skills courses rely on each other: Skills courses without Expedition courses would risk helping students develop skills without a clear purpose. Expedition courses without Skills courses would risk exposing students to the great challenges in the world without equipping them with the tools they need to truly address the challenges. Of course, students will develop skills during Expedition courses, and students will explore real-world ideas and challenges in Skills courses.

2024-2025 Course Descriptions