A Watershed alum recently noted, “Watershed sets up students for success and sets up our world to be a place that is filled with changemakers.”

Students in the Power of Bicycles course turned their learning into action. They worked together to create social media campaigns to raise awareness about food waste and food insecurity in Boulder, while highlighting the role that the Boulder Food Rescue can play in solving these problems.

At Watershed, middle schoolers are not just along for the ride; they are active participants in creating the academic and social/emotional program that will best serve them…

How can we manage the challenges of the growing wild horse population in Colorado? With this essential question in mind, middle school students in the Horse Power Expedition course headed off to southwestern Colorado for a week of field work to explore firsthand the complexities of managing the wild horses that roam in the region.

From Tim's latest Thursday Note - "As returning students and families know, I often send notes to the community on Thursdays to reflect on something happening at school or beyond, to share ideas about learning and teaching in the world today, and sometimes just to share some updates.  Today I write to honor a real milestone in the history of Watershed – our new campus!"

There are numerous benefits for students in small communities – benefits that relate to character growth, leadership development, academic achievement, and to development as changemakers in our world.  

It’s been a transformative first month at Watershed’s new campus! Our big move from Alpine Ave this past summer to our larger, vibrant two-building facility marked a significant shift from our previous space. The improvements are already shining brightly on every facet of our program!

Bridget, who has been at Watershed for a month, states, “July has simply reinforced my passion for Watershed's mission. I can’t wait to dig in next week with all of Watershed’s educators and then begin working closely with students and families.”

Watershed’s Reunion was on May 29!

Each year, several seniors are selected by their class to deliver speeches at graduation. This year Ash, Ben, and Scout were chosen and shared their thoughts on matter and moments, becoming the person you never thought you could be, and finding and sharing your sparkle.

Weaving together aspects of a collective vision amongst the class’s 13 students - seven of them seniors - a mosaic that reflects a sense of community, the beauty of Colorado’s natural landscape, and the ethos of Watershed School has taken shape.

The next time you visit the Denver Art Museum or 40 West Gallery, you may recognize the names of more than one artist! Currently displayed amongst each location is a collection of impressive and original works by two of Watershed’s own artists: Zora Eckert ‘24 and Calvin Boal ‘26, both of whose submissions were recently selected among thousands of Colorado teens to receive several Scholastic Art Awards!

At Watershed, your work doesn't land in the recycling bin; it lands on the Senator's desk. The students in the 11th and 12th grade Materials Science Expedition course certainly have a grasp on the concept of engaging in work that matters. Students know that by exercising their agency, leadership, and communication skills, they truly can make a difference beyond the walls of the school.

What could be better than doing what you love and serving the common good at the same time? That’s exactly what Community Cycles in Boulder, CO is all about and one of the (many) reasons Watershed School is proud to partner with them!

As part of the Extended Fieldwork portion of Borders & Immigration course, our 9th and 10th grade students trekked to El Paso, TX and across the border to Ojinaga, Mexico, to observe segments of the U.S./Mexico border wall and to interact with people who live and work in the region.

Longtime Watershed educator and administrator, Hannah Nelson, has been selected as Midland School’s next Head of School! Hannah will begin her new position on July 1, 2024.

The essential question in this class, “What can art teach us about the past?” drove students to explore firsthand how pottery was a crucial component of ancient Puebloan life. Students were offered glimpses into the entire pottery-making process, from gathering raw earth material to participating in ancient trench-firing demonstrations.

Campus updates include, renovation work with Caddis Collaborative architects, a volunteer work day video, CU partnership, and a Watershed art class collaboration.

Watershed middle schoolers know that their Expedition courses are just that: exploration that pushes them to learn within the real world and beyond the classroom.

“One thing that was special about this experience was that we all got to collaborate together on one piece, which isn’t something I had ever done in art. It was my first time working with mosaics, and it was cool to work together as a class on a large project like this.”