Upper School
Watershed high school students are empowered to take ownership of their education and immerse themselves in in-depth coursework, field experiences, and community connections.
Academic Ownership
Watershed upper school courses challenge students to take a deep dive into our world’s challenges, focusing on work that matters beyond the walls of the classroom. Intentional time is given to build the research, collaboration and communication skills that correlate with success in college. Watershed students take ownership of their own learning which leads to deeper, higher quality work, a sense of purpose, and motivation to engage and contribute.
Engage in Meaningful Work
Watershed students engage in Work that Matters — it's good for our students and good for our community. We partner with organizations, learning directly from experts and first-hand experiences. Our courses provide relevant ways for students to make an impact beyond the walls of the school -- from gathering scientific data for other organizations, to sharing their findings in town hall forums, to creating a mural commissioned by a local elementary school to honor their school’s history. Work that Matters fosters better engagement, better skill development, learning that endures, and a deeper commitment to the common good.
PArticipate In Global Study
Every upper school student at Watershed has the opportunity to encounter global cultures, and research challenges, and opportunities in a rich May Term program. The goal of this academic term is to help develop a new generation of global citizens ready to take on the world's greatest challenges. Program sites include domestic and international locations. Program sites include the Grand Canyon, Guatemala, Hawaii, Iceland, Peru, and Kenya. Sites are added and removed as new global challenges and opportunities emerge.
Build Community
At Watershed students can be true to themselves and also learn how to develop strong connections with the people around them.
In the upper school, students are in the same advisory group from when they start at Watershed, until they graduate. Advisory is a place to check-in, discuss issues, play games, and get to know a small group of people well over the course of their time at Watershed.
The upper school orientation trip is an 8-day backcountry trip with their advisory group where they learn outdoor skills and develop confidence. Orientation offers an opportunity to learn about resilience, empathy, optimism, and collaboration.
“Watershed prepares kids for the future and teaches students how to learn. They learn how to ask the right questions and, importantly, how to acquire the skills and collaborations they need to answer those questions. Watershed is a smart investment now because it’s a smart investment in my child’s potential and in our collective future.”
Develop Leadership skills & Independence
Watershed students have agency in their courses — they can choose their own focus for individual and group projects, design independent studies and partake in internships. They learn valuable communication and critical thinking skills through ShedTalks. Students also play a role in the broader aspects of the school, helping to shape the school itself informal leadership opportunities, reflection and feedback. Formal leadership positions include seats on the academic program committee, the community program committee, the citizenship committee and the Head’s Council.
Prepare for College
Watershed students are prepared to fully engage in college. Students learn to ask relevant questions and acquire the information and skills they need to answer those questions. They learn the importance of quality over quantity, producing high quality work that serves a purpose. Students build strong research, communication, and collaboration skills. These skills and habits correlate with success in college. Our college counseling program is individualized — rooted in relationship building — each student is known as a whole person.
Each year, Watershed provides colleges with a school profile to set the stage for the applications they will receive from our students. Our college counselor follows up applications with personal outreach to colleges and universities that our students are interested in attending.
go deeper
Dive into Watershed’s academic program by clicking on the image to the left.
At Watershed, we know that real learning happens when exploring topics that matter; that are relevant. 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 categories: Skills courses and Expedition courses. This is purposeful and is linked to research on learning and teaching. Dive deeper into Watershed’s academic program by clicking on the image to the right.
