Animas High School

Demographics

Percentage of students*

Why Animas High School was nominated

Animas High School (AHS) distinguishes itself through a commitment to innovative, student-centered, project-based learning, fostering critical thinking and engaged citizenship. Advancing Equity: • Positive Relationships: AHS’s model prioritizes strong student-staff relationships through low student-staff ratios and core advisory groups that meet weekly. Additionally, students are empowered with decision-making skills, emphasizing advocacy, multiple perspectives, and solution-oriented thinking, while fostering a positive and inclusive culture built on accountability and peer interaction • Community Partnerships: The school's location on the Fort Lewis College campus facilitates collaboration, providing students with enriched learning experiences and promoting inclusivity. Student-Centered Learning: • Project-Based Curriculum: AHS emphasizes hands-on, interdisciplinary projects that connect classroom learning to real-world applications, enhancing student engagement and understanding. • Experiential Education: Through initiatives like Osprey Blocks, students participate in immersive studies beyond traditional classrooms, fostering deeper connections to the material and personal growth. By integrating these approaches, Animas High School effectively advances equity and prioritizes student-centered learning, preparing students for success in college and beyond., Animas High School reimagines traditional high school by centering strong relationships, student voice, and authentic project-based learning as the foundation for student success. Through advisory structures, interdisciplinary projects, community partnerships, and immersive experiences like Osprey Blocks, AHS creates learning environments that are engaging, connected to real-world issues, and responsive to student interests. Students develop a sense of purpose and ownership over their learning as they engage in critical thinking, collaboration, and self-advocacy. AHS empowers students by recognizing them as active contributors to their education, preparing them to lead with confidence and curiosity.

Student experience design

Animas High School is a tuition–free, public charter school open to all. Founded locally in 2009 and chartered through the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI), AHS prepares all students for college and postsecondary success by creating critical thinkers and engaged citizens through an innovative, student-centered, project-based curriculum. Learning is based in a context of authentic relationships and often happens beyond classroom walls. Key programmatic elements include immersive, experiential two-week classes called Osprey Blocks each fall; service-learning and career prep through Sophomore Inspire Week; 3-week, full-time LINK internships in junior year; and Senior Project, driven by original, interdisciplinary research questions and including college-level thesis, action project and TED Talk. The AHS culture is one where respect, honest communication, kindness and consideration of others is expected and encouraged. We are located on the Fort Lewis College campus, in a beautiful solar-powered, newly constructed building specifically designed to support our unique curriculum and programs.

Core Practices

Core Practices	Length of Use
Career Advising & Support	5+ years
College Advising & Support	5+ years
Internships	5+ years
Project-based Learning	5+ years
Restorative Practices	5+ years

All Practices

AI Literacy

AI For Teacher Productivity

Assessments For Deeper Learning

Career Exploration

Co-leadership

Community And Workforce Partnerships

Higher Education Partnerships

All Courses Designed For Inclusion

Industry-recognized Credentials

Educators Have Industry Experience

Industry-aligned Learning Pathways

Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics

Service Learning

Student-led Conferences

Student-led Goal Setting

Students Develop Projects

Trauma-informed Practices

Career Prep

key reasons for innovating

Artifacts

Senior Project Exemplars: a sampling of the finest examples of Senior Thesis, Action Project and TED Talk