Saved Schools

Colchester High School

Colchester High School, nominated by Vermont Agency of Education, is a high school in Colchester, Vermont that describes itself as a public district school serving learners from a primarily suburban/rural area.

Location Colchester, Vermont

Governance Public district school

Grades High

Students 734

Locale suburban

Principal Andrew Conforti

Demographics

Percentage of students*

32%

Students with Disabilities

33%

Free/Reduced Lunch

2%

English Learners

White 89%

Hispanic/Latino 4%

Black/African American 4%

2+ Races

American Indian

Asian 2%

Hawaiian National 1%

Why Colchester High School was nominated

At Colchester High School academic credit is awarded upon demonstration of proficiency in learning experiences through courses and other non-traditional learning experiences. In courses, students have the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills for proficiency through a variety of learning experiences and assessments. Each department has delineated two to eight discipline-specific proficiencies that a student is required to meet for graduation. When a student receives credit for a particular course that is an indication that the proficiencies have been met. Taken together, the proficiencies or credits gained will provide a cumulative body of evidence that students have met overall school-wide and discipline-specific graduation expectations and are ready to graduate. All students at CHS develop a Personalized Learning Plan. This plan documents a CHS student's journey. The options for students include but are not limited to, community service, outside coursework, student aide assignments, work-study, independent study, online learning, Advanced Placement courses, Technical Centers, Dual-Enrollment courses, Early College, and internships. In addition, students may apply to Target Graduation, an outcomes-based graduation program, or may apply to attend Colchester Alternative Program (CAP) a smaller learning environment. The work of educators at Colchester High School is guided by the following Core Beliefs: ● We engage in diverse learning experiences rooted in relationships, relevance, rigor, and shared responsibility. ● We work together to build on one another's strengths and perspectives. ● We cultivate a strong and connected community that respects and celebrates all Lakers. ● We demonstrate respect and compassion for ourselves, one another, and our school. ● We create safe spaces where all Lakers can thrive. ● We empower all Lakers to use their voice, pursue their aspirations, and be active and engaged members of our community. Educational decisions are guided by the belief that proficiency-based learning practices in an environment of strong support for students' social and emotional needs will enable them to meet these expectations.

Student experience design

Our mission is for ecxellence and equity in a climate of respect, responsibility, and pride. Our school strives for this by cultivating strong healthy relationships. We believe we have as strong culture at CHS, and recognize not all students feel and experience that the same way. We continue to reflect on our practices and policies to improve our learning experience for all.

Core Practices

Core Practices Length of Use

Anti-racist Practices

3-4 years

Assessments For Deeper Learning

5+ years

All Courses Designed For Inclusion

5+ years

Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics

1-2 years

Universal Design For Learning

5+ years

All Practices

Advancement On Mastery

Student Advisories

Assessments For Agency And Self-directed Learning

Bilingual Assessments

Assessments For Career Readiness

Assessments For Social-emotional Skills

Blended Learning

Career Prep And Work-based Learning

Co-leadership

Community And Business Partnerships

Competency/mastery-based Education

Competency Framework

Culturally Responsive Practices

Disaggregated Data On Student Participation

Early College High School

Extended Learning Opportunities

Flexible Staffing & Alternative Teaching Roles

Grading Policies Focus On Mastery

Interdisciplinary

Interoperable Data From Multiple Technologies

Individual Learner Profiles

Individual Learning Paths

Mental Health Services

1:1 Mentoring

No Tracked Classes

Multiple Opportunities To Demonstrate Mastery

Project-based Learning

Peer To Peer Support

Performance Based Assessment

Place-based Learning

High Quality Instructional Materials

SEL Integration School-wide

Social Justice Focus

Students Access Their Own Data

Student-led Goal Setting

Self-paced Learning

Students Develop Projects

Trauma-informed Practices

Tutoring

key reasons for innovating

Address systemic inequities

Date Updated: April 2025

*Canopy profile data is self-reported or sourced from NCES data, then verified by school leaders.