Saved Schools

Field Academy

The Field Academy, nominated by Clayton Christensen Institute, is a high school in Denver, Colorado, that describes itself as an independent (private) school serving learners from a primarily urban/suburban/rural area.

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Location Denver, Colorado

Governance Independent (Private) School

Grades High

Students 200

Locale Rural, Suburban, Urban

Director Anna Graves

Demographics

Percentage of students*

35%

English Learners

98%

Free/Reduced Lunch

45%

Students with Disabilities

African American or Black 36%

American Indian/Alaska Native 2%

Asian 3%

Hawaiian or Pacific Islander —

Hispanic or Latino 47%

White 1%

2+ Races —

Why Field Academy was nominated

Field Academy defies the notion that school happens in a building. They partner with school districts to take students out of school buildings to learn through field trips and road trips., Field Academy is a remarkable high school where The community is our school. The road is our classroom. The nation is our textbook. The Field Academy offers community-based academic traveling expeditions around the United States. We are committed to rigorous academics, immersive interdisciplinary experiences, and the transformative power of exposure and connection to community. Our expeditions are designed for students to apply their learning to the world while gaining credits towards a diploma, studying for the GED, or transitioning into the workforce.

Student experience design

Field Academy is an experiential traveling school that offers expeditions for high school students to gain academic credit in public schools. Chronic absenteeism has been rising across the country and is limiting opportunity for millions of high school youth. Despite the pervasiveness of the issue, the available solutions often do not work for students and fail to reach those in need. The Field Academy partners with public schools to provide experiential credit recovery programs. Our standards-based academics are rooted in community and connect students to career opportunities. We offer a path forward for students to tap into their brilliance, reengage in education, and build a bright future.

Core Practices

Core Practices Length of Use

Community And Workforce Partnerships
3-4 years

Family And Community Support Services
3-4 years

Project-based Learning
5+ years

Restorative Practices
3-4 years

All Practices

Anti-racist Practices

Assessments For Agency And Self-directed Learning

Assessments For Career Readiness

Assessments For Deeper Learning

Co-leadership

Competency/mastery-based Education

Culturally Responsive Practices

Extended Learning Time

Flexible Staffing & Alternative Teaching Roles

All Courses Designed For Inclusion

Individual Learner Profiles

Individual Learning Paths

Mental Health Services

1:1 Mentoring

Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics

Multi-age Classrooms

No Tracked Classes

Peer To Peer Support

Reallocation Of Resources For Students Most In Need

Student-led Conferences

Students Access Their Own Data

Student-led Goal Setting

Trauma-informed Practices

Tutoring

Universal Design For Learning

key reasons for innovating

Address chronic absenteeism

Address systemic inequities

Demonstrate what’s possible for other schools

Date Updated: 4/1/2026

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