Watershed has long celebrated a tradition of graduating seniors who pursue remarkably diverse paths after high school. Year after year, 100% of our students earn admission to college, and what paths choose continue to surprise and inspire us. The Class of 2026 is no exception.
This year, our 24 graduating seniors collectively earned an impressive 133 college admissions (and counting!) along with over $5 million in merit scholarships over four years (and counting)! These numbers speak not only to their academic achievements, but also to their willingness to explore a wide range of possibilities for their futures, because Watershed has taught them that yes, they can truly pursue any path imaginable.
At the heart of this success is Watershed’s College Counseling program (read more about that here), which encourages students to approach the college process with curiosity, confidence, and a sense of possibility. Rather than steering students toward a narrow definition of success, the program empowers them with a simple but powerful idea: they can pursue what actually excites them. Just as importantly, Watershed’s uniquely designed courses lay the foundation for this exploration, allowing students to dive deeply into subjects that spark their curiosity and ultimately guide them toward their passions. When students are supported in this way, the result is a graduating class with ambitions as varied as their interests.
So where is the Class of 2026 headed? Their destinations span a wide range of colleges and universities, from small liberal arts schools to large state schools, Ivy Leagues to specialized institutions, each chosen to match the individual goals and personalities of our students. And what will they study? The answers are just as diverse - fields ranging from engineering and environmental science to the arts, humanities, business, and beyond.
NYU, Pitzer College and Goucher College to study political science and global affairs
Cornell University to study computer science
Bowdoin College to study biology
Colorado State University to study data science and microbiology and infectious disease
Smith College to study engineering
Parson’s School of Design, Chapman University and Savannah College of Art and Design to study fine arts and screenwriting
And several more future scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, politicians, psychologists, and artists who are still deciding on which college they will join.
This breadth of interests reflects something deeper about a Watershed education. Our students leave not only prepared for college, but prepared to think critically, take risks, and follow their passions wherever they may lead. As a result, there is no single “typical” path for a Watershed graduate, and that’s exactly the point.
We can’t wait to see where their journeys take them!
