At Watershed, we know that preparing for college is about more than just academic success—it's about nurturing students' passions and helping them build a strong foundation for their future careers. In this blog, we’re highlighting three inspiring stories: two recent graduates of the Class of 2025 preparing to step into the next chapter of her collegiate and professional life, and three dedicated rising seniors who are already demonstrating how far hard work can take them
Imagine you had the opportunity to design a course built entirely around your greatest passion, where you could choose everything—resources, books, articles, mentors, fieldwork locations, interviews with experts, a final project – what would that look like for you? At Watershed, this is a reality through our independent study program.
At Watershed, your work doesn't land in the recycling bin; it lands on the Senator's desk. The students in the 11th and 12th grade Materials Science Expedition course certainly have a grasp on the concept of engaging in work that matters. Students know that by exercising their agency, leadership, and communication skills, they truly can make a difference beyond the walls of the school.
The essential question in this class, “What can art teach us about the past?” drove students to explore firsthand how pottery was a crucial component of ancient Puebloan life. Students were offered glimpses into the entire pottery-making process, from gathering raw earth material to participating in ancient trench-firing demonstrations.
“Watershed educators and staff showed me what it meant to really live your values. So, from the earliest days as a student, I decided what was going to motivate me the most was the idea of challenge and meaning. That I would feel fulfilled in my future if I felt challenged, that I would enjoy my pursuits the most if they felt meaningful, and that I would ultimately be the happiest living a life in service of others…”
Watershed School is a progressive independent middle school and high school in Boulder, Colorado.
