The Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning (RMSEL) is an expeditionary learning/outward bound K - 12 school governed by the Expeditionary BOCES. The mission of the Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning is to empower students and staff to be learners, thinkers, citizens, and explorers engaged in and inspired by the real world. RMSEL is founded on the principles of Kurt Hahn, an educational reformer and visionary known for his innovative approach to teaching. Hahn?s philosophy r…
uns deep at RMSEL, with administrators, teachers, and students exemplifying mutual respect and understanding. Here, K-12 education is a training ground, where students learn that what they want may not be what they need. Success is achieved by training the whole child through rigorous academics, character development, physical well-being, community awareness, and service to others. When honed, these aspects help prepare students for a successful personal and professional life. For more than 25 years, the Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning (RMSEL) has been changing children?s lives through challenge and discovery. Expeditionary learning harnesses the natural passion to learn and is a powerful method for developing the curiosity, skills, knowledge, and courage needed to imagine a better world and work toward realizing it. Learning expeditions engage students within and outside the classroom and integrate multiple disciplines, developing critical thinking skills. Students are scientists, urban planners, historians, and activists, investigating community problems and collaborating with peers to develop creative, actionable solutions. Skills and knowledge are applied to real-world issues and problems, teaching students how to make positive changes in their communities. School leaders, teachers, students, and families share rigorous expectations for quality work, achievement, and character, changing not only how students learn but also the culture. Every RMSEL student in grades K-12 takes part in our world-class fieldwork and adventure programs. We believe these experiences? from camping, backpacking, skiing, and snowshoeing to rafting, rock climbing, sailing, and more?teach students about perseverance, skills, teamwork, and compassionate service. In high school, all students go on Outward Bound style crew trips. Seniors extend their experience with a solo trip during which they spend 48 hours on their own (supervised by guides) to reflect and learn to trust their instincts and training. Throughout their RMSEL experience, every student goes on numerous crew trips. These overnight trips allow students to build relationships with peers, grow their minds and bodies, and unplug from the chaos that surrounds society on a daily basis. Rejuvenation and reconnection with what is important play a key role in allowing students to absorb their academics. Pushing students outside their comfort zones. Our innovative school-wide fitness framework ensures that RMSEL middle and high school students have 40 minutes of daily exercise within the first two hours of every school day. Energizing their bodies allows students to focus their minds, resulting in increased student achievement, reduced disciplinary referrals, and better social-emotional development. RMSEL offers middle school athletics and high school students are able to participate in sports teams at their home schools.
Accredited with Distinction - This is assigned to the highest performing districts. These districts are meeting or exceeding expectations on the majority of performance tasks.
Accredited - Districts with an overall rating of Accredited are meeting expectations on the majority of performance metrics.
Accredited with Improvement Plan - These districts are identified as lower performing. They may be meeting expectations on some performance metrics, but they are not meeting or are only approaching expectations on many.
Accredited with Priority Improvement Plan - These districts are identified as low performing. They are not meeting or are only approaching expectations on most performance metrics. The state will provide support and oversight to these districts until they improve.
Accredited with Turnaround Plan - These districts are identified as among the lowest performing districts in the state. They are not meeting or are only approaching expectations on most performance metrics. The state will provide support and oversight to these districts until they improve.
Accredited with Insufficient State Data - These districts are assigned this accreditation rating when the state does not have enough data to report publicly. To better understand why a district received an Insufficient State Data rating, all publicly reportable data are reflected in the performance framework report. More information about these ratings is available here.
School Ratings
Performance Plan - Schools with a Performance Plan are meeting expectations on the majority of performance metrics.
Improvement Plan - These schools are identified as lower performing. They may be meeting expectations on some performance metrics, but they are not meeting or are only approaching expectations on many.
Priority Improvement Plan - These schools are identified as low performing. They are not meeting or are only approaching expectations on most performance metrics. The state will provide support and oversight to these schools until they improve.
Turnaround Plan - These schools are identified as among the lowest performing schools in the state. They are not meeting or are only approaching expectations on most performance metrics. The state will provide support and oversight to these schools until they improve.
Insufficient State Data - These schools are assigned this plan type when the state does not have enough data to report publicly. To better understand why a school received an Insufficient State Data rating, all publicly reportable data are reflected in the performance framework report. More information about these ratings is available here.