WHAT DIFFERENTIATES COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL FROM OTHER BOARDING SCHOOLS?

At Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS), education transcends the classroom walls. Located in the heart of the breathtaking Roaring Fork Valley near Aspen, CRMS blends rigorous academics with an outstanding outdoor expedition program, a unique array of art offerings (think glassblowing, silversmithing, photography, and blacksmithing), and a commitment to community engagement through a powerful service-learning program. We have the advantage of small class sizes and a tight-knit community. Smaller classes foster personalized attention, active participation, and a supportive learning community, helping each student thrive and reach their full potential

WHAT DOES EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING LOOK LIKE AT CRMS?

CRMS students spend an average of 42 days learning and exploring outside of the classroom, whether it be on their 10-day backpacking orientation as a new student, on 5-day outdoor expeditions each fall and spring, or through various hands-on learning projects throughout the valley, or on campus, like in our Organic Garden Learning Center.

Students participate in a two-week interim experience each February, offering unparalleled immersive learning that brings textbooks to life. Imagine studying biology while exploring the ecosystems in Costa Rica, mastering photography against the backdrop of the Grand Canyon, or earning your Wilderness First Aid certification while studying avalanche safety in the Colorado backcountry. Students complete their 12th-grade year with a senior project, a three-week transformative journey of self-discovery and skill development.

WHAT IS THE PORTRAIT OF A CRMS GRADUATE?

Colorado Rocky Mountain School achieves a 100 percent college acceptance rate for its graduates, though this outcome is just one facet of their journey. Through an experiential education model emphasizing engagement and connection, graduates emerge as ethical citizens prepared to address pressing local and global issues. 

Supported by a nurturing community and strong personal relationships, they gain the skills and self-awareness necessary to navigate their futures. Our mission is clear: to prepare students not just for college or careers but for a meaningful and impactful life.

500 Holden Way, Carbondale | 970-963-2562 | www.crms.org/explore