Experiential Learning
Hands-on learning, in and beyond the classroom, provides students with unforgettable, life-changing experiences.
Letter from Meg Gardener, School Director
Welcome to the Boulder Waldorf High School on the Shining Mountain campus. Our high school is a dynamic space where creativity, exploration, and individuality flourish. As you step into our community, you will find a place where your unique voice matters, your ideas are heard and respected, and you will...
Our Four Pillars
These fundamental principles guide our approach to education, ensuring a comprehensive and enriching learning experience for every student.
SMWS Explore & Capstone Project
SMWS Explore is a four year, incremental, self-directed, mentor supported learning program. It is designed to provide students with the opportunity to explore and pursue individual interests in depth. The culmination of SMWS Explore is a capstone or passion project, followed by a semester-long fieldwork opportunity.
Arts Integration
Fine, practical, and performing arts are central to a Shining Mountain education. All high schools are enrolled in arts classes throughout their high school career. In addition to art classes, artistic methods are embedded into core academic subjects. This approach enriches learning, strengthens recall, and inspires original, and innovative work.
Global and Local Impact
Our curriculum challenges students to think critically, problem-solve, and take action for positive change.
Stats at a Glance
98%
of all SMWS graduates surveyed attended and graduated college, far outreaching the U.S. national average
51%
of SMWS alum graduated from
undergraduate school with honors
37%
go on to attend graduate school
and obtain Masters and PhDs
35%
of SMWS alumni surveyed who are not
in school are self-employed, over double the
national average
Professors who have taught Waldorf students across many academic disciplines and across a wide range of campuses—from State Universities to Ivy League—note that Waldorf graduates have the ability to integrate thinking; to assimilate information as opposed to memorizing isolated facts; to be flexible, creative and willing to take intellectual risks; and are leaders with high ethical and moral standards who take initiative and are passionate to reach their goals. Waldorf graduates are highly sought after in higher education.
About our School
Shining Mountain High School classrooms are an energetic mix of academic depth, artistic integration, project learning, dialogue, and debate.
Small class sizes and close teacher-student relationships provide an optimal learning environment where students are seen as individuals and are encouraged to explore their passions. Our goal is to enable students to become balanced, life-affirming, and compassionate individuals who have the skills and confidence needed to thrive and contribute in an unknowable and accelerating future.
Academic Philosophy
Throughout a student’s high school years, they will be exposed to a wide range of subject disciplines, activities, and experiences taught by academic specialists. The learning approach is designed to stretch each student’s thinking and to expand and inspire future academic and life choice
Curriculum Structure
Main Lesson
Our curriculum is structured into nine four-week blocks, each dedicated to a single subject—chemistry, math, language arts, history, and more. This focused approach gives students time to immerse deeply in each area, fostering critical thinking, academic rigor, and confidence. Main Lesson subjects include Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English, Social Studies, and History.
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Duration:90 minutes
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Frequency:Daily for 3-4 weeks per subject
Track Classes
Track classes are subjects that students study continuously throughout the year, alongside the main lesson blocks. These classes cover essential skills and knowledge areas that benefit from steady, long-term practice. The track class structure complements the intensive focus of block classes, ensuring a balanced educational experience where foundational skills are strengthened over time. Track subjects include English, Math, World Language, Art, Music and PE.
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Duration:50 minutes
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Frequency:4 times per week throughout the year
Tributary Classes
Tributary Classes complement the main curriculum, similar to how tributaries feed into a larger river. These specialized classes, often offered as electives, enrich students' learning experiences by introducing new perspectives or skills. Tributary classes can cover a range of topics—from robotics, marble sculpting, computing, to photo editing, or woodworking—and are designed to nurture intellectual, artistic, and practical capacities in students.
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Duration:Varies - 45 to 95 minutes
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Frequency:2-4 days a week for 4-16 weeks
Grading System
A Shining Mountain Diploma
Graduating with a Shining Mountain High School diploma means a student has surpassed college readiness standards, emerging with strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-awareness skills. They’ve pursued excellence within a nurturing and supportive learning community.
The GPA is computed cumulatively. Grades are not weighted. Due to the small size of our high school, SMWS does not assign rank to our students.
No Credit Received (NCR)
A required course that the student received no credit for.
Pass/Fail Received
Pass/Fail courses are designed to be student-centered. The passing standard is high, and students establish personal goals to excel.
| Grade | Minimum Score | GPA Value |
|---|---|---|
| A | 93 | 4.0 |
| A- | 90 | |
| B+ | 87 | |
| B | 83 | 3.0 |
| B- | 80 | |
| C+ | 77 | |
| C | 73 | 2.0 |
| C- | 70 | |
| D+ | 67 | 0.0 |
| D | 63 | 1.0 |
| D- | 60 |
