Now Enrolling 9th through 12th Grade

Experiences

Shining Mountain High School guides adolescents on a journey of discovery to find their place in the world. We educate individuals to realize capacities of lively independent thinking, artistically-cultivated feeling, and moral courage for responsible action. Our graduates leave Shining Mountain ready for a lifetime of engagement and personal fulfillment, as well as the ability to become a force for transformation in the world.

While the high school course of study fully prepares students for their future academic pursuits, the Shining Mountain curriculum balances and infuses the academics with a rich array of challenging experiences. Our students participate in a wide range of artistic, athletic, musical, social, and service-oriented pursuits which help them to connect confidently with the larger world in exciting and meaningful ways. These experiences help each high school student to form and safely establish his or her own identity through the often turbulent adolescent years, and help them to discover unique interests which have the potential to become abiding pursuits, passions, and strengths in the years ahead.

Class Plays

High School students begin their study of drama in the Comedy and Tragedy block in 9th grade. In 10th grade, a class play is performed, often Shakespeare or Moliere, or a modern comedy if the class has had a strong experience of Shakespeare in their 8th grade play. The Senior Play is the culmination of 12 years of ensemble dramatic production experience. Plays may be serious or lighthearted, with modern themes, imaginative staging, and strenuous acting roles. All students participate in a high school musical (Guys and Dolls, Crazy For You, Damn Yankees) every other year.

Eco Club

The Eco Club elective is designed to engage students on environmental issues both at home and at school–and have fun doing it! Part of our time together is used to understand the High School’s environmental impact and then come up with practical ways to reduce that impact. Eco Club members will be involved with organizing and running school events such as International Walk to School Day and the annual Earth Week celebration. We also connect and collaborate with other high school student environmental groups, and, when possible, take off-campus field trips.

Fall Project Weeks

A week is set aside in early autumn for students to participate as a group in study and activities away from the classroom. Each trip involves camping, practical experience, and usually community service and complements Main Lesson blocks and other academics.

Ninth graders typically work on a biodynamic farm;
Tenth graders spend a week in New Mexico at the Taos Pueblo doing community service;
Eleventh graders work with the Nature Conservancy doing field projects, usually in Colorado;
Twelfth graders travel to the Wyoming desert for a wilderness solo and retreat, to seek guidance for their senior year and their future.

International Exchange Program

High School students at Shining Mountain have the opportunity to deepen their language skills and widen their horizons by studying abroad. Students can go on exchange or to an immersion course either in the January or February of grade 10, during summer vacation or in September of 11th grade.

These exchanges and immersions need to be arranged well ahead of time in order to get the necessary paperwork and visas for both SMWHS student as well as the exchange student who will be coming here. The Admissions Office recommends at least a six-month lead in time.

Mock Trial

In the 11th grade during the Civics class, after a solid grounding in the Constitution and a study of the Supreme Court, students participate in a mock trial led by professors and students from the acclaimed mock trial team at the University of Denver Sturm School of Law. For one week students divide up into prosecution and defense teams to try actual cases that are used in law school.

Senior Placements

The High School faculty has arranged a variety of community service placements where a single senior or pair of seniors volunteer in order to fully experience a perspective based upon service to others. Examples of senior placements range from working with handicapped people at a Camp Hill Village in rural New York State and assisting in an inner-city Los Angeles Waldorf charter school to volunteering in a Social Service Agency in Atlanta. Upon returning home, these students share their experiences and insights gained from their placements at an assembly with our school community.

Senior Projects

Seniors are required to complete an independent project, in a field of their choice, as part of their graduation requirements. In the spring term of their junior year they submit a proposal for faculty approval. During the summer between junior and senior year they complete their project work and prepare a written presentation. In the fall of their senior year they prepare an oral presentation and present their project to a public audience. Past projects have included building a sailboat, studying a Hindu sacred dance, interning with a State Senator and helping to draft legislation, and studying acupuncture.

Senior Solos

The 12^th grade spends project week participating in Senior Solos. Students have the option to fast during the two day solo, and return as a group to discuss the process and enjoy a meal together.

The pedagogical impulse is to address the thematic question for 12^th graders of, “Who am I?”. Introspection and isolation are explored. Senior Solos allow students time away from others, home, media and allows the opportunity to be alone with one’s thoughts. In the world today it is challenging to break away, even for an hour, from modern life; “Media fasting” is becoming a stronger element of this trip. Senior Solos are a school tradition and shared experience.

Spring Experiences

Every other year, when not performing the High School Musical, Shining Mountain High School students participate in their “Spring Experience Week”. This is a week of varied opportunities for our students. During this week the seniors are away on their Community Service Placements across the nation. Groups of 9^th and 10th graders choose from a selection of activities inspired by their teachers’ passions. These mini-seminars, provided outside the regular classroom structure, are an avenue for the teachers to share their special interests with the students. During the Spring Experience Week, the 11^th graders will be preparing for their Mock Trials and presenting them to the students. (During the alternate year in which we are holding the All School Musical, the Mock Trials are held at a separate time. These trials are organized and mediated by the acclaimed mock trial team from the University of Denver Sturm School of Law, and are an exciting part of our Civics Course, giving the students a rich exposure to our legal system at work provided by in-depth role playing.)

Winter Dance and Prom

The National Honor Society students and Advisors organize a Winter Dance, held at SMWS and DJ’d by students, and a Prom, which is held in the spring and includes a formal dinner followed by dancing. Both events are for the entire high school and their guests.

Job Details

Job Title: Facilities & Grounds Assistant
Program: Administration
Reports to: Facilities & Grounds Director
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Date: January 2026

Position Summary

Shining Mountain Waldorf School (“SMWS”) is a PreK-12th grade campus consisting of 8 acres and 15 buildings located at the foothills of North Boulder, Colorado. In conjunction with the Facilities Director, the Facilities and Grounds Assistant provides year-round maintenance, seasonal upkeep, and improvement of school buildings and grounds to support our nature and outdoor school curriculum. Maintenance, safety, and improvement projects are essential to welcome visitors and the SMWS community to the natural beauty of the SMWS campus.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Required skills to address issues relating to campus maintenance: plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, HVAC, care of the grounds, etc.
Daily tour of campus and playground for hazards, trash, safety, and wildlife concerns
Daily response to requests for repairs and campus assistance
Daily late afternoon safety checks for campus and building safety
Weekly service and safety inspection of school buses (fuel, oil, tires, etc.)
Weekly cleaning and organizing of facilities and grounds workshop
Weekly safety inspections of playground equipment
Preparation for school events and meetings, including setup and breakdown of tables and chairs
Seasonal work, inspecting and maintaining classrooms, air conditioners, swamp coolers, furnaces, water heaters, thermostats, etc.
Supplement early morning seasonal and evening snow removal and ice management throughout campus in preparation for the student and parent arrival and departure of the school day
Delivery and moving of items throughout campus classrooms and buildings

Additional Responsibilities

Outdoor work, walking, repairing, and attention to our 8-acre campus
School events set up and break down – festivals, concerts, and plays
Driving ability to include driving school truck with trailer
Working knowledge of automotive care and maintenance
Working with faculty and assisting in moving and preparing classrooms

Education and Qualifications

Familiarity with landscaping and irrigation, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, HVAC, and general maintenance items
Friendly and approachable temperament working with faculty, staff, students, and community
Previous construction, trade, and technical skills
Self-starter in recognizing and completing necessary campus needs and maintenance
Skill and ability to operate power tools in accordance with proper safety guidelines
Basic computer skills
Driver’s license required with excellent driving record
Available to work a flexible schedule at times when work is needed outside of normal working hours – early mornings and weekends (early/late snow removal, event set up and break down, facilities emergencies, etc.)

Work Setting

Status: Full time – 40 hour a week non-exempt position
Type: This is an hourly, year-round position
Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (may require some early morning and evening hours)
Environment: Work setting varies based on assignment – indoor and outdoor work on campus and buildings

Salary and Benefits

Pay: Hourly wage of $25.00 per hour – overtime paid (time and ½) when over 40 hours are worked per week
Time Off: Personal Time Off (monthly accruals of 2 weeks and 3 weeks after 1+ years)
Sick Leave: Colorado Paid Sick Leave (1 hour earned each 30 hours worked up to 48 hours each calendar year)
Holidays: Up to 15 Paid National Holidays per calendar year, including a paid week during the December holidays
Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, 401(k) with match (determined annually), flexible spending account, and other ancillary benefits

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to perform:

General construction work-related requirements, including but not limited to: lifting, bending, standing, kneeling, carrying items, working on a ladder, etc.
Ability to lift at least 60 pounds
Work in tight spaces – work may be in small spaces within buildings, crawl spaces, and frame restrictions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and three references to hrmgr@smwaldorf.org

Shining Mountain Waldorf School is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing, and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, familial status, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, where employees are treated with respect and dignity.

Job Details

Job Title: Substitute Teacher
Program: Grades 1 through Grade 12
Reports to: Campus Operations Director
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Date: October 2024

Position Summary

Shining Mountain Waldorf School, a PreK to High School, is seeking Substitute Teachers. In order to create an encouraging learning environment for students while their regular Teacher is absent, our Substitute Teachers will need to effectively manage and instruct the class. We are looking for individuals who have teaching experience, love the classroom environment, and are available (sometimes on very short notice) to work during the week. Knowledge of Waldorf education is a plus.

Essential Responsibilities

Teaching and supervision of students in the event that their regular teacher is unable to lead class.
Manage classroom behavior and follow lesson plans provided by the regular Teacher to create a cohesive and consistent learning experience for students.
Manage the classroom effectively to encourage student participation, minimize distractions and maintain a positive learning environment.
Adapt teaching methods to fit the needs of each individual student.
Supervise students in and out of the classroom, including in class transitions, and on the playground.

Work Setting

Classroom and playground environment

Salary and Hours

Pay: $25 per hour with a 2-hour daily minimum
Timesheets are required to be completed
Substitute Teaching hours vary and are contingent on SMWS Faculty absences from the classroom and class needs
Calls to Substitute Teach may be made on very short notice – evening and morning hours
Substitute hours are based on SMWS need for classroom coverage

Education and Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree
Teaching experience and classroom experience required
Comfortable with students and academic focus

Physical Requirements

Sitting and standing for class presentations
Lift 25 pounds, bending, stretching
Mobility to move about the classroom, walking around our 12 -acre campus, and playground
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and resume to hrmgr@smwaldorf.org.

Shining Mountain Waldorf School is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, familial status, sexual orientation or national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, where employees are treated with respect and dignity.

Kim Rector

Admissions Director

Kim brings more than 12 years of dedicated experience in Advancement and Admissions within Waldorf Education. Kim’s journey with Waldorf Education began in 2013 at the Austin Waldorf School, where she discovered a deep passion for Waldorf pedagogy and Anthroposophy. After relocating to Colorado in 2014, Shining Mountain Waldorf School quickly became a second home for her family. That same year, Kim stepped into the role of Lower School Receptionist, marking the start of nearly a decade of service and leadership at SMWS.

With over 15 years of experience in non-profit fundraising and event management, Kim was a natural fit for the position of Development Director at Shining Mountain, a role she held from 2017 to 2020. She then transitioned into Admissions, serving as Admission Director from 2020 until her family’s return to Austin in 2023. Kim continued work in Waldorf Education by serving as Admission Director at the Austin Waldorf School for the following three years.

Kim studied Biochemistry at Texas State University and has completed her Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy.

Outside of her professional life, Kim and her husband, Julian, are parents to their three children, Sydney, Suri, and Julian. Together, they enjoy hiking, fishing, camping, skiing, and cooking as a family.