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Polaris Expeditionary Learning School |
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Polaris is a K-12 choice school in Poudre School District, partnering with the Expeditionary Learning (EL) model. Guided by EL's 10 Design Principles and 5 Core Practice. Polaris pursues its mission to develop 21st-century learners through rigorous academics, adventure experiences, character building, and leadership. Our K-12 setting fosters child and adolescent growth, experiential learning, life skills, and community connections. The Expeditionary Learning model provides rich hands-on opportunities to students. Students are encouraged to advocate for differentiation in their area(s) of strength. Small class sizes often help students have more one-on-one time with their instructors.
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https://pol.psdschools.org/pol/academics/gifted-and-talented |
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All students at Polaris have the opportunity to participate in fieldwork, intensives, and adventures. Fieldwork at Polaris is purpose-driven and directly supports classroom learning, unlike typical field trips. For example, older elementary students spend a week of day trip experiences (“Eco Week”) engaging in crew building and self-discovery practices through, while younger students take a walking tour of Old Town for geography studies.
Fieldwork also includes on-campus activities like taking temperatures during lunch, integrating real-world experiences into everyday learning. At the secondary level, Intensives and Adventure experiences aim to develop leadership skills through EL Design Principles, connecting academics to real-world applications.
During three Intensive Weeks each year, students pause regular classes to engage fully in these experiences. Intensives are local, day-long experiences involving partnerships with local agencies and field experts. Past Intensives include cooking, glassblowing, songwriting, pine beetle research, and fashion design.
Adventure Trips are typically overnight journeys, where students travel with teachers and classmates. Past destinations include France, Costa Rica, Peru, Florida Keys, Yellowstone, Arches National Park, and the Grand Canyon. Teachers are responsible for meeting the needs of GT learners in their classrooms. There are no additional services offered in elementary grades.
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