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 Benchmarks, 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.
Learning Culture
Polaris is a choice school with no specific neighborhood boundaries. Elementary classes are capped at 18 students, while secondary classes range from 22-29. Expeditionary Learning focuses on real-world experiences, encouraging students' natural curiosity, knowledge, skills, and personal qualities. EL’s three "buckets of success" are:
- Mastery of knowledge and skills
- Character
- High-quality, real-world products and performances
Academic Environment
We use Colorado standards to design in-depth "learning Expeditions" across subjects. These studies explore compelling topics deeply to build transferable skills, emphasizing personal responsibility and diverse assessment methods like portfolios, MAP tests, PARCC exams, self-assessments, and Presentations of Learning.
Our Goals
- Achieve high academic standards via assessments
- Support character development and social responsibility
- Involve families in education
- Connect students to the broader community
- Encourage and challenge student curiosity
