Shared School

Established in 1998, Shared School is a unique program offered by Durango School District (DSD) that gives home-school families another choice in educating their children in grades K-8. The home school provides the content for skill development in literacy and numeracy, while the Shared School engages students in discovery, practice, and inquiry in Art, Music, Spanish, Creative Writing, PE, and more.

Shared School programs

Shared School offers an Elementary School Program and a Middle School Program. Both offer one-day (Wednesdays) and two-day (Tuesdays/Thursdays) options, with all classes held at Animas Valley Elementary School (373 Hermosa Meadows Road in Durango).

Elementary School Program

Middle School Program

Shared School’s Middle School Program is a unique and individualized option for home school families. In a small-group environment, students participate in team-building and creative problem-solving activities in a supportive environment. Socratic Seminars, creative writing, classic literature appreciation, applied math practice and science/social studies projects are all part of the academic enrichment included in addition to Spanish, PE, Art, and Drama. Field trips are part of our yearly activities, and we play every day!

Shared School offers two program choices for middle school students — a one-day a week program for students in grades 6-8, and a two-day-a-week program for students in grades 4-7.

Grades 6-8: Class for students in grades 6-8 meets on Wednesdays from 8:25 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Grades 4-7: Class for students in grades 4-7 meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:25 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Shared School: Our values and guiding statements

At Shared School, we value creativity, collaboration, hands-on experiences, and growth:

Students participate in a full day of engaging enrichment activities.
Small school setting where teachers know all students.
A great opportunity for home school students to interact with their peers.
Access to arts and partners.
Instructional models that incorporate the whole child.

Core Values: H.E.A.R.T.S.

Vision statement

Mission statement

The mission of Shared School is to partner with our homeschool students and families to provide enriched learning opportunities and support through experiential activities in a safe, nurturing environment.

We value:

Lasting relationships
Multi-age interactions
Hands on experiences utilizing the 4C’s (Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, and Critical thinking)
The love of learning
Diversity

Shared School registration

Shared School is currently taking applications. For more information or to register, please email Jodee Crowley.

Questions?

For more information, please email Jodee Crowley.

Students participate in yoga class at Shared School. — yoga

Student creates a poster in Shared School. — art

Students participate in music class at Shared School. — music class

Middle school snow science at Haviland Lake — snow science

Woman in a straw hat gestures towards a historic photograph in a museum. — Southern Ute Museum

Group of children attentively observing a presentation in a spacious indoor area. — Southern Ute Museum

Kids exploring historical displays and interactive features in a museum setting. — Southern Ute Museum

Children engaging in a creative activity with pencils at a table in a bright space. — Activity at the Southern Ute Museum