Our learning experiences (classes) are created and revised by our instructional team on the basis of the desired profile of an Eagle Rock graduate and the principles that guide Eagle Rock (8 + 5 = 10). It is constantly recreated by staff on the basis of what staff learn from students about their learning. It is a work in progress as Eagle Rock educators learn more about how learners learn.
Our Schoolhouse (the music building), is equipped with a computer lab with music writing and producing software, a professional quality recording studio, practice rooms, a performance space, and a loft rehearsal space. ERS also has a partnership with Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. This partnership gives our students access to the Pulse music curriculum, and a network of incredible musicians from around the country to work with and learn from. Students also have the opportunity to audition for a 5-week intensive summer program at the college. The program includes collegiate level music classes, performance opportunities, scholarships, and a final concert that boasts some of the biggest names in contemporary music. Besides sending students to the 5-week summer program, we often send staff to present at conferences within the Berklee network as well as bringing in clinicians to teach at ERS. This partnership has allowed for significant collaboration between the two schools and continues to grow. In addition to the orientation program, the OE department works to develop a number of outdoor based classes for veteran students such as The Physics of Mountain Biking, Colorado Rocks, Outdoor Leadership, River Watch and Winter Ecology. Outside of the academic experience, we also develop more recreational opportunities for students such as designing and leading Explore Week trips (backcountry skiing, canoeing on the Green River, and climbing in Wyoming), as well as leading evening and weekend adventure activities. For all of these activities, we develop policies and procedures and either hire or train staff to ensure adequate qualifications. We also oversee and maintain our school accreditation through the Association of Experiential Education (AEE). A final aspect of our programming includes developing possible career tracks for students that may be interested in pursuing future outdoor education opportunities. We have a strong relationship with Rocky Mountain National Park where many students work as interns, as well as scholarship opportunities with Outward Bound and the National Outdoor Leadership School. Many of our students also serve as co-instructors for our outdoor and adventure based experiences. From the school’s inception, service has figured strongly in its values, expectations and commitments. “Service to others,” “Environmental stewardship,” and “Participating as an engaged global citizen,” are expressly stated in 8 + 5 = 10, the core values of Eagle Rock School. The service-learning specialist and fellow coordinate service-learning experiences and organize partnerships, providing direct, indirect and advocacy opportunities for students to serve through a variety of short and long-term activities. These include the following: Service-learning appears in courses like Soccer and Service; For the Birds; What is Education For?, Connections in Wood; Wilderness; Math and Cooking; Reduce, Reuse, Recycle; Language courses, Societies and Cultures courses and in many other classes. These opportunities are found across the curriculum. Service partnerships are maintained in collaboration with local organizations and agencies. These include Rocky Mountain National Park, MacGregor Ranch, the Prospect Park Living Center, Park School District, the Town of Estes Park, Rocky Ridge Music Camp, Sunrise Rotary, the University of Colorado and many more. Travel and off-campus experience in the wilderness program and in various other courses provide service-learning opportunities in both local and distant communities. Students may experience anything from trail work to cross-cultural dialogue, from tutoring at an elementary school to renovating a home on the Navajo Reservation, from picking up trash to organizing a PeaceJam project on global peacemaking, from working with Latino children in Estes Park to sharing photo-essays with Lakota youth at a high school in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Parts of our school philosophy of 8+5=10, (aesthetic expression, find and develop the artist within, and develop the mind, body, and spirit) provide a sound foundation for each artist. As we create, critique and question, we encourage curiosity and provide a safe environment for growth. Problem solving and experimentation with hands on real work engages students and encourages them to develop a love of learning. There is a vibrant community of artist in the town of Estes Park and we often partner with them. These growing relationships provide additional inspiration, and give students the benefit of support and inspiration from professional artists and crafters. Looking outside of our immediate resources, we also strive to learn about new and upcoming artists. We believe it’s important to keep up with current events as well as learning from the past.
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