Eagle Rock is a nonprofit organization focused on engaging disengaged high school-aged youth. We are a high school for young people who have dropped out of school or are at risk of dropping out, have a desire to make changes in their lives, and make positive differences in the world. In addition, we are a professional development center that works with educators committed to making high school a more engaging experience for our country’s youth. The Professional Development staff members at Eagle Rock are organizational school-change consultants working with schools, school districts and youth service organizations to help them create healthy, high-functioning learning environments with the aim to improve student engagement.

Yes, Eagle Rock is a 501(c)3 under the U.S. Internal Revenue (IRS) Code.

Eagle Rock is wholly funded by the American Honda Education Corporation (AHEd), a nonprofit subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. In 1989, Honda sought to find opportunities to further its long-term commitment of contributing to society in an area unrelated to the company¹s daily business needs. Through careful research, the vision that became Eagle Rock was created.
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There are numerous ways to be employed by Eagle Rock. We partner with Public Allies and support 12 Teaching Fellows who work in focused areas of the school for one year. Periodically we hire wilderness instructors to co-lead our 24-day wilderness orientation trips for new students. And of course we periodically hire teachers (instructional specialists), administrators and support staff. See the Eagle Rock employment page for current openings.

American Honda Motor Co. set out in May of 1989 to find opportunities to further its long-term commitment of contributing to society in an area unrelated to the company¹s daily business needs. Through careful research, the vision that became Eagle Rock School and Professional Development Center was created. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held in September of 1992. The first group of students arrived a year later (in September of 1993) to begin their studies and participate in the design of the school¹s culture and program. The school held its grand opening in September 1994 and celebrated its first graduates in April 1995. We will celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2018.

Eagle Rock’s full enrollment is 72 students.

Students struggling in a high school context, between the ages of 15 and 17, can apply for admission using the Eagle Rock School Application for Admission. Students are admitted three times a year — in September, January, and May. Applications are due approximately six months before each admissions date. It is important to understand that Eagle Rock looks for student-driven applications. The young person must want to attend Eagle Rock.

Very generally, students aged 15-17 who are disengaged in their current school situation, who have the desire to get a high school education, and who come from families who cannot afford other options, meet the basic qualifications for admissions. See the Eagle Rock School Candidate Admissions page for a more thorough description of applicant qualifications.

The Professional Development Center works with educators from around the country who want to learn how to re-engage, retain and graduate students. We provide consulting services at school sites, as well as host educators at our mountainside campus in Estes Park, Colo., who study and learn from Eagle Rock practices. Ideally, the schools are working with underserved and disengaged youth populations. Inquire about our Professional Development Center services here.

The Professional Development staff members at Eagle Rock are organizational school change consultants working with schools, school districts, and youth service organizations to help them create healthy, high-functioning learning environments with the aim to improve student engagement. We’d be happy to explore hosting your event revolving around engaging disengaged high school-aged youth. Contact us using the Professional Development Center Contact Form to discuss your event.

We would love to show you our beautiful campus! Most scheduled tours occur on the first Saturday of the month at 2 p.m. All tours must be arranged in advance by calling (970) 586-0600. Or use our Contact form to inquire about campus tours. Only confirmed tours will be accommodated. Tours take about 1 1/2 hours and involve walking, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. (We tour in any kind of weather, so dress appropriately!) You may also take our Interactive Campus Tour right here on our website.

Eagle Rock School is a full scholarship school (tuition, room and board). Students are responsible for travel to and from Eagle Rock in Estes Park, Colo.; an incident deposit of Three Hundred dollars ($300.00); and, if they do not have health insurance through a plan that covers their needs in Colorado, an insurance fee of One Hundred and Eighty dollars ($180.00) per trimester.

The Professional Development staff members at Eagle Rock are organizational school change consultants working with schools, school districts, and youth service organizations to help them create healthy, high-functioning learning environments with the aim to improve student engagement. Eagle Rock has interest in working with progressively minded public secondary schools from across the United States that are interested in engaging high school-aged youth.

Eagle Rock has received accreditation from the Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS), a nonprofit that serves the purpose of ensuring the improvement — on a continuous basis — of member schools. To do this, ACIS offers professional development, advocacy services and of course, accreditation. The Colorado association is closely tied to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

Another nonprofit organization that has seen fit to accredit Eagle Rock’s educational program is AdvancED, a non-partisan organization that is known for its intense and on-campus review of schools from pre-kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. Its goal is to ensure that the schools it researches place a major emphasis on attaining the full potential of their students. AdvancED was created through a 2006 merger of the PreK-12 divisions of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), and in 2011 was expanded through the addition of the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC).

The Association for Experiential Education (AEE) is an internationally focused nonprofit that supports and advances the work of outdoor and adventure-based education and programming organizations. We’ve held AEE’s accreditation since May of 2005, and as of this writing, only 50 organizations have met the Association for Experiential Education’s strict standards for accreditation. AEE bestows its accreditation seal of approval on K-12 programs, college and university outdoor programs, corporate team-building programs and others that demonstrate an extremely high commitment to quality and safety, professional standards, and an allocation of resources toward continued excellence and improvement.

Reach us using the Eagle Rock Contact Form to learn if it’s possible and mission appropriate to have Eagle Rock staff and/or students speak or make a presentation at your conference or other event.

Eagle Rock classes vary quite a bit. Overall, they are experiential, project-based, involve a lot of group work and interaction, and are focused on real issues that hold meaning for students. There are very few tests at Eagle Rock. Instead, students demonstrate proficiency through various projects, performances, papers and presentations. Eagle Rock does not have class levels (i.e., 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th) nor does it offer grades (i.e., A, B, C, D, F). All of our classes are mixed by age, experience at Eagle Rock, and academic background and ability. On average, we have 10 students and two instructors per class. See the Eagle Rock School Academics and Eagle Rock School Graduation Requirements pages for details (link).

Eagle Rock is located on a 640-acre site just outside the town of Estes Park, Colo., at an elevation of 7,800 feet above sea level. Five hundred acres are in a permanent conservation easement in cooperation with the Estes Valley Land Trust. The 140-acre campus features 25 structures, including classroom buildings, offices and residences.