A New Cool School at Sacramento Creek Ranch
By Emily Paul, MALT Land Steward
On a warm October afternoon, the energy at Mountain Area Land Trust’s Sacramento Creek Ranch (SCR) in Fairplay, Colorado, was unmistakable. A dozen High Rockies Kids were outdoors, engaging in hands-on math activities. Laughter and enthusiasm filled the air as they prepared for their animal presentations and looked forward to their upcoming fall break.
The High Rockies Kids homeschool enrichment program, a pilot for the charter school High Rockies Community School, embodies the principles of experiential and project-based learning, emphasizing outdoor education and active parent involvement. Head of School, Laurel Dumas states that the school has benefited from their weekly schedule at SCR and that she sees how well the students engage when learning outside and in smaller groups.
Participant ages range from kindergarten through 6th grade, and students enjoy personalized learning tailored to their individual needs. 
After math class, a parent joins for supervised lunch, giving teachers a break and allowing the children time to explore. Some students zoom by on their bikes, while others chat excitedly about their projects as they enjoy lunch. Soon, the kids are racing to play in the creek and their imaginative “squirrel nest”—a cleverly disguised dirt pile in the woods.
During a recent hike with MALT staff member Jeff Jordan, students learned about the beavers that have made Sacramento Creek their home and their impact on the local ecosystem and water. The children eagerly observe the changing water levels and share their newfound knowledge. An old beaver dam has been transformed into a bustling marketplace where students barter berries and pinecones for rocks, while one student pretends to be a mountain lion stalking the area. It’s clear that they are not just learning, but actively applying their knowledge during play.
As the teachers call the students back across the creek for their presentations, some choose the creek route, splashing through the water, while others opt for the bridge, passing by the windmill and demonstration garden filled with native plants and trees.
Inside the classroom, creative students put the finishing touches on their Lego peacocks, design clay wolves, and use hot glue guns to hang Pterodactyls. When asked about their favorite part of 
the week, kindergarten student Addison says, “outdoor active learning” and Zeb says “outdoor time” without a second thought. Olivia excitedly recounts spotting three deer earlier that day. When asked about moose, she replies, “I haven’t seen a moose, but I have seen their scat!”
One project, highlighting wolves, features a vibrant blue hot glue river, an aspen branch, and cutouts of the wolves. Posters around the room help students learn about animal tracks, scat, and local wildlife, enhancing their understanding of the ecosystem.
As the students prepare for their afternoon presentations, Zeb admits he’s “nervous to present.” Tables are set up outside, where they practice their presentations and express appreciation for one another’s work. The afternoon sun warms the scene as parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and younger siblings arrive.
The students light up as they share what they have learned with their loved ones. Charlotte dons her peacock costume, Ellie prepares her PowerPoint on mice, and Julia displays her pictures with a snapping turtle. Jack proudly tells everyone that “Bobcats are the second-best climber in the world.”
They discuss the environment their animals would live in, food chains, and adaptations. The older kids presented their knowledge of the thermal regulation of animals, while the younger students pointed out the animal tracks they had colored.
As the day winds down, one parent shares her gratitude for the school’s outdoor education approach. Her son is engaged, learning from older peers, and thriving in this unique environment. Spending three days a week at MALT’s Sacramento Creek Ranch allows the High Rockies Kids to not just learn, but to become active participants in their education, growing both academically and personally in the great outdoors.
