Colorado Rocky Mountain School
Overview
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Intentionally sized at 180 students, relationships are at the core of the CRMS experience. This close-knit community resides on a 320-acre historic ranch, at the confluence of two rivers and base of Mount Sopris, providing not only an outdoor learning laboratory but a launch point for boundless outdoor adventure. The curriculum is a perfect blend of traditional college-prep academics infused with project-based learning and teaching excellence -- your teachers will know you, engage you, and inspire you to think in ways you haven’t before. Learning at CRMS also means experiencing outdoor adventure through trips (four trips per year), mountain sports (climbing, skiing, biking and kayaking) and service learning programs (domestic and international). Students at CRMS learn by doing and creativity is celebrated throughout the program including an unrivaled art offerings (blacksmithing, glassblowing, silversmithing, ceramics, and graphic design) and a school-wide passion for music production and performance. If you are ready to explore a small school, in an unrivaled mountain setting, offering college-prep academics, in partnership with a powerful outdoor and service learning program; where relationships are the foundation for growth -- please visit crms.org to learn more.




Academics
Summary: Academics are at the heart of your CRMS education and the curriculum is a perfect blend of traditional college-prep courses infused with project-based learning and teaching excellence. The curriculum is sequenced, both to give you a firm foundation in core discipline and to make powerful connections across the academic and outdoor programs. CRMS faculty are committed and dedicated to their craft, they love what they do. Your teachers will know you, engage you, and inspire you to think in ways you haven’t before. Learning at CRMS also means experiencing outdoor adventure through trips, mountain sports and service learning programs. Students at CRMS learn by doing and creativity is celebrated throughout the program. This potent combination results in graduates who are life-long learners and passionate citizens of the world.
Department Director Nancy Draina
Student/Teacher Ratio: 5/1:
Average Class Size: 11
Summer Programs: Not Offered
Full Time Teachers: 39
Number of AP Courses Offered: 5
Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 61%
Number of IB Courses Offered: 0
Noteworthy Information:
100% College Acceptance
Learning Support
- Evening Study Assistance
- Learning Center
- Peer Tutoring
- Study Skills Assistance
English
- Creative Writing
- Honors
- Literature
History
- Classical History
- European History
- Honors
- United States History
Foreign Languages
- Spanish
Religion / Philosophy
- Ethics
- Philosophy
- World Religions
Sciences
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Geology
- Physics
Math
- Algebra
- Functions
- Geometry
- Honors Math
- Pre-Calculus
Computer Studies
- Computer Programming
- Robotics
- Video Game Design
Music
- Band
- Music Appreciation
- Music Theory
- Recording
- Songwriting
- Voice
Performing / Visual Arts
- Ceramics
- Drama
- Drawing
- Graphic Design
- Metal
- Painting
- Photography
- Portfolio
- Pottery
- Publications
- Sculpture
- Studio Art
- Theater Arts
- Theater Design
- Woodworking
- 3-D Art
Special Programs
- Community Service
- Internships
- Leadership
- Outdoor Education
Campus Life
Dorm Life
Number of Dorms: 7
Average Students Per Dorm: 16
Number of Girls Dorms: 3
Number of Boys Dorms: 4
Dorm Amenities
- Laundry Facilities
- Wireless Internet
- Full Kitchen
Other Dorm Amenities
Full kitchen facilities; Intentionally designed common gathering spaces
Student Life
Community has been a core value of CRMS, since our founders John and Anne Holden set out to build a school where students and adults would learn, live, and work together. As Head of School Jeff Leahy says, “We emphasize tight-knit relationships among faculty, staff, and students and compel our young adults to go beyond mere academic achievement to become productive, engaged members of society." CRMS balances the needs and desires of individuals with what is good for the whole. Community requires presence, commitment, and active participation, and the reward is a sense of meaningful connection to a very special place. CRMS graduates are confident, adept, and able to successfully build meaningful relationships and navigate their world.
Facilities
- Basketball Court
- Fitness Center
- Indoor Climbing Wall
- Technology Center
- Soccer Field
- Tennis Courts
- Weight Room
- Cross Country Trails
Other Facilities
Formal Dinners; Oystermeister; All School Meetings; Miercoles
Clubs & Organizations
- Community Service
- Computer Club
- Diversity Club
- Dorm Proctors
- Drama Club
- Environmental Club
- Food Council
- Gardening Club
- Honor Council
- International Club
- Literary Magazine
- Outing Club
- Peer Tutoring
- Photography Club
- Student Government
- Student Publications
- Yearbook
- GSA
- Tutoring Prefects
Arts & Athletics
Summary: Arts: Whether you are discovering your creative side for the first time, interested in applying scientific principles in a practical hands-on setting, or want to pursue an art career in college and beyond, CRMS enjoys a robust and unique range of arts offerings with a multitude of dedicated teachers and studios. By exploring and developing their creativity in the art studios, CRMS students are better equipped to think creatively in the classroom. Athletics: The outdoor program at CRMS is an integral part of the overall academic experience in which every student participates daily. The program includes mountain sports, service crews, and outdoor trips with an emphasis on character development, where students learn important skills such as resilience, perseverance, collaboration, self-confidence, and humility. As a result, students at CRMS have a deep appreciation for the outdoors and an understanding of the importance of giving back to their community.
Arts Department Director: Lynn Pulford
Athletics Department Director: Diane Hackl
Notable Achievements: Climbing Team State Champions; Mountain Biking State Champions; Junior Nationals for Nordic
Arts
- Ceramics
- Drama
- Drawing
- Graphic Design
- Metal
- Painting
- Photography
- Portfolio
- Pottery
- Publications
- Sculpture
- Studio Art
- Theater Arts
- Theater Design
- Woodworking
- 3-D Art
Interscholastic Sports
- Alpine Ski Racing
- Cross Country Running
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
- Nordic Ski Racing
- Rock Climbing
- Soccer
Recreational Sports
- Alpine Skiing
- Alpine Ski Racing
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Cross Country Running
- Dance
- Freestyle Skiing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
- Nordic Skiing
- Nordic Ski Racing
- Outdoor Education
- Rafting
- Rock Climbing
- Skateboarding
- Snowboarding
- Tennis
- Yoga
- Fitness
- Climbing
- Running
- Skiing
- Outdoor Activities
- Trail Running
- Backpacking
- Robotics
Graduates
Summary: At CRMS, we offer a comprehensive college-counseling program to guide students and parents through the complex process of applying for college. The college counseling staff's primary goal is to help students identify colleges and universities that are the best match for their unique personalities, strengths, interests and needs and to aid families with the application process. Through regular meetings with our college counseling staff, online resources and our College Planning Handbook, CRMS prepares its students to identify, apply and matriculate to selective colleges and universities across the country. 100% of CRMS students are accepted each year and our students are academically, emotionally and socially prepared to succeed in their college years and beyond.
College Information
Precentage of graduates who attend college: 100%
Middle Percentile of SAT Scores | Reading | Math | Writing |
---|---|---|---|
25th percentile | 570 | 510 | 570 |
75th percentile | 700 | 640 | 700 |
Notable Alumni
Oliver Platt
Class of 1978
Acclaimed film and theater actor
Conrad Anker
Class of 1981
World renown mountaineer and philathropist
Paolo Bacigalupi
Class of 1990
TIME Magazine top 10 novelist of 2009 - The Wind Up Girl
Margaret Miller
Class of 1990
Internationally acclaimed documentary film maker
Peter Olenick
Class of 2002
X Games Gold Medalist 2010
Vital Information
Student Body Type: Coed
Total Boarding: 98
Total Day: 83
Total Enrollment: 181
Boys: 92
Girls: 89
Boarding Grades Offered: 9-12
Day Grades Offered: 9-12
School Type: High School
Dress Code: Casual
Applications Accepted: SAO, Gateway to Prep
Application Deadline: February 1st
Tuition & Financial Aid
7-Day Boarding: $65,500
5-Day Boarding: N/A
Day Tuition Fee: $41,000
Need-Based Aid: Offered
Payment Plans: Offered
Students Receiving Aid: 49%
Average Awarded: $22,500
School Finances
Merit Scholarships: Not Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: %
Average Merit Scholarship: $
Current Endowment Amount: $23,648,092
Contact
Director of Admissions: Molly Dorais
Admissions Phone: 970 963 2562
Fax: 970 963 9865
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.crms.org
Nearby Schools
- Steamboat Mountain School - 81mi / 130 km
- Fountain Valley School Of Colorado - 143mi / 230 km
- Wasatch Academy - 226mi / 364 km
- Sun Valley Community School - 473mi / 761 km









School Events
Wednesday Dec 15 2021 - Wednesday Dec 15 2021
05:30:00pm - 06:30:00pm
Bring your questions to this session with the Head of School, Jeff Leahy. He will discuss the philosophy and history of CRMS.
Wednesday Nov 03 2021 - Wednesday Nov 03 2021
05:30:00pm - 06:30:00pm
Bring your questions and hear what it's like to be a current student at CRMS. Students will share their experiences in the academic, outdoor, art, and active programs.
Wednesday Dec 08 2021 - Wednesday Dec 08 2021
05:30:00pm - 06:30:00pm
Join Molly Dorais, Director of Enrollment, for an overview presentation of Colorado Rocky Mountain School to learn more about our outstanding academic, art, and outdoor programs, as well as to learn about the application process for the 2022-23 school year.
Wednesday Nov 17 2021 - Wednesday Nov 17 2021
05:30:00pm - 06:30:00pm
Join Molly Dorais, Director of Enrollment, for an overview presentation of Colorado Rocky Mountain School to learn more about our outstanding academic, art, and outdoor programs, as well as to learn about the application process for the 2022-23 school year.
Thursday Oct 21 2021 - Thursday Oct 21 2021
05:30:00pm - 06:30:00pm
Join Molly Dorais, Director of Enrollment, for an overview presentation of Colorado Rocky Mountain School to learn more about our outstanding academic, art, and outdoor programs, as well as to learn about the application process for the 2022-23 school year.