Boulder Prep Site Visit - Executive Summary .pdf (200 KB)

Site Visit Executive Summary Boulder Prep High School Charter Renewal Site Visit​ March 10, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Overview As part of the charter renewal process, a site visit was conducted at Boulder Prep High School to observe instructional practices, school culture, and alignment between the school’s mission, implementation, and outcomes. The visit included classroom observations, interviews with school leadership, teachers, parents, students, and a governing board representative, as well as informal community observations during passing periods. Across all stakeholder groups, Boulder Prep was consistently described as a highly relational, student-centered alternative high school that prioritizes individualized learning, credit recovery, social-emotional support, and postsecondary readiness for students who have not found success in traditional school settings.

School Culture and Climate A defining strength observed throughout the visit was Boulder Prep’s strong sense of community and belonging. Staff, students, and families repeatedly characterized the school as a “family” and a judgment-free environment where students feel known, respected, and supported. Students reported: ●​ ●​ ●​ ●​

Strong relationships with teachers and trusted adults A respectful and calm learning environment Reduced social pressures compared to larger schools Increased motivation and confidence since enrolling

Parents echoed these perspectives, emphasizing the school’s welcoming atmosphere, individualized attention, and positive impacts on students’ emotional well-being and engagement in learning. Observations during passing periods reflected a calm and supportive environment with positive staff–student interactions.

Instructional Practices and Learning Environment Classroom observations demonstrated: ●​ High levels of student engagement, particularly during writing and individualized work time ●​ Small class sizes enabling one-on-one and small-group instruction ●​ Strong teacher–student rapport ●​ Instructional pacing responsive to individual student needs Examples included students actively responding to writing prompts in Oceanography and individualized Algebra support in Math Lab, where teachers prompted students to explain their thinking and provided targeted assistance. The school’s flexible scheduling and staffing model allow educators to tailor instruction and interventions to diverse learner needs. Staff described intentional collaboration practices, including regular meetings to discuss student progress and problem-solve supports. Questions for continued growth include: ●​ Systems for monitoring individual student understanding consistently across classrooms ●​ Strategies for addressing wide academic skill gaps within single classes ●​ Opportunities for deeper application and extension of student work

Academic Program and Student Supports Stakeholders highlighted several programmatic strengths: ●​ Individualized academic intervention supported by small staff-to-student ratios ●​ Credit completion focus, aligned with the school’s Unified Improvement Plan (UIP) ●​ Flexible pathways to graduation, including extended timelines (6th and 7th-year graduates) ●​ Career pathway exploration and life-skills programming connecting learning to future goals ●​ Mental health supports, including access to therapists and accommodations responsive to student needs Leadership reported that students who attend regularly demonstrate strong course completion and success rates, positioning attendance as the next major improvement focus.

Postsecondary and Community Connections

Boulder Prep places significant emphasis on helping students envision life after high school. Stakeholders described growing efforts to connect coursework with career pathways and real-world applications through: ●​ Partnerships with the University of Colorado and Front Range Community College ●​ Career exploration programming ●​ Service learning and pathway experiences Students reported increased awareness of college and career options and noted that expectations are personalized rather than prescriptive.

Governance, Leadership, and Continuous Improvement School leadership and the governing board demonstrated alignment around key priorities: ●​ ●​ ●​ ●​

Improving attendance outcomes Expanding awareness and enrollment through stronger district partnerships Maintaining financial sustainability while supporting intensive programming needs Implementing restorative practices focused on relationship-building and reflection

Leadership identified continued impacts from COVID-related learning disruptions, particularly in literacy and numeracy gaps, as ongoing challenges requiring additional staffing and funding resources.

Family and Student Voice Feedback from families and students was overwhelmingly positive. Common themes included: ●​ ●​ ●​ ●​

Transformation in students’ attitudes toward school Increased engagement and academic confidence Appreciation for individualized learning and accommodations Strong communication and accessibility of staff

Students particularly valued: ●​ ●​ ●​ ●​

Flexible pacing and retake opportunities Mental health supports Hands-on and interest-based learning opportunities A safe and inclusive environment

Suggested areas for enhancement (based on students’ feedback) included: ●​ Expanded extracurricular activities, clubs, and school traditions ●​ Increased access to world language courses ●​ Greater public awareness of the program

●​ Expanded opportunities for athletics and inter-school participation

Key Strengths ●​ ●​ ●​ ●​ ●​ ●​

Strong relational culture fostering belonging and engagement Individualized instructional model responsive to diverse learners Effective credit recovery and graduation persistence Robust social-emotional and mental health supports Clear commitment to continuous improvement and collaboration Meaningful postsecondary and career pathway development

Areas for Growth and Consideration ●​ ●​ ●​ ●​

Improving student attendance outcomes Addressing wide academic skill variability within classrooms Increasing program visibility and enrollment awareness across BVSD Expanding extracurricular and enrichment opportunities

Overall Impression The site visit provided evidence that Boulder Prep High School delivers a highly personalized educational environment aligned with its mission of supporting students who benefit from an alternative high school model. The school demonstrates strong relational practices, flexible instructional approaches, and a clear focus on student growth, graduation persistence, and postsecondary readiness. Continued attention to attendance, program awareness, and resource sustainability will be important as the school builds upon its current successes and plans for future growth.