Durango High School Competitors

Our blend of small classes, dynamic academic programs, and a liberal arts perspective leads to transformative learning experiences that foster entrepreneurship, leadership, creative problem solving, and life-long learning. And our unique and beautiful mountain campus, on a mesa above historic Durango, inspires an active and friendly community with a spirit of engagement, exploration, and intellectual curiosity. Mission: Fort Lewis College offers accessible, high quality, baccalaureate liberal arts education to a diverse student population, preparing citizens for the common good in an increasingly complex world.

The mission of Durango School District (DSD, formerly known as 9-R), an innovative educational system committed to excellence, is to ensure each student develops the skills and attributes for lifelong learning and has the ability to compete and contribute in the global community, by guaranteeing equitable educational opportunities in a safe and healthy environment. We strive to create a learning environment where all students own their learning, act on their learning, and impact their community. Learners must be actively engaged, and we are dedicated to personalizing learning based on each student’s strengths and needs. Our role as a school district is to provide learning opportunities where students develop their critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication skills. Durango is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with its majestic mountains, fresh air, pure waters, and laidback vibe. With a population of about 18,400, this authentic old west town boasts great adventure, history and culture, is in close proximity to many national parks, is home to Fort Lewis College, the Durango-Silverton Railroad, Purgatory Ski Resort, an airport and features events for the entire family. The best of all worlds, Durango is a foodie paradise, too.

The school sits on 38 beautiful and expansive acres in Bethesda, Maryland, less than six miles from Washington, D.C. As one of the finest PK-8 schools in the country, Norwood sets the bar high and is committed to educating the whole child - intellectually, socially, and ethically - in a student-centered, challenging, and nurturing environment. Norwood was founded in 1952 by Frances Marsh, who was determined to create "a happy place of learning filled with art and music where each child feels supported and valued. She wanted Norwood to be a school where when children left at the end of the day, they couldn't wait to return in the morning. Today, more than six decades later, Norwood is still that kind of school. We challenge students and expect them to challenge themselves, but we do so in an environment that is nurturing, supportive, and reflective of our belief that learning at its best is a joyful process. Norwood's child-centered approach to education and its very intentional emphasis on being a happy place of learning create an environment where each individual child is loved, nurtured, challenged, and truly known. As a result, children flourish at Norwood. They love learning; they are creative and critical thinkers. They are confident in who they are, and they feel safe taking risks. They are kind and caring people, who, fueled by our motto, How you lead your life matters, make helping others a priority in their lives. At the end of their eighth-grade year, our graduates leave Norwood exceptionally well prepared for high school and empowered to make positive contributions to our world. Ryden