Vail Mountain School Competitors

Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) stretches from the peaks of the Continental Divide to the suburbs of Denver. Quick Facts: * 56 schools over 500 square miles * approximately 30,000 students * more than 4000 employees * covers Boulder, Gold Hill, Jamestown, Lafayette, Louisville, Nederland, Superior, Ward, and parts of Broomfield and Erie BVSD stands as a leader in academic excellence with outstanding classroom teachers, exemplary schools, and programs that support student achievement. The mission of the Boulder Valley School District is to create challenging, meaningful and engaging learning opportunities so that all children thrive and are prepared for successful, civically engaged lives. Like us on Facebook - www.facebook.com/bouldervalleyschooldistrict Follow us on Twitter - @BVSDcolorado

Our Purpose: We ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Our Mission: The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most important challenges facing the United States and the world. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Aspen Institute is nonpartisan and does not endorse, support, or oppose political candidates or parties. Further, the views and opinions of our guests and speakers do not necessarily reflect those of the Aspen Institute.

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