Pagosa Springs Middle School takes great pride in offering a dynamic, well-rounded educational experience for all our students.  This whole-child educational approach ensures that our students grow and develop academically, physically, and socially/emotionally.  Our mission is to empower students to navigate the future through learning and problem-solving.

Our highly trained and caring staff engage students in relevant and dynamic ways to meet and exceed the Colorado Academic Standards.  We embrace our community values and spectacular location in our academic pursuits and often venture outside the classroom to learn and explore. 

We operate in a  modified block schedule with longer class periods (95 minutes) to enable our teachers to develop learning activities that take students deep into projects, outdoor learning experiences, science labs and learning activities that have a strong purpose, relevance, and student agency.  We create lessons that foster and embed the following essential skills: critical analysis, communication, collaboration, citizenship, and character.  We refer to these as our 5 C's.  Our students set personalized learning goals, manage their progress, evaluate their work, and showcase it to the public.  The result is deep, retained knowledge where students develop real mastery and can apply their thinking, ask thoughtful questions, and teach others. 

Fitness/Health & Adventure Learning

In addition to our strong academic program, student health and wellness is a top priority at Pagosa Springs Middle School.  As a three-time Healthy School Champion and Governor’s Award Winner,  we have been recognized for our well-developed, systemic approach to embedding best practices at all grade levels.  All our students have the opportunity to participate in daily health and physical fitness classes and have many opportunities to learn life-long fitness activities. 

Also, we've created adventure learning opportunities in all grades to bolster fitness and learning as well.  Some highlights include our overnight trip to the Great Sand Dunes National Monument (6th),  the Bandelier National Monument Trip (7th ) and the Arches National Monument Trip (8th).  All students have the opportunity to participate in the Wolf Creek Ski Program and learn to ski or snowboard as well.  

Positive School Culture

Finally, our middle school develops a strong positive school culture through a daily advisory program—Pirate Time.  Through this program, staff and students build a strong rapport and purposefully make those human connections that provide the foundation for our educational program.  We strategically utilize a Positive Behavior Intervention & Support model to create the kind of school that kids want to attend, enjoy, and thrive in.