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Q: Is my student right for Crew? Who is the program for?
A: Crew is intended to serve "at-risk" students. This term is broad and generally includes: students at risk of under-preforming in academic classes; suffering from mental health problems which are interfering with academic or social success; using or abusing substances; or having experienced trauma/PTSD in such a way that it interferes with success in school. It may also include students who are adjudicated or enrolled in juvenile diversion.
Q: What does a typical day look like for Crew students?
A: Typically, we start the day with core classes such as English, Math, Social Studies, and Science. These classes are taught using hands-on methods and real-life applications. The focus for these classes is to develop skills that can be applied in the real world, and to help students see the world through multiple lenses.
In the afternoons, we often leave the building for projects in the community. Some examples include surveying local rivers with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, water quality monitoring with GCWIN, helping maintain the grounds at the Therapeutic Riding Center with NSCD, boat building with RMWBS, judicial project including a courtroom observation, mock trial, and visits with legal professionals, and art with a local artist. Crew often spends time in the wild on hikes, snowshoeing, XC or downhill skiing, rock climbing, and meditating.
This daily schedule is subject to change. We will notify students if there will be changes in the daily schedule so they can plan ahead.
Q: What do the overnight trips entail?
A: All Crew students should expect to attend overnight camping trips unless medically exempt. We typically do three or four overnight trips each year:
Grand County backpacking: We will have a 3 or 4-night backpacking trip in our local mountains, which may happen in the Front Range, Gore Range, or Never Summer Range. Students will have a few weeks of training in our afternoons prior to this trip. It typically happens near the 3rd week of September.
Winter trip: We have 1-2 nights in a winter environment; either in a backcountry ski hut or in snow shelters. Students learn survival skills, snow science, navigation, and teamwork.
Utah canyoneering: Students spend 4-5 nights in Central Utah doing technical canyons, rappels, and hiking through the desert environment.
Q: How much does this program cost?
A: Crew is free to all participants. Donations are always welcome. Students should expect to participate in some activities which may require attendance outside of the typical school day.
Q: Will my student get a diploma?
A: Yes; we follow the state guidelines and academic standards in our core classes. We track students' credit progress and transcripts to ensure alignment between their work in Crew and the expectations of all MPHS graduates. Crew students will meet graduation requirements and earn a typical high school diploma.
Q: What if our family cannot afford the outdoor equipment?
A: We have closets of outdoor equipment and clothing to lend students, including jackets, sleeping bags, boots, backpacks, and more. We also have a partnership with Mountain Family Center so that students needing equipment may have a stipend to obtain gear we cannot provide.
Q: Are Crew students required to do therapy?
A: No. Students have access to speak with the school social worker for free counseling within school hours. Students may also access mental health services outside of the building, and staff will facilitate their transportation if needed. Additionally, our local Department of Human Services will cover the cost of mental health services for any family that cannot afford it. While we strongly encourage therapy or counseling (and model receiving it), it is not required for admittance.
Q: Once a student joins Crew, can they change their mind and go back to general education classes?
A: Yes. We encourage students to finish the quarter to minimize disruption and disjointed instruction, but students are free to leave Crew if they do not feel it is a good fit for them.
Q: Can students attend electives such as woods, band, art, etc?
A: Yes; on a limited basis. Students may access these classes when they are on track with core classes and when the schedules for those classes are amenable to our activities in Crew.
Q: Once my student completes the application, will they be admitted to classes?
A: No. The application is the first step in joining Crew. Staff will determine the student's suitability for our program, interview the applicant, and offer the student time to shadow the class. Finally, if there is space in the program, students will be invited to join at an appropriate time (i.e. after the current quarter is finished). Factors that may increase a student's chances of being accepted include:
Complete and thoughtful responses in the application
Demonstrating willingness to uphold the expectations of our program both behaviorally and academically
A teacher's recommendation
A genuine enthusiasm for joining Crew
Some factors which may result in staff denying admittance into Crew include:
Having adults pressure student in our direction where the student does not wish to go
Stating a refusal to participate in important components of the program including outdoor ed, Social/Emotional Learning, or academic work
Q: Can a student arrange an internship and attend that instead of the afternoon projects?
A: Yes. Students are encouraged to secure and attend internships that support their career goals. Students may attend internships every day or as often as the internship host is able. Students should plan on joining in with the rest of the class on days when their internship is not available.
Q: How do graduates fare after high school?
A: Graduation is a high priority in Crew, but ensuring that each student has the skills and knowledge to meet their goals after graduation is paramount. Our graduates have gone on to a wide variety of endeavors after leaving Crew, including the US Navy, the US Marines, trade school, 4-year college, community college, internships, and entering the workforce. We emphasize internships, job exposure, and independent study to give students time and experience they need to help define and prepare for their future.
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