Program Overview & History

Since 1977, no other school district in the state of Arizona has rivaled PUSD’s award-winning and adventure-filled approach to student learning and character development: the 5th Grade Watershed Program. This unique PUSD program began at Miller Valley Elementary School and continues today with Granite Mountain Upper Elementary School, providing students with memorable, standards-based, hands-on learning opportunities each spring. Students build math, science, language arts, and social studies skills across their community while studying Prescott’s natural environment, human history & innovation, and STEAM topics. The 5th Grade Watershed Program takes place for 6 weeks in 4th quarter, in which ½ the 5th grade classes go on a field trip every Wednesday and the other ½ go every Thursday for 5 weeks. The 6th week, the program culminates with a special celebration of student achievement at the James 4-H Camp & Outdoor Learning Center. There, 5th graders (and volunteer chaperones!) spend 3 days and 2 nights in camp cabins adventuring through STEAM activity stations, sharing meals, and celebrating their academic accomplishments. 

The program is facilitated by PUSD Outdoor Learning Center Staff, volunteer City of Prescott AmeriCorps Park Rangers, and Prescott College staff and students. These hand-selected volunteers go through extensive federal background checks, state fingerprinting, and many hours of instructor content & safety training. 5th graders will be assigned to a small student group with a Park Ranger to guide their learning through the 6 week program under the supervision of PUSD teachers and staff. This small-group learning format ensures safe, individualized, and high-quality instruction for each student throughout the program. We are so excited to begin this once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity with your child!