Known for its welcoming community and premiere outdoor education, Marble Charter School (MCS) is reimagining the transformative education years with the launch of PEAK, its innovative and newly developed middle school program. Beginning this school year, the PEAK (Project-based, Experiential, Action-Oriented and Knowledge) curriculum will capitalize on expertise from community leaders and Marble’s awe-inspiring location to create a profound experiential education opportunity for students.
“PEAK is designed to leverage community partnerships to provide integrative and meaningful learning experiences for students,” explained Sam Richings-Germain, director of MCS. “This will get students outside of the classroom and into the wilderness and neighboring communities.”
Breaking free from the standard classroom model, PEAK will implement a project-based learning curriculum that cultivates a comprehensive and interactive student-centered approach. Alongside MCS educators and expert voices, students will immerse into block-style courses that weave rigorous academic content with engaging fieldwork. Specifically, MCS is building out courses that focus on issues pertaining to snow, fire and food.
“It’s really meaningful, place-based learning for kids,” said Richings-Germain. “We want them to have autonomy and their voices heard.”
Skills acquired through PEAK will translate across the academic spectrum and foster a deep appreciation for lifelong learning.
“Our project-based learning curriculum ensures that knowledge is meaningfully connected to each student’s strengths and interests and reinforced through action,” stated Lucie Yunevich, MCS’s sixth to eighth grade lead teacher. “Students are encouraged to take ownership of their education, share their passions and try new things.”
PEAK’s three-year program will be enhanced by MCS’s ability to attract partnerships with notable organizations. Currently, the program has secured grant funding from Pitkin County Healthy Rivers and Aspen Skiing Company’s Environment Foundation.
The school will partner with the Marble Wetlands stewardship program, Container Farm and Marble Museum. Talks are underway for partnerships with other Roaring Fork Valley organizations. For MCS, these partnerships are meant to be reciprocal as students and organizations can build sustainable relationships and possibly create future networking opportunities for its students.
“These collaborations ensure that knowledge goes beyond theory, inspiring students to take action and apply what they learn in real-world contexts — directly reflecting our goal as teachers to cultivate engaged, capable and community-minded learners,” said Yunevich.
MCS middle schoolers will round out their education by participating in four nonconsecutive week-long outdoor focused courses. Together, they will learn about local history and public policy and conduct scientific investigations, while mentoring younger peers and building wilderness and leadership skills.
Access for all students
Situated at 412 West Main Street in Marble, MCS is nestled in the pristine Crystal River Valley and surrounded by the towering Elk Mountains. Open to all kindergarten through eighth-grade students, the school is a tuition-free, public charter school that offers free daily bus transportation from Carbondale.
MCS serves approximately 40 students who learn in multi-grade classrooms (kindergarten through second, third through fifth and sixth through eighth) where leadership, mentorship and collaboration take precedence. Classes are small, meaning teachers can provide personalized instruction to help students grow academically, emotionally and socially.
“We have full classrooms with vibrant conversations, smiling kids, great teachers and awesome community support,” said Richings-Germain. “We’re doing everything on a very small scale, but we’re offering a very high-quality education just like the other schools in the Roaring Fork Valley.”
Richings-Germain said that the PEAK endeavor is possible because of the staff’s dynamic skills. Alongside herself and Yunevich, MCS educators Nicole Ludlow and Hope Dwiggins will help develop PEAK and ensure all students, regardless of abilities and needs, can access its courses.
“The goal is to make it a really meaningful learning experience for all middle school students,” concluded Richings-Germain. “I hope that people are curious enough to visit us and see that there is value in being here.”
Adventure awaits! Visit www.marblecharter.gunnisonschools.net to learn more about MCS and its new PEAK program.