At Wyatt Academy, we practice the culture and curriculum of Expeditionary Learning (EL) as part of our multi-faceted, ongoing success story. Our talented educators collaborate in project-based learning, which helps us grow into a Green SPF rating and close achievement gaps. As a tuition-free public K-5 charter school in the Cole-Whittier neighborhood, Wyatt supplements our academic success with a full scope of enrichment courses for our students, balanced with Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health Support.
EL is essentially active meaningful learning through experiences, or hands-on project-based learning, inside and outside the classroom. We utilize EL because it helps us put feet on the ground to our mission: cultivating an environment that supports community, opportunity and wonder, nurturing students to reach their full potential.
Most people prefer hands-on learning- we focus on project-based learning inside our beautiful historical building, and plan opportunities to get outside the classroom for hands-on experiences. Some examples include: Meow Wolf, Balarat Outdoor School, and The Girls On The Run 5K to name a few. When our students experience the opportunity to learn hands-on with a multidisciplinary focus, we see (and hear) wonder and joy. Joy, Wonder, and Opportunity are three of our four core values!
The EL concept of the crew is based on the power of teamwork. Everyone is in the same boat, so, metaphorically, we grab an oar and ride the river together on an agreed upon journey, as a crew. This essential mindset works for Wyatt Academy because it makes equity a very clear practice, establishing that every member of the crew is important in moving forward. This is how we learn from and support each other. For us this also extends to the continuous lesson that every member of our community is important. When we understand and take care of the community, we take care of each other. Our fourth core value is Community. We are a community.
Wyatt’s amazing educators actively work on teaching students many of the standard subjects through topic-based expeditions. Teachers collaborate to include Math, and/or Science with the Literacy Program and engage the students with unique and fun learning expeditions, inside and outside the classroom. Our students experience community and culture regularly because of our incredible devotion to Empowering the Community, and our location – so close to downtown Denver. Field trips are only a chaperoned walk or light rail ride away and include museums and the zoo. This is experiential learning. Through our field trips and other explorations outside the classroom, students learn more about the community they live in, the importance of curiosity, and the impact of learning to improve our future.
This is also why we place so much importance on Enrichment activities that include Art, Music, Physical Education, and Spanish; these are rich aspects of our Cole-Whittier neighborhood and Denver community culture.
Wyatt Academy is proving that hands-on, project-based learning with joy and wonder works. Through our carefully planned and coordinated learning expeditions, in combination with our heart-forward focus on mental and social health for our students and families, we are closing the achievement gap goal of reading proficiency. We achieved 58% – up from 12% – over the past few years. This is one of the reasons Wyatt is one of few Green SPF schools in Denver.
Wyatt Academy is not your average school. We encourage Wonder. We celebrate with Joy. We explore and create Opportunity every chance we get – including with experiential learning. We infuse our education with culture and Community. With these core values, we are achieving, and growing every year! We are Wyatt! Somos Wyatt! We invite you to take a tour of our tuition-free public school and feel the magnetic energy. Join us for meaningful K-5 learning. Enroll today!
Denver’s Wyatt Academy nurtures K-5 students with expeditionary learning and our motivational spirit. Our students experience the power of community, the wonder of seeking knowledge, the joy of celebrating achievements, and the opportunity to grow through the arts. Sharing our garden plots, mini pitch, and Empowerment Center, we feel our essential connection to our community. We are magnetic energy. We are closing the achievement gap. We are Wyatt! Somos Wyatt! Enroll with us today!