This school is a great school! If you like the outdoors. Every semester you get to go on a "crew trip"! Basically you travel out of the state with you class for a week. The destination is usually tied to your current learning and you basically get to learn about it in real time and it is very fun. This school also has a great community with doing stuff from "RMSEL Olympics" to "the cereal box challenge" and many more. This school is nothing like I've ever been to and it is an amazing experience. 10/10 read more

I attended RMSEL and graduated in 2008. After that, I returned to work at RMSEL as a Wilderness First Responder for their expeditions. Now, my husband (also an RMSEL graduate) and I are looking at the school for our kindergarten-aged child. While RMSEL has grown and changed over the years, I believe its core values remain the same. The key takeaways I received from my time there are life skills that have followed me into adulthood and served me well in my career--resiliency, problem-solving, and independence. The expeditions were life-changing in so many ways: they offered my first experiences with developing countries, and they required a level of self-discipline that shaped who I am today. We currently have friends whose children are in kindergarten at RMSEL, and we love hearing about their experiences. Small class sizes, meeting children where they are, and introducing expeditions at such a young age are key reasons we're excited to return as a family. As a teenager, RMSEL was a blessing to me, even when I didn't always see it that way. Returning as an adult, I could recognize how the expeditions build resilience--even when the students themselves don't yet realize it. This school pushes kids to step outside their comfort zones, and many won't appreciate the benefits until years later. The very things I resisted as a teen are now the things I credit most for my personal growth. If you're looking for a school that teaches more than academics--a place that nurtures real-world life skills that will serve your children well into adulthood--RMSEL is a truly special place. read more

How has no one reviewed RMSEL in 6 years!? RMSEL is a very unique school, after graduating that really has been put into perspective for me. I attended RMSEL from 6th to 12th grade, my middle school experience being disrupted because of COVID. I don't remember middle school very well, but the trips during that time I do remember. The RMSEL High School is one of a kind, quite literally. With it being the only EL High school in Denver, and 1 of 3 in front range. My senior year the high school had 66 students. Because of the intimate, small environment I was able to develop a strong connection with my teachers and every one of my classmates and crew members. With a class of twenty, I could always get extra help from any of our teachers if we needed it, the key was simply asking. All of the teachers I've had through high school have built their own systems of teaching and educating. If one of those systems doesn't work for you, you need to voice that and you will likely be able to get an accommodation for it. While RMSEL may miss out on certain opportunities because of how small the school is, because of that students have a lot of leniency/freedom, you just have to ask and communicate with your teachers to get it. Comparing the trips I've taken during my High School Experience to Middle School, I wonder why there aren't more EL/OB High Schools. The High School trips I would consider to be the most valuable things I've taken away from RMSEL. My high school experiences made me love the people around me, and see the world in a beautiful state, that I probably wouldn't have done in middle school. I've been atop of 14ers, soaking wet on the Colorado river, snowshoeing and raving in the mountains, to a jazz club in Kansas City, farms in New Mexico and so many other day trips that I wish I had appreciated more in the moment. TL;DR: If your a student, go to RMSEL, if it's not for you that okay. The people and experiences make it everything, even if you miss out on a "normal" high school experience. read more

I have been attending this school since 3rd grade, from what I've seen so far, this school is not the best, or what I expected it to be. I feel I have learned nothing, the teachers, do not help me one on one like I had been expected to because their are significantly less people in this school than any other. This school did not feel like home, which is what I kind of expected as you should expect any other school. I am now a Sophomore in high school and I would also like to mention the times we have to wake up, the copious amount of homework we need to do, the constant pressure, the unreasonable amount of money used to firstly get into this school, and the unprepared for crew trips/field work. Firstly, the time we have to be at school. Because for me, I live about 30-45 minutes away, and we have to be there when the doors open at 7:30, this means I have to wake up around 5:30 each morning just to get ready and keep up with the schools schedule. And, because of this copious amounts of homework, and presentations, and other unreliable work, frankly unimportant in my opinion, I, usually do not get in bed until around 11:20 to 12:00 at night. I feel having to wake up just to be there for the doors to open, if not earlier is very tiring and and just stupid. Having to come home, around 4:00, to 5:00, do all this homework which I feel I have barely any time to do in my actual classes, finish, pack my lunch and everything else for tomorrow, and go to bed around 12:00, is very tiring. The amount of homework we have to do, I feel is completely unfair. I understand that there is always going to be some sort of work that's going to needed to be done, and almost every school has homework. But, I feel that the amount of homework we have been receiving in getting a little to be too much, especially for the people who may have sports, struggling at home, or any other drawback. Next, I would like to notice and bring attention to the unreasonable amounts of money used to firstly get in this school, stay in this school, the money for crew trips, and field work, and much more. My parents, both work at home, they do not get paid much, so having to pay, just to get into this school, is already difficult enough. The crew trips and field work, just add onto it. All this money being put into these crew trips and field work, just for them to be unprepared for and frankly just bad. I understand that these crew trips require loads amount of money, and they are supposed to help each crew/crews students get the know and get along with each other, however, I don't understand what putting pressure and forcing kids to try and talk to each other is helping them get to know and like each other. Another thing I would like to address is the food on the crew trips, more specifically, the lunches and snacks. I know that because it is a week crew trip, and their are about 20 or so kids, they need lots of food, the breakfasts, and dinners are fine. However, each crew trip, I have been on, we have gotten all the same lunches, and snacks. The lunches, are always the same; Pita bread, with hummus and veggies, sometimes Pita bread with pizza sauce and cheese, most of the time white bread, with half-way thawed out turkey slices or ham slices, some cheese, and usually all the same things on the side of each lunch item, bagged baby carrots, half-way thawed out cucumber slices, meatsticks, string cheese, and maybe a bag of chips. Now, I am not saying, there should be very fancy, lunch foods, what I am saying is that usually the food is very poorly taken care of or stored, and, I know that there are plenty other food options and more nutritious snacks available. One last thing I would like to address is the unchanged, boring finesses. I know fitness isn't supposed to be necessarily like a P.E class with games, but I do know that it, certainly, isn't supposed to be boring, let alone unfun for people or dreaded upon by students. I have heard from multiple people that there is no change in the fitness schedule. It is the same, exact stuff each day. And, I have heard from multiple amounts of people that they don't enjoy it. It is not helpful in any way, and it is unimportant and just overall tiresome. Especially in the mornings. Imagine, waking up, doing one of your classes, then going out, and running back and forth on a field for 20-30 minutes, then, going back inside, and having to sit through the rest of the 7 hour day. Another thing is, they do not give up any time to freshen up after. 3 minutes to your locker is all you get. And I hear the teachers complaining about how the students should be wearing deodorant and to stop smelling bad, throughout the day. In conclusion, each day I was at this school, I felt like I was going to cry majority of the days. It was horrible, I hated it, I felt like dying every day I got home from school, carrying around a big ass life support full of unimportant, homework. Horrible school, I would not recommend. read more

On a scale of 1-10, I would say this school goes all the way to eleven! From the staff to the teachers to the curriculum to the adventure program to the fitness program to the principal, it exceeds all my expectations. My son loves his school and so do we as parents. My now 4th grader is excited to be there every day and has grown as a learner and a young man in ways I never imagined. I reccommend this school very highly. Each teacher has been so amazing! I know that sounds cliche, but it is true. They have all been in tune with their student's needs and passions and so engaging that each child grows and flourishes at thier own pace and in their own way celebrating their own interests. I'm always impressed with how well they fit the learning to suit individuals as well as the class as a whole. With smaller class sizes, well trained teachers and EA's and a spectacular curriculum, this school has the ability and space to effectivley differentiate in the classroom. All students get what they need. This doesn't only apply to the top and bottom of the class, but also the often forgotten middle. Homeowrk really begins in 4th grade. It is an effort to prepare students for middle and high school. What has impressed me most are these 2 things: 1) homework is not arbitrary. It is purposeful, thought out, applicable and relevant. Nothing random or "busy work" 2) The teachers spend time and energy on teaching the kids how to approach and handle homework. They provide them tools and information on how to plan and schedule thier homework and time so that it isn't overwhelming for them or interfere with family time. I only wish I would've had this kind of help when I was young!! Invaluable learning!!! I'm not sure I could praise our "principal" Chad enough. He dives in deep with the kids and takes them all into account with every single decision he makes about the school. I wish all principals were more like him. His tier of concern is very clear. It is always students first, teachers second, staff third, parents fourth. To be honest, I know this might not work for all families, but for students I can't think of a better approach. Another thing I really need to point out is how seriously he takes his job and how important those kids are to him. If there is ever an "issue" he gets involved and helps in all ways possible. I have seen this first hand. He is remarkable. read more

I'm really loving my son's new school. He came in from Centennial Elementary and they did not hold him accountable. Everyone was a participant and got a ribbon for showing up. This school is different. He's in shock, and struggling a little, but I think he likes it. read more

See all

RMSEL is an outstanding community of students, teachers, leadership, and learning. Self-advocacy is high on the list of skills my kids are learning. While academics are important in the context of education I believe that strong character traits are much more important in my kids learning. It's fantastic that we've found a school that aligns with our values as parents and consistently demonstrates putting students first. We have had students at the school for a decade and truly feel they do a wonderful job. I believe learning how to learn is the greatest skill school can teach you, not how to get high marks on a test. I have been very happy with the academic standards my kids are held to and extremely impressed by the teaching staff. Life is what you make it, and so is school. RMSEL encourages students to get outside of their comfortable bubble, let go of mommy and daddy's hands, and explore, learn, and experience the world for themselves. It's everything that a school should be. Anyone who tells you different is trying to sell you something! read more

This school is amazing! My daughter started the kindergarten program at RMSEL this year and we could not be happier with the broad education she is receiving thus far. She is not only learning to read, write, and figure out math problems, but she is also learning teamwork, compassion, and integrity. This is an experiential school so they do fieldwork as a complement to their learning in the classroom and they have various "specials" in the afternoons so that the children are exposed to a variety of activities, including Spanish, Art, Movement, and Tech. The school is actively anti-bullying and really does a great job with including everyone and making sure the whole crew works together towards a common goal. Crew members are encouraged to help each other, show compassion, and build character. This is exactly the kind of learning environment I wanted for my children and I am so appreciative to have it at RMSEL. The school is K-12 and we plan to stay here until both of my children graduate from high school. RMSEL selects their students from their five member districts (Denver, Aurora, Littleton, Douglas, and Cherry Creek) through a lottery system. I highly recommend checking out their website and if it is right for your child and you live in one of these school districts, get your name in the lottery. You won't regret it. read more

We have had a wonderful experience at RMSEL with children in middle school and high school. We went for the expeditionary learning component but have loved the adventure trips and fieldwork. It's a tight-knit community that takes care of each other and that is with staff, students and parents. The teachers are thoughtful and passionate about being there. The staff and administration work very hard to create a stimulating learning environment that gets these kids to be learners and thinkers. My kids are very happy there. read more

Went to high school here they taught me material that was little to nothing compared to what I had to do in college. Would highly suggest to not put your kids in here. They are not willing to give you thorough help if you need it. I was a slow learner and a lot of the time I had to try and teach myself teachers did not give me the 101 help I needed. Awful experience the only thing good was the field trips. read more

Rmsel is a great school it changed my 3 daughters life Thank you so much everyone for all you've done and continue to do for my last daughter I greatly appreciate it read more

I felt like the teachers shut down on me at the end and I didn't learn that much. Middle school there sucked.

This school was a terrible experience for my child. I hear this school was amazing years ago, but with the change in administration (Chad) the school has gotten worse and worse. The culture is terrible. My elementary aged child was so unhappy there I pulled him out mid year. We love his new school. My recommendation is to stay clear of this place. read more

This is my first year here and they have made many many changes from last year to this year apparently. Im a freshman in high school at RMSEL. The teaching is great and are really good at one on one help, which is nice to get some help before a test. Kelsey is an amazing dean, she's cares about every one of her students. She's very patience with all the kids and always is willing to help you in a tough situation. She is moving this year. Chad is also a really great principle and cares about all of the kids that go there. The school overall is great, but again has its flaws. Some of the flaws are that as high schoolers we are not allowed to go off campus for lunch, which sucks because we don't get that responsibility. Also going along with the flaws, every morning all of the grades have to "lock" up our phones in this bags called Younder Bags. We get them unlocked at the end of the day. Besides these two major flaws the school is a great place to be. Its filled with smiles and laughter everyday and everyone is always in a good mood. read more

I loved the school when I went for freshman and sophomore year. I really love ye place and the curriculum. The substitutes can be a little meh and the current principal, chad, isn't doing amazing things. But there is one amazing teacher, Eric Dinkel, who is my favorite teacher ever and my role model, even though I never got around to telling him. He teaches because he loves students and wants to make the world a better place. He believes in the best for each of his students and wants the best for each and every one of them. He is absolutely amazing and he is the biggest thing I miss from the school. Marshall is pretty cool, too. The other high school teachers are too new for me to know them, so I can't elaborate on that much. The atmosphere is amazing and it's the only school, I've walked in one day and felt "yeah, I belong here". The trips and crews are amazing at helping you find people you really feel close with. The math program is definitely lacking, as when you extend past their preset classes, they pay for you to learn at Arapaho community college, but don't provide transportation, and that why I ended up leaving. I've definitely wanted to go back a lot, but they don't accept seniors. Shame. I haven't gone there in almost two years though, so my info might not be super accurate. read more