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Average

#121 of 188 private schools in CO

Watershed School

High School

1661 ALPINE AVE, Boulder, CO 80304

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CO statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

111

Student-Teacher

6.8:1

Score

5.9

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Boulder

#9 of 9

public schools

Colorado high schools

#15 of 24

About Watershed School

Watershed School serves 111 students in grades 6-12 at 1661 Alpine Avenue in Boulder, Colorado. This public high school maintains an exceptionally small learning environment with just 16 full-time teachers, creating an impressive 6.8:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for highly individualized attention and close mentoring relationships. The school earns strong recognition with a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #64 among Colorado's 188 schools, placing it in the 66th percentile statewide.

This performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in an intimate setting where every student can receive personalized support. Watershed School operates in Boulder's 80304 ZIP code, a highly educated and affluent community where 75% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood's median household income of $111,638 and median home value of $1,059,900 reflect the area's economic stability, while the low 8.5% poverty rate indicates strong community resources.

With a population of 25,617, this mid-size city setting provides students access to Boulder's renowned outdoor recreation opportunities, cultural amenities, and proximity to the University of Colorado, creating an enriching environment for both academic and personal growth.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 111 students, Watershed School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.8:1, Watershed School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Watershed School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$32,567
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$53,202
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.63x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
56%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$11.8M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 111 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Watershed School compares to 15 public schools serving similar grades in Boulder, CO

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.8:1
This School
vs
16.4:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
111
This School
vs
561
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.9
This School
vs
7.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 92.8% vs 0%
Asian 4.5% vs 0%
Black 2.7% vs 0%
Watershed School Boulder Public Avg

Nearby High Schools

School Rating
Watershed School (this school) 5.9
Casey Middle School 5.8
Williamsburg Academy of Colorado
Boulder High School 7.1
Centennial Middle School 7.5
New Vista High School 5.5
Horizons K-8 School 7.1
Manhattan Middle School of the Arts and Academics 8.5
Community Montessori School 7.9
Summit Middle Charter School 8.3
Nevin Platt Middle School 8.0
Southern Hills Middle School 7.6
Fairview High School 7.4
Arapahoe Ridge High School 6.3
Boulder Universal 5.5
Boulder Prep Charter High School 8.0

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CO.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 8.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
D 1.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 854
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C+ 3.5 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 14%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.4 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 111
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CO

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 92.8%
Asian 4.5%
Black 2.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1661 ALPINE AVE, Boulder, CO 80304

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Watershed School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. TARA PERFORMING ARTS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SEPTEMBER SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Boulder High School (rated 7.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Boulder, see our Boulder schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Casey Middle School Boulder 0.3 mi 5.8
SACRED HEART OF JESUS SCHOOL Boulder 0.3 mi 7.0
Whittier Elementary School Boulder 0.4 mi 5.2
Columbine Elementary School Boulder 0.6 mi 7.8
Williamsburg Academy of Colorado Boulder 0.6 mi
Mapleton Early Childhood Center Boulder 0.7 mi 7.5
Boulder High School Boulder 0.9 mi 7.1
Foothill Elementary School Boulder 0.8 mi 8.2
Centennial Middle School Boulder 1.3 mi 7.5
Flatirons Elementary School Boulder 1.3 mi 8.6
JARROW MONTESSORI SCHOOL Boulder 1.4 mi 6.1
University Hill Elementary School Boulder 1.5 mi 8.6
TARA PERFORMING ARTS HIGH SCHOOL Boulder 1.7 mi 7.3
Crest View Elementary School Boulder 1.8 mi 7.9
New Vista High School Boulder 1.8 mi 5.5
SEPTEMBER SCHOOL Boulder 1.6 mi 7.3
SHINING MOUNTAIN WALDORF SCHOOL Boulder 2.0 mi 6.9
High Peaks Elementary School Boulder 2.3 mi 8.9
Boulder Community School/Integrated Studies Boulder 2.3 mi 4.9
Creekside Elementary School at Martin Park Boulder 2.8 mi 9.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80304 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$121,534

Median Home Value

$1,166,100

Median Rent

$1,956/mo

Population

25,634

College Educated

77.5%

Homeownership

69.5%

Avg Commute

18.1 min

Poverty Rate

8.7%

Median Age

41.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Watershed School has a median household income of $121,534. It is a well-educated community where 78% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,166,100, with a median rent of $1,956/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Caliche Junior-Senior High School Iliff, CO 5.9
Granada Undivided High School Granada, CO 5.9
Julesburg High School Julesburg, CO 5.9
Akron High School Akron, CO 6.0
Compassion Road Academy Denver, CO 6.0
Crowley County Junior and Senior High School Ordway, CO 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Watershed School

What grades does Watershed School serve?

Watershed School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Watershed School?

Watershed School has an enrollment of approximately 111 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Watershed School?

The student-teacher ratio at Watershed School is 6.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Watershed School rank in CO?

Watershed School is ranked #121 out of 188 private schools in CO.

What is Watershed School's MySchoolScout rating?

Watershed School has a composite rating of 5.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Watershed School a private school?

Yes, Watershed School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Watershed School a religious school?

No, Watershed School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,086/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Boulder). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
111
Gender Split
59% M / 41% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
122 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
BOULDER
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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