Average
#121 of 188 private schools in CO
Watershed School
High School
1661 ALPINE AVE, Boulder, CO 80304
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
Enrollment
111
Student-Teacher
6.8:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Watershed School compares to 15 public schools serving similar grades in Boulder, CO
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (303) 440-7520
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.