Heatherwood Elementary to launch Environmental STEAM Program

Facing significant enrollment challenges, Heatherwood Elementary School has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform its educational offerings through a new Environmental STEAM program set to launch in the 2025-2026 school year.

The school, which was designed to accommodate 500 students, is currently operating at just 40% capacity, a decline that began during the COVID pandemic. Current projections suggest enrollment could drop to approximately 200 students by 2028.

When a school's enrollment declines, so does its funding, which directly impacts the school's ability to provide students with the educational experience they deserve.

Earlier this month, the Heatherwood Educational Advisory Team presented their solution to the Boulder Valley School District Board of Education: a comprehensive Environmental STEAM program that will integrate science, technology, engineering, Arts, and mathematics with environmental literacy.

The proposed program will feature project-based learning experiences centered on its local environment, integrating Boulder County Environmental Education Guidelines, exploration of green jobs, and annual community celebrations showcasing student learning.

The proposal emerged from an extensive process involving a 15-member team and a series of meetings. The initiative was triggered when the school's enrollment fell below 1.5 classes per grade level, a metric established by the district's Long Range Advisory Committee in 2023.

To ensure the new program would meet community needs, the team analyzed results from two surveys: a district-wide parent survey conducted in Sept. 2023, and a targeted survey of Heatherwood neighborhood families. STEM, eco-science, world language, and gifted/talented programming emerged as top priorities among respondents.

The Environmental STEAM focus represents the combination of community desires and Heatherwood's existing character, with the school's established connection to nature-based learning and its location, which is adjacent to City of Boulder open space.

The implementation plan carries a one-time cost of $238,700 spread over three years, covering part-time teaching positions, equipment, materials, and curriculum development. School leadership will collaborate with district staff throughout the coming year to finalize program details.

As Heatherwood prepares for this significant transformation, the school community hopes the new program will not only address enrollment challenges but also create a unique educational experience that serves as a model for environmental education in the region.

The principal of Heatherwood Elementary School, Genna Jaramillo, and teaching staff will begin working with district personnel immediately to develop the program's specifics, with the goal of welcoming students to the new Environmental STEAM program in fall 2025.