Polaris Expeditionary Learning School

1905 ORCHARD PLACE
FORT COLLINS, CO 80521

406 Students

Other K - 12th

School Overview

Polaris Expeditionary Learning School, located in Fort Collins, Colorado, is a unique K-12 public school that operates under the "Expeditionary Learning" (EL) model. This educational framework emphasizes learning by doing, prioritizing complex, real-world projects over traditional textbook-based instruction. Students engage in long-term "expeditions" that integrate multiple subjects, encouraging them to think critically, solve authentic problems, and produce high-quality work that often serves a purpose beyond the classroom, such as benefiting the local community.

The school is defined by a culture of character, high achievement, and community engagement. Beyond academic rigor, Polaris places a heavy emphasis on social-emotional growth, fostering an environment of mutual respect, responsibility, and collaboration. By encouraging students to take ownership of their education through fieldwork, expert interviews, and public presentations of their learning, Polaris aims to prepare students not just for higher education, but to be active, empathetic, and capable citizens who are prepared to make a positive impact on the world around them.

406

Total Students

26.6

Full-Time Teachers

15.3

Student/Teacher Ratio

26.8%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Polaris Expeditionary Learning School
Demographic	Student Count
White	350
Hispanic	25
Black	1
Two or More	25
American Indian	3
Pacific Islander	1

White
350 (86.4%)
Hispanic
25 (6.2%)
Two or More
25 (6.2%)
American Indian
3 (0.7%)
Black
1 (0.2%)
Pacific Islander
1 (0.2%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Other
School Type:	Alternative School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Poudre School District R-1
Phone:	(970)488-8260
Grade Range:	K - 12th
Total Students:	406
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	26.6
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	15.3
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	102
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	7

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 18

Grade 1 20

Grade 2 20

Grade 3 20

Grade 4 19

Grade 5 20

Grade 6 46

Grade 7 47

Grade 8 45

Grade 9 27

Grade 10 41