Nederland schools work together: Nederland Elementary School Principal Caleb Melamed (left) and Nederland Middle-Senior High School Principal Gavan Goodrich (right) collaborate for Nederland’s pre-K - 12th grade students and community.[/caption]

On December 20, the principals of Nederland Elementary School and Nederland Middle-Senior High School conducted a presentation at the Coal Creek Canyon Hall. The presentation was to educate families from Coal Creek Canyon K-8 (CCCK-8) on other school options available. The principals of Nederland Elementary School and Nederland Middle-Senior High School brought intriguing and educational presentations to the meeting.

The principal of the NES, Caleb Melamed, began the presentation by describing the state of the school. The current Nederland Elementary School (NES) building has been standing for 33 years and provides education for preK-5th grade students. The school’s six guiding principles include; adventure, high expectations, stewardship, equity, and whole human-beings.

The school has a commitment to physical activity. There are outdoor education programs available to students, such as snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and mountain biking. NES provides the equipment needed and has also partnered with outdoor programs to lead the events.

In addition to the outdoor programs, the school also has a commitment to the arts. Every year there is a performance held by the 5th grade students. The school also recently invested in adding sewing machines to the art class.

The school has high expectations for student education as well. Because they are part of the Boulder Valley School District they have all of their resources to draw upon. They work to close achievement gaps and a new literacy program has recently been implemented. Social and emotional skills are added to the students’ education as well.

NES has a dedicated staff, focuses on academic excellence for their students, unique educational opportunities, long-standing community partnerships, participates in daily mindfulness activities and has a great PTA.

Gavan Goodrich, principal of the Nederland Middle-Senior High School (NMSHS) then told the group how it serves a large part of the community and provides education for students in 6th through 12th grade. The school’s mission is to foster exceptional student experiences and outcomes through learning, belonging, and involvement.

NMSHS offers several arts and athletics programs. Many students participate in music and art festivals and fall and spring theater productions. There are also several athletic activities available for the students including; skiing, mountain biking, and hiking/camping.

Like NES, NMSHS has social and emotional education to help students with their mental health now and in the future.

The school is a great college prep learning environment. There are many advanced courses and electives offered to high school students along with high school college concurrent enrollment opportunities. Many electives are also offered for students in middle school. Being in Boulder Valley School District allows high school students to have access to different programs the district has to offer, like Boulder Tech.

These two places offer a lot for small mountain schools. Both offer many art and athletic programs. Both take advantage of their locations. And both offer great educational programs. Options are good to have, and if Clear Creek parents are wanting to stay in the mountains for school, the schools in Nederland are good options to consider.