Page 35 - OCT 2018 The Castle Pines Connection proof 1

Low-residency colleges
Article and photos by Catalin Varela
I am going to school, but I very rarely GO to school. I mean, it is 2018! Education, just like everything else, is rapidly evolving as our society changes. In the past, it has always been assumed that one would go to college (or what we think of as a “normal” college) after high school. But now, that is not necessarily the path for everyone, not because they are incapable, but because di erent styles of education work for di erent people.
What is a low-residency college? In a nutshell, it is a school that allows students to live on campus for a small amount of time and then continue their studies from home or abroad if they are traveling. These schools are a great option for older students who already have a family and responsibilities. They are also a really great option for new students that want a di erent “college experience” than the norm, and want the exibility of pursuing their studies on their own time.
This education model allows students to be in the drivers seat of their education. They don’t have the structure of attending class every single day and therefore are responsible for keeping up with their academics. Students are able to really design what they want their curriculum to look like to best suit them as individuals. This is, without a doubt, the future of education.
I am over the moon excited to attend Goddard College, a low- residency school in Plain eld, Vermont this fall. I have never been one to love the “traditional” school setting, so it is so exciting to have the opportunity to continue my self-directed learning through to my college degree.
Interested in seeing what life really looks like as a low- residency student? Follow us on Instagram @castlepinesconnection to get a glimpse of my journey this semester.
School Scoop 35
Catalin Varela pictured in front of the school’s library.
The unique, rustic Design Center on Goddard College’s campus.
AMERICAN ACADEMY
American Academy Charter (AA) 6971 Mira Vista Lane
Castle Pines, CO 80108
Grades K - 8, Calendar: Individual www.americanacademyk8.org 720-292-5200
TIMBER TRAIL
Timber Trail Elementary (TTE)
690 West Castle Pines Parkway
Castle Rock, CO 80108
Grades K - 5, Calendar: Conventional www.dcsdk12.org
303-387-5700
SAGE CANYON
Sage Canyon Elementary (SCE) 2420 Autumn Sage Street
Castle Rock, CO 80108
Grades K-6, Calendar: Conventional www.dcsdk12.org
720-433-0110
BUFFALO RIDGE
Bu alo Ridge Elementary (BRE) 7075 North Shoreham Drive
Castle Pines, CO 80108
Grades K - 5, Calendar: Conventional www.dcsdk12.org
303-387-5575
OCKY HEIGHTS MIDDLE
Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) 11033 Monarch Boulevard
Highlands Ranch, CO 80124
Grades 6 - 8, Calendar: Conventional www.dcsdk12.org
303-387-3300
MESA MIDDLE
Mesa Middle School (MMS)
365 N. Mitchell Street
Castle Rock, CO 80104
Grades 7 - 8, Calendar: Conventional www.dcsdk12.org
303-387-4750
DCS MONTESSORI
DCS Montessori (DCSM)
311 Castle Pines Parkway
Castle Pines, CO 80108
Grades Pre - 8, Calendar: Conventional www.dcsmontessori.org
303-387-5625
ROCK CANYON HIGH
Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) 5810 McArthur Ranch Road Highlands Ranch, CO 80124
Grades 9 - 12, Calendar: Conventional www.dcsdk12.org
303-387-3000
CASTLE VIEW HIGH
Castle View High School (CVHS) 5254 N Meadows Drive
Castle Rock, CO 80109
Grades 9 - 12, Calendar: Conventional www.dcsdk12.org
303-387-9000
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Learn more ABOUT DCSD at www.dcsdk12.org