Eagle Rock’s Fall & Winter Classes

As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, a new season of learning and growth is upon us at Eagle Rock School. This fall and winter, our courses are designed to spark curiosity, challenge perspectives, and equip students with the skills to navigate both academic and real-world challenges. From immersive humanities explorations to hands-on STEM projects and creative arts experiences, there’s something for every student ready to dive deep, take risks, and discover their passions. Join us as we explore what’s ahead this season, where curiosity meets purpose and learning extends far beyond the classroom.

Graduate Seminar

Planning for life after Eagle Rock is no small task; it’s a complex, goal-driven journey that requires thoughtful exploration and preparation. In this 10-week course, students dive into the Wayfinding and Work Habits graduation competency themes, focusing on key areas like tool development, interest exploration, future planning, and the ability to choose and execute meaningful projects. Designed to help students envision what life might look like after graduation, the class offers space to reflect on personal goals, map out possible future paths, and identify the support networks needed along the way. Through self-exploration, practical planning, and skill-building activities, students work on filling their "adult backpack"—a collection of essential tools and competencies for navigating post-graduation life. Whether earning Expanding Knowledge Base Power Standard credit, Portfolio of Possibility, or Life Skills credits, students leave the course better equipped to take meaningful steps toward their future.

Feeling Lucky

Is it a math classroom, or is it a casino?!  In this engaging and fast-paced course, students dive into the world of probability not just as a branch of mathematics, but as the hidden force behind games of chance, gambling strategies, and many real-life decisions. Part of the Expanding Knowledge Base credit category and offering traditional credit in both science and math, the class explores key themes of Numeracy & Quantitative Reasoning, with a focus on numerical processes and mathematical communication. Through hands-on activities involving dice, cards, roulette wheels, and more, students will investigate how probability influences outcomes and how casinos use it to ensure “the house” always has the edge. Core concepts like sample spaces, compound and conditional probability, independence, and expected value are brought to life through play, analysis, and game design. Beyond the casino floor, the course expands to real-world applications—from weather forecasts and medical testing to traffic systems and election predictions—helping students understand how probability shapes the decisions we make every day.

Zine the Revolution!

In this AM learning block, students will explore the power of communication and activism through the art of zines—self-published mini-magazines that have historically given voice to social movements and sparked change. This course, which counts as both a traditional English credit and an Effective Communication credit, will focus on informational writing and reflective, informed action. Students will read and analyze zines, investigate social causes, research a topic they are passionate about, and ultimately create their own zines to share with Eagle Rock and the wider community. It’s a chance to learn how to educate others, share information that inspires action, and maybe even start a quiet revolution—one page at a time.

How to Make Money Money

In this course, students will dive into the world of investing and financial literacy, earning both a traditional Math credit and an Expanding Knowledge Base credit while building skills in numerical processes and data analysis. Together, we’ll explore how money grows through the power of compound interest, practice building and simulating stock portfolios, and learn to graph growth patterns, calculate returns, and analyze stock data. Along the way, we’ll ask big questions about saving, risk-taking, and who historically has—and hasn’t—had access to wealth, while discovering ways to align investments with personal values. Students will explore tools like 401Ks and Roth IRAs, compare saving versus investing, and practice diversification and risk management strategies. By the end of the class, students won’t just understand how money works—they’ll know how to make it work for them.

Man-Made Monsters: Native American Lit 

In this course, students will explore Andrea L. Rogers’ YA novel Man Made Monsters, a powerful collection of interconnected horror stories that trace two Cherokee family lines across time. Earning both a traditional English credit and an Expanding Knowledge Base credit, students will focus on critical reading, literary analysis, and diverse perspective-taking. Together, we’ll analyze Rogers’ use of literary devices to reveal the “man-made monsters” that have haunted Indigenous people since colonization, while also creating a timeline of Indigenous histories in America. By the end of the class, students will deepen their understanding of Indigenous history, strengthen their reading and writing analysis skills, and reflect on how storytelling can both resist and reinforce systems of oppression.

Metaphor Machines 

In this learning experience, students will dive into the physics of gears while exploring major scientific changes and their impacts on society over the past few hundred years. This course, which earns a traditional Science credit and an Expanding Knowledge Base credit, emphasizes inquiry-based learning, investigation, and the use of digital tools. Students will study how gears work, research key scientific inflection points, and use Affinity Designer to create custom gear trains that will be cut on the laser cutter. Each gear will symbolize a researched scientific milestone, and by the end of the course, students will assemble fully functioning gear boards that visually and mechanically tell the story of scientific progress and its influence on the world.

Project X: We The People 

In this Social Studies course, Project X: We The People, students will critically examine the implications of Project 2025 on American society while exploring how to challenge systems of power and oppression. Earning credit in either Engaged Global Citizen or Leadership for Justice, this course emphasizes collaboration, communication, public presentation, and civic engagement. Students will analyze socioeconomic issues, research legislation, and use theatrical and narrative-shifting tactics to inspire change and disrupt injustice. Through extensive reading, discussion, research, and presentation, students will build their skills as civic participants and storytellers, culminating in a powerful end-of-trimester showcase designed to engage and inform a wider audience.

Elements of Art: Critique 

In this Visual Art course, students will explore the Elements of Art—line, shape, form, value, color, space, and texture—as the foundational “alphabet” of visual expression. Earning an Effective Communication credit, the class emphasizes arts as a universal language and the power of multilingual communication through visual storytelling. Students will analyze and critique artwork found around campus, Estes Park, and nearby cities, learning to identify artistic elements, interpret their meanings, and form opinions informed by their own experiences and identities. The course also includes a personal art project that encourages peer critique, fostering confident discussion and thoughtful evaluation of art in all its forms.

Chemical Reactions

In this Expanding Knowledge Base Chemistry course, students will dive into the fascinating world of chemical and physical reactions, earning both a traditional Science credit and an Expanding Knowledge Base credit. Focusing on inquiry-based learning and creative problem solving, students will explore how atoms, molecules, and compounds interact to form new substances through hands-on lab experiments and demonstrations. As a culminating project, students will select their favorite experiments, give them a Halloween twist, and present a science show complete with interactive activities for the Estes Park Boys and Girls Club, combining curiosity, creativity, and community engagement in one energetic experience.

Elements of Art: Drawing

In this Visual Art course, students will build a strong foundation in 2-D art by exploring the Elements of Art—line, shape, form, value, color, and texture—as the essential “alphabet” of visual communication. Earning an Effective Communication credit, the class emphasizes creative expression, artistic practice, and the development of perseverance and resilience. Students will practice a variety of drawing techniques, experiment with different tools and materials, and learn how to use the elements of art to effectively convey their ideas and messages. This introductory-level course is designed to strengthen both technical skill and artistic confidence while encouraging thoughtful and expressive visual storytelling.

Story of My Life 

In this English course, students will dive into the art of creative nonfiction, exploring forms like memoirs, hermit crab essays, and lyrical essays to craft compelling stories about memories, feelings, and real-world events. Earning both a traditional English credit and an Effective Communication credit, the class emphasizes writing conventions—mechanics, language use, and structure—while also developing skills in giving, receiving, and applying feedback. Students will read exemplary essays, write their own, and engage in peer workshops, honing their voice and learning how to communicate authentically and effectively through the written word.

This fall and winter at Eagle Rock, students have the opportunity to explore a remarkable range of subjects—each designed to challenge, inspire, and empower. Whether they’re planning for life after graduation, diving into the mysteries of probability, exploring social activism through zines, or creating art that speaks volumes, every course offers hands-on learning, critical thinking, and meaningful self-expression. Together, these experiences reflect Eagle Rock’s commitment to education that extends far beyond the classroom, preparing students not just to succeed academically but to navigate the world with curiosity, creativity, and purpose. No matter the course, this season is about discovery, growth, and the excitement of learning in action—so step in, dive deep, and see where your passions can take you.