Nestled in the gorgeous Animas Valley, Colorado Timberline Academy (CTA) offers a unique perspective, transforming education through nature. Old Highway 550 runs through the center of campus, a quiet reminder of the property’s rich history. Originally a hot springs resort, the lodging cabins for guests have since become dorms for students. With nature’s playground at their doorstep, CTA’s adventurous spirit and culture thrive.
Opening its doors in 1977, CTA is dedicated to providing a comprehensive education that emphasizes environmental stewardship. This boarding school is one of the few exploratory academies in the state. Dreher Robertson, the Director of CTA, is proud to lead the school and offer a model of education that meets students’ individual needs, passions, and interests.
CTA’s alternative approach is grounded in three core areas of focus: community, academics, and a deep and meaningful relationship with the natural world. Students live alongside their teachers, creating strong bonds with peers and faculty alike. They also share responsibilities in the upkeep of campus life, contributing to shared spaces and reinforcing a sense of collective care and accountability.
Students meet specific academic goals through alternative methods rather than traditional required coursework. Utilizing a block schedule, they attend three daily academic classes and engage in a Personal Skill of their choice. Personal Skills courses are designed to develop outdoor education and fitness skills. Students can choose from an array of options, including rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, fly fishing, and more.
“The idea is that you still receive a well-rounded high school education, but the students are not just sitting through a class to earn credits,” said Robertson. “They actually have to demonstrate learning.”
CTA is unique in many ways, but perhaps the most adventurous and enticing are the multiple excursions planned throughout the year, each emphasizing the importance of learning beyond the classroom.
Every year at the beginning of the term, the entire school embarks on a week-long backpacking adventure in the Weminuche Wilderness. Trekking through the San Juan Mountains, students connect deeply with the land while forming meaningful bonds with their peers and teachers.
Once the second block ends in early October, staff and students prepare for the Fall Trip. These trips explore the broader Desert Southwest and Four Corners region, an area where CTA has developed extensive experience over the years. Recent trips have included two separate excursions to Utah, a journey through the Sedona area, and an ancestral Puebloan trek through New Mexico. These immersive experiences challenge students to apply classroom learning to real-world environments, particularly in desert landscapes where water scarcity, terrain, and careful planning are essential.
The final excursion, known as the Spring Trip, is an extension of the Personal Skills program. Students embark on a trip that reflects their favorite Personal Skill course. Robertson explained, “The first trip is an introduction to the backcountry, the second one is about navigating the desert, and then the end of your trip is about honoring what kids are passionate about.”
CTA’s non-traditional approach offers students alternative pathways they may not have been exposed to otherwise. One student discovered his passion for aviation, and CTA staff connected him with DarkHorse Aviation, a local flight school. He has since dedicated countless hours to learning how to safely fly an aircraft. “He had his first solo flight a few weeks ago,” Robertson said. “It was a pretty awesome breakthrough.”
CTA has been a constant presence in our small town, transforming education by highlighting the Southwest’s abundant beauty and wealth of outdoor opportunities. To learn more about enrollment or programming, visit ctaedu.org.
Three out of the five graduates from last year's class chose to stay in Durango and attend Fort Lewis College.