Telluride Middle/High School (TMHS) is a public, four-year college preparatory institution in Telluride, Colorado. With an enrollment of approximately 335 students in grades 9-12, TMHS offers a unique educational experience in a remote glacial valley nestled within the stunning San Juan Mountains of Southwestern Colorado. Situated 45 miles from the nearest traffic light and accessible by a six-and-a-half-hour drive from Denver, TMHS enjoys a tranquil and natural setting that fosters academic excellence and experiential learning. The school's curriculum is complemented by a strong community connection, ensuring students receive a well-rounded education that aligns with the interests and values of the local community.

Academics

In a typical year, TMHS operates on a modified block schedule. This schedule allows students to engage with their courses thrice a week for 50 minutes each and once weekly for an extended 78-minute session. Additionally, two tutorial periods are integrated into the weekly schedule, providing students with opportunities to work individually or in small groups with dedicated teachers. The student-to-full-time instructional staff ratio stands at 14.0 to 1, ensuring personalized student attention and support. 81% of TMHS instructional staff hold advanced degrees, reflecting the commitment to academic excellence.

The Colorado Department of Education ranks TMHS among the top 2% of high schools in the state, based on District Performance Standards. These standards encompass all aspects of school performance, including state testing results, graduation rates, school safety, financial reporting, and attendance. In the state-mandated SAT in April 2022, TMHS juniors achieved scores well above the state averages, demonstrating the school's dedication to academic achievement.

Expanded Curriculum

TMHS stands out with its unique partnership between the school and the local community, which offers "real-life" classes supervised by local business owners and the school's Mentorship Coordinator. This innovative approach enables students to complete internships in various career areas, including architecture, veterinary medicine, photography, auto mechanics, journalism, music, interior design, tourism, and helping agencies. The diverse and successful local population provides abundant mentorship opportunities for TMHS students.

Extracurricular Activities

TMHS boasts a wide range of extracurricular activities that cater to diverse interests. These activities include interscholastic (CHSAA) sports such as basketball, volleyball, track, soccer, cross country, golf, and lacrosse. During the ski season, students can participate in two club ski teams, club hockey and Ski PE, offering small group skiing instruction.

The school also features active and honored Knowledge Bowl teams and a Mock Trial team in its third year. Beyond sports and academics, students can engage in a plethora of extracurricular clubs and organizations, including Book Club, Bridges (a tutoring program for younger students), Build Your Own Computer Club, Climbing Club, CTC (Communities That Care), CREATE Club (creative careers exploration), Diversity Club, Environmental Club, Film Club, Gay-Straight Alliance, Girls Who Code, High School Democrats of America, Interact (a Rotary-affiliated club), International Thespian Society, Math Club, Outdoor Adventures Club, Paw Club, Peer Leadership Team, Philanthropy Club, Physics Club, Pinhead Internships, Programming Club, Radio Club (hosting a weekly student show on the local radio station), Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, Student Council, Telluride Library Council, and Video Game Club.

Moreover, TMHS students have the opportunity to showcase their talents in school musicals and plays, as well as participate in local arts initiatives such as the Sheridan Arts Foundation’s Young People’s Theater, Children’s Chorus, the Adult Choir, and the student-choreographed Telluride AIDS Benefit Fashion Show. The school also collaborates with the local 'Rock and Roll Academy" to enhance its concert and pep bands for musically inclined students.

Global Engagement

TMHS is committed to fostering global perspectives among its students despite its geographic isolation through exchange programs. Most years, between four and five TMHS students have the opportunity to study abroad, broadening their horizons and enriching their educational experiences.

At Telluride Middle/High School, students benefit from a rigorous academic curriculum and enjoy a vibrant extracurricular scene, strong community ties, and a stunning natural backdrop, making it a unique and enriching place for high school education.