Culture and Community Context​

"Manitou Springs High School serves approximately 500 students from Grade 9 to Grade 12 who reside in the communities of Manitou Springs, Cascade, Green Mountain Falls, Chipita Park, Crystal Park, and Cedar Heights. In addition, approximately half of our students “choice” into our High School from other towns in El Paso and Teller Counties. We offer a “small town” educational environment, and we are driven by “Relationships, Rigor, and Opportunity” as we serve our children and our communities. At Manitou Springs High School we are proud of our success in meeting the needs of every student. In addition to a challenging academic curriculum including Advanced Placement and Concurrent Enrollment course offerings, Manitou Springs High School offers comprehensive art, physical education, music, computer technology, Special Education, and gifted/talented instruction. Students may choose from many enriching after school programs. Manitou Springs School District 14 schools have consistently received a “High” rating on the Colorado State Accountability Report. Average MSHS class size is 22 students." Click here to visit Manitou's home page.

Demographic Characteristics

*All information is current as of  August 2019 and was found on niche.com

Total enrollment:

507

Gifted Students:

8.2%

Gender:

• Female

  52%

• Male

  48%

Student Diversity

• White

  85.4%

• Hispanic

  8.3%

• Multiracial

  3.6%

• African American

  1.2%

• Asian

  1%

Classroom Environment

In my 8 weeks at Manitou Springs High School I experienced teaching in a smaller school atmosphere. the student to teacher ratio is about 15:1 and that was very unique for me. Classes were 90 minutes and on an A and B schedule so I say students every day and taught 6 different classes. I taught metal-smithing where we explored the ideas of cold connections, and negative vs. positive space. I taught two different beginning art classes where we explored proportion, perspective and color. I taught printmaking where we explored social justice issues through artwork and linoleum relief. I also taught sculpture where we explored relief, carving, and additive; we also explored social justice issues involving the environment. Literacy was integrated in all lessons whether it be a writing response or part of the planing/idealization process.

Safe Schools and Students with Special Needs

Attached here is a direct link to some of Manitou Springs High Schools safety support.
Lesson Plans:
I wanted to include two of the most meaningful projects I taught at Manitou Springs High School. Both have to do with social justice and creating.
The first one I would like to share can be found here. It is a kinetic sculpture group project. Students were encouraged to think as groups and incorporate STEAM (Science, technology, engineering, art, and math).
The second lesson I would like to highlight is here. This lesson students were challenged to think deeply about how social justice has affected them. After thinking deeply they write me a page long response in which I sent anonymously to a peer in class to create their story.This was another group project to promote deeper thinking and connect students on another level.