At Montrose’s Vista Charter School, hands-on programs boost engagement and career readiness
In Montrose, Colorado, Vista Charter School is demonstrating how free public charter schools expand high-quality options for students and families by pairing rigorous academics with hands-on, career-connected learning.
The approach is producing tangible results while building pathways that prepare students for life after high school.
According to Colorado Department of Education data from the 2022–23 school year, Colorado’s charter schools operate a wide array of innovative programs. Because charter schools have the autonomy to craft educational models aligned with their mission — ranging from Core Knowledge, STEM and Expeditionary Learning to Language Immersion, College Prep, Montessori and beyond — they are able to meet diverse student needs and local priorities. Vista exemplifies that flexibility, tailoring its offerings to re-engage learners and connect classroom learning to real-world skills.
Program highlights include Project Bike Tech, where students develop industry-relevant bicycle maintenance and repair skills under the guidance of teacher Brady, a fishing class that brings outdoor learning together with science and stewardship and a Wild Horse Therapy program in which students can adopt a horse and participate in trauma-informed therapeutic sessions, earning social-emotional learning credit with the school counselor. Vista also offers practical career pathways in barbering, sound engineering and culinary arts.
In addition, Vista’s climate of care and accountability is supported by restorative justice practices that emphasize relationship repair and growth and prioritize student belonging and progress.
"School choice gives families the dignity of finding a school that fits, and it keeps us accountable to innovate. Because we can design our own curriculum and partnerships, algebra shows up in the bike shop, science shows up on the riverbank and employability skills show up in every classroom," said Luke Siebert, executive director of Vista Charter School.
As families across Colorado seek schools that combine academic progress, mental wellness and career readiness, Vista’s model underscores the value of public charter schools that are open to all and tailored to community needs.
Thank you for the daily work that makes stories like Vista’s possible—building trust with students, partnering with families, adapting to local needs and never losing sight of the future you’re helping young people create. If you have a program or success story that deserves a spotlight, we’d love to share it with our statewide community. Send an email to [email protected] or tag us with your updates so we can celebrate you and learn from your innovations.
