|
1
|
2
-
Professional Development Day for Staff (no classes for students)
Professional Development Day for Staff (no classes for students)
February 2, 2026 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
See more details
•
|
3
-
School Excellence Committee Meeting
School Excellence Committee Meeting
February 3, 2026 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
The School Excellence Committee’s purpose is to cultivate, support and promote academic and cultural excellence for all students at Animas High School. This working group is responsible for developing and recommending policies to the Board consistent with the school charter and the promises made to our community. The SEC is also chartered with overseeing the ongoing evaluation of the school’s academic performance and developing strategies for academic improvement. As a standing Board Committee, the chair of the SEC provides periodic updates to the Board of Directors.
SEC email: [email protected]
To join the video meeting, click this link: https://meet.google.com/xkz-aaka-gtp Otherwise, to join by phone, dial +1 219-803-8966 and enter this PIN: 494 476 094#To join the video meeting, click this link: https://meet.google.com/xkz-aaka-gtp
See more details
•
|
4
-
Osprey Block Advisory Group Meeting
Osprey Block Advisory Group Meeting
February 4, 2026 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm
See more details
-
AHS Online Information Session for Prospective Families
AHS Online Information Session for Prospective Families
February 4, 2026 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Are you a family considering high school options for Fall 2026? Curious about what Animas High School has to offer but unable to visit with us in person? Join us for an Online Information Session! RSVP here.
AHS Information Sessions are designed to provide an opportunity to connect with a handful of students and staff so you can learn more about our curriculum, programs and school community.
Learn more about how to enroll, important dates and more here.
See more details
-
Meet Head of School Finalist Michael Gard
Meet Head of School Finalist Michael Gard
February 4, 2026 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
|
Meet the Finalists
Candidate 1: Michael Gard
Dr. Michael Gard brings more than two decades of experience spanning classroom teaching, campus leadership, district-level talent strategy, and operations. With a foundation in engineering and science education, Michael has consistently championed project-based and experiential learning—launching engineering and CTE pathways, mentoring award-winning robotics teams, and expanding access to college credit through inclusive AP and dual enrollment models.
As a high school leader, he guided a major curricular redesign grounded in data and community input, significantly broadening postsecondary opportunity for students. His experience also includes overseeing recruitment and leadership development at the district level and intentionally building expertise in facilities and transportation to deepen his operational fluency. Michael is a thoughtful, analytical leader who values transparency, collaboration, and strong support systems for students and staff. He is motivated by helping schools align vision, instruction, and operations to ensure every student graduates prepared for a meaningful future. Michael holds superintendent and principal authorizations in Colorado and teaching, principal, and superintendent licensure in Arizona. He lives in Phoenix, AZ.
Michael Gard Resume
Candidate 2: Dreher Robertson
Dreher Robertson brings a deep commitment to experiential learning, relational leadership, and student-centered systems. His career has been shaped by the Big Picture Learning model and by leading innovative alternative and residential schools in the Four Corners Area.. In Aztec, New Mexico, he led the transformation of a small alternative high school into a growing school of choice—expanding enrollment, strengthening school culture, and building meaningful partnerships, including collaboration with a local college to create authentic learning and teacher development pathways.
At the heart of his leadership is a belief that learning should be purposeful, interest-driven, and grounded in strong relationships. He is particularly passionate about helping students discover their competence and supporting educators through coaching and professional growth. Dreher’s experience spans instructional leadership, fundraising, operations, and social-emotional supports, and he is energized by building schools where both young people and adults thrive. Dreher has been living in the Durango area for more than a decade.
Dreher Robertson Resume
Community Engagement Opportunities
Your voices matter deeply in this decision and we have designed an inclusive interview process that will allow us to hear from all stakeholder groups. Students, faculty, staff, FLC representatives, and the Board will be meeting with candidates throughout the day and we invite families and community members to engage with our finalists on Wednesday, February 4 (Michael) and Thursday, February 5th (Dreher) from 6:00pm-7:00pm at Animas High School.
We encourage all to take advantage of your opportunity to meet the candidates, ask questions, and learn more about their vision for Animas High School.
Share Your Feedback
The Search Committee will carefully review all stakeholder feedback as part of our comprehensive evaluation process. We are committed to selecting a leader who will honor our school's history and distinctive mission, strengthen our community, and guide Animas High School into an exciting next chapter marked by transformative learning experiences and lasting community connection.
Please support our commitment to community-informed decision making by completing an anonymous survey about your impressions of and insights on the candidates. A link to the feedback survey will be available at each session. Your thoughtful input will be instrumental in helping the Search Committee make a final recommendation to the AHS Board of Directors.
What's Next
Campus Visits: February 4th & 5th
Community Feedback Period: February 4th – 8th
Final Decision & Announcement: Late February/Early March
|
|
See more details
• • •
|
5
-
AHS Campus Tour for Prospective Families
AHS Campus Tour for Prospective Families
February 5, 2026 8:45 am - 9:45 am
Are you a family considering high school options for Fall 2026? Curious about what Animas High School has to offer? Join us for a Campus Tour! RSVP here.
AHS Campus Tours are student-led, giving you a valuable opportunity to hear their perspectives on what makes an Animas education unique while you learn more about our curriculum, programs and school community.
Learn more about how to enroll, important dates and more here.
See more details
-
Meet Head of School Finalist Dreher Robertson
Meet Head of School Finalist Dreher Robertson
February 5, 2026 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
|
Meet the Finalists
Candidate 1: Michael Gard
Dr. Michael Gard brings more than two decades of experience spanning classroom teaching, campus leadership, district-level talent strategy, and operations. With a foundation in engineering and science education, Michael has consistently championed project-based and experiential learning—launching engineering and CTE pathways, mentoring award-winning robotics teams, and expanding access to college credit through inclusive AP and dual enrollment models.
As a high school leader, he guided a major curricular redesign grounded in data and community input, significantly broadening postsecondary opportunity for students. His experience also includes overseeing recruitment and leadership development at the district level and intentionally building expertise in facilities and transportation to deepen his operational fluency. Michael is a thoughtful, analytical leader who values transparency, collaboration, and strong support systems for students and staff. He is motivated by helping schools align vision, instruction, and operations to ensure every student graduates prepared for a meaningful future. Michael holds superintendent and principal authorizations in Colorado and teaching, principal, and superintendent licensure in Arizona. He lives in Phoenix, AZ.
Michael Gard Resume
Candidate 2: Dreher Robertson
Dreher Robertson brings a deep commitment to experiential learning, relational leadership, and student-centered systems. His career has been shaped by the Big Picture Learning model and by leading innovative alternative and residential schools in the Four Corners Area.. In Aztec, New Mexico, he led the transformation of a small alternative high school into a growing school of choice—expanding enrollment, strengthening school culture, and building meaningful partnerships, including collaboration with a local college to create authentic learning and teacher development pathways.
At the heart of his leadership is a belief that learning should be purposeful, interest-driven, and grounded in strong relationships. He is particularly passionate about helping students discover their competence and supporting educators through coaching and professional growth. Dreher’s experience spans instructional leadership, fundraising, operations, and social-emotional supports, and he is energized by building schools where both young people and adults thrive. Dreher has been living in the Durango area for more than a decade.
Dreher Robertson Resume
Community Engagement Opportunities
Your voices matter deeply in this decision and we have designed an inclusive interview process that will allow us to hear from all stakeholder groups. Students, faculty, staff, FLC representatives, and the Board will be meeting with candidates throughout the day and we invite families and community members to engage with our finalists on Wednesday, February 4 (Michael) and Thursday, February 5th (Dreher) from 6:00pm-7:00pm at Animas High School.
We encourage all to take advantage of your opportunity to meet the candidates, ask questions, and learn more about their vision for Animas High School.
Share Your Feedback
The Search Committee will carefully review all stakeholder feedback as part of our comprehensive evaluation process. We are committed to selecting a leader who will honor our school's history and distinctive mission, strengthen our community, and guide Animas High School into an exciting next chapter marked by transformative learning experiences and lasting community connection.
Please support our commitment to community-informed decision making by completing an anonymous survey about your impressions of and insights on the candidates. A link to the feedback survey will be available at each session. Your thoughtful input will be instrumental in helping the Search Committee make a final recommendation to the AHS Board of Directors.
What's Next
Campus Visits: February 4th & 5th
Community Feedback Period: February 4th – 8th
Final Decision & Announcement: Late February/Early March
|
|
See more details
• •
|
6
|
7
|
|
8
|
9
-
Quantum Coding Workshop
Quantum Coding Workshop
February 9, 2026 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
AHS
AHS students are invited to join this free 4-day workshop led by Fort Lewis College faculty. Meals and materials provided!
See more details
•
|
10
-
Advancement Committee Meeting
Advancement Committee Meeting
February 10, 2026 9:00 am - 10:30 am
AHS
Through strategic planning and the implementation of best practices in fundraising, enrollment management, and marketing and communication, the Advancement Committee supports the long term viability and sustainability of the school.
See more details
-
Quantum Coding Workshop
Quantum Coding Workshop
February 10, 2026 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
AHS
AHS students are invited to join this free 4-day workshop led by Fort Lewis College faculty. Meals and materials provided!
See more details
-
AHS Campus Tour for Prospective Families
AHS Campus Tour for Prospective Families
February 10, 2026 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Are you a family considering high school options for Fall 2026? Curious about what Animas High School has to offer? Join us for a Campus Tour! RSVP here.
AHS Campus Tours are student-led, giving you a valuable opportunity to hear their perspectives on what makes an Animas education unique while you learn more about our curriculum, programs and school community.
Learn more about how to enroll, important dates and more here.
See more details
• • •
|
11
-
Quantum Coding Workshop
Quantum Coding Workshop
February 11, 2026 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
AHS
AHS students are invited to join this free 4-day workshop led by Fort Lewis College faculty. Meals and materials provided!
See more details
•
|
12
-
Ecology Field Trip: Molas Pass
Ecology Field Trip: Molas Pass
February 12, 2026 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
In partnership with the San Juan Mountain Association, Mike Bienkowski's Ecology students will head to Molas Pass for a snow science and watersheds field lesson.
See more details
-
Quantum Coding Workshop
Quantum Coding Workshop
February 12, 2026 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
AHS
AHS students are invited to join this free 4-day workshop led by Fort Lewis College faculty. Meals and materials provided!
See more details
• •
|
13
|
14
|
|
15
|
16
-
Presidents' Day Holiday (no school)
•
|
17
|
18
-
AHS Board Meeting
AHS Board Meeting
February 18, 2026 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Animas High School, 22 Osprey Way
The AHS Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring that the school is fulfilling its mission and vision, supporting and evaluating the Head of School, monitoring and strengthening the school’s programs and services, providing financial oversight, ensuring legal and ethical integrity of the organization and enhancing the school’s public standing. Board Meetings are open to the public.
AHS Board Meeting Agendas and Minutes
Google Meet joining info Video call link: https://meet.google.com/hjv-ujvh-hvv Or dial: (US) +1 732-844-3831 PIN: 751 816 920#
See more details
•
|
19
-
AHS Campus Tour for Prospective Families
AHS Campus Tour for Prospective Families
February 19, 2026 8:45 am - 9:45 am
Are you a family considering high school options for Fall 2026? Curious about what Animas High School has to offer? Join us for a Campus Tour! RSVP here.
AHS Campus Tours are student-led, giving you a valuable opportunity to hear their perspectives on what makes an Animas education unique while you learn more about our curriculum, programs and school community.
Learn more about how to enroll, important dates and more here.
See more details
-
TWIGS Event: Raising Young Adults in an AI World
TWIGS Event: Raising Young Adults in an AI World
February 19, 2026 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
How are teachers and students currently using AI in education? What are the positive and negative impacts of AI on schools and learning? How can parents/families best talk with their kids about AI's role in their development and learning? What's the future hold, in terms of the role AI will play in young adults' lives?
See more details
• •
|
20
-
TWIGS Parent/Caregiver Coffee
TWIGS Parent/Caregiver Coffee
February 20, 2026 8:30 am - 9:30 am
TWIGS: Together We Inspire Great Students! Parents and caregivers are invited to join us monthly for coffee with members of the AHS Interim School Leadership Team. TWIGS Coffees are a great opportunity to hear about school updates, connect with other Animas families, share your feedback and get to know our staff. We often invite deans and teachers to join so they can share updates from their programs and classes as well.
Bring your own mug and any questions you have--we'll supply the coffee and tea!
See more details
•
|
21
|