Durango Big Picture High School Home

One student at a time.
Exterior Big Picture High School

About Us

BPHS is a part of the Big Picture Learning Network, a large, international network of schools started in 1995 in the United States. The Durango school has about 90 students, each developing personalized learning plans that include independent projects, content-specific experiences, and comprehensive internships each year. 
students do community service work
Where we’re located
Durango School District map
Ribbon cutting at the new Big Picture High School location

Mission

The mission of Durango Big Picture High School is to empower students to use their interests and passions to drive their learning through real world application and experiences in order to reach their personal, social and academic goals.

School & District News

Bravo Award winner Krista Karpel

Bravo Award winner: Krista Karpel

Throughout each school year, DSD employees nominate their colleagues for Bravo Awards, an honor that recognizes faculty and staff who demonstrate Portrait of a Graduate attributes as they go above and beyond for students and the district.
Two adults cheer on a young child riding a red bike on a gravel road.

Parenting series: December 2025 classes + newsletter on Holiday Stress, Mental Health, and How to Cope

Need help in supporting your child's well-being? We are offering FREE live webinars on Monday-Thursday evenings throughout the school year, and you can always watch previously recorded classes on your own time by visiting the Cook Center's full content library. Live webinar topics in December include Compassionate Parenting, Depression: You're Not Alone, Navigating Divorce When Children Are Involved, Social Media: Protecting Your Child, ABCs of Substance Use and Vaping, and many more.
Bravo Award winner Josh Lamb

Bravo Award winner: Josh Lamb

Throughout each school year, DSD employees nominate their colleagues for Bravo Awards, an honor that recognizes faculty and staff who demonstrate Portrait of a Graduate attributes as they go above and beyond for students and the district.
Social media logos

Connect with DSD on social media

Did you know Durango School District (DSD, formerly 9-R) shares stories, celebrations, and behind-the-scenes moments every week on social media? Follow us to see what’s happening in our classrooms and beyond — from teaching innovations and student projects to staff spotlights and community connections.
A child eats a healthy school lunch in a school cafeteria.

Program update: Healthy School Meals for All

Propositions MM and LL were passed by voters in the recent election, which allows the Healthy School Meals for All program to raise and retain additional funding. This means there will be no changes to our breakfast and lunch programs this year. All students will continue to have access to free, nutritious meals each school day.
Recycle bin for film plastic

Schools roll out 'everyday sustainability' programs

Durango School District is taking everyday steps toward a greener future with two new sustainability programs that are already making an impact across schools: the Bulk Milk Program and the Film Plastic Recycling Program.
A kneeling adult hugs a smiling child.

Parenting series: November 2025 classes + newsletter on Gratitude and Mental Health

Need help in supporting your child's well-being? We are offering FREE live webinars on Monday-Thursday evenings throughout the school year, and you can always watch previously recorded classes on your own time by visiting the Cook Center's full content library. Live webinar topics in November include Building Your Child's Confidence, Your Child's Anxiety, What Parents Need to Know About Suicide Prevention, The Healing Process After Loss, and many more.
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Samantha Tower

Principal's Message

Big Picture's rigorous and highly personalized approach to education combines academic work with real-world experiences that prepare them for what is next after high school. Students choose their own adventure, with highly personalized and experiential learning tailored to their interests. – Samantha Tower, Principal

Events

SSN Fall Celebration

Time: 5 PM – 6 PM
Location: Impact Career Innovation Center (Durango High School campus) 2410 Main Ave. Durango, CO 81301
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Engineer Mountain

Quality of Life

Durango is a beautiful place to live and work. It is located at 6,512 feet elevation in Southwest Colorado near the Four Corners region. Families who live here enjoy a historic steam train, ski resort, rivers, vibrant downtown, bike trails, sky-high “fourteener” mountains, and four distinct seasons with an average of 266 sunny days per year. We welcome new families and new staff members, and we offer excellent benefits and competitive salaries. 
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Accessibility Statement

It is the goal of Durango School District that the information on this website be accessible to individuals with visual, hearing, or cognitive disabilities. Good faith efforts are being made to ensure that our website complies with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0.
 
Most pages on our site are available in HTML format, which can be read by screen readers. Some documents are in Adobe PDF format, requiring Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded for free from the Adobe website. Additionally, some documents are in Google Docs and Google Forms. Most modern browsers and screen readers can access Google-based documents. More information about Google web products accessibility can be found on the Google Accessibility website.
 
To ensure accessibility for everyone in our community, including those with disabilities, Durango School District is taking the following steps:
 
* We are actively identifying and addressing accessibility barriers across our websites and digital platforms.
* We request accessibility documentation (such as VPATs – Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates) from vendors whose digital tools or content are used on our websites.
* We work with vendors and service providers to ensure they are taking steps toward full compliance with WCAG and Section 504 requirements.
* We are committed to ongoing staff training and continuous website improvement.
* We regularly review our digital content to align with the Colorado Digital Accessibility Act (C.R.S. 24-34-104) and the latest applicable standards.
 
If you are unable to access any page or document on our site, please contact us at [email protected]. Include the webpage or document URL, your name, email address, and phone number. We will provide the information in an alternative format and work to resolve the issue. Alternatively, you may call the district's main information line at (970) 247-5411 and ask to speak with someone in the Communications Department. Include the location of the webpage/document, your name, email address, and phone number so we can provide the information in another format, and address the issue.

Learn more about the district's accessibility compliance plan and progress reports.