If your student feels unseen, disconnected, or stuck ... there is another path
Small. Personal. Real-world. Rigorous.
A school that fits you — now in a new, permanent home for 2026–2027
You don’t have to fit a mold here. You belong as you are.
At Durango Big Picture High School (DBPHS), learning is built around your interests, goals, and future. Our new, permanent building opens August 2026. We’re moving into a newly renovated, district-owned space designed for Big Picture learning – more room to create, collaborate, and connect. Questions? Call (970) 259-0203.
Why students choose DBPHS
At DBPHS, you’re not just a number. You are the architect of your own education. We combine:
- Strong relationships: Small advisories and daily support
- Real-world learning: Internships + community experiences
- Academic challenge: Projects, feedback, and presentations that show what you know
- Flexible pathways: college, trades, workforce, entrepreneurship
DBPHS is part of Durango School District (DSD) and the international Big Picture Learning network used in over 100 schools worldwide. Big Picture Learning (BPL) is a non-profit network of over 275 innovative, student-centered schools worldwide founded in 1995 to personalize education around student interests. Operating under the motto "One Student at a Time," BPL schools feature small, advisory-based learning, real-world internships, and portfolio-based assessments, aiming to prepare students for careers, college, and citizenship.
New building for 2026-2027: Built for creativity and connection
Starting August 2026, DBPHS will be in a newly renovated, permanent home and it’s designed to support how we learn best. Our new address is: 281 Sawyer Drive, Suite 300 (entire top floor), Durango, CO 81303
What’s new inside:
- More space: 10,384 sq. ft. – that’s 2,567 sq. ft. more than before!
- Bigger classrooms and flexible layouts
- Fitness room, maker space, outdoor learning areas, arts/media lab
- A small kitchen for warming and serving food
- A permanent, district-owned facility (no more leasing)
Construction timeline:
- Renovation wraps spring 2026, with doors opening late August 2026.
- A community open house is planned before school starts.
Top 10 Reasons Big Picture is unique
- One Student at a Time: Your learning plan is personalized to your interests and talents.
- The Advisory “Family”: You’re in a small group (no more than 19 students) with one Advisor who stays with you through high school.
- Learning Through Internships: Spend time in the community with a mentor in a field you care about.
- Leaving to Learn: We use Durango as a “living classroom” for real-world experiences.
- Authentic Assessment: Show your learning through projects and public exhibitions.
- Strong School Culture: Built on trust, respect, and equality between students and staff.
- Family Engagement: Parents and caregivers are active partners in the learning journey.
- Flexible Organization: We aren’t bound by traditional bells and schedules — we focus on what works for your growth.
- Shared Leadership: Students have a real voice in how our school works.
- Post-Secondary Success: Whether it’s college, trades, or work, we help you map your next steps.
Who Big Picture is for
Big Picture is a great fit for students who:
- Are independent, creative, and want more choice
- Feel unseen in a large, traditional school
- Want a school where adults know them well
- Learn differently — including many twice-exceptional and gifted learners
- Want real-world learning that connects school to life
Our core promise: You don’t have to fit a mold here. You belong as you are.
What learning looks like here
- At Big Picture, students learn through:
- Student-led projects based on interests
- Internships (often 2–3 days per week) aligned to goals
- Exhibitions where students present their work publicly
- Daily support from Advisors who know students academically and personally
- Students graduate with real experience, not just credits.
Family Night: Come see what we’re all about
The event will be held March 10, 2026 at 5:30 p.m., at the existing location in the Durango Tech Center, 150 Tech Center Drive, Suites A & E (not the new building in Bodo Park). An open house will be held in the new location in the summer of 2026.
- See the new building.
- Bring your questions.
- Meet staff.
- Hear student stories.
- Learn how DBPHS works today.
Enroll now
DBPHS is enrolling for 2026–2027. If you’re looking for a school where students can be fully themselves — and build a real plan for their future — this is the place. Want to talk first or meet our leadership? Call (970) 259-0203.
