Frequently Asked Questions

Sometimes expeditionary learning is confused with nature schools. Although nature schools are a neat concept, EL schools emphasize engaged teaching and learning, project-based curriculum, and a demanding and supportive school culture. Literacy is central and reading and writing are integrated throughout the curriculum. Character development and teamwork are not just emphasized, but embedded in school structures, practices and rituals and integrated into the academic program. In Expeditionary Learning schools, much of the academic work is done in learning expeditions — long-term investigations of important questions and subjects that include individual and group projects, field studies, and performances and presentations of student work.

VBE receives per pupil revenue from the state just as do public school districts. In addition to these monies VBE will be a 501(c)(3) organization pursuing grant and donation funding to increase the resources available to students and teachers.

No, VBE is a free, public school chartered by Pueblo County School District 70.

VBE serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade.

To add your student to the VBE waitlist for a future academic year, please stop by the school office Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM and complete the waitlist form.

VBE follows a slightly modified version of the Pueblo County School District 70 academic calendar. The VBE academic calendar can be found on the Calendar tab of this website.

We allow up to 50 students per grade level. With two teachers per grade, our student to teacher ratio is no more than 25:1. Through our partnership with CSUP, field experience students and student teachers are in the classroom daily. Along with parent volunteers, there is always plenty of support in the classroom.

VBE students, grades K-5, participate in Adventure Bound/Physical Education twice a week as well as Creative Arts twice a week. WIthin Creative Arts, students participate in a quarter of Dance, Music, Theater and Visual Arts. In grades 6-8, students will have two electives per day per semester. VBE will offer a variety of electives that may include but will not be limited to physical activities, creative arts, technology, media, robotics, programming, additional science topics such as STEM and additional social studies topics such as geography.

Students in grades K-5 have two recesses and an extended lunch time each day.

Because VBE is not a boundary school and our students come from all areas of the Pueblo city and county limits, we do not offer bus transportation at VBE.

VBE believes that family support and involvement is vital to the success of our school. Therefore, we expect each family to complete 10 hours of volunteer activities each year. Parents will be notified of volunteer opportunities throughout the year.

VBE partners with the Pueblo YMCA to offer fee-based, extended care programming to VBE families in need of after-school and/or Friday care. After-school programming is offered Monday through Thursday from 3:00 – 5:30 PM on site at VBE. Friday care programming is available 7:00 AM through 6:30 PM on site at the Pueblo YMCA.

After-School Enrichments are one hour classes that are an activity of Explorer and Crew Leader interest. Enrichments are often based in arts and crafts, games, STEM and physical activities. Enrichments typically take place once a week for eight weeks. It is VBE’s goal to offer numerous different enrichment activities throughout the year – in the fall, winter and spring.