Northern Rockies

Teton Science Schools serves as the anchor for our Northern Rockies hub.

Teton Science Schools

Teton Science Schools (TSS), a national leader in Place-Based Education, anchors our Northern Rockies hub. TSS has campuses in Jackson, Wyoming and Victor, Idaho, and additionally serves schools throughout the country with its outreach and educator professional development programs. Leslie Cook, Head of Professional Learning at Teton Science Schools, serves as the hub contact for the Northern Rockies.

The partnership and work of the Northern Rockies Regional Hub centers on Teton Science Schools’ Place Network, a network of K-12 schools that focus on connecting rural schools and communities through Place-Based Education. The long-term vision for TSS is a scalable, rural school K-12 model that centers on student-centered, Place-Based Education across all curriculum areas. To better connect the schools, TSS will be developing a digital network for rural school collaboration; Rural Schools Collaborative has assisted TSS in the establishment of Place Network Schools.

  • Place Network: The TSS Place Network Teton Place-Based Learning Framework empowers educators to move beyond test-driven models by fostering authentic, community-rooted education. Through learner-centered practices, real-world community impact, and the use of local settings as classrooms, students and teachers build meaningful connections and exceed academic goals.
  • Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps​: This flagship program, developed in partnership with the University of Wyoming (UW), offers place-based training and support to prepare pre-service teachers for careers in rural Wyoming schools. It was established with support from Rural Schools Collaborative, the George B. Storer Foundation, and the UW College of Education Dean’s Office.
  • Mountain Academy: Teton Science Schools’ Mountain Academy offers students pre-K-12 a holistic, place-based education that challenges students to think critically and engage deeply with the world around them. With campuses in Jackson, WY, and Teton Valley, ID, students benefit from a unified learning model, immersive experiences, and meaningful connections that foster lifelong learning and community impact.

Teton Science Schools' Place Network

A national learning community focused on place-based education.

Spotlight

Monmouth College Rural Teacher Corps participants in the snow covered Teton Mountains.

TARTANS Take to Training in the Tetons

A unique trip brought together two RSC hub partners for intentional learning, memorable experiences, and crucial relationship building in the beautiful snow-covered Teton Mountains.

This past March, a group of future rural educators from Monmouth College embarked on a transformative journey to the Teton Range, immersing themselves in Place-Based Education at Teton Science Schools. Despite a snowstorm nearly derailing their trip, the TARTANS, Monmouth’s Rural Teacher Corps, discovered firsthand how the local landscape and community shape education. From snowshoeing through Grand Teton National Park to engaging with Jackson’s nonprofits and educators, the experience deepened their understanding of teaching within their own rural communities. Read the full story to see how this adventure reshaped their perspectives and inspired their future classrooms.

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More news and stories from our Northern Rockies Regional Hub:

2024-25 Grants in Place Updates from the Field

Celebrating Innovation, Community, and Hands-On Learning: How Rural Educators Are Transforming Classrooms Across the Country Through Place-Based Education
Group of students from Monmouth College in winter gear standing in a semi-circle with snow covered trees behind them.

TARTANS Take to Training in the Tetons

A unique trip brought together two RSC hub partners for intentional learning, memorable experiences, and crucial relationship building in the beautiful snow-covered Teton Mountains.
Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps students participating in an activity outside. There are several sheets of white paper on the ground in a row and the students are looking at them. There is a multi-level log cabin like structure behind them and trees along a path leading to the building.

In The News: Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps

The University of Wyoming College of Education and Teton Science Schools are working toward improving teacher retention through new approaches to preparation and professional development.
Students from the University of Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps cohort sitting down in the grass with the Teton Mountain range in the background.

Investing in Rural Teachers: Catalyst Initiative

The Rural Teacher Corps model showcases how national philanthropy can serve as a catalyst for local solutions.