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Welcome to the SLVHS Watershed Academy Homepage

Watershed Student Opportunities

The Watershed Academy seeks bright, creative students with interest in learning about the relationship of math, science, technology and communication to their daily lives and futures.

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" The Watershed Academy is a four-year Environmental Technology program for students in grades 9-12 that provides four years of science, with specialty courses in Aquaculture, Environmental Science and Environmental monitoring. This California State funded program is a partnership between business and education that provides real-world work experience in the field, as well as an integrated academic and technical curriculum. Upon graduation, students are prepared not only for entry-level employment in a high-growth profession, but are also equipped with the academic skills for continuing their education"

What is a Watershed?

A watershed is the land area drained by a given river. The San Lorenzo River is about 25 miles long, but the river's watershed encompasses many tributaries, too.

How did the Watershed Academy start?
Terry Umstead and Jane Orbuch had a dream to integrate our local environment and watershed into an educationally rich and hands-on science program for students. Terry specifically wanted to see the populations of Coho salmon and Steelhead increase in the San Lorenzo River and wished to create a fish hatchery to make this goal a reality. Jane Orbuch wanted to see students educated in science and the environment using the San Lorenzo River Watershed as its theme. She also wanted to students do real hands-on environmental science monitoring projects. Jane and Terry applied for a California State Department of Education Specialized Secondary program grant in 1998 and were funded for four years. Kelly Wade enhanced the program by applying for a California State Department of Education Partnership Academy Grant in 2000, under which the program is still funded.

Watershed students comment on the Academy:

"The Watershed Academy has made me work to my full potential."

"My most rewarding experience with the Academy has been getting to know people and attaining trusting relationships."

"The hands-on science projects are a challenge to my mental abilities. I love them!"