Escalante Middle School Home

We are crew,
not passengers.
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About Us

Escalante Middle School is for 6th-8th grade students and is located on the south end of Durango, Colorado – just beneath the beautiful Purple Cliffs along the Animas River. Escalante is an EL Learning (formerly Expeditionary Learning) school. This means we believe that learning is active, challenging, meaningful, public, and collaborative. 
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Where we’re located
Durango School District map
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Mission

Our mission is to empower students to apply the habits of work, learning, and scholarship to become productive and caring citizens. Reading, writing, mathematics, geography, science, and history are all taught using the team approach. We meet students' individual learning needs by challenging our instruction to address each student's learning style, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. We use online and computer-based instruction, individualizing reading programs, and student learning groups based on similar academic abilities. 

School & District News

Basketball Image

Eagle Boys Basketball 2026

We are excited to start the Eagle Boys Basketball Season here at Escalante. The first day of practice is on Monday, October 5th from 2:40-5:00pm. We will practice on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 3:35-6:00pm and Friday from 3:35-5:30 pm. Coaches will appreciate prompt pickup after games and practices. Athletes need to bring athletic clothing, gym shoes, and a water bottle to each practice. Practice is required, and it is the expectation that athletes attend all practices. If they cannot come to a particular practice, the student needs to communicate with Coach Bastin or Coach Dodd. Attendance is recorded each day.

More information below...
Durango School District's SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab

SOIL's Summer 2026 Lab Report now available

DSD's SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab just published its Summer 2026 Lab Report. Take a look to learn about the expanded SOIL Shares program, read an important funding update, view details on upcoming community workshops, and more.
YouTube thumbnail of video covering Durango High School Homecoming Parade on Sept. 21, 2026

DHS Homecoming fun + more to come this week!

Check out this student-created video from the Durango High School HOCO Parade on Sept. 21, then make plans to cheer on student-athletes and clubs during a volleyball triple-header, a community tailgate, and the varsity football game on Sept. 25.
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Matt Smith, Principal, Escalante Middle School

Principal's Message

Welcome, Eagle students and families! At Escalante Middle School, we focus on building a culture of respect, responsibility, courage, and kindness — where students and staff are committed to quality work and citizenship. We strive to provide our students with hands-on experiences, both inside and outside of the classroom, so that our students can see the connections between what they are learning in the classroom and the real world. 

Matt Smith
Principal

Events

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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

Durango School District is committed to ensuring our digital platforms are accessible to everyone, aligning with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards and Colorado accessibility laws. If you encounter a barrier or need an alternative format, please contact us at [email protected] or (970) 247-5411.