Watershed Schoolhouse emphasizes community. If you want to hear directly from community members—parents, supporters, advisors—who are engaging with way of educating, read on.
Testimonials
— Mele Benz, Butte County Office of Education
“Visiting Watershed Schoolhouse and watching my daughter engage with Brendan was nothing short of inspiring. From the moment she stepped into his learning space, he met her curiosity with genuine warmth and an intuitive understanding of how to foster deep, meaningful engagement.
Brendan’s approach to education is built on trust, relationships, and student-driven learning. His ability to create an environment where children feel both challenged and supported is rare. He doesn’t simply impart knowledge—he cultivates independence, guiding students to explore, question, and take ownership of their learning. This became evident as I watched my daughter light up in his presence, as she was encouraged to think critically and connect with the world around her in ways I hadn’t seen before.
His background in both traditional and alternative education, coupled with his commitment to equity and inclusivity, makes him an educator who truly sees and values each student. Brendan understands that learning isn’t just about academics—it’s about belonging, identity, and connection to the environment. His thoughtful, student-centered approach is what makes Watershed Schoolhouse such a unique and impactful place.
“Learning isn’t just about academics—it’s about belonging, identity, and connection to the environment.”
If you’re looking for an educational space where children are empowered to learn with curiosity and confidence, Watershed Schoolhouse and Brendan’s mentorship are something truly special.”
— Santy Gray, Watershed Parent
As parents we facilitate some of the most impactful experiences that our child will have. Where they receive their education dictates their access to basic needs, connection to community and most importantly, how they assess identity and meaning. Watershed answered a deep need for my values, connection and the space for self-actualization
Education, industry and location offer a blueprint to a certain life. While there may be some room for creativity, students are matriculated through a system that is designed to have specific outcomes. While I find this approach valuable, the cultural shift we are seeing in education is expanding measures of achievement.
“Good education introduces us to ourselves.”
To foster connection to self for my child, I knew that a traditional school day schedule would be challenging. My child is exploratory, curious, joyful and cares about others in a genuine way. I considered multiple schools as I sought for a fit that considered his strengths. A day at Watershed provides my child with access to a beautiful campus, where the land informs their learning. They focus on being good stewards of the space.
The parent teacher conference focused on areas that reflected areas of growth that expand beyond standardized assessments alone. Additionally, the mentoring relationship provides a collaborative experience; my child led the conference. This made space for my child to trust himself.
At Watershed the areas of focus are rooted in growth, strengths and asset framing. This shift allows for me to support my child in ways that are unique to him. In addition to my child's the stellar academic performance, I have watched my child go from self-conscious and comparative to confident, inclusive, exploratory.
Watershed has cleared a path toward an educational experience held and rooted in connection, to land, environment, community and self.