General Questions About Unification
Why unify the two schools?
Our schools can be even better together. Both schools have excellent programs, strong finances, and well-established reputations — and we have always shared a commitment to progressive learning and student-centered education. Unifying the strength of both schools will yield a combined school which is more than the sum of its parts.
What are the anticipated advantages of unification?
After unification, our combined school will provide enormous opportunities for our community, including:
- Our students will benefit from a cohesive experience, from preschool through high school, that strengthens academic culture and deepens learning. In this continuous educational journey, students can grow in a nurturing environment — with teachers who know them deeply and can support their evolving needs at every stage.
- Our teachers will be able to collaborate among a larger group of exceptional peers, sparking fresh ideas, a richer curriculum, and learning experiences that offer even greater community impact.
- Our school will benefit from a broader, more diverse community that offers a wider range of perspectives, friendships, and opportunities for connection. And our school can continue to serve as an inspiring model of progressive-learning, nationwide.
- Our expanded community will offer greater organizational strength and resilience, allowing us to continue to keep our focus where it should be – on teaching and learning.
What’s the overall timeline for unification?
The unification process begins with the schedule of listening sessions that we’ve outlined. Additional announcements and events are planned as the schools begin to actively collaborate on the unification process. We intend to operate as a combined school starting in the fall of 2026 and we don’t anticipate any momentous programming or logistical changes before then.
How can I participate in the process of unification?
We hope to bring the best of both schools into our combined school, and your input is critical. We have launched a comprehensive listening tour to ensure that we understand how best to support every member of our community during the transition. We encourage you to submit questions/comments and sign up to participate in the listening sessions. In all cases, we benefit the most from your candid feedback!
We are especially mindful of the overlap between our middle schools, and we’ve planned some events and discussions specifically in support of middle-school groups.
Is this information public? What information has been shared?
Transparent and inclusive communications are a priority for us, and it’s important that all members of the community stay in sync. With those goals in mind, we plan to share virtually identical communications to all audiences. (Our communications on this topic may feel a little more formal and generic as a result!)
All public announcements are shared with the entire community and are available here, on TogetherinBoulder.org.
Who is leading the transition?
The Joint Unification Task Force, formed from the boards of both schools, is leading the unification process.
What will the combined school be named?
We have not yet decided on a new name for the combined school. A task force comprised of Trustees from both boards will make this decision, but we welcome your thoughts and suggestions through our feedback form.
When will we know more?
We will release additional information as it becomes available. Significant updates will likely be communicated by email, and TogetherinBoulder.org will be updated as an authoritative resource throughout the process.
Can I help? Can I make a donation? How else can I support unification?
Great question! There are three big ways you can help:
- You can support unification by providing your comments through the planned listening sessions and feedback forms.
- As the process proceeds, continue to support your current school through active participation in events, and don’t forget to make an annual fund donation to your current school — it’s a big help! (Follow these links to donate to Watershed and/or Friends.)
- Keep in mind that during unification, as with any complex process, there will be bumps along the road! Stay positive and trust the process!
Will this affect tuition, fees, and financial aid this coming fall?
Tuition, fees, and other financial arrangements for the coming year remain as previously announced. Future updates to tuition and fees will be announced annually, as always.
Will there be a unified campus?
At this time, Friends School has two campuses and Watershed School has one. For the coming school year, students will attend their current schools at their current locations. The Joint Unification Task Force will be exploring the best use of our combined facilities. We look forward to your suggestions and comments as we explore future options.
Who should I contact with questions?
Please submit questions and comments through the form on TogetherinBoulder.org.
Was the decision to unify made for financial reasons?
Our two schools are aligned philosophically, academically, and culturally. The primary reason for unification was our belief that together, we could provide an even better educational experience for our students. Secondarily, there are some financial benefits our unified school will enjoy by combining our resources (eg. one Head of School, one ACIS membership, one student information system, etc). Due to national demographic trends, small independent schools across the country are talking about joining forces. Friends School and Watershed School are ahead of the curve. Our schools can be even better together.
Why are you using the word unification and how is that different from a merger?
Unification is commonly used when schools combine as it often carries a broader, more ideological meaning of creating unity. We believe this captures the philosophical, academic, and cultural commonalities of our two schools and represents the driver behind our decision to join forces. Merger, on the other hand, is commonly used in business contexts to describe the formal combination of two separate organizations into a single entity, usually with legal and financial implications. You will see that we use the two terms interchangeably to convey both the legal and the philosophical joining of our schools.
What will happen to the cherished programs and traditions at my current school?
One of the reasons we’re joining forces is because we so deeply admire each others’ programs and traditions! While we don’t, yet, know details of what programs, celebrations, and traditions will look like in our unified school, we will seek input as we work to bring the best of both schools to our combined school.
How long has this been planned?
Early discussions of unification began nearly two years ago.
Will students automatically be accepted to the upper school?
As is the current practice at both of our schools, once enrolled, students will be promoted from one grade to another assuming their continued academic and programmatic fit with the school.
Are there any Watershed parents I can talk with about their experience? My kids are currently at Friends and I want to know a little more about what Watershed is like: parent to parent.
Yes! The parent perspective is so important. These parents have offered to speak about their family’s experience at Watershed with anyone from Friends School. Just email to set up a time to talk!
- Kari Wheeler: mom of a Watershed graduate (Class of 2022) and a current senior (Class of 2025). Both of her kids attended MS and US at Watershed. kariwheels@gmail.com
- Thomas Darwish & Ryan Swanson: dad and mom of a current 6th grader. darwistj@gmail.com, swanryan@gmail.com
- Anita Suchdeo: mom of two Watershed students (Classes of 2025 and 2027). Both of her kids attended schools on the east coast prior to coming to Watershed two years ago. asuchdeo@yahoo.com
Middle School Unification Questions
When will we know the specifics of how the middle schools will be combined?
We are mindful of the impact this announcement has on those engaged with the middle school, and we plan to have some events and discussions specifically for these groups. At present, we don’t know any specifics of how the middle schools will be combined.
Can I tour the “other” school?
Yes! We are making plans for a series of open houses and tours of both schools are part of those plans. Details will be announced later in the year.
When will Middle school teachers be able to start planning together?
This is a priority! Our two schools will come together for a shared planning day during our June Professional Learning/Professional Development time. Middle school teachers will be planning additional collaboration time over the summer. We will schedule collaboration time for our teachers during August Professional Learning/Professional Development days and are beginning to discuss a regular cadence of collaboration time for teachers during the upcoming school year.
School Leadership Changes
Both school Heads have announced their departure. Was this merger-related?
This is a sensible question given the coincidental timing. The departures of the heads are not related to the decision to unify the schools. Both heads are highly supportive of the unification plan and have been integral to the boards’ exploration and discussions over the last year.
Who will lead the combined schools?
Tim Breen and Matt Levinson will lead Watershed School and Friends School, respectively, during the 2025–2026 school year. The combined school will have an interim head for the 2026–2027 school year. A permanent head will be appointed to lead the school starting in the fall of 2027.
Why two interim years in a row?
We understand that having two years of interim heads may seem overcomplicated. School unification is a complex transition period, and interim heads of school are often hired to shepherd schools through these periods of complexity. In addition, the appointment of interims gives the board the time it needs to conduct a thorough, thoughtful, nationwide search and ensure that our combined school has the long-term leadership it deserves.
