JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. – After a months-long brand analysis, Teton Science Schools today announced a name change to “Mountain Academy of Teton Science Schools.”
The Board of Directors of Teton Science Schools made the decision based on information from a 7-month analysis of the Teton Science Schools brand overall. With the assistance of communications strategy and market research experts, TSS leadership sought ideas through a series of local and national surveys; community engagement sessions; teacher, parent and student feedback meetings; and advisement from a small group of parents, teachers, staff and boardmembers.
“We could not be more proud to introduce our school as Mountain Academy,” said board chair Kristie Wade. “This name—and the informed, intentional process that helped us get here—are a reflection of who we are and what we do.”
The name change will pertain to Pre-K through grade 12 at the independent school. The new name will replace legacy names from the two-campus school—Journeys School in Jackson, and Teton Valley Community School in Teton Valley. After a partnership of many years and an integration of the Teton Valley Community School under TSS in 2012, the two campuses came together formally as TSS’s one school in 2019.
Both campuses will continue to use the community as a classroom to prepare students for college and beyond. The learning model of the TSS independent school blends academic engagement, character development and community focus for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students.
In June 2018 Teton Science Schools began the process of one school, two-campus model, which will roll out over three years. TSS leadership said the continued integration of operations across dual campuses should improve learning opportunities for students, invest in faculty recruitment and retention, and further Teton Science Schools’ position as a national leader in place-based education.
Head of School Michelle Heaton noted, “Learning is in our nature, in the classroom, and across our Jackson and Teton Valley communities. As M?ountain Academy of Teton Science Schools, ?we will continue to pursue academic excellence? and student-centered learning, all the while grounded in and inspired by place.”
All field education, wildlife tour, graduate education, and teacher professional development programs offered under the TSS umbrella will maintain the Teton Science Schools name.
