Live, Learn and Thrive Rooted in Nature

Empowering K-5 students through outdoor education and specialized support for diverse learning styles.
Apply Today

Live, Learn and Thrive Rooted in Nature

Empowering K-5 students through outdoor education and specialized support for diverse learning styles.
Apply Today
Summer Reading in Yurt

Live, Learn and Thrive Rooted in Nature

Empowering K-5 students through outdoor education and specialized support for diverse learning styles.
Apply Today
Art outdoors

Live, Learn and Thrive Rooted in Nature

Empowering K-5 students through outdoor education and specialized support for diverse learning styles.
Apply Today
Apple tree in spring

Live, Learn and Thrive Rooted in Nature

Empowering K-5 students through outdoor education and specialized support for diverse learning styles.
Apply Today

About Us

Collins Lake School

Inspired by nature.
Designed for every learner.

At CLOS, we believe that education is an act of love that prepares children for a purposeful life.

Collins Lake Outdoor School (CLOS) is a free public charter school in Cleveland, NM, serving students from Kindergarten through 5th grade. Nestled within a 300-acre ranch featuring forests, a 12-acre lake, and resident animals, our campus replaces traditional walls with year-round yurts and mountainside discovery.

By combining an outdoor curriculum with dedicated support for learning differences, we ensure every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Our Model

Why Collins Lake School?

Curiosity Through Nature

Sparking a lifelong love for discovery by using the great outdoors as our primary classroom. We believe that when children explore the wild, their natural interest in learning flourishes.

Collaborative Mentorship

Building a community where every student is both a teacher and a learner through peer-to-peer guidance.

Purposeful Learning

Viewing education as an act of love that prepares children for a life of meaning and contribution.

Boundless Individual Potential

Ensuring every child, regardless of their learning style, has the opportunity to reach their highest peaks

WE BELIEVE THAT:

  • Learning in the natural world to spark curiosity and lifelong interest.
  • Multi-grade classes that allow students to thrive with peers at their academic level.
  • A culture of mentorship where every student learns to lead and be guided.
  • We view education as an act of love that builds a purposeful life.
  • Providing the environment and tools for every child to reach their peak.

Ready to learn more?

Join an info session, meet our team,
or apply for our founding class today!

Schedule your visit

Enrollment

Collins Lake Outdoor School
2026-2027 Lottery Application Process

Thank you for being interested in applying to our tuition-free public charter school located in Cleveland, NM! The lottery application for the 2026-2027 school year will open on February 1 and close on March 31.  The lottery selection will occur on April 2, 2026.

  • Please be advised that the lottery does not guarantee admission.
  • Students will be enrolled by the order in which their names are drawn, based on the number of open spaces.
  • After the lottery, CLOS staff will notify you of your students’ status on either the enrollment or waiting lists.
  • Students who are not enrolled following the lottery are placed on a waiting list, with newly opened spaces awarded in a continuing lottery draw order.
  • Siblings of CLOS students, as well as children of staff members, will have priority for admission but will need to complete the lottery application.

If you have any questions or need assistance completing your lottery application, please contact us at (575) 387-6595 or by email at [email protected]

Enrollment

Learn more about the 2026–2027 

government transparency and accountability!

An Anti-Racist, Inclusive Community

The portal covers race-related incidents that occur in New Mexico schools and supports communication between districts, schools, students, and their families.

The state Public Education Department’s Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression portal is a neutral bridge that supports communication between districts, schools, students and their families. The portal covers race-related incidents that occur in New Mexico schools.

This resource was created by the Black Education Act and is available for staff, students, families, community members and any stakeholders to report school-based incidents of racism or racial discrimination against anyone.

New Mexico Sunshine Portal

The Sunshine Portal is the official transparency and accountability portal for New Mexico state government. This is your window into government spending, budgets, revenues, employees, contracts and more.

Anti-Racism/Anti Oppression (ARAO) Portal

The Anti-Racism/Anti Oppression (ARAO) Portal is a resource created by the Black Education Act (House Bill 43) that is available for staff, students, families, community members, and other stakeholders to report school-based incidents.

Collins Lake Outdoor School (CLOS) is governed by a volunteer board that is committed to the needs of our students.  They meet monthly, generally on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:00 PM, to set policy and guide the school.  These meetings are open to the public and the minutes are available on this website for anyone to review.

Agendas for each meeting are posted at least 72 hours prior to the meetings.

See Minutes of the Meetings 
Kids-Fire-Pit