CAMDEN — Watershed School has received a prestigious grant in the amount of $75,000 from the Edward E. Ford Foundation. The Edward E. Ford Foundation, which challenges and inspires schools to leverage their unique talents, expertise, and resources to advance best practice in teaching and learning, provides grants to strengthen and support independent secondary schools.

"This grant sets the stage for our upcoming capital campaign," says Chris Davis, Watershed's Board President. "We're grateful to have the support of the Edward E. Ford Foundation, which will enable us to design a school that encourages project-based learning, innovative thinking, and a strong community focus."

With this grant, Watershed is primed for a Capital Campaign that will focus on raising 1:1 matching funds in donations to Watershed School, for a total of $150,000. The grant will support the purchase and renovation of Watershed's new building at One Free Street in Camden, which will become the base for future growth as both a school and a community resource.

"Receiving this grant award from the Edward E. Ford Foundation is a testament to the outstanding work of our faculty and students," says Will Galloway, Head of School. "The timing couldn't be better as we fulfill the promise of Watershed School's new building and realize the potential of our academic program in midcoast Maine."

Watershed School, midcoast Maine's only independent high school, opened their doors in 2003 in the Lincoln Street Center in Rockland. The school moved to Camden in 2012, renting space at the Knox Mills Center. The new building, purchased in November of 2017, fulfils Watershed's realization of having a permanent home base as part of a community-wide campus.

Watershed School serves students who are looking for a challenging academic program in the context of a supportive and enthusiastic school culture. Watershed is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, is a Maine State Approved High School, and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

For questions on supporting the matching grant or for further information, call (207) 230-7341 or visit watershed-school.org.