AHS Founders
Animas High School was born, fittingly, on a mountain bike ride through the hills of Durango. In 2004, local pediatrician Jesse Hutt shared her concerns with fellow rider Gisele Pansze — that too many students in the community felt lost, disconnected, and underserved by traditional high school options. That conversation sparked an idea that would transform education in the region.
Over the next five years, a tenacious group of founders — Gisele Pansze (M.A., Educational Administration), Jesse Hutt (M.D., Pediatrician), Holly Shure (accounting), and Holly Jobson (M.A., Curriculum Development), with crucial support from Durango entrepreneurs Phil and Lucy Bryson — poured their energy, expertise, and conviction into creating a new kind of school, modeled after the innovative, project-based learning approach of High Tech High in San Diego.
Despite bureaucratic hurdles, late nights, and plenty of creative problem-solving, the vision came to life. In fall 2009, Animas High School opened its doors as a free, public charter school with 63 pioneering students. The school operated out of a renovated Chinese restaurant in a strip mall on 32nd and Main, with underground garages converted into classrooms — a testament to the founders’ resourcefulness.
In 2013, the school relocated to Twin Buttes, where students learned in temporary modular buildings while the dream of a permanent home took shape. Thanks to the unwavering support of our community and funding from Colorado’s BEST (Building Excellent Schools Today) program, Animas moved into its beautiful, purpose-built campus in 2023. Situated on the Fort Lewis College campus, the location was chosen to strengthen our college-preparatory mission, foster collaboration, and make college-level courses accessible to students.
Today, Animas High School remainins true to its founding vision: fostering connection, engagement, and excellence through authentic, project-based learning — helping students thrive in college, career, and life.
Animas High School: A Timeline
2004 — On a mountain bike ride, Jesse Hutt and Gisele Pansze begin exploring the idea of creating an alternative to the traditional high school model in Durango.
2004–2009 — Founders (Jesse Hutt, Gisele Pansze, Holly Shure, and Holly Jobson) with support from Phil and Lucy Bryson design a school inspired by High Tech High’s project-based learning model and secure charter approval.
Fall 2009 — Animas High School opens as a free, public charter school with 63 students in a renovated strip mall at 32nd and Main, converting a former Chinese restaurant and underground garages into classrooms.
2013 — The school relocates to Twin Buttes and operates out of double-wide modular buildings while plans for a permanent home move forward.
2023 — Animas High School opens its purpose-built, state-of-the-art campus on the grounds of Fort Lewis College, with support from the BEST grant and the local community.
Today — Animas High School contines to deliver a rigorous, engaging, project-based education that prepares students for college, career, and life.