Circles of Wisdom is a Pueblo tribal organization that works with 13 Pueblo schools and their 19 respective tribal communities in New Mexico. Circles of Wisdom works with the schools and communities to support community-based education. The concept of community-based education is very similar to the concept of place-based education in that the vision is for schools and communities to actively collaborate to create deep, meaningful learning experiences for students and adults that are driven by community needs and interests (See Place-Based Education principles).

This portfolio entry describes and analyzes the work of Circles of Wisdom over the course of five years (See Entry 3 Directions and Rubric). It is different from others that appear on this website, because several sections in the narrative were created for purposes independent of the Place-Based Learning Portfolio process. The makers of the entry believe that there is value in thinking about this documentation of their work through the lens of the themes and aspects of Entry 3: Deepening and Spreading Place-Based Learning, even if it does not follow the usual Place-Based Learning Portfolio format. One way that this entry differs from others is that much of the evidence is included in the body of the narrative, rather than as appendices or attachments. The sequencing of the entry is also different.

The unique format of this portfolio is a reflection of a community-based program adapting the portfolio process to serve local needs and goals. The narrative begins with the curriculum units for three Pueblo schools, followed by a detailed timeline of events and accomplishments over a five-year period, and ending with a discussion of the community-based education activities in one of the Pueblos (Jemez Pueblo), as they relate to the themes and aspects of Entry 3: Impacts Instruction; Engages Community; Supporting Structures; and Generating New Ideas, Resources, Connections. The main thread throughout the narrative is embodied in the title of their story, "Bridging Learning and Ancient Wisdom."