The Colorado Springs School

My children together spent 26 years blossoming and growing at CSS. Although they are now graduated from college (Dartmouth, Vassar and University of Chicago), I see CSS imbued in everything they do. They are adventurous and bold in where and how they live and the careers they have chosen to pursue. They are confident in their interactions with colleagues, even those who are senior to them in age or position. And the friendships that they started at CSS continue to provide them support and an example of the importance of other people in our lives. I have read some of the negative reviews on this website. Given my familiarity with the teachers, administrators and programs at CSS, I can only assume that the people making those posts have a personal ax to grind. I encourage anyone interested to visit the school and draw their own conclusions.
—Submitted by a parent

As an alumna of the class of 1990, I ve now had quite a few years to gain perspective on the education I received at CSS. I attended CSS for my junior and senior years of high school (after having been to public school), and I lived on campus in a dormitory. I can honestly say that CSS prepared me well for college, both academically as well as socially and in maturity (i.e., I found the college experience to be MUCH easier to handle having gone away to college two years early). I found that I was more prepared academically, and that I had better organization and time-management skills than my peers at college. Teachers at CSS not only taught us subject content, but they taught us how to learn, how to study, how to research, how to examine, question, discuss and create, all of which were skills that served me very well through college and to this day in my career. This is a truly fantastic school! I will concede that it may not be the right fit for every student, but it most certainly provides a challenging, supportive, and focused environment for students who do fit to flourish. I highly recommend it!

I have been at CSS for 6 years. The school was a great choice for me because not only did it challenge me, it helped me reach my full potential. CSS is a little expensive, however I can assure your child will get a fantastic education. CSS is different from other schools in the sense that they offer a variety of programs that help your child not only in academics, but also in arts. Many colleges these days not only look at a students GPA, but also their involvement in extra-curricular programs. CSS does an exceptional job making sure every child is involved in at least one arts class as well as all standard academic classes. Thank you CSS for helping me be the attentive student that I am today.

This is really education for the whole person. We've had our children enrolled at CSS for the past 11 years - and it keeps getting better & better! Currently, our two older kids are in middle school and our youngest in elementary. The middle school curriculum is challenging and pushes the kids in their writing and critical thinking skills. The teachers are amazing - they truly care about the students, love their subjects, and expect a lot from the kids. Self responsibility & variety of experiences is emphasized. The seminars and experiential learning are balanced by rigorous academics. Active learning and participation are expected from a young age, so it comes naturally to the kids. Well-coached sports teams, with unparalleled opportunities to be involved and be mentored by the older kids on the team. Great atmosphere. The arts at the school are fantastic, with great opportunities in art and photo, as well as being involved in the middle school musical and the fabulous middle school band. An amazing place for kids to thrive - a lot of families have made big sacrifices to send their children here. Lots of wonderful people here, from faculty & staff to parents and kids.
—Submitted by a parent

As a single parent of children who have attended this school since PreK, I can honestly say that this school has been an incredibly positive experience for both myself and my children. CSS has MUCH to offer children of all ages. Not only have we found this school's grade teachers qualified and kind, but the "specials" teachers are outstanding and contribute so much to the quality of a child's education at CSS. CSS offers amazing Seminar and ECS experiences that really foster a child's awareness of community and experiential growth. There are plenty of families that attend CSS who are not wealthy. As one of these families, I can say that my children have plenty of friends that do not judge them for having less money and that CSS has been incredibly supportive in doing all they can to help our family achieve its goals. It is my hope that anyone considering this school for their children will arrange a visit to CSS to see for themselves what this school has to offer. In doing so, you may discover why so many families invest in a CSS education.
—Submitted by a parent

PART 2 of 2: CSS leadership does not encourage its students to excel in any courses. And yes, in their Mission Statement they say that they care, but don't believe it, it's not true! CSS bottom line is M-O-N-E-Y! CSS does make sure students do go to college but the colleges are less than impressive (anyone can get into CU Denver or PPCC) and attendance to top ivy-league universities like Harvard, Stanford, or Princeton are hardly on their radar. Yea sure, they may get that one students that makes it into MIT or that one that gets into the Air Force Academy but it has NOTHING to do with CSS "Great Style of Learning" and has everything to do the motivation of that student and their family "connections" they have. DO NOT let CSS fool you into thinking it was all them! So, If you have money to burn and you do not want your kid in a public school and you know that your kid lacks the motivation to succeed in a REAL hard-core college prep high school and you don't expect your kid to go to a great college, then CSS is the PERFECT (Not) school for you!!

While the education is good, the atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired. The teachers are focused and provide insightful learning. The administration is worried only about money, so much so that it interferes with them running the school in an appropriate manner. Money talks and it is clear that families who donate large sums are given preferential treatment. I would not reccomend the school to people for that reason among others. The ECS program is something to content and one of the few strong points of the High school As a student, I would not reccomend this school to students looking.
—Submitted by a student

CSS has given our family an unmatched educational experience. Our girls' teachers are true mentors. Their class sizes afford the teachers the time to connect with the children. Spend time in classrooms between schools, and you will see the difference.
—Submitted by a parent

CSS is a great school as far as academics are concerned. I attended the school from 2nd grade until 7th grade and I received a great education during that time. However, the school is not a good environment for children or young adults. The small class sizes create cliques and there is a huge amount of bullying that occurs. There is also a very snotty, spoiled attitude as a vast majorirty of the kids come from extremely wealthy families. I would never reccomend CSS to anyone because the education I received at public school in Honors classes was equally as trying, and the environment is much less hostile and more 'real-life' (meaning not everyone in the 'real-world' is rich and lives in the environment)
—Submitted by a student

Very good school..seniors going to top flight programs..Grinnell, University of Penn..Carnegie Mellon ..Columbia ect..great friendly motivated kids, good athletics ..Excellent AP courses..
—Submitted by a parent

I have been truly blessed by CSS. The school is not only on beautiful grounds, but the administration is organized and helpful; the parents are involved in a great deal of extracurricular activities and events. The teachers are creative, skilled, and knowledgeable. There is a real sense of community and good will. I know you will be more than pleased with CSS.
—Submitted by a parent

The Colorado Springs School (CSS) is not your typical private K-12. For Children's and Middle school, CSS is a high quality, fairly challenging program that is particularly storg when dealing with disabilities like ADD, ADHD, and Dyslexia. As far as Upper School goes, CSS bills itself as a College Prep School, a reputation that it lives up to every year. However, it is not a TOP College prep school, nor does it encourage its students to attend top universities. Although students in past years have matriculated at schools like Harvard, Stanford, Cornell, Princeton and Swarthmore, they were few and far between. CSS is first and foremost a 'Decent School' mill, sending the vast majority of its students off to good schools, but nothing extraordinary. The merit of CSS, is that students with little drive or energy can and will be sent to college, and usually those with decent repuations. It's not bad.
—Submitted by a former student

As a sophomore in the Upper School at CSS, I have seen the difference CSS has made in my education. The academics are fantastic, especially the Experience-Centered Seminar (ECS) program for Upper Schoolers. Any student can actively participate in band, choir, art, sports, theater, and whatever else they want. My parents love the school, too, because of their high level of involvement and their knowledge of the curriculum. I would highly recommend CSS to anyone considering it.
—Submitted by Tyler Boschert, a student