Academy for Advanced and Creative Learning

Academy ACL is the only school in the Colorado Springs area to specialize in educating Gifted and Twice Exceptional Learners (2E). As the school completes it's third year of operation, the school is looking to build on the strong foundation that has been laid and is working on the future needs of ALL of it's students and faculty. Involvement is needed in many areas to do research, visit other schools, as part of smaller groups interested in the long term strategic growth of the academy. The Director of the school is very proactive in making the Academy not only a great school, but a wonderful resource for all of the Pikes Peak region in the areas of Gifted and 2E education. The other administrators (2) and Office staff (2) are very professional and work very hard to make Academy ACL a safe and nurturing place for our children to learn. The teachers at the academy are wonderful and portray their labor of LOVE everyday with their pupils and care for them as if the kids were their own. I was amazed recently to find out the Academy does all of this GREAT work with only a third of the funding received by other district schools. Without a doubt Academy ACL is a GREAT SCHOOL!
—Submitted by a parent

We came from a school in a well-touted district in Colorado Springs that is a "test" school and keeps kids in the same box with curriculum. That doesn't seem to work with high ability/gifted children as they need to stretch their brains a bit more. We decided to go against the flow of our neighborhood and take the steps needed to switch schools as our kids were showing us they needed more in-depth education and being with others that were a lot like them. Our kids are now doing so much more than we ever expected with Academy ACL. Our kids are happy to work on so many interesting projects and have educational goals with their teachers that they don't have to "wait until everyone else is there", they can actually "Do!" We are so happy! We see the love-of-learning coming back to our kids and they are able to do the advanced curriculm they need and in an environment that cares. Thank you so much Academy ACL....we are so lucky to be part of such an outstanding and loving school. We could give another outstanding review on just the Director.....she is simply amazing and very involved.
—Submitted by a parent

AACL has been a fantastic school for my children. The fast pace of instruction, integration between specials and academics, and especially the ability tracking for math and language arts have kept both of my kids engaged and loving school. The level of parent involvement is fantastic, and the frequent conferences allow parents to have a good understanding of their child's strengths and struggles.
—Submitted by a parent

The review from January 30th is interesting. The school has been working hard to address the distinct needs of our middle school students. There are a lot of leadership projects and opportunities for the upper division designed specifically to address their different needs as middle school students. We have core academic issues we are working to address, which frankly are a lot more critical than talking to children about "sex, drugs and rock and roll." Personally, I have children in elementary grades, and I am already talking to them about drugs, smoking, and sex (at an appropriate level for their ages). So I am not counting on the school to be the main source of information on these topics. I am much more worried about the school addressing their academic needs in writing, math and science than in teaching them how to be adolescents. I think a strength of the school is in NOT having the strange, artificial environment of a middle school where all those hormones are running rampant with little guidance. Instead, at this school, students are part of a community where the 7/8 graders take roles of responsibility in helping the younger students.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent, I feel that the responsibility for the knowledge of drugs, anatomy, and preparation for high school lies in the hands of their parent. Who better knows their child's level of interest, understanding, and susceptibility in each of those areas? When our children are with their friends, there is an inclination to follow "group think" instead of asking the pertinent questions to help the maturation process. Many of these students grasp matters quickly and desire to go more in-depth, which is better suited to a parent- child discussion. These students will likely only feel uncomfortable if their parents are. If the parents approach the subjects very openly, and keep the lines of communication open, the desired result of knowledge will ultimately be attained. While I support the school whole-heartily, I have no desire to allow the school to be the one to teach them in these matters. It can become a political mess trying to teach to satisfy all manners of thought. I will continue working with my four to teach them what they need to know. This is my job as a parent.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the third year of operation for the school and some things seem to have stayed true to the original charter, but some haven't. The students in the upper divisions need to get more of a feeling that they are in middle school (school is k-8). That should involve separate assemblies, health information about the changes they are seeing and feeling with their bodies and to some point the culture of high school. To avoid treating the students as if nothing different is happening within them and around them will only make a student want to explore different areas in high school. They will need to address smoking, drug use, alcohol parties and the one work no one wants to talk about, sex. The type of student at the school is curious by nature and to ignore the temptations that will hit in high school is setting them up for failure. Yes the issues aren't the easiest to talk about, but it is better to talk about them now and not end up with a students or more live the temptation without any knowledge. Where are the life lessons these students will face being taught? Make the changes before your charter renewal comes up next year, before students start to explore drugs, alcohol & sex
—Submitted by a parent

Academy ACL has been a life saver for my son. After trying several area schools from K through second grade, we finally found a school where he gets academically challenged and teachers truly care about him. Many of his previous schools had "excellent" ratings, claimed to offer differentiation, but had nothing but a one-size-fits-all approach. My son was bored and very tired of the repetition. He has been in AACL for two years and he is very happy with the school, he is accepted by his peers, and has wonderful teachers. The curriculum and the ability grouping are excellent and not just busy work. Parent involvement is very high and the school support staff and the Director are wonderful. No more being bored. No more having to spend hours after school actually teaching him what he was not being taught at school. I am very pleased with AACL and I wish the school the best as it continues to grow!
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children at this school. I was sure the oldest student needed and accelerated, more challenging academic program that was available at our neighborhood school. She was bored, disenchanted, and put aside because other kids in the class moved much more slowly. When AACL opened, we immediately enrolled and have been pleased ever since. The school assesses each child at the beginning of each year, then places students exactly where they need to be for math and reading/language arts. Up a grade, up two grades - what ever they need - regardless of age. Challenging and interesting projects and frequent opportunities to present knowledge in front of peers are unique attributes. The school places great value on PE, free-play, theater, art, and language in addition to core academics - offering every student a place to shine and a place to be challenged. The program is rigorous and not for everyone. Expectations are high and the bar is set appropriately for each child. Classes move quickly to keep pace with students. Behavior and discipline expectations are high as well, and students are held to high standards across the board to insure a high level of education for all.
—Submitted by a parent

AACL has been the key to my girls (ages 9 and 11) continuing to love learning. Both are gifted learners and need the challenging yet nurturing curriculum and support that AACL provides. We have attended since it started 3 years ago and my girls have said that they will not go anywhere else - we are thankful it is a K-8 school. Both girls are above grade level in all areas and the school allows them to work at that level. After 2 other school, one a very strict charter school that tried to fit everyone into the "same box" and our local elementary school where teachers were nice but they could not accomodate the needs of gifted kids, we have finally found a home! Thanks AACL Teachers and Staff. PS - the staff are great communicators with parents - one even called me at 8 one evening after getting an email at 7:50!
—Submitted by a parent

AACL serves as a beacon of high quality, purposeful and holistic education in a time of darkness and confusion. While the name indicates, and the teachers are trained in Gifted Education, the staff and Director are extremely knowledgeable about supporting the mental, emotional and physical needs of each student. AACL is active in the community and assists K-8 students in improving daily life skills. AACL requires ONLY 15 hours of family volunteer time, per year and makes volunteer opportunities so fun and frequent that more time is easily accrued. Educator, child advocate and parent, I recommend AACL to any family who wishes to see their child succeed in school and build a foundation for a lifetime love of learning!
—Submitted by a parent

Watch out !!! We registered our son in May, he was placed in July, and on August 1st (Less that a week before school started) They finally read his records and changed their minds. Now I Have 4 days to find a school for my child.
—Submitted by a parent

AACL is really intended for kids that are working grade levels ahead. The school is in its 2nd year of existence and a majority of its students are there because the traditional classroom wasn t working for them. The school does a great job meeting each child where he/she is with ability grouping as kids are placed together for math & language arts by ability and not grade level. Art, Spanish, P.E. and music theatre are incorporated well into the various subjects as well as an individual class. 15 volunteer hours are required for each family and volunteer work seems to be one extreme or the other as either you re struggling to find enough hours or completely overwhelmed. School is definitely not for everyone as it focuses on a small minority of students (which is great for those students) and if considering take a tour and/or have your child visit to see if it s a good fit.
—Submitted by a parent

I am not sure about the lower grades but grades 6 and up is awful. The school claims to be a place for 2e kids but it's a down right lie. They even have teachers who are not qualified to be teaching. We will not be returning next year. If they are going to have 2e kids then they need the staff to support it.
—Submitted by a parent

Today was my 7th Graders first day back into the public school system after being home schooled. As I impatiently waited throughout the day thinking it was going to be another horrible experience, upon picking her up, she had a smile from ear to ear. She made new friends, ate lunch with friends, and all around had a great first day. Thank You A.A.C.L.!!!
—Submitted by a parent

AACL (Academy for Advanced and Creative Learning), hands down, was absolutely the right placement for my daughter. The quality of the staff, the phenomenal tools and methods for teaching, including excellence in differentiation and "fine tuning" along the way made all the difference!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is very smart and has always struggled to fit in with other kids in her grade because she tested in an extra year early and is a year younger than her classmates. But at AcademyACL she no longer feels like an outcast. She fits right in. I hesitated to enroll her at first due to the "twice exceptional," but it has ended up being a blessing in disguise because it makes for many additional opportunities, as every classroom is well equipped & prepared to handle ANY situation (for example, each classroom has "bouncy" chairs for kids w/extra energy, beanbag chairs for those that need to kick back & relax, "quiet areas" for those that need to study alone, they allow "good time outs" for those not in trouble but need a few moments to take a break before working...and MUCH more!). I could not be happier with this school and everything it offers. It really is a Godsend like others are saying!
—Submitted by a parent

My son is a very smart boy who was not fitting in well in the elementary school in our neighborhood. One result of No Child Left Behind and the emphasis on standardized testing for school success has been a strong central tendency--kids who are above or below the middle of the bell curve aren't well treated. So, despite being in the home area for one of the best elementary schools in the state, our son was not happy or thriving. We found this school and got in during its first year. It has been a godsend. Our son goes to language arts class two grade levels above his standard grade level and loves the challenge. Yet, the school is very supportive of gifted students who also have learning disabilities. I cannot say enough positive about this school. If you have a gifted student who is not coping well in a standard classroom, I strongly recommend you check out AcademyACL.
—Submitted by a parent