Collegiate Academy of Colorado

This school was a unsatisfactory toward my child's learning. There was poor communication with the teachers. Had to put my child in Powderhorn just to get her caught up to her grade level.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has changed my life. I am a junior in high school and I have been a student here for about a year now, with nothing but great things to say. In just a year, I have made great relationships with all of my teachers as well as students. Because of the student-teacher rate, its a great school to build stable friendships, as well as a stable future. The teachers are awesome with the students, and are always making sure that no student is left behind. My grades have dramatically changed from the day I started at this school, and I couldn't have made a better choice.

As a current high school student at CAC, I find the teachers held back by the curriculum they must teach. I've learned far more from tangents and time outside of the classroom, which spurs independent research, than from the curriculum. The teachers are amazing people and really attempt to connect with the students, and often hold a lot of knowledge outside of their assigned teaching areas. I do think that, because it's a charter school, CAC attracts more of the "irregular" students. Administration sometimes has trouble controlling and maintaining behavior, and often miscalculates punishments. The recently introduced after-school detention, for example, is a fiasco. Regardless, I think with a little TLC and more dedicated parents, the school is a good choice. Your child is much more likely to get one-on-one teacher interaction and motivation at CAC.

The school has, for the most part, highly dedicated and professional teachers. Principal/adminstrative leadership is extremely weak, ineffective, and top-heavy. There is significant tension between administration and faculty that negatively impacts quality of instruction. High school curriculum is lacking. Would recommend for K-8, definitely not for high school.

My kids have been at Collegiate for nine years. It has been a positive experience for all of us. There have been frustrating times, as there are at all schools, but the administration has always been accesible and willing to listen. We will stay at Collegiate through High School.
--Submitted by a parent

We love this school. My children are happy and challenged. No school is perfect...especially these days when school funding is low and the economy makes people stressed to the max on both time and finances. Yes, you are asked to help volunteer. I am a full time working parent. I work more than 50 hours a week and still find a way to give 40 hours back to the school over the 7 months my kids are in school. Not because I have to but because I care about my child's education. School is not some place you just drop your kid off at! You need to be involved. Set the example for your children that education matters.
--Submitted by a parent

My experience with CAC was absolutely horrible. My child has been in a charter school, without any issues, since the age of two. During the 6 months we were there, my child went through 3 classrooms and 4 teachers. My child was slapped in the face, spit on, and harrassed on the playground. I removed my child after the administration refused to take responsibility for the inexcusable and terrifying experiences my child was going through. There is no academic standard that is upheld nor do they hold themselves accountable for the complete disaster that is CAC. Save yourself the trouble and avoid this school. There are other Charter schools that are worth the wait.
--Submitted by a parent

I dont think this is a good school at all. Yes they have small class sizes but it is not worth the other BS you have to put up with. You are always being asked to volunteer which is fine but if you dont you are looked down on it can be very hard do this if you are a fulltime working parent I do go on field trips but it is diffcult to put in volunteer hours. I also agree with the comment above about the academic reporting policies they are false. This school is just not up to par. I would definitely look at other schools in the area and do your homework before you pick this school.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers and principals are fantastic. My daughter loves going to school there.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has been there since kindergarten. They are always available to help. He's a straight A student.
--Submitted by a parent