The Best Private Schools in Aspen, Colorado
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Aspen. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Aspen Country Day School
Independent
Aspen Country Day School is a premier independent school serving the Roaring Fork Valley with a focus on whole-child education. The school combines rigorous academics with extensive outdoor education, taking advantage of its mountain location. Students benefit from small class sizes (typically 12-15 students), dedicated faculty with advanced degrees, and a curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and character development. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, art studios, and extensive athletic facilities. The school's outdoor program includes regular field studies, skiing, hiking, and environmental education that leverages the natural surroundings of the Aspen area.
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Ross Montessori School
Ross Montessori
Located in nearby Carbondale, Ross Montessori serves families throughout the Roaring Fork Valley including Aspen. As an authentic Montessori school, it offers child-centered education that fosters independence, curiosity, and lifelong learning. The school features mixed-age classrooms, hands-on Montessori materials, and individualized learning plans. The curriculum includes comprehensive Spanish language instruction, extensive outdoor education programs, and a strong focus on environmental stewardship. The school community is known for its strong parent involvement and commitment to developing well-rounded students who are prepared for advanced academic work and responsible citizenship.
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Colorado Rocky Mountain School
Independent
Colorado Rocky Mountain School is a prestigious college-preparatory boarding and day school that serves Aspen and the broader Roaring Fork Valley community. Founded in 1953, CRMS combines rigorous academics with meaningful work programs and outdoor education. The school offers a challenging curriculum with Advanced Placement courses, outstanding arts programs, and competitive athletics. The 300-acre campus features modern academic facilities, arts centers, and athletic complexes. CRMS is particularly noted for its outdoor program that includes rock climbing, kayaking, skiing, and wilderness expeditions. The school maintains small class sizes and has an excellent college placement record, with graduates attending top universities nationwide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Aspen, Colorado
What are the primary private school options available in Aspen, Colorado, and how do they differ in educational philosophy?
Aspen, CO, offers a few distinct private school options, each with a unique approach. The Aspen Country Day School is a prominent independent school with a progressive, project-based curriculum emphasizing outdoor education and environmental stewardship, leveraging its mountain setting. Ross Montessori School in nearby Carbondale provides authentic Montessori education for children from toddler through middle school, focusing on individualized, hands-on learning. Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS) in Carbondale is a college-preparatory boarding and day school for grades 9-12, known for its rigorous academics combined with a required outdoor program and work-job component. These schools provide alternatives to the Aspen School District's public schools, catering to specific pedagogical preferences.
How does the high cost of living in Aspen, Colorado, impact private school tuition, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Reflecting Aspen's high cost of living, private school tuition is significant. For the 2024-25 academic year, day student tuition at schools like Aspen Country Day School and Colorado Rocky Mountain School can range from approximately $35,000 to over $40,000. However, recognizing the economic diversity of the Roaring Fork Valley community, these schools are committed to socioeconomic diversity and offer robust financial aid programs. Most schools use need-based assessments through systems like SSS (School and Student Services) by NAIS. It's common for a substantial percentage of the student body to receive some level of aid, with packages that can cover a significant portion of tuition. Parents are strongly encouraged to apply for financial aid during the admission process.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Aspen-area private schools offer that leverage the Colorado mountain environment?
Private schools in the Aspen region deeply integrate the local environment into their programs. This is a defining characteristic. Aspen Country Day School has a renowned "Mountain Campus" used for outdoor education and environmental science. Colorado Rocky Mountain School requires all students to participate in its outdoor program, which includes activities like rock climbing, skiing, mountaineering, and kayaking as part of its educational ethos. Sustainability and environmental science are core academic components across these schools. Furthermore, the proximity to world-class cultural institutions like the Aspen Music Festival and School and the Aspen Institute allows for unique partnerships and enrichment opportunities not commonly found elsewhere.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Aspen, Colorado, and are there long waitlists?
The admission process for Aspen-area private schools generally begins in the fall, about a year before desired entry. Key steps include: attending fall open houses, submitting applications by January or February (with flexible deadlines sometimes available), and completing student visits/assessments. Due to the limited number of private schools and seats, particularly in popular entry grades (Pre-K, Kindergarten, 6th, and 9th), waitlists are common. It is highly advisable for families to initiate the process early. For boarding applicants to CRMS, the timeline aligns with national independent school schedules. Sibling and legacy applicants often receive priority, but all schools actively seek mission-appropriate students who will contribute to their community.
For families considering both, what are some key factors when comparing private schools like ACDS or CRMS to the highly-rated Aspen public school district?
The decision often hinges on educational philosophy, class size, and specific program offerings. The Aspen public schools (Aspen Elementary, Aspen Middle, Aspen High) are excellent and well-funded, offering a more traditional comprehensive program with extensive athletics and arts. Private options offer smaller class sizes (often 12-15 students), distinct pedagogical approaches (Montessori, progressive, or experiential), and a more tailored educational experience. The private schools may offer more flexibility for global travel programs or specialized outdoor curriculum. For high school, CRMS offers a boarding component, creating a diverse, residential community. Financially, public schools are free, while private requires tuition, though financial aid can narrow the gap. Many families visit both to feel the community culture, which is distinctly different in the intimate private school settings versus the larger public school environment.
Private Education Insights
Choosing the Right Private High School in Aspen: A Parent's Guide to Excellence
For families in Aspen, the transition to high school is a significant milestone, often accompanied by a thoughtful evaluation of educational pathways. The choice of a private high school here is deeply intertwined with our unique community values—a blend of academic rigor, profound connection to the natural environment, and a commitment to developing resilient, globally-minded individuals. Unlike in larger metropolitan areas, the decision in Aspen is not just about curriculum, but about finding a learning environment that harmonizes with the distinctive mountain lifestyle we cherish.
The landscape of private high school education in Aspen is intimate and purpose-driven. Institutions like Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS) exemplify this, where college-preparatory academics are seamlessly integrated with a robust outdoor program. The educational philosophy here understands that leadership and character are forged as much on the sandstone cliffs of the Elk Mountains as they are in the science lab. This holistic approach is a direct response to what many Aspen families seek: an education that prepares students for top-tier universities while ensuring they remain grounded, adventurous, and environmentally conscious citizens. The small class sizes, a hallmark of these schools, guarantee personalized attention, allowing teachers to nurture each student’s intellectual curiosity amidst our inspiring alpine backdrop.
When considering a private high school in Aspen, practical local factors come into play. The close-knit nature of our town means these schools are deeply embedded in the community fabric, offering partnerships with local arts organizations, ski academies, and environmental initiatives. This provides unparalleled experiential learning opportunities that are authentically Coloradan. However, the limited number of options means each school has a very defined identity. It becomes crucial for parents to assess whether a school’s specific ethos—be it the Montessori-inspired independence at Ross Montessori’s upper levels or the day school focus of Aspen Country Day School’s foundational programs—aligns with their child’s temperament and aspirations. The admissions process can be nuanced, emphasizing fit and shared values over mere checklists of achievement.
Ultimately, investing in a private high school in Aspen is an investment in a community-centered educational journey. It’s about choosing a path where your child will be known, challenged, and encouraged to engage deeply with the world both within and beyond our valley. The goal is to graduate not just a stellar student, but a well-rounded individual equipped with the academic tools, ethical framework, and personal confidence to thrive. For parents navigating this decision, we recommend immersing yourselves in each school’s culture. Attend open houses, speak with current families on the Rio Grande Trail, and observe how each institution turns our spectacular Colorado environment into a living classroom. The right fit will feel like an extension of the values you hold at home, preparing your student for a future as bright and expansive as the Maroon Bells at sunrise.
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