The Best Private Schools in Evergreen, Colorado
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Evergreen. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Evergreen Country Day School
Independent
Evergreen Country Day School is a premier independent private school serving students from preschool through 8th grade. Located in the heart of Evergreen, the school emphasizes academic excellence through small class sizes and personalized learning. The curriculum integrates advanced STEM education with comprehensive arts programs and utilizes its mountain location for extensive outdoor education. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, art studios, and athletic fields. The school is known for its strong community atmosphere and prepares students for success in top-tier high schools.
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Kent Denver School
Independent
Kent Denver School is a highly-regarded independent college preparatory school serving students from the Denver metropolitan area, including Evergreen families. Serving grades 6-12, the school offers a rigorous academic program with 22 Advanced Placement courses and extensive arts and athletic opportunities. The 220-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science centers, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. With a strong emphasis on character development and community engagement, Kent Denver consistently graduates students who attend top universities nationwide.
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Colorado Academy
Independent
Colorado Academy is a prestigious independent school serving Pre-K through 12th grade students from across the Denver area, including Evergreen. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with strong emphasis on critical thinking and innovation. Notable programs include advanced STEM facilities, extensive arts offerings, and competitive athletic teams. The 94-acre campus features modern academic buildings, performing arts centers, athletic fields, and innovation labs. Colorado Academy is recognized for its balanced approach to education, combining academic rigor with character development and community engagement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Evergreen, Colorado
What are the primary private school options serving families in Evergreen, Colorado, and what are their key characteristics?
Evergreen, CO, is served by a few highly-regarded private schools, though many are located in the broader Denver foothills area. Within Evergreen itself, Evergreen Country Day School is a prominent independent school for grades Pre-K through 8, known for its experiential, outdoor-integrated learning that leverages the mountain environment. For high school, many Evergreen families consider nearby options like Kent Denver School in Englewood (a college-prep day school for grades 6-12) and Colorado Academy in Denver (Pre-K through 12). These schools are within a commutable distance and offer robust academic, arts, and athletic programs. The private school landscape here is characterized by small class sizes, a focus on individual student development, and strong community ties.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Evergreen, Colorado, area compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for private schools serving Evergreen families is significant and aligns with national independent school averages. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect ranges of approximately $25,000 - $35,000+ for day schools, with high schools generally at the higher end. Evergreen Country Day School, Kent Denver, and Colorado Academy all have robust financial aid programs based on demonstrated need. It's crucial to apply for aid concurrently with admission, as deadlines are strict. Colorado also has the "Child School Contribution Organization" tax credit program, which can provide scholarships for students to attend private schools, offering an additional potential funding avenue for qualifying families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Evergreen-area private schools offer that leverage the Colorado environment?
Schools in this region uniquely integrate Colorado's natural landscape into their curricula. Evergreen Country Day School, for example, has a renowned Outdoor Education program where students engage in regular field studies, hiking, skiing, and environmental science projects in the surrounding Rockies. Similarly, schools like Kent Denver and Colorado Academy offer extensive outdoor leadership trips, sustainability initiatives, and competitive mountain sports teams. This focus fosters resilience, environmental stewardship, and a healthy lifestyle, which is a major draw for families who value an education connected to the outdoors—a defining feature of private education in the Evergreen community.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Evergreen Country Day, Kent Denver, and Colorado Academy?
The admission process for these competitive schools is similar and begins early. For entry in the fall, the main application deadline is typically in January (often mid-to-late January), with financial aid applications due concurrently. The process usually includes a submitted application, parent interviews, student visits or assessments, teacher recommendations, and school records. Notification dates are generally in March. For the most sought-after entry points (like Pre-K, Kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grades), it is highly advisable to start the process a full year in advance. Given Evergreen's location, planning for the logistics of campus visits and the potential commute is an important part of the process for families.
For families in Evergreen, what are the key considerations when deciding between the high-performing public school district (Jefferson County R-1) and a private school?
This is a central decision for Evergreen families. JeffCo Public Schools, including Evergreen High School, offer a strong, tuition-free education with diverse AP/IB programs and extracurriculars. The choice often hinges on specific family priorities. Private schools offer smaller class sizes (often 15:1 or lower), more individualized attention, distinct educational philosophies (e.g., project-based learning), and often more extensive resources in arts, technology, and college counseling. The commute is also a factor; while public school is local, the leading private options require a 30-45 minute drive to Denver/Englewood. Many families choose private schools for a tailored educational approach that aligns with a specific value system or academic ambition, while others value the community-centric, comprehensive offerings of the local public system.
Private Education Insights
Choosing the Right Private Preschool in Evergreen, Colorado: A Parent's Guide
For families nestled in the foothills of Evergreen, Colorado, the journey into education often begins with a significant choice: selecting the right private preschool. This decision is about more than just early academics; it’s about finding a nurturing community that aligns with your family’s values and the unique mountain lifestyle you cherish. In our area, private preschools serve as foundational gateways to some of the region's most esteemed private schools, making this initial step an important part of a longer educational pathway.
The landscape of private preschools in and around Evergreen is distinct. Many programs, including those affiliated with schools like Evergreen Country Day School, emphasize a connection to the natural environment. It’s common to see curricula woven with outdoor exploration, sustainability lessons, and a deep respect for the Colorado wilderness right outside the classroom door. This isn’t just play; it’s intentional learning that builds resilience, curiosity, and scientific thinking from the very start. For parents, this means looking for programs that offer ample outdoor time, regardless of the season, and teachers who are skilled at turning a pinecone collection into a math lesson or a hike into a story about local ecology.
When researching private preschools, Evergreen parents should consider the continuum of education. Several local preschools are integrated into larger private school campuses. For instance, a strong preschool program might feed directly into the elementary division of a school like Colorado Academy or Kent Denver School, though it's important to note these particular schools are located a commute away in the Denver metro area. This connection can provide a seamless transition and a consistent educational philosophy, reducing future school anxiety. However, many excellent standalone private preschools in Evergreen proper also prepare children exceptionally well for a range of future kindergarten options, both public and private. The key is to understand the school’s educational philosophy—be it Montessori, Reggio Emilia, play-based, or academic—and see if it matches how your child engages with the world.
Practical considerations in Evergreen also include community and logistics. Our mountain roads and weather patterns make location and schedule critical factors. A preschool with a slightly later start time or a robust carpool system can be a major asset during a snowy winter morning. Furthermore, the community within a private preschool is often tight-knit. These early connections become your child’s first social circle and can blossom into lasting family friendships, creating a support network that is invaluable in a semi-rural area. As you visit campuses, ask about community events, parent involvement opportunities, and how the school communicates. You’re not just choosing a program for your child; you’re choosing a partner in these foundational years. Ultimately, the best private preschool in Evergreen is one where your child feels safe, inspired, and joyful about learning, and where you feel confident in the partnership between home and school, setting a positive trajectory for all the educational milestones to come.
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