The Best Private Schools in Kittredge, Colorado
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Kittredge. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Colorado Academy
Colorado Academy
Colorado Academy is a prestigious independent school serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade. Located approximately 20 miles from Kittredge, this nationally recognized school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with exceptional facilities including state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic facilities. The school emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and character development through small class sizes and personalized attention. With a diverse student body and comprehensive extracurricular programs including competitive athletics, visual and performing arts, and community service opportunities, Colorado Academy consistently ranks among the top private schools in the Denver metropolitan area.
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St. Mary's Academy
St. Mary's Academy
St. Mary's Academy is an independent, Catholic, coeducational school serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade. Located about 15 miles from Kittredge, the school offers the International Baccalaureate program alongside traditional college preparatory courses. The campus features modern academic buildings, science and innovation labs, athletic facilities, and performing arts spaces. St. Mary's emphasizes global citizenship, academic excellence, and character development through its Lasallian heritage. The school maintains small class sizes and offers comprehensive college counseling, with graduates consistently attending top-tier universities nationwide.
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Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen
Rocky Mountain Academy
Located just 5 miles from Kittredge in neighboring Evergreen, Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen serves students from Pre-K through 8th grade with a focus on expeditionary learning and outdoor education. The school combines rigorous academics with hands-on learning experiences that leverage the natural mountain environment. Features include small class sizes, individualized instruction, and a strong community atmosphere. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, character development, and environmental stewardship. The school maintains strong parent involvement and offers various extracurricular activities including outdoor education programs, arts, and athletics tailored to the mountain community.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Kittredge, Colorado
What are the primary private school options available for families living in Kittredge, Colorado, and what are their key characteristics?
While Kittredge itself is a small mountain community, families typically look to nearby areas for private school options. The most prominent include Colorado Academy in Denver (a Pre-K-12 college-preparatory school known for strong academics and arts), St. Mary's Academy in Englewood (a Pre-K-12 Catholic, independent school with an all-girls high school division), and Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen (a K-8 school in nearby Evergreen focusing on experiential, place-based learning). These schools are all within a 20-45 minute commute from Kittredge, offering diverse educational philosophies from classical to progressive, but require planning for mountain travel, especially in winter.
How does the tuition for top private schools near Kittredge, CO, compare, and are there financial aid options specific to Colorado residents?
Tuition for the leading schools near Kittredge is significant and aligns with national independent school averages. For the 2024-25 academic year, expect ranges of approximately $30,000-$38,000 for upper grades at Colorado Academy and St. Mary's Academy, with lower grades slightly less. Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen is generally lower. All these schools offer robust need-based financial aid programs. Additionally, Colorado has the "Child Care Contribution Tax Credit," which can provide a state income tax credit for donations to certain school scholarship funds, and some schools participate in the "ACE Scholarship" program for qualifying lower-income families, which are important local financial considerations.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools accessible from Kittredge offer that leverage the Colorado environment?
Schools in this region often integrate the Rocky Mountain landscape into their curricula. Colorado Academy has a renowned outdoor education program with trips throughout the state. Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen's core philosophy is place-based education, utilizing the nearby forests, parks, and trails for scientific, artistic, and historical study daily. St. Mary's Academy emphasizes environmental stewardship and offers outdoor leadership. All schools typically have strong ski and snowboard clubs or competitive teams, taking advantage of the proximity to world-class resorts, which is a distinctive advantage for Kittredge residents.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools near Kittredge, and how early should parents apply?
The admission process for these competitive schools is rigorous and begins early. The main application deadline for the following fall is typically in January (often mid-to-late January), with tours and open houses occurring the prior fall. For sought-after grades like Kindergarten, 6th, and 9th, it is strongly advised to begin the process 12-18 months in advance. A key local consideration is that many families from mountain communities like Kittredge apply, so demonstrating a genuine commitment to the commute and school community is important. Decisions are usually released in March. It's crucial to check each school's website as soon as possible, as some require preliminary inquiry forms a full year ahead.
For Kittredge residents, what are the practical considerations of choosing a private school in the Denver foothills versus the local public school?
The decision involves weighing several location-specific factors. Jeffco Public Schools serve Kittredge, with students typically attending Evergreen Middle and High School, which are well-regarded. Choosing a private school like those mentioned adds a daily commute down winding mountain roads (Highway 74, I-70), which can be challenging in winter weather and significantly increases daily logistics. The trade-off often includes smaller class sizes, specialized curricula (like intensive outdoor education), and different religious or pedagogical approaches. Parents must consider the value of the community-centered local public school against the specific programs of a private school, factoring in the time, cost, and safety of the commute from Kittredge.
Private Education Insights
Discover the Best Private Kindergarten in Kittredge, Colorado: A Parent's Guide
For families in Kittredge, the decision about where to begin your child’s formal education is deeply intertwined with our unique mountain community values. The search for the right private kindergarten is about more than just academics; it’s about finding a nurturing environment that fosters a child’s innate curiosity while embracing the outdoor-centric, close-knit spirit of life here in the foothills. The transition from the natural playgrounds of our canyons and trails to a structured classroom is a significant one, and a private kindergarten setting can offer the tailored, attentive approach that many Kittredge parents seek to ensure this step is both joyful and foundational.
The landscape of private kindergarten options accessible from Kittredge offers distinct philosophies, each with its own strengths. Schools like Colorado Academy, with its expansive campus and robust programs, provide a comprehensive early childhood experience that emphasizes inquiry-based learning and social-emotional development, preparing children for a long academic journey. St. Mary’s Academy offers a structured, values-oriented environment with a strong sense of community, which can be particularly appealing for families looking for a consistent ethical framework alongside early literacy and math skills. Meanwhile, the Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen often resonates with local families due to its experiential learning model that likely feels like a natural extension of our outdoor lifestyle, potentially integrating nature directly into the kindergarten curriculum. The common thread among these institutions is the low student-to-teacher ratio, ensuring your child is known, seen, and supported as an individual from their very first day of school.
When evaluating a private kindergarten from Kittredge, practical logistics become a key part of the equation. The commute is a real consideration. Driving down Bear Creek Canyon or along Highway 74 is a daily reality, so understanding a school’s schedule, before-and-after-care options, and community carpool culture is essential. Many families find that connecting with other local parents during admissions tours or open houses can provide invaluable insights into the daily rhythm and create immediate support networks. Furthermore, the investment in private kindergarten is significant, so it’s crucial to inquire about financial aid, payment plans, and what the tuition comprehensively includes—from specialist classes in art or music to outdoor education programs that leverage our beautiful Colorado setting.
Ultimately, choosing a private kindergarten in our area is about aligning a school’s mission with your family’s hopes for your child’s earliest school experience. It’s about finding a place where they will not only learn their letters and numbers but also cultivate resilience, creativity, and a love for learning against the backdrop of the community we call home. We encourage you to visit, ask detailed questions about the kindergarten classroom’s daily flow, and observe the warmth of the teachers. Trust your instinct about where your child will thrive, building the confidence and foundational skills that will support them as they grow, both in the classroom and on our mountain trails.
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