If I could give Aspen Academy 10 stars I would. I moved my child here after she attended public…read moreschool for kindergarten. I was very concerned with the lack of attention as well as other issues in general at the public school system. We took a tour of Aspen Academy in January 2019, and my child spent the day there shadowing other students in the kindergarten class. When I came to pick her up she was all smiles. Fast forward to today. My daughter has been in the first grade class at Aspen Academy for over half of the school year, and every day I pick her up she is smiling and wanting to tell me about everything that happened during her day. The school is innovative, welcoming, kind, inclusive, forward thinking and so much more. The parent community is strong and supportive. The overall student community is strong and supportive. This school is developing the leaders of today and the future. I always feel that no matter what arises, it will be attended to quickly and with kindness. A specific example is this time of the coronavirus - this school was so prepared for any situation that in less than 24 hours (i think actually 12), the school had all of its education online for school students to do virtual learning. The teachers were prepared and humble. The students were excited and happy to continue their learning. I cannot say enough about the school, it's teachers and it's founders. Aspen understands what children need to succeed, and they provide the resources, support and kindness to ensure that each child has the best possible experience.

Unfortunately, unless your child fits into the perfect and ideal box, they will not succeed or be…read morehappy at Aspen. Does your child have stage fright? Too bad, they have to get on stage and perform. Do they have test anxiety? Deal with it. The counselor seems involved and like he cares, but when it comes down to it he passes blame and plays as if he doesn't know what's going on and he wasn't involved in the group conversation. Once the administration makes up their mind, it doesn't matter what your child does, they have decided they want them out. Most of the parents are fine, but many seem very impressed with themselves. We were thrilled that there was an opening in 6th grade for the upcoming year at Denver Academy.

I attended Vaughn way back in the early 60's!! To 5th grade when we moved. We had great classes, I…read morestarted playing the Flute, still do. We lived just over the fence on Ursula st. My Mom was our school Nurse some days. They had a great summer school program too. Loved that School

This is the Elementary school I've attended for over the years until 5th grade. Though this school…read morehad its up and downs for me, the teachers were my best friends. The nurse was nice, and the food was decent. They had lots of fun games, learning centers and perfect techniques for helping their students exceed in all important school material. Ms. Gartrell was my teacher, she was so sweet. In second grade, I had Mrs. Jones (that's her married last name) and in fifth grade, I had Mrs. Macintyre !! Ms. Polk was funny and made lunch great for us. The computer teacher was kicking butt, though his breath constantly smelled like cigarettes. Cool guy though. The whole school was awesome and helped me succeed under the realities of the world. Oh God, I just remembered: Ms. Lordiay (bear with me I forgot to spell her last name) was crazy, but I'm glad I had her as a teacher. I also remember the art teacher there, she was so beautiful and I won an art contest because of her. I loved the drama class as well as music!! I forgot the teachers name but she had an accent. I miss them all!

If you're an ambitious student, do not even consider this school. They offer no opportunities for…read morestudents passionate about anything but business or sports. None of the students are interested in academics, and most are more concerned about who's throwing a party on Friday. Absolutely terrible. Most teachers aren't even educated in the subject they teach (e.g. AP Biology teacher has a degree in english and no background in biology).

I am writing this from the perspective of a parent of an applicant to the school, not as a current…read morestudent. So take that into consideration. Also, I don't write this review lightly. I am not one of those helicopter, high society, privileged parents. Not at all. I am a single mother by choice, and my oldest child recently applied to SMA for 6th grade next fall. Initially, we were both extremely impressed with the admissions staff, the student shadow day, the parent tour days, etc. I was especially impressed by the personal touch from the school while we were applying and waiting for a decision - hand signed holiday cards, a hand written note from a teacher, another handwritten note from the shadow student. Specifically, we were shocked at the language used in the teacher and student letters, as they contained encouraging and forward guiding words implying my child could be on campus next fall. We couldn't believe it. These letters made us so hopeful. In addition, the admissions team reached out proactively to schedule a meeting for me with the Head of Learning Services as my child is twice exceptional (high IQ / anxiety). Fast forward to decision day, and my child was not accepted. We were floored given the written communication received throughout the process. My 10 year old was left confused and heartbroken at SMA's process and communication. I followed up with the school after letting the news sit for a few days. My email was NOT to get a decision reversal, and I said I respected the Committee's decision. However, I told them that my child's confusion and disappointment could have been avoided if they had not allowed that kind of written, forward looking communication throughout the process. And, I did not want that happening to a future applicant. I did ultimately get a response, but it was more along the lines of "we're sorry you feel bad about the decision." I will never know what happened in those Admissions Committee meetings, but I can't help but wonder if my child and my family structure just didn't fit with their Catholic mold. My child is not the stereotypical Greenwood Village / Cherry Hills child. My child is not the girly type in appearance or dress and has experienced bullying as a result. Mind you, my child is border line genius, has a wide variety of interests / passions, witty, funny and an overall stellar child. My child is being considered at other schools here in the Denver area. SMA advertises that about 1/2 of its student population isn't Catholic, and I was open that our family isn't overly religious. In addition, I was very open about our family structure of me being a single mother by choice (IVF on my own and no partner / Dad) with two children. Did these items factor into their decision? I will never know. But as my child said, "Jesus wouldn't treat people this way."

Our daughter attended SCS for 3s Preschool and we had a wonderful experience. As she is our eldest,…read moreI was curious about exploring other educational models / learning methodology. I also was not yet 100% sold on paying for a Christian education. She did a year of Montessori preschool and two years at a homeschool hybrid. This process of exploration over three years helped me gain clarity on what we want to prioritize in our children's education. It ultimately led us back to SCS, with grateful hearts. She returned to SCS as a first grader this past school year and I was completely blown away. I'll touch on three areas of 'insider insight' that I couldn't have known about until we were part of the school: community, discipleship and spiritual maturity. Community Community is of utmost importance to me, especially coming from a small, tightly-knit homeschool community at our previous school. SCS not only met, but exceeded my expectations for a parent community. I immediately felt plugged in and connected to the parent community just by jumping into a few of the many opportunities for parent involvement like Parents in Prayer, Mom's Time Out, Women's Bible Study, Room Parent and Volunteer XC / Track Coach. Raising our children in a community of like-minded, trustworthy, faithful and believing families is high on our priority list and brings so much peace of mind. I have connected with and really love and enjoy, not just a handful of families, but SO many families at SCS! Discipleship We truly felt that our daughter's teacher and all of her 'specials' teachers (PE, Music, Art & Library) partnered with us in training her up in the ways she should go. A biblical worldview and curriculum is woven throughout all subjects. As such, we have a consistency of discipleship from home, to church, to school. Spiritual Maturity Growing in my own spiritual maturity over the past three years and critically thinking about what I want our kids to take away from their education convinced me of the importance of investing in a Christian education, including any sacrifice necessary to make that happen. This first year back at SCS only affirmed and solidified that decision for me. I recently attended the last chapel of the year which featured two graduating eighth grade speakers. I was moved to tears by the spiritual maturity of these two young ladies. The spiritual fruit of a Christian education was evident in their words. I left challenged, moved, and hopeful for my own young children's experience. My own daughter demonstrated so much spiritual growth this past year too. From the conversations we had, to the Bible stories she recounted to me, to the songs, pledges and other things she memorized - her little heart was captured. The culmination being when she gave her heart to Jesus toward the end of the year. Her teacher emailed my husband and I to share the good news and I just cried and praised God. Our daughter's first grade teacher and SCS are forever a part of our family's eternal story and we are beyond grateful. This school is educating for eternity and, as a parent, I can think of nothing more valuable.

Happy to see all the videos. Excellent job of educating children. Keep up the great work. Christ…read morecentered education is vital. Proverbs...Train up a child in the way he should go...and he ell not depart from it.

We recently toured Valor for our son who is entering high school…read more The tour exceeded all expectations and the offerings of this school are amazing. Their commitment to a Christ centered education with high academic achievement was a difference make for us and our son. He couldn't wait to enroll. We are so excited to partner with Valor for the next several years.

I said I would recommend this school as, all in all, my child had a great experience outside of the…read morehockey program. When it comes to the hockey program they are at the height of hypocrisy. The head coach is the most abusive man I have come across. He rips the spirit out of the boys. Yells and curses at them while they are showering. Is extremely verbally abusive and cruel. Countless parents have brought it to the attention of athletic directors but it seems they love their state championships and money more then they do the boys. We sent our son to Valor because of the values we thought it represented. We were very disappointed in terms of the sports program.

I go to Arapahoe High School and I have had not the best time there. The building itself is nice…read more Most of the teachers that do work at Arapahoe are self entitled idiots. They barely can do their jobs and constantly have an attitude. which is understandable because the kids who also go there are mean and hurtful people. the amount of bullying that has taken place is insane. Both head administrators could careless about what happens in that school. They are more worried about getting paid then kids mental health. I have spoken to many groups of people in all grades about how they don't feel safe or feel they can't be themselves because of the bullying that happens. Those who are themselves have been bullied to the point they switch schools or self harm. I can only name a good selection of teachers who I actually trust and can express myself to. If you're deciding to send your kid to Arapahoe please think wisely about it and understand what kind of a school you're sending your child to. there has been so many rapist at arapahoe that still go there to this day. The school school is so concerned about those vaping instead of worrying about those kids whose mental health and life are being ruined because of the others at the school. I have voiced my opinion many times to the school and nothing has been said or shown to be fixed at the school. So please coming from an 11th grade student.

Honestly... AHS is awesome. I am 1972 grad…read more.. My son was a 2009 grad... Although there is a time difference from when my son and I were there... AHS has always been a progressive Littleton school preparing the students for higher education. I did notice as time was a going on... the biggest difference was the amount of entitlement of some students as the area around AHS grew and became more affluent. As a student ... become involved in the school and it's activities... The reward can be yours.

We initially thought this was a great school, but over time, severe safety, cultural, and academic…read moreissues became apparent. Administration consistently prioritizes the school's reputation over student well-being. Severe Bullying & Dismissed Violence Bullying is very rampant, and administrators sweep physical fights under the rug. My child was punched in the face during a PE activity of tag for catching another student in the game, which leadership dismissed as an "accident." On multiple occasions, another student hit my child under direct teacher supervision; the teacher did not care, and leadership dismissed it as well. These are not isolated incidents but is instead a culture actively fostered. Physical Staff Outbursts Some teachers get physical with students. A school counselor violently yanked a desk, causing a student to fall. Another teacher pulled multiple students' arms. Despite video verification and multiple student reports, that teacher is still employed. Administration only offered to switch the reporting students' classes rather than taking disciplinary action even after receiving video verification through school security cameras. Academic Neglect & Discouragement There are many kindhearted and great teachers but we have experienced many that were in favor of the bare minimum. They assign excessive homework on content barely or even completely uncovered in class, straining parents. When my student advocated for tutoring in a challenging subject as they received in the past before, their teacher completely rejected them. After I stepped in to tutor my child at home, the teacher explicitly accused my child of cheating multiple times and destroyed their confidence in a subject they were trying hard to master. Unreported Missing Students During student dismissals, multiple students have gone missing. Administration hides these incidents. While waiting for my own child who was released late, I witnessed teachers frantically searching for two missing students (one a kindergartener) who had left school grounds. The school never communicated this to the parents, likely because the affected family did not speak English. Hypocritical Food Confiscation Under the guise of "healthy eating," staff completely confiscates students' lunches and snacks without warning, including whole-food snacks and PB&Js. Disturbingly, leadership admitted these snacks are given to the staff to eat because "the staff works so hard" when students questioned why staff can eat unhealthy things but the students can't. Confiscated lunches are never replaced, leaving children hungry, even though the cafeteria serves the exact same items. When students point this out, staff has told them that it's not PB&J sandwiches they're serving, but sunflower butter ones which is contrary to their school menu that states they serve both in their cafeteria. On another occasion, staff was selling chip bags and then confiscating the same chip bags later since they were unhealthy. This hypocritical policy meant to "demonstrate school health guidelines" is only selectively enforced based on opportunistic gain rather than from a place of genuine concern for student wellbeing. Inappropriate Political & Ideological Pressure Staff aggressively pushes personal political ideologies on young children. During a gender discussion, my 6th grader stated she was happy being a girl. The teacher targeted her in front of the class, stating, "Are you sure? That's kind of boring, you can be a boy too," repeatedly putting her on the spot. In another incident, a teacher asked students who their parents voted for, then declared to the class that all white ethnic people are racist and that they would never vote for a white politician. This school jeopardizes child safety for appearances, fosters unchecked bullying, permits physical outbursts from staff, and pressures children with political speech and peer pressure. Parents, please talk to your kids about what is really happening in school.

Absolutely love this school. My kids are thriving here. The staff is very hands on and cares about…read moreeach of its students. Would 10 out of 10 recommend.

St. Mary Catholic Virtue School has been a tremendous blessing to our family for the past five…read moreyears. We truly love this community. Father James is an innovative and faithful leader who has renewed the school as a deeply Catholic place, strengthening both its spiritual and academic life. The teachers work tirelessly, genuinely caring about students' souls as well as their academic growth. The academics are rigorous, and students are expected to work hard, which is exactly why we chose St. Mary. While some courses are challenging, we believe appropriate hardship builds resilience and character. I am surprised by negative reviews, as this is a private Catholic school chosen by families seeking strong faith formation and high expectations. The parish community is welcoming, and the school has made sincere, commendable efforts to support students with special needs. We are grateful to be part of a school that values faith, discipline, excellence, and community.