Sounds like that lady that gave BC 1 star doesn't even have kids that go there. Bitter because Bear…read moreCreek doesn't accept open enrollment. Sounds like that person is the only one working off their entitlement. I'm a single mom with 5 kids and rent in the neighborhood. The staff at this school is phenomenal. The support that my kids (and I) have received the past 6 school years has been amazing. I am sad to be leaving next year. The principal, Kent Cruger, knows every kid by name. The things the other reviewer had to say were flat out lies. He absolutely puts every child in that school first. BOULDER is not diverse... that is not his fault. I'm not white, and neither are my kids. I am not rich. We are treated the same as any other family. Mr. Soole (PE) is loved by all the kids, because he is a big kid! Mrs. James (Music) keeps the kids engaged with productions that are also meaningful. Every teacher we have had has been compassionate and kind, teaching to the needs of the individual child. I am a HUGE proponent of neighborhood schools, and quite frankly, dislike the open enrollment concept. It overcrowds some schools and leaves gaps in others. People should focus on putting energy and time into their neighborhood schools, where their children can have friends they can walk/bike to. I have lived in several states, and have passed through 8 elementary schools over the past 20 years of being a parent. Bear Creek will always hold a very special place in my heart, and those of my children who were lucky enough to attend.

I have seen Rivendell School almost every week when I drive by to deposit my recycling. They have a…read morebrightly colored playground and a huge peacock statue that was once was covered in CD's which was very very creative! It reminded me of a real peacock! It has since lost the CD's and is now dressed Hawaiian style. About a week ago I saw that Rivendell has signs up for a book sale. The prices looked very reasonable. About 50 cents to 2 dollars, depending upon what type of book. I went in and looked around the place. I was very impressed! The school is fairly small and the main room is covered in books. A very impressive library! I bought about four or five books all for a very good price and the ladies that were working there were all very nice and sweet. After going to the book sale I decided to investigate more about what Rivendell School was about. I saw that they have been around Fort Collins since 1976. They are a nonprofit, secular private school. They have a huge emphasis on respect. They teach children how to respect the teachers and each other no matter how different you may be. In other words they don't let the cliche's run wild like at regular public schools. Their curriculum is less 'goal oriented' meaning they don't primarily focus on test scores and make things so directional. If a child needs a little extra attention then they can get that extra attention because of the small class size. Wow! How I wish I could have gone to a school like Rivendell! I was not impressed or amused overall with my public school experience and think I would have done much better in a place like this. While I don't have children I would highly recommend this place to friends that have children that are about to start school. I think they could greatly benefit from it. I also will be keeping tabs on the school's events and would love to continue to support this place! There really, really needs to be more schools like this!

Both of my children attend or attend here. The teachers are wonderful, caring, and highly…read morequalified. The curriculum allows students to progress at their own pace. The low teacher/student ratio provides a wealth of time for individual instruction in literacy, math, foreign language, science, and social studies. The school has a tight-knit community that fosters a life-long love of learning,, a trait that is more than worth the cost of tuition.

"After 12 years and two children at Challenge School, I couldn't be more grateful. The small K-8…read moresetting and diverse community foster lifelong friendships. The teachers are exceptionally dedicated and the academic preparation is top-tier. The accelerated math and focus on research/writing gave my daughter a huge advantage in her current IB high school program. While there are no formal sports or band, they had a strong musical program, and the kids stay active in competitive sports outside of school. It's a special community that I highly recommend, especially if you are concerned your child will be bored at the neighborhood school."

This school is amazing for students. The fast-paced classes are often hands-on and creative…read more Students are challenged daily to achieve to the best of their abilities. "Immersion" happens twice a year, and involves a few days of "deep diving" into non-traditional subjects to accommodate the way gifted children tend to learn. The topics change each time, so there is a wide berth of opportunities. The take-home workload often matches the pace of the classrooms, and parent/adult involvement is important to the overall success of children as they grow and evolve. Our family has had a fantastic experience here.

We are in our 7th year at BCD - my daughter is in 6th grade, and my son is in 7th. We are thrilled…read morewith our kids' academic performance, and how BCD drives excellence and global awareness, as well as community involvement, inclusion, and kindness. My kids enjoy the variety of music, art, science, innovation, and explore classes, as well as special projects like Model UN and outdoor education trips. BCD does an incredible job facilitating communication with parents, and I am so thankful that my kids have the opportunity to attend this school.

My son started in January and the difference in his demeanor is remarkable. No more tears and drop…read moreoff. He's connected with both the lead and assistant teachers. He enjoys all the Friday assemblies. and I've enjoyed a closer sense community.

The principal here does an incredible job. I believe her name is Stephanie Jackman and we could not…read morebe more proud of her operating this entity in our community. From parents, staff members to the children at the school everyone hold her in the highest regard and it is 100% based on quality of personal character. I do not know if she will ever see these words but I hope someone does and understands the value this community holes for her. My eldest daughter just finished elementary school and my youngest daughter will 100% attend Lafayette Elementary School

The first year for our kids at Lafayette Elementary, and we like it well enough. It's a fairly…read moretraditional elementary school, the teachers are very dedicated, the new principal works hard, and there are lots of after-school clubs and activities for the kids.

Sandoval Elementary seems to be one of the best elementary school choices in the Highlands area…read more The DPS system does not have an excellent reputation. My son has been attending Sandoval a few years now. Sandoval is a little strange. The classes are grouped so for example 1,2 and 3rd graders are all lumped together for 3 years. I did question this method, but the bright side is that it creates some stability in class mates and teachers. It's half Spanish speaking which I feel is a mixed blessing as well. My son is learning two languages but I am afraid he may end up a "jack of all trades master of none" but the verdict is still out. The school is kind of hard to get into, so I think the parents and kids seem to take learning a little more seriously at this school.

best school in the world! met the greatest people in the world here and will miss everyone next…read moreyear. :( i owe to being the person i am today to joann trujillo hays. i hope she has a great retirement.

Umm, Racist? The one star reviewer here obviously is just disgruntled because she didn't get…read morehired. There is far more ethnic diversity here than in any other school in Boulder County, which, predominantly racially homogeneous. There are countless Latino, Asian, and Indian families in our community, both in the student body and faculty and all are welcomed. Yes, the application process is rigorous. Why do you think this school is ranked #1 in Colorado and in the US Top 100 schools year after year? Now the real gripe I have that has moved me from 5 to 4 stars in the last two years is the encroachment of BVSD traditional meat grinder education that is seeping into the school little by little. We chose to come here to escape the "One size fits all" and "teach to the lowest common denominator" educational platform offered by public schools. But after the founders moved on and district administrators came in they have adopted BVSD programs and the model has shifted greatly. Today it is looking more like a regular public school, even common core math was implemented as well as Michelle O's school lunch mandates. We chose P2P to get away from this and now they have moved the whole school backwards when nothing was broken and for the first time last year we did not win a John Irwin award nor did we rank in the top 100 list. Why is it that we look at a school that is operating beyond excellence and decide we need to change it? GFS, Father of two P2P students Grades 5 & 6 who have been there since Kindergarten

This is a wonderful school with caring teachers and administrators and a Christian atmosphere.read more

I have 2 children attending VRA currently, we love the family feel and the smaller class size. This…read moreis a Seventh-Day Adventist Christian school but has families of several different faiths. What a blessing this school is to us! My oldest is now at Erie High after attending VRA and he is doing great with the transition to high school. The 7/8 teacher does a great job prepping them for High School.

5/2: Update: It's a different school now. The below review no longer relevant. I have no knowledge…read moreof the current school. The most amazing "little school that could". My son just graduated and we were looking back at what he achieved. It's simply incredible. School plays, lego league, chess, debate, technology club, VEX Robotics World Championships competing against high schools in California and of course solar cars, where Woodlands come home with armfuls of prizes. Great teachers who really care and classes sizes you wouldn't believe. (4-6, but not above 8 was our experience). He learned a lot and turned out a most polite young man. Would strong recommend - contact me for any more details!

A hidden gem! We…read moremoved to Castle Pines in January (from out of state) & only recently found Woodlands Academy in Castle Rock. I wish I had found them sooner. My 10 year old had been in the gifted program at her old school, had been doing well & loved school. While Douglas County school district has an open enrollment policy and a ton of charter/magnet schools, you can't actually get into any of them when you move in the middle of the year (in addition to missing the lottery for the following year). Our neighborhood elementary school was awful. I had a bad feeling about it the first time we visited it & have learned my lesson about listening to myself. It got worse over time until I was desperate to find another place (& had to promise my daughter that she would not have to go back there for 5th grade--no matter what--just to get her to be willing to get up & go to school every morning). She never had any homework, including math, and never had any make-up work when she was out sick--including a whole week she was out when we finished moving which the teachers knew about ahead of time. No assignments whatsoever. And there was no communication about anything they were studying or about any tests/projects/grades or anything. Luckily, I happened upon the Woodlands Academy while looking for another school for the following year, having promised my daughter that she would not have to go back to her old school. After applying, she went to shadow at the school to see if she liked it, while also giving them the opportunity to test her to see if she would be a good fit for their academically accelerated program. As it turns out, we were lucky that a new charter school had opened close by and had taken a lot of their students, so they had openings!!! The school was so fabulous I couldn't believe it. Very small classes with lots of one-on-one attention. They have lots of outside activities like going to the opera and hiking local places. It was so impressive that I withdrew my daughter from the local public school and am having her finish out the year there. I wouldn't normally think that would be a good idea, but she wasn't learning anything at her old school, so I couldn't imagine it being negative in any way. She went to shadow and never went back to her old school. Thankfully, the small classes allow the teachers to help catch my daughter up in things that she missed learning during her months in public school (important things that all 4th graders need to know for future school success). She loves going to school again! Now she comes home excited about debate class, learning a foreign language (they offer Spanish, French, German & Latin) and building a battery powered car (the middle schoolers designed solar powered) in technology class. If you are looking for an alternative school choice for an exceptional 1st-8th grader, I highly recommend Woodlands Academy. We are excited to have a great place lined up for next year. If I had found them sooner, or my about to be 8th grader hadn't already gotten into the STEM School & Academy for next year, I would pull her out of her enormous middle school and gladly send her to the Woodlands Academy where she could get the attention she deserves as an above average student who is clearly not getting enough attention focussed on her with her classes of 30+ students at the local middle school (which had great reviews, btw).