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Girls skipping down the path of the quad at Colorado Academy, a top private PK-12 school in Denver.
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Face painting at an outdoor event at Colorado Academy, a top private PK-12 school in Denver.
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Playing with colorful balls in the CA Athletic Center. Colorado Academy, a top private PK-12 school in Denver.
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Boy on computer with headphones on in the Lower School Library. Colorado Academy, a top private PK-12 school in Denver.
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Fifth Grade class sitting outside in a circle on the lawn at Colorado Academy, a top private PK-12 school in Denver.
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Young boy in glasses plays a xylophone at Colorado Academy, a top private PK-12 school in Denver.

Academics

Lower School

The Lower School’s primary mission is twofold, focusing on both the development of the student and the whole child.

In the academic arena, our goal is to offer a broad, engaging, challenging, and developmentally appropriate educational experience for all of our students. We seek to inspire active learners who think critically and take intellectual risks. Our program emphasizes the acquisition of skills and attitudes that allow our students to express ideas effectively and to solve problems both independently and in groups. Additionally, we create an environment in which learning is fun and where students begin to see learning as an inherently rewarding lifelong process.

We are deeply committed to supporting the development of our young children as caring and kind human beings, as well as scholars. We believe that children work harder, achieve more, and treat each other with a higher level of dignity when they and their efforts are visibly and consistently encouraged and valued. To that end, we provide meaningful lessons, challenging standards, responsive classrooms, and a nurturing community that are designed to promote the best in our children.

For the 2021-2022 school year, the CA Lower School is focusing on "The Formative Five" skills—empathy, self-control, integrity, embracing diversity, and grit. We have developed a roadmap to reinforce these initiatives and to support character development and the social emotional well-being of children.

Lower School Summer Assignments

- Angie Crabtree, Lower School Principal
  
  As a Lower School division, we work together to support each child’s educational journey while practicing Colorado Academy’s mission to develop the whole child through a rich, challenging, and balanced curriculum with a caring, forward-looking community.

Lower School Curriculum Guide

Lower School Curriculum By Grade

Lower School Curriculum By Subject

2021-2022 Lower School Handbook

Videos: Lower School Focus

CA Lower School Teachers

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Pre-K Classroom Photos

K-Grade 2 Classroom Photos

Grades 3-5 Classroom Photos

Lower School Grade-Level Themes

Pre-K

I am unique and celebrate myself and others.
Kindergarten

I am part of a family in my community.
Grade 1

I am kind, caring, and understand how I impact the world.
Grade 2

I recognize the similarities and differences we all have, and it helps us work together.
Grade 3

I listen to others and share my voice.
Grade 4

How do I lead myself and others in a fair and just way?
Grade 5

Who am I, and what is my story?

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Lower School Pillars:

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The concept of readiness is extremely important in teaching and learning. Instruction must be carefully paced to present material when the child is ready to learn.
2.

Children come to school with their own interests and learning styles. These must be considered in developing curriculum.
3.

Children should be encouraged to make choices about their learning activities within an environment filled with varied resources and materials.
4.

Children learn as they question and experiment, evaluate, predict, and form hypotheses.
5.

Classroom activities should promote cooperation and collaboration.
6.

Children should be guided to respect self, others, and the environment; to cooperate with others; and to be responsible.
7.

Respectful listening, creative thinking, and time for reflection and self-directed inquiry should be integral to the curriculum.