Frequently Asked Questions

List of 20 items.

• How may I request more information about Colorado Academy?

  Simply click on Request Info, and we will send you information.
  
  In addition, our Admission Team has curated a Virtual Tour Experience by division. Spend 20 minutes exploring the menu of options on these pages and you will gain great insight into the CA community and culture:
  

  • Lower School Admission: Pre-K-Grade 5
  • Middle School Admission: Grades 6-8
  • Upper School Admission: Grades 9-12

• How do I apply?

  Prospective families apply to CA using our secure, online application. Simply create your own username and password, complete the information, and submit when you are finished.

• When is CA’s annual Admission Preview?

  Admission Preview is at capacity for 2022. If you'd like to tour campus with the intent to apply for the 2023-2024 school year, please submit the brief Student Form which will give you access to our campus tour calendars for students and parents/guardians.
  
  CA also offers other events throughout the season, which can be found on the Admission calendar. More detailed application information can be found at How to Apply. We look forward to connecting with your family.

   

• How may I schedule a tour?

  We also want you to get to know CA and invite you to join us and tour campus at Admission Preview.  
  
  For other opportunities to connect to the CA community during the admission season, check the Admission Calendar. Our arts and athletic events are also open to the public and you are welcome to attend a game, concert or theater production listed on the Arts Calendar or Athletics Calendar. 
  
  Our Admission Team has curated a Virtual Tour Experience by division. Spend 20 minutes exploring the menu of options on these pages and you will gain great insight into the CA community and culture:
  

  • Lower School Admission: Pre-K-Grade 5
  • Middle School Admission: Grades 6-8
  • Upper School Admission: Grades 9-12

• When is the deadline for applying?

  The deadline to complete the application process for the 2023-2024 school year is January 15, 2023. You may start the process here: Application Portal. 

• What admission tests are required?

  For Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 applicants, developmental readiness is assessed by our teachers during the student visit, and no other formal testing is required.

  
  For Grades 2-5, CA is test-flexible. This means that we will accept the results from any testing that an applicant has completed within the last two years. Examples include the CogAT, WISC, DAS, MAP, ISEE, ERB, and state-specific standardized testing, among others. There is no need for the applicant to take more than one test, and the Admission Committee does not prefer one test over another.

  • If submitting CogAT, MAP testing and/or other standardized testing (such as the ERB) from the applicant's current school, request that the school send those results along with report cards and attendance records through the Transcript Request Form.
  • You may upload test scores directly to the Applicant Checklist, or else submit to admission@coloradoacademy.org. As an option, you may register your child for testing with an evaluator from the DATC (Denver Area Testing Consortium). Please contact Paige Siemers to request assistance if the fee is a hardship. 

  For Grades 6-12, CA is test-flexible. This means that you may submit results from any standardized testing or educational evaluation that a student has completed in the last two years. Examples include the WISC, DAS, CogAT, Stanford Binet, MAP, ERB, ISEE, SSAT, HSPT, PSAT 8/9, and Pre-ACT, and state-specific standardized testing, among others. There is no need for the applicant to take more than one test, and the Admission Committee does not prefer one test over another.
  
  If the applicant does not have testing to submit from the last two years, here are some options:
  -Register for the ISEE or SSAT.
  -Register for testing with an evaluator from the DATC (Denver Area Testing Consortium).
  
  Please contact paige.siemers@coloradoacademy.org to request assistance if any test fee is a hardship.
  

• How many spaces are available each year by grade?

  Prospective students may apply to CA at any grade level. Each year, we know how many openings we will have after re-enrollment is completed in February. Major entry points, when we add a new section to each grade, are Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Third Grade, Sixth Grade, and Ninth Grade.

• How many students are in each grade?

  Typically, our Pre-Kindergarten enrolls no more than 36 students, and our 12th Grade class has approximately 105 students. We add new students at most every grade in between, with Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Grade 3, Grade 6, and Grade 9 as major entry points.

• What is the age requirement for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten?

  Children must turn 4 years old by September 1 of the year they are entering Pre-Kindergarten, and 5 years old by September 1 of the year they are entering Kindergarten.

• What are you looking for in an applicant?

  We are looking for students who ask questions, who love to read, who work well with others, who express themselves in creative ways, who are respected by their teachers and peers, who are interested in playing athletics, and who love to learn and problem solve. Our goal is to help shape students into people who will contribute to their communities in productive and interesting ways.

• How to schedule the Student Visit?

  During the regular admission season (September-January), you will be able to schedule the Student Visit after submitting the Student Form.

• Where is the Admission Office located?

  The Admission Office is located in the historic Welborn House. 

• Do siblings or children of alumni receive admission preference?

  Siblings of current students receive preference in the admission process, provided that they are qualified and there are enough openings at that grade level. Children of alumni are reviewed favorably by the Admission Committee, but there is not a specific policy preference given to children of alumni over unaffiliated applicants.

• Should I include an outside letter of reference in addition to the required recommendations?

  Outside letters of reference are only helpful when the person writing the letter knows the student well and can attest to the student’s character, academic motivation, and/or skills. CA requires recommendations from the current Principal or Counselor, English and math teachers. We have optional recommendation forms available for coaches, music instructors, arts teachers, and other academic teachers.

• How much is tuition? Books? Transportation?

  Annual 2022-2023 tuition rates are $27,490 for Pre-Kindergarten; $31,310 for K-Grade 5; $33,910 for Grades 6-12.
  
  CA strives to be as comprehensive with tuition as possible. Financial aid is available for families who qualify based on need. Additional fees include approximately $200 for Middle School textbooks and $300-$500 for Upper School textbooks/supplies. Round-trip CA bus service costs between $685-$3,035 depending on proximity to school; there is a sibling discount for the bus fees.
  
  Read more about Extra Fees.

• How is financial aid awarded? What is the deadline?

  Financial aid is based on a family’s ability to pay tuition as determined by CA’s Financial Aid Committee and an outside service: SSS (School and Student Service for Financial Aid). By February 15, parents must submit two years’ worth of tax returns and W-2’s and complete an online financial aid application outlining income, assets, and debts. The financial aid process is separate from the admission process.
  
  Start Financial Aid Application

• When will I be notified of my admission status?

  Admission decisions are sent by email for Upper School (Grades 9-12) and Middle School (Grades 6-8) in late February and in early March for Lower School (PK-5).

• What does it mean to be placed in the wait pool?

  CA doesn't always have enough space in each grade to take all the applicants we would like to accept. Wait pool status means that the Admission Committee would like to admit the student once an opening occurs.

• We missed the January 15 deadline; can we still apply for the coming school year?

  CA always welcomes an application. Depending on the time of year, your application will be considered for an opening or for the wait pool.

• Where can I find a calendar for the next school year?

  Please go to Calendars.