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 30 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?

  This year's Admission Preview, CA’s version of a virtual open house, took place on October 7, 2020. If you were unable to attend, we also offer other Admission events throughout the season, which can be found on the Admission calendar of the website. We look forward to connecting with your family.

   

• How may I schedule a tour?

  While the campus is closed to visitors due to health and safety protocols related to the COVID-19 pandemic, you are invited to tour our 94-acre campus online or take advantage of one of the many events open to the community, including our SPEAK lecture series, music recitals and theater productions, or athletic competitions. 
  
  Our Admission Team has curated a Virtual Tour Experience by division. Spend 30 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?

  Please complete the Application Form as soon as possible; all additional application materials are then due by January 31. 

• What admission tests are required?

  For Pre-Kindergarten or Kindergarten applicants, developmental readiness is assessed by our teachers during the applicant virtual visit, and no other formal testing is required.

  
  For Grades 1-5, Colorado Academy is "Test Flexible," meaning that CA will accept the results from any testing that an applicant has completed within the last two years, such as the CogAT, WISC, DAS, MAP, ISEE, ERB, 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 through the Transcript Request Form.
  • You may submit WISC or DAS scores directly to admission@coloradoacademy.org. If you wish, you may register your child for testing with an evaluator from the DATC (Denver Area Testing Consortium). Please call the CA Admission Office to request assistance if the fee is a hardship. 

  For Grades 6-12, Colorado Academy is “test flexible,” meaning that we will accept any standardized testing or educational evaluation that a student has completed in the last two years. Examples of testing include the WISC, DAS, CogAT, Stanford Binet, MAP, ISEE, SSAT, ERB, HSPT, and Pre-ACT, among others. The Transcript Request Form that prospective families send to their student's current school includes a request to submit test scores from the last two years in addition to report cards and attendance records. Parents may also request that an evaluator or test company send test results directly to admission@coloradoacademy.org.

• How many spaces are available each year by grade?

  Prospective students may apply to CA at any grade level. Each year, we don’t know how many openings we will have until after re-enrollment is completed in February. Major entry points, when we add a new section to each grade, are Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, First 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 Twelfth Grade class has approximately 100 students graduating. We add new students at most every grade in between, with Kindergarten, Grade 1, 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 that will contribute to their communities in productive and interesting ways.

• What can we expect during our student’s virtual visit or interview?

  Lower School Visits:
  Pre-K and Kindergarten applicant visits will be virtual. Once an initial Application form is submitted, families will be able to schedule a Zoom student visit through a calendar link after October 1.  Part of the visit will include a request for three short video clips of the applicant participating in developmentally appropriate activities.
  
  For Grades 1-5, applicants will visit virtually through Zoom with a Lower School teacher and the Lower School Admission Director. Virtual visits typically last 1 to 1.5 hours. The schedule for virtual Lower School visits will be posted after October 1.
  
  

  Middle School Student Interview:
  After October 1, please use the calendar link in your Application Checklist to register the applicant for a Zoom Interview with a member of the Middle School Admission Committee. Virtual interviews typically last 20-30 minutes; the interview is a great way for the applicant to learn more about CA, so please bring questions!
  
  

  Upper School Student Interview:
  Please use the calendar link in your Application Checklist to register for a Zoom Interview with a member of the Upper School Admission Committee. Virtual interviews typically last 20-30 minutes; the interview is a great way for the applicant to learn more about CA, so please bring questions!

• Where is the Admission Office located?

  The Admission Office is located in the historic Welborn House. Due to health and safety protocols related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Admission team will answer questions this admission season through email or Zoom calls. 

• 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 2020-2021 tuition rates are $25,000 for Pre-Kindergarten; $28,470 for K-Grade 5; $30,840 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 31 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.