My two boys, currently 13 and 15, are both on the Asperger's spectrum. They were not faring well…read morein public school, despite heroic efforts from the Thompson school district. We turned to Desiderata and have not regretted that decision. Larame and Pandi Spence and their fine staff have worked wonders with my boys. They're progressing well in school and actually look forward to going to school each day. The program is rigorous and course work must be passed with a "B" or better. There is a lot of individual attention given to the students who attend this program. My children go Monday through Thursday from 8:00 to 3:30 during the regular school year and also attend two days a week during the summer (summer school is quite optional). I recommend Desiderata to any parent with students who are not a good "fit" for traditional schools or for anyone wanting a more flexible and home-school type of educational experience. This is not an inexpensive program, but my family has benefitted so greatly from our experience at Desiderata that we don't mind the cost. They have different options and different costs. We chose the most expensive path, which is physical attendance four full days per week. There are other options offered as well including part-time attendance and distance education. There seems to be a program available to fit any student's needs. We're pleased with the school and its administration. It has been a great fit for us.

Flagstaff Academy is a charter school that I see as problematic. The math program in particular has…read morebeen an issue from the beginning and everyone in the administration knows this is true. A simple Google search will turn up research that proves that their various levels of mathematics for every grade level, discourages children in learning and creates math anxiety. When shown this research, the administration says there is nothing they can do about it because it's part of the charter. If your child is in a accelerated math group and then gets dropped to the next level down for the next year because of enrollment, etc. they will be learning the same math over again and will be bored and discouraged. When I transferred my children to public school after being years at Flagstaff Academy, my oldest, who was in accelerated math, had giant gaps missing in their math education. The teachers in the public school were not surprised they had seen this happen repeatedly from Flagstaff. My youngest child could not write more than a paragraph summation. I had to get my child extra summer writing lessons to catch up with their public school peers (who standard was riding five paragraphs). Also when we were there, not every teacher was teaching the same curriculum. The elementary had changed math curriculums so often that two of the teachers refused to switch. My kid wrote their college essay on the shock they received being moved from accelerated math at Flagstaff to public school math. I will never forgive myself. There are protections and standards in public schools that you will not find in a charter. Consider carefully your choice. My favorite part of their reply below is where they call me a liar. I would strongly suggest that you send your children to a public school that doesn't consider themselves a "business"

Great teachers, staff, community and resources. The PTO does a ton to support the classrooms and…read morethe variety of class offerings, especially at the middle school level, is exceptional. The school focus on safety and DRAGON PRIDE makes us feel comfortable as well.

Our older son (now 14) graduated from BVWS last year, having been here since his early years…read more Looking back, we're amazed at how the school shaped him -- not just academically, but as a whole person. He left with a strong foundation in math, science, and writing, but also with creativity, confidence, and a deep sense of compassion. The combination of academics, arts, music, and hands-on learning really gave him a well-rounded education that will serve him for life. Our younger son is now in middle school at BVWS, and he is thriving. Middle school can be a tough transition, but the small class sizes and dedicated teachers make such a difference. He feels seen, supported, and challenged in ways that bring out his best. The curriculum balances academic rigor with opportunities for growth through orchestra, theater, outdoor education, and practical projects -- things that keep him engaged and excited about learning. What stands out most is the sense of community. BVWS feels like an extended family where teachers, parents, and students truly know and support one another. It's a nurturing, values-based environment that helps children grow into capable, compassionate young people. We're grateful to have found a school that educates the head, heart, and hands -- and we would highly recommend BVWS to any family looking for something more meaningful than a traditional school experience.

This is not a review disparaging BVWS. It is about the lack of transparency and consideration my…read morefamily and I were given through the application and enrollment process. My daughter is no stranger to BVWS: she attended in early childhood and has spent a couple of summers there and loved it. When I reached out to the admissions director, (s)he expressed that my daughter would be welcome back and that there was space for her, so I submitted an application and she did a 3-day shadowing. To my surprise, my daughter's application was rejected. I spent several months trying to get a clear answer as to why, unsuccessfully. The following is a summary of events post-shadowing. My husband and I met with the teacher who discussed my daughter's shadowing experience and stated multiple times that (s)he "saw no red flags". I then asked questions about the founder's philosophy including topics that touched upon racism and how they have evolved, as my husband and I come from diverse backgrounds. The teacher answered them with openness and transparency, which further solidified my decision to send my daughter there. A week later, I receive an email, "after careful consideration...we do not feel that (student) is a good fit for our program." I requested a meeting to better understand the decision and sent numerous follow-up emails over the next 2 months to which I received no response, or the admissions director was sick, out of town, or catching up on work. Upon finally setting a meeting, I mentioned that I had emailed the teacher to get more specific feedback regarding my daughter's experience and if (s)he could be encouraged to respond. The response from the admissions director: "to be clear, I will be talking you through the application process...but not discussing re-opening the process". I thanked them and wrote, to "make sure I'm understanding correctly - you will not ask (teacher) to give me information about my daughter, nor will you speak about her experience at BVWS," to which I received no reply. On the call, the admissions director explained that the enrollment process was a collaborative, complicated and nuanced process. It included not just the teacher's opinion, but also input from ALL the Grade teachers, consideration on the age and maturity of the class, and the fact that the teacher is new to Waldorf teaching. If that were the case, then the shadowing, which caused disruption for everyone involved, was pointless and in fact, no new student could join. My insistence on following up was to have an opportunity for an open and transparent discussion regarding my daughter's application. If the teacher had told me during our debrief that (s)he felt the class dynamic with my daughter was not right, I would have respected the opinion. Funny that while my daughter attended BVWS there had never been any concerns raised. I can only deduce from the lack of response and transparency that this decision had less to do with my daughter and more about the questions I raised during our meeting with the teacher. In my last email after our final call, I expressed my hope that this experience be shared with the faculty and board as a learning experience and that I would always be open to dialogue. Since I never received a reply, I assume this issue had been swept under the rug. Though I know no big change will come of this, this experience will serve as a lesson when my daughter is older so that she may learn to advocate for herself with awareness and discernment. BVWS states they support DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) and boasts that it cultivates a welcoming, inclusive community. A few qualities of inclusive leadership include fairness and respect, collaboration, empowerment and growth, and emotional and cultural intelligence, none of which I received. It is a shame that fear and avoidance of tough questions will now directly impact a 7-year-old's education. DEI has become very trendy in the past few years but simply taking a training without putting the principles into practice is not enough. Let's do better for our children and set the examples we want to teach them, not just have empty words on a website. That is when you muster the courage to step forward, not back.

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.

I have had two kids go through columbine elementary and there education from all teachers has been…read moreamazing. The third grade team was by far the best having such collaboration between teachers it was tough to know which one I was supposed to see for conferences. What a great school. It is a shame that the district and local families do not seem to realize the diamond they have in there local community.

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.

Better quality and lower cost than Boulder schools, without the drive! This school is great. My…read moredaughter is learning more than her cousin in Boulder and we are paying less than my relatives. Small class sizes, individualized program for every subject, and my daughter loves it for four years running. Who could ask for more?

From the owner: Mountain Peak Private School is an independent, nonsectarian school offering classes for 3 year old…read morepreschool through 6th grade. We have guaranteed small classes(15 or less K-6th, smaller for preschool), individualized curriculum, daily PE, art, music, foreign language and technology.

This school has an awesome staff. The teachers are dedicated to the success and well being of every…read morestudent. They are a STEM school, so students use higher level thinking and problem solving skills regularly. The community is fabulous! You won't find a better school for your kids!

I felt extremely disrespected by the way I was approached by my son's principal, especially on a…read moreday that is almost his last day of school. At 2:57 PM, when my son got out of school, I called the front office to let them know I was going to be late due to attending a funeral. I asked Gianna in the front office what time the office closed, and she informed me it stayed open until 3:45 PM. I told her I would get there as soon as possible, considering I was coming from over an hour away on the other side of town. I was rushing through traffic trying my best to get to my son. When I arrived, Mrs. Tallman immediately began shaking her head at me and telling me I did not give the school enough notice, that staff members had family meetings, and that she personally had to cancel a meeting because of my lateness. She also stated, "We are not your babysitter," directly in front of my son. I understand being late can inconvenience staff, and I take accountability for arriving after the office closing time. However, I had communicated ahead of time due to an unexpected life event, and this is not a repeated issue for me. The most I have ever been late before was 15-20 minutes due to traffic in Colorado. What upset me most was the manner in which this situation was handled. I felt publicly scolded and judged as a mother in front of my child, rather than spoken to respectfully and privately. Life circumstances happen, and while I understand school policies must be followed, I believe this could have been addressed with more professionalism, understanding, and compassion.

Great school in a very nice area. Staff and teachers are polite and pleasant. The little one raves…read moreof many good things and good times here.

I attended Shining Mountain Waldorf School from K-9 and cherish the magical experiences. I fondly…read morerecall the excitement of seeing new chalkboard drawings and hearing captivating stories in the cozy classrooms. Now, my son attends Kindergarten there and formed an instant bond with his teacher (not something that came naturally for him in preschool). Mrs. Cherie exceeds expectations by attending to each child's unique needs. All teachers offer individual care through home visits, parent nights, and meetings. Beyond being a great school, the parent community is enriching, and we're forming lifelong friendships. Some worry Waldorf's academic approach might not prepare students well, but my brothers, also Waldorf graduates, are now a urologist and a researcher at the Max Planck Institute. I'm a life coach with my own business. Success stems from joy in learning, which Waldorf fosters. I urge you to schedule a tour or email me for more insights at wovenwords [at] gmail [dot] com.

Being a part of Shining Mountain Waldorf School's Early Childhood program has been an exceptional…read moreexperience for my daughter and our entire family. My daughter has blossomed into a confident, playful, curious, and adventurous 5-year-old in the loving care of her teachers. The beautiful campus, nestled in the foothills, offers ample opportunity for free play in nature and daily walks to visit the school chickens, gardens, and a nearby lake. Inside the classrooms, natural materials of wood and silk create a beautiful and comforting space to learn and play. Kindergarten classes provide nourishing, organic food to the children daily. Overall, the school has a rich tradition of meaningful festivals that build a thriving school community. We couldn't be happier at Shining Mountain and look forward to continuing through middle school and high school.