Research Foothills Academy private Schools in Denver, Colorado

“Foothills Academy was a disappointment from the time they cashed our tuition check (paid in full up front) until the time we finally withdrew and chose another school for this year. The instability of the board, the administration, and teaching staff created an untenable situation among parents and students. Staffing was fluid from the weeks leading up to school starting (we were told a different teacher would teaching our child at the last minute) and this continued all year with the unceremonious ousting of the founding head of school by the board in January, to contingent (upon enrollment) contracts being offered to staff with more seniority than others through the end of the school year. The community that is advertised has become a distant memory with mediocre teachers who are too tired and unmotivated to do their job or return phone calls. You do NOT get what you pay for. Period.”

“My son attended FA from kindergarten through 2 grade. My son was diagnosed with dyslexia during the first grade. I went to the head of the school and she assured me that they could handle his learning difference. I believed her. My son, now in 4th grade, is still paying for my misplaced trust. He was so behind when he left FA, even after intensive tutoring, he is still behind his peers. If your child is very average, no learning differences and not gifted, this might be a good place for them. But, overall I think the FA administration cares more about retaining tuition money than doing right by a particular child.”

“We have two boys at Foothills (2nd & K) they have the best teachers, and the best environment.”

“My two sons absolutely thrive in the lower school at Foothills Academy. They have very different learning styles, but I find that they each get the individual attention they need from their teachers. They are not just learning facts and formulas, but learning how to learn, and loving the learning process. They are creative, expressive, and confident. The community of families is very supportive of all students. The campus itself very conducive to exploring, playing, and learning.”

“My son is in kindergarten and for the first time he loves school - as a parent and a teacher myself this in and of itself is very meaningful. However, even more important is that I love the school. His teacher is supportive, loving and really observes and thinks about each student she interacts with. She has already offered me valuable and spot-on insights into how my child thinks and learns -- after being with him for only two months! And the academics are fantastic. Students here really learn how to think and understand how things work. There is no simple memorization or busy work. In the classrooms I see kids completely engaged with their studies because they are invested in the curriculum. These amazing teachers use the students' ideas as springboards to teach the specific skills needed. Foothills is a breath of fresh air in the education system.”

“Foothills is a great community. My children transferred in middle & high school after several years of disappointing public school experience. This is a small, nurturing community where children are allowed to develop in a natural progression with direction from faculty. There is a planned curriculum with is followed and the curriculum is integrated, i.e. English fits with Social Studies, History, Art, Music. The Spanish curriculum is excellent and my kids have flourished there. This school is not constrained by a 'teach to test' mentality and teachers are able to adapt and address each student's strengths/weaknesses. The outdoor education curriculum is tremendous. This school combines the best of experiential, Montessori, and college prep strategies. Most kids who leave at high school do so because they want to explore the world outside of Foothills, not because they dislike the programs. We are blessed to have found Foothills Academy”

“Our children have been attending Foothills Academy for the last 7 years. I feel that they are getting a great education in a loving and nuturing environment. They are becoming good contributing members of our community.”

“I have taught at Foothills Academy for six years. It is a wonderful place to work. The teachers, staff, and administration are constantly striving for academic excellence, while still viewing each student as an individual and meeting their unique personalities, strengths and challenges. We have a fantastic program that not only makes our students love coming to school, it helps them understand how to be life-long learners. It is difficult to define Foothills in a few words because Foothills combines the best teaching practices of many different philosophies. We are a community-minded, arts -integrated, differentiated, outings-based, multi-age learning, whole-child centered school!”

“My boys are currently in 4th and 7th grade and have attended Foothills Academy since they were in kindergarten. It is an awesome school that goes beyond just being a school and is a true community. I feel that not only are they getting a great education, but they are also learning about life and communication skills. The teachers and the leadership at Foothills Academy are extraordinary. I believe that both my kids will continue there through high school. They even talk about sending their kids there! With all the issues going on in the world today, it is nice to have them in such a safe supportive environment.”

“I have two children who are thriving in the lower school at Foothills Academy. While public schools are 'teaching to the test', FA teaches to the whole child, including not only traditional academics but strong programs in art, music, creative writing, PE, social studies, theater, environmental stewardship, cultural awareness, and respect for self, others and community. I've found the teachers to be very competent, caring, and personally invested in each child's development. The administration is small and wears many hats, which may seem chaotic to some, but doesn't detract from the education. The campus is charming and whimsical, and the kids spend a good portion of each day outside. Best of all, my kids love going to school.”

“Rigor, relevance and relationships are the 3 'R's' at Foothills Academy and this school does an excellent job of embodying this philosophy in every aspect of the school. Our daughter is in 3rd grade and has been at the school since kindergarten. She loves the school as do we. We especially appreciate the emphasis on integrating studies e.g. when the class studied a Shakespeare play, they read Shakespeare, learned lines from the play, did Shakespeare in art and learned Renaissance music to perform with the play. This school is for parents and kids who are looking for a school that honors the individual child while maintaining high academic standards. Classes are small (15 - 16) and teachers are inspirational. The administration guides and supports the mission in a wonderfully positive way.”

“This school does a fabulous job of teaching children how to act appropriately, how to respect each other and the world they live in. They stress liberal arts, and an 'emergent curriculum' type of education, which leaves the child's education in the hands of the child. Therefore, academically, those kids who are self-starters will do extremely well, and those who aren't motivated may not do as well.”

“This school really offer personalized learning to my children, and gives them a sense of global citizneship and responsibility. Academics are magnificent, very hands on, teaching children to think critically and to love to learn.”

“I believe the school is well intended, the teachers are excellent educators, but the administration is a total disappointment. The teachers are given a goal and they set out to fulfill that goal, but then the administration pulls their feet out if they don't approve of what they are trying to do. the lower school does not even teach reading properly. my siblings have to go through tutoring now because of that schools lack of competence. Remove the administration and replace it with another that knows how to run a school, and it will repair itself with time.”

“Our son attended Foothills Academy from kindergarten through his graduation from high school. We were largely pleased with his experience in lower school. In hindsight - ours and his - he should have transferred out to a different school at the end of his 8th grade year. The high school seems to be in constant struggle. And the teacher/student ratio only looks good on paper. Their heart is in the right place, but everything is done on a wing and a prayer.”

“Our daughter attended Foothills Academy for middle school - grades 6-8. We found the school to be very uneven. Academics were great some years and not so, other years. There were behavior problems that were never fully addressed, and these escalated by the end of 8th grade. The lack of professionalism by the administration was truly disconcerting. In speaking to others who left the school, we find we are not alone in our disappointment.”