The Classical Academy (Colorado)

Public charter school in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

The Classical Academy

Location

Colorado Springs, Colorado

United States

Coordinates| 39°00′59″N 104°49′00″W﻿ / ﻿39.01639°N 104.81664°W﻿ / 39.01639; -104.81664
Information
Type| Public Charter
Motto| Excellence with Honor
Established| 1997 (26 years ago) (1997)
School district| Academy School District 20
Principal| Becca Demeyer, Justin Peterson, Amy Pope, Sean Shields, Hugh DiPretore, Jodean Peterson
Head of school| Russ Sojourner, President
Grades| K-12
Number of students| High School: 618
Jr High: 469
Elementary: 2,152
Campus type| Suburban
Color(s)| Navy blue, maroon, silver

Athletics| 3A/4A
Mascot| Titan
Website| www.tcatitans.org

The Classical Academy (TCA) is a kindergarten through twelfth grade public charter school located in northern Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States. It is chartered through Academy School District 20.

The school is known for having an extensive waiting list,[citation needed] with over 5,400 students on the current waiting list for all grades combined.

## Rankings[edit]

The Classical Academy High School is ranked #1 in Academy School District, 19th within Colorado and #611 nationally by U.S. News & World Report.[1]

## Awards[edit]

In 2012, 2013, and 2014 the Colorado Department of Education awarded every TCA (elementary, junior high, and high school) as well as College Pathways the John Irwin Award for Academic Excellence. The John Irwin awards are given to schools that demonstrate excellent academic achievement.[2]

## Campuses[edit]

The Classical Academy currently has three campuses in Northern Colorado Springs:

### North Campus[edit]

The Classical Academy High School, The Classical Academy Junior High School and The Classical Academy North Elementary are located at 975 Stout Road. The North Campus is considered the main campus and is the location of the school administration offices.

### Central Campus[edit]

The Classical Academy Central Elementary is located at 1655 Springcrest Road. This facility, formerly known as Mountain View School, was purchased by the TCA Building Corporation in 2004 for $1.9 million. Monthly payments will continue until November 1, 2019, when the note is paid in full.[3]

### East Campus[edit]

The Classical Academy East Elementary is located at 12201 Cross Peak View (just west of Pikes Peak State College, Rampart Range Campus).

East Campus is also the location of the school's homeschool programs:

* The Cottage School Program for kindergarten through eighth grade.
* TCA College Pathways for seventh through twelfth grades. Students as part of this program also attend the adjacent Pikes Peak State College Rampart Range Campus.

## School uniforms[edit]

The school has a uniform policy for all grade levels.

## Admission and enrollment[edit]

The Classical Academy does not have open enrollment for students, nor is it an Academy School District 20 Choice option. The Classical Academy is a wait list school. Students are offered seats and admitted to the school based on their wait list position. Parents can apply from any of the surrounding fifteen school districts in and around Colorado Springs. Priority is given to students of administration, faculty, current enrolled siblings, and residents of Academy School District 20.

## Board of directors[edit]

The Classical Academy is governed by a seven-member Board that is elected by the parents of students. The board members volunteer their time and serve without compensation. Board members are elected through ballot for a three-year maximum term.[4]

## Athletics and activities[edit]

### Athletics[edit]

High School sports include Baseball, Cross Country, football, Men’s Basketball, Men’s Golf, Men’s Soccer, Softball, Spirit/Cheer, Track, Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, Women’s Golf, Women’s Soccer, and Wrestling.

Junior High sports include Boys’ Basketball, Cross Country, football, Girls’ Basketball, Softball, Track, Volleyball, and Wrestling.

Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson, a TCA alumni

All of the main sports compete in Colorado's 3A athletic conference, except cross country, which competes at the 4A level as of 2012.

### Performing arts[edit]

The Classical Academy Marching Band has won the CBA (Colorado Bandmasters Association) state championship in the 2A class four times, in 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022.

### Chess[edit]

The Classical Academy chess team has won the CSCA state 4A championship title three times, in 2010, 2011 and 2012.[5]

## Notable Alumni[edit]

Daniel Carlson

Anders Carlson

## Criticisms[edit]

Current and previous parents have noted the heavier workload on the students, in addition to the “militaristic” atmosphere, as negative and not fostering a nurturing school environment. Other parents have rebutted this.[6]

In 2009, the school was reported to the Colorado Department of Education for possible conflicts of interest with administrators who run a charter-school consulting business on the side and said the school failed to properly respond to allegations of sexual and physical assaults and bullying. Then TCA President Mark Hyatt said he welcomed the scrutiny and new guidelines and additional training was being put in place.[7]

In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Classical Academy gave students the option of whether or not to wear a mask, sparking criticism from parents and health officials alike. “I’m so pleased to be one of the first to welcome you back to another school year,” TCA President Russ Sojourner writes in a letter to parents, “Another NORMAL school year – one that will resemble those we remember before the infamous March 2020 shut down.”[8]

## See also[edit]

* Colorado Springs Christian Schools
* The Vanguard School (Colorado)

## References[edit]

1. ^ "The Classical Academy High School in Colorado Springs| US News Best High Schools". U.S. News & World Report. 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
2. ^ "Colorado John Irwin Schools of Excellence Awards | CDE". www.cde.state.co.us. Retrieved 2016-09-19.
3. ^ "COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT" (PDF). ACADEMY SCHOOL DISTRICT TWENTY. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
4. ^ "Bylaws of the Classical Academy" (PDF). 2016-01-11. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
5. ^ "Colorado State Chess Association Scholastic Team Champions".
6. ^ "The Classical Academy Charter - Colorado Springs, Colorado - CO - School reviews". www.greatschools.org. Retrieved 2016-09-19.
7. ^ "The Dirty and Dangerous Secrets of The Classical Academy of Colorado Springs". www.schoolsmatter.info. Retrieved 2016-09-19.
8. ^ Keith, Tony (2021-07-23). "Colorado Springs school plans on having a 'NORMAL' school year with no mask requirement and normal sports activities". www.kktv.com. Retrieved 2023-10-17.

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CHSAA Colorado Springs Metro 4A North (2022–24)

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