Private School Admissions in Denver: Find the Right Fit for Your Child at Aspen Academy

Aspen Academy is a PreK-8 private school in Greenwood Village, Colorado, where academic excellence meets leadership development. We partner with families who want more than test scores—parents who believe their child is capable of becoming a confident, ethical leader. If you're searching for the best private school in Denver for your family, start here.

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Fourth grade students receiving instruction on watercolor techniques from their art teacher at Aspen Academy.
Students examining cell structures and completing lab work during a middle school science unit at Aspen Academy.

What Should You Look for in a Private School in Denver? 

The best private schools in Denver offer more than academics—they build character, confidence, and real-world skills that prepare children for life beyond the classroom. When evaluating private elementary and middle schools in Colorado, look for small class sizes, specialized teachers, leadership development, and a community that treats your family as partners.

You already know something has to change.

You feel it every time you drop them off. The nagging question that keeps you up at night: Is this school actually preparing my child for what's coming?

You've watched the headlines. You've seen how fast the world is shifting. And somewhere deep down, you know that worksheets and test prep aren't going to cut it anymore.

Your kiddo deserves more than "good enough." They deserve an education that actually builds who they become.

Why Do Parents Choose Aspen Academy Over Other Denver Private Schools? 

Parents choose Aspen Academy because we combine rigorous academics (students perform 2-3x above state benchmarks) with the nation's first PreK-8 integrated Leadership, Finance, and Entrepreneurship curriculum. Our Greenwood Village campus serves families from Denver, Cherry Creek, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Aurora, and surrounding Colorado communities who want their children to lead—not just follow.

What Makes Us Different

Here's what keeps showing up in our conversations with parents just like you:

"I'm terrified my child will graduate unprepared."

Not unprepared for college—unprepared for life. Unable to lead a meeting. Uncomfortable with failure. Waiting for someone else to tell them what to do.

"I want them to be kind AND successful. Why does it feel like I have to choose?"

You've seen what happens when schools only chase grades. Kids who test well but can't hold a conversation. High achievers who crumble under pressure.

"We're paying a lot. I need to see the ROI."

This isn't about prestige for prestige's sake. It's about whether this investment actually translates into confidence, opportunity, and character that lasts.

If any of that sounds familiar, you're in the right place.

Student creating a design on a vertical LEGO wall in STEM class at Aspen Academy.

How Strong Are Academics at Aspen Academy? 

Aspen Academy students perform 2-3x above Colorado state and national benchmarks on standardized assessments—not because we drill them, but because we challenge them with real problems that matter. Our academic approach combines Singapore Math, subject-specific teachers from Kindergarten, and 80-minute daily instruction blocks.

We don't teach to tests. We teach to outcomes.

  • Subject-specific teachers start in Kindergarten. Your child learns math from a math expert. Reading from a literacy specialist. Not one overwhelmed generalist trying to do it all.
  • Singapore Math puts students 2-3 grade levels ahead of peers using standard American curriculum.
  • 80 minutes daily of core instruction in each subject—far exceeding national averages.

You'll see it in how they explain their thinking. How they approach problems. How they carry themselves.

Teacher engaging her first grade students in a science lesson through a read-aloud at Aspen Academy.
Eighth grade student presenting her business pitch on stage in the finals of Aspen Academy’s annual business plan competition.

What Is the Leadership Program at Aspen Academy? 

Aspen Academy offers the nation's first PreK-8 integrated Leadership, Finance, and Entrepreneurship (LiFE) curriculum—90+ hours per year of dedicated instruction that teaches children to lead through practice, not lectures. Students build physical leadership portfolios, run real businesses, and present to professional mentors.

This is where we're different from every other private school in Colorado.

Every student builds a physical leadership portfolio documenting their growth, decisions, and character development.

Real businesses. Real money. Real responsibility. By middle school, students pitch ideas to actual business mentors, run finance and marketing teams, and see their products sold in our student-run BSE Store.

Professional mentors include serial entrepreneurs, IPO veterans, and EO/YPO members who open doors most kids never get to walk through.

Every student, PreK through 8th grade, develops and presents an original business idea each year. Middle schoolers earned over $76,000 in revenue last year through Bears' Student Enterprises.

This isn't a side program. It's the heartbeat of who we are.

How Safe Are Private Schools in Denver Compared to Public Schools? 

Aspen Academy is rated as one of the safest schools in the nation, with over $1M invested in security systems, a full-time onsite security officer, and 100% staff confidence in crisis response. We maintain close partnerships with Greenwood Village and Denver law enforcement and conduct annual security audits by independent experts.

We know this question sits heavy.

Every parent who walks through our doors carries it—whether they say it out loud or not.

Here's what we've done:

  • AI-powered safety systems (Volt AI and GoGuardian) proactively identify at-risk behaviors
  • Dedicated Crisis Response Team with comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan
  • Clear protocols including background checks and visitor vetting for everyone on campus
  • Regular training with staff, students, and parents
  • Clear, consistent communication to families about safety measures

We don't just check boxes. We take this personally.

Your child's safety isn't a policy. It's a promise.

School resource officer building positive relationships with a student dressed as a fireman at Aspen Academy.
Engaged and supportive parents volunteering on the Aspen Academy campus.

"The warm community of families, children and staff is truly the root system that ignites and inspires those entering the spaces in Aspen Academy."
— Erin Chain, Alumni Parent

What Does Parent Involvement Look Like at a Private School? 

At Aspen Academy, every family contributes 32 volunteer hours per year—not as a burden, but as an invitation to partner in your child's education. Schools with this model see 85%+ parent satisfaction and 15-20% higher student retention than those without mandatory family involvement.

There's a palpable sense of coming home when you walk these halls.

We're not a drop-off daycare. We're partners in raising your child.

  • 785+ community members engaged last year. 60+ events for parents, students, and teachers to connect.
  • Love and Logic workshops (free, 3x per year) create a shared language between home and school—so you're not fighting different battles.
  • 36 parent exchange opportunities per year for direct interaction with teachers and staff.
  • Grandparent Civic Organization welcomes multigenerational involvement—because generational support changes everything.

Is Private Elementary School Worth It for Your Family? 

Private school is worth it when the investment translates into measurable academic outcomes, leadership skills, and character development that public schools can't match. At Aspen Academy, tuition is an investment in who your child becomes—not just where they go next. Our published tuition is lower than the actual cost of educating each student, with financial aid available.

We're not for everyone. And that's by design.

Aspen Academy is for families who believe:

  • Their child is capable of more challenge than most schools provide
  • Character matters as much as grades
  • Leadership is learned through practice, not lectures
  • Education should prepare kids for the world that's coming, not the one that's leaving
  • Parents should be partners, not passengers

20 years from now, no one will ask what they scored on their 4th grade reading assessment. They'll notice whether your child can walk into a room with confidence. Speak up when something matters. Lead a team through uncertainty.

That's what we build here—every single day, starting in Pre-K.

Parents and students posing together outside Aspen Academy on the first day of school.

How Do I Apply to Aspen Academy in Denver?

Applying to Aspen Academy is a three-step process: schedule a conversation with our admissions team, visit our Greenwood Village campus, and submit your application through our online portal. We're currently accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year for grades Preschool through 8th.

Step 1:
Have a Conversation

Start with a call. Tell us about your kiddo—what lights them up, what you're worried about, what you're hoping for.

We'll share what we know and answer every question honestly.

Schedule a Call Below

Step 2:
Visit Our Greenwood Village Campus

Come see it for yourself. Walk the halls. Watch a class in action. Talk to current parents.

You'll know within minutes whether this feels like home.

Schedule a Tour

Step 3:
Submit Your Application

Ready to move forward? The application process is straightforward.

Our admissions portal allows you to submit your application, request documents electronically, and schedule your parent conversation—all in one place.

Begin your Application

Frequently Asked Questions About Private Elementary Schools in Denver

A Note From Our Admissions Team 

We know this decision feels heavy.

Choosing a school for your child isn't like choosing a restaurant or a gym. It shapes who they become. It determines who they spend their days with. It sets the foundation for everything that comes next.

That weight? We feel it too.

We don't take lightly the trust families place in us. Every child who walks through our doors becomes our responsibility—not just academically, but as a whole human being.

If you're reading this, you're already asking the right questions. You're already advocating for your child's future.

Let's figure out together whether Aspen is where that future should unfold.

— Diana, Kate, and Julie; Your Admissions Team

Schedule Your Conversation Today

Meet Your Admissions Team

Diana Agostini

Director of Admissions and Financial Aid

Kate Shaw

Enrollment Manager

Julie Moreau

Enrollment Coordinator

Phone: 303-346-3500, x125    |    Email: admissions@aspenacademy.org    |    Address: 5859 S University Blvd, Greenwood Village, CO 80121