About

Student writing
Group of students working

ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

 

High Peaks is a Core Knowledge focus school that opened in 1995. Teachers use dramatizations, art projects, reading and writing workshops and collaborative learning to bring the Core Knowledge Sequence to life. Core Knowledge uses a planned progression of specific content in history, geography, science, language arts and the fine arts. High Peaks recently received the National Blue Ribbon award. This school also offers free and tuition preschool classes that have a focus on both academic and developmental learning standards.​

 

High Peaks Elementary serves approximately 300 students from the communities of Boulder, Nederland, Longmont, Superior, Lafayette, Louisville and Erie in Kindergarten through 5th Grade.

 

We take pride in our many years of high academic achievement and student growth, which has been acknowledged at the state and national level with honors such as the John Irwin and Governor's Distinguished Improvement Awards from the Colorado Department of Education, and the National Blue Ribbon School Award from the U.S. Department of Education. 

 

While those honors for our academics are significant, High Peaks is aware that we are responsible for teaching the whole child, and the development of the character of our children is equally important. Building wide, we have been focusing on 16 important Habits of Mind based on the work of Dr. Arthur Costa.  By using these skills, students will have the necessary tools to cope with problems or decisions in which there may not be a clear answer. As our students grow and move to Middle School, they will be well equipped with a solid grasp of academics as well as the ability to problem solve, make sound responsible decisions and to be skilled leaders in the 21st century!​

 

Student showing project

Program Characteristics

​The Core Knowledge Sequence is a planned progression of specific content in history, geography, mathematics, science, language arts and fine arts for Kindergarten through fifth grade. It is designed to encourage steady academic progress as children build their knowledge and skills from one year to the next. The sequenced, spiraling curriculum prevents repetition and gaps in knowledge as students progress through the grades. The Core Knowledge Sequence has received most favorable recognition nationally and internationally for its success in helping children from many different backgrounds to succeed. Using our focus on the Core Knowledge curriculum, High Peaks meets and often exceeds BVSD and Colorado state content standards.

 

High Peaks emphasizes mastery of reading, writing and mathematical skills, and development of a solid foundation in science, history and geography with instructional experiences that are exciting and engaging. The teaching methods used in our classrooms are dynamic and responsive to the needs of a wide variety of learners. Our literacy program includes instruction in phonics, fluency, comprehension, writing mechanics, spelling and various forms of writing. We use a balanced literacy approach with all students working to their highest level of instruction through the use of flexible grouping. We offer tiered math instruction and students who demonstrate appropriate capability in math may be qualified for subject acceleration to the next grade level or challenge math opportunities. Students begin to study world and American civilizations in first grade. All of our staff, including Special Education, Talented And Gifted Advisor, English Language Development and Literacy specialists, work collaboratively to provide the highest level of instruction for our students.


 

Student at science fair

We are proud of our newly renovated and updated building, with a brand new media center and computer lab, a new gym, and new music, art, literacy and special education rooms.  Our state of the art computer lab, SMART Boards in each classroom, and integrated technology approach support our quality curriculum, instruction and assessment. 

 

SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES

As a focus school, it is important for us to offer many opportunities for enrichment that allow our students to connect across grade levels and become a strong community. We encourage all of our students to participate in extracurricular and co-curricular activities. We offer many challenge and extension activities throughout the school day as well as before and after school. Some of our offerings include the Science Fair, The High Peaks Literary Magazine, our Yearbook, the Spelling Bee and Geography Bee, Lego League, Math Olympiads, Robotics.

 

FIELD TRIPS

Trips to enhance student learning can include, but are not limited to, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the IMAX theater Denver, Fiske Planetarium at CU, the Denver Zoo, an Eco-cycle Tour of Facilities, NCAR, the Denver Art Museum, Denver History Museum, the CU Water Festival, Cal-Wood overnights for fifth graders.