About Us:

For years, educators have identified skills that would be taught at each grade level, but content decisions have been left to individual classroom teachers. Thus, a vast disparity of topics has been taught depending on the personal interests and expertise of a specific teacher. Curricula across schools and even within schools at the same grade level have been quite diverse.

The Core Knowledge Sequence was developed to provide students with a rich vocabulary and broad knowledge upon which future instruction can build, broaden and deepen. The ultimate goal is to ensure that all children are given access to the same knowledge base that assures later educational success.

Thus, the Core Knowledge Sequence provides a detailed, explicit, and systematic sequence of grade specific content that can be taught consistently year after year. The core content is organized to spiral through the grade levels, becoming more sophisticated and dedicated in each successive grade.

It has been the experience of those using the approach that students retain information much longer and develop skills more easily when meaningful content is combined with the teaching of skills.

There are several good resources to help you discover more about the Core Knowledge curriculum and philosophy. E.D Hirsch’s series of books, “ What Your First Grader Needs to Know”, etc., can be found at most bookstores and libraries. These books offer a comprehensive look into the content taught each school year in any Core Knowledge school. The Core Knowledge Institute also has a website: www.coreknowledge.org.

No, Flagstaff Academy is a public school which receives public funding through per pupil revenue from the St. Vrain Valley School District. However, public funding for Kindergarten is only for a half day. Families who are interested in the full-day Kindergarten option must pay tuition for the other half of the day. Flagstaff Academy charges a Curriculum Textbook and Fieldtrip Fee for students in all grades. Any family who qualifies for free and reduced lunch will have this fee waived. Specific fee amounts can be seen here.

Flagstaff Academy strongly believes in bringing the excitement and richness of science exploration to students at all grade levels. Key components of Flagstaff Academy's program are hands-on lab-based science programs, integration of math, science and technology in a practical fashion, and integration of writing throughout the science curriculum. Students will establish a knowledge base for understanding science through hands-on science exploration. This will be done through a science lab-based program that will be used in conjunction with the Core Knowledge science sequence. All Flagstaff Academy students have science class 5 times per week, 2 of which are held in the dedicated Science Lab.

Flagstaff uses the K–8 Lab Learner Science program, developed by the Center for Science and Health Education at Penn State College of Medicine. "Lab Learner is a unique, hands-on, complete elementary and middle school science program that utilizes scientific methodology to let students and teachers experience the thrill of scientific discovery firsthand." (Penn State, 2004) Lab Learner was developed to align to national and state standards and give students concepts in science and health. This is a science program with proven research in science standards and student achievement by the Penn State College of Medicine. (Penn State, www.lab-learner.com)

Flagstaff Academy has implemented a comprehensive K–8 technology plan across the curriculum. All teachers and students will become proficient in the use of technology and will be evaluated on the effectiveness of integrating technology into lesson plans and student work. Flagstaff Academy's goal is that by 2008, the school becomes 100% integrated with technology across the curriculum.

Flagstaff Academy has computer labs in each classroom in which students have access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Type to Learn – Keyboarding, Graphic Organizers, such as Inspiration and Kidspiration, Accelerated Reader, Star, NWEA – MAPS Assessment, Dreamweaver and much more.

Flagstaff Academy offers classes in grades K-8th.

One hundred percent of Flagstaff Academy faculty will meet the NCLB, Highly Qualified Teacher requirement in the content area taught. As Flagstaff recruits and hires teachers, it is critical to ensure all hold a teacher certification, are highly qualified, and continue to meet high standards of accountability and curriculum, and instructional assessment needs of students. Flagstaff will use professional development activities including teacher induction programs, training to meet licensing criteria, and continued advancement in instructional skills and strategies in topics taught to ensure high levels of student achievement.

Yes, Flagstaff Academy is subject to all federal and state laws under IDEA for specialeducation services. Flagstaff Academy will purchase all special education services from the St. Vrain Valley School District and will be accountable to the District Board of Education regarding compliance with federal and state special education and disability laws.

The St. Vrain Valley School District will provide services required by the Individual Education Plans (IEPs), including but not limited to initial evaluations and re-evaluations, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, audiology, low vision specialist services, autism specialist services, teacher of the deaf, paraprofessional services, sign interpreters, school psychology services, school health care services, and transportation services required by student IEPs.

Yes, Flagstaff Academy has programs in place to meet the needs of all learners, including our gifted students. Each classroom has been equipped with materials and curriculum to challenge the gifted learner.

Gifted and talented students are recognized by Flagstaff Academy as “exceptional” children who require special programming to reach their full potential (C.R.S. 22-20-101 et seq.). The special programming will include, but not be limited to, working with the resource teacher in a group setting and in-classroom strategies. Children will be evaluated by the Teachers and Building Resource Teacher through the NWEA, Measure for Academic Progress on-line benchmark assessment to identify if they qualify for special programming.

In addition to regular classroom teachers, the school will employ a resource/literacy teacher with experience in classroom differentiation strategies for exceptional children. The resource teacher will help meet the needs of students with diverse learning styles (not only students defined as gifted) under the special education umbrella. The resource teacher will also work with teachers to implement a program incorporating study skills in the classroom to benefit all students.

Flagstaff Academy aspires to challenge its gifted and talented student population by providing ability grouping, in-classroom differentiation and deeper exploration. Accommodations for all exceptional students will be made following the principles such as "Teaching Special Education Students in the Regular Classroom and Teaching the Talented and Gifted in the Regular Classroom" by Susan Winebrenner, and other recommended resources. Teacher training in gifted education and special education will be an important goal for our professional development plan.

Yes, Flagstaff Academy offers a fee-based Before and After School programs throughout the school year. Flagstaff Academy is licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services to offer before school program from 6:30 am – 8:15 am and an after school program from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm. The program is currently run by the Longmont YMCA onsite at Flagstaff Academy. The students will have opportunities to complete homework, receive tutoring and complete activities, play games and have fun!!! Drop-in care is also available when space permits. For more info click here.

Yes, Flagstaff Academy offers art, music, physical education and character education programs. Spanish is offered for students in grades 4-8.

Morning Half-Day Kindergarten - 8:15 am - 11:30 am
Afternoon Half-Day Kindergarten - 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Full-Day Kindergarten - 8:15 am - 3:30 pm
1st - 8th Grade - 8:15 am - 3:30 pm

Flagstaff Academy follows an Open Enrollment process and a lottery will be performed to fill the classes. More information on this lottery process can be found in the Open Enrollment section of this website.

The window for open enrollment at Flagstaff Academy will run from December 1st through January 31st. During this time Flagstaff Academy will offer informational enrollment clinics to educate the community about Flagstaff Academy. Dates of these clinics are posted in the Open Enrollment section of this website.

All families must complete an “Intent to Enroll” form to be entered into the lottery. This form must be completed and returned to the school via email, fax, or postal service.

Once the open enrollment window has closed on January 31st, the school will begin the lottery process. Since Flagstaff Academy receives federal charter school start-up funds, and since we anticipate more applications than available spaces, we must follow a lottery process. More information on this lottery process can be seen in the Open Enrollment section of this website.

If you have questions about the “Intent to Enroll” form please contact the school Registrar at 303-651-7900 ext. 300.

Flagstaff Academy
1841 Lefthand Circle, Longmont, CO 80501 • Phone: 303-651-7900 • Fax: 303-651-7922 • Email: info@flagstaffacademy.org
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