Author: Colorado SKIES Academy

Colorado SKIES Academy is a free public charter school authorized by the Cherry Creek School District, open to students throughout the Arapahoe County and Douglas County areas. This STEAM middle school serving grades 6-8 is located at Centennial Airport next to Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight.
Colorado SKIES Academy Culture: Learner-Led Conferences

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” — Plutarch An important component of Colorado SKIES Academy’s approach to project-based learning is empowering kids to take ownership of their work. One way we do…

Colorado SKIES Academy Culture: Components of Social-Emotional Learning — Zest

“Enthusiasm is the electricity of life.” —Gordon Parks Central to the Colorado SKIES Academy approach to project-based learning is a belief that education works best when it’s energetic. Rather than being stale and rote, it’s filled with excitement. That excitement,…

Colorado SKIES Academy Learners Talk about Exploratory SmartLab!

CSA learners interviewed one another for a Creative Learning Systems contest. Hear what they have to say about their hands-on deeper learning experiences in the Exploratory SmartLab!

Upcoming Events

Revised  Academic Calendar for 2021-2022 September  16      Watchdog /PAC Movie Night @ 5:30 pm September 20       Lifetouch picture retake September 24       Weather Balloon Launch at Exploration of Flight September 27        No School…

Colorado SKIES Academy Culture: Social Intelligence

In the Colorado SKIES Academy approach to project-based learning, which produces well-rounded kids, social intelligence is a key component of whole-child development. What do we mean by social intelligence? It’s a person’s ability to interact well with others. It’s often…

Upcoming Events

Revised  Academic Calendar for 2021-2022 September 6         Labor Day No School September  7-10  MAP Testing September  16      Watchdog /PAC Movie Night September 20       Lifetouch picture retake September 24       Weather Balloon…

Colorado SKIES Academy Culture: Whole-Child Development

Last week we introduced the importance of social-emotional learning at Colorado SKIES Academy. Social-emotional learning is integral to our whole-child educational approach.  A whole-child mind-set means that we are focused on far more than teaching to tests or holding up…

Colorado SKIES Academy Culture: Project-Based Learning

Spend even just a few moments inquiring about Colorado SKIES Academy’s approach to education, and one of the first things you’ll hear about is project-based learning, or PBL. It’s at the core of our approach to school and a proven…

Colorado SKIES Academy Culture: Learner-Led Conferences

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” — Plutarch An important component of Colorado SKIES Academy’s approach to project-based learning is empowering kids to take ownership of their work. One way we do…

Upcoming Events

Academic Calendar September 20: Lifetouch Retakes September 28: Regular Day Of School October 1: Grade 6 Balloon Launch @ 9 AM Prospective families, schedule a tour! See what our families are saying about Colorado SKIES Academy!

Colorado SKIES Academy Learners Talk about Exploratory SmartLab!

Last spring, CSA learners interviewed one another for a Creative Learning Systems contest. Hear what they had to say about their hands-on deeper learning experiences in the Exploratory SmartLab!

Colorado SKIES Academy’s Exploratorium Facilitator Holly Pierce Inspires Learner-Led Projects

By Michael Niehoff Education Content Coordinator, iLEAD Schools A couple of years ago, veteran K-8 educator Holly Pierce was thinking about leaving the profession. Fast-forward to today, and not only has Pierce not left teaching, but she has been invigorated…

Colorado SKIES Academy Culture: Components of Social-Emotional Learning — Grit

What does it take to really succeed? Some might call it drive or determination. At Colorado SKIES Academy, we like to call it grit, and it is a crucial component of social-emotional learning. We define grit as “having courage and…

Colorado SKIES Academy Culture: Real-World Experiences

Consider this for a moment: What would be an ideal way to learn about flight and all that it involves? Do textbooks, lectures, and maybe a few videos help learners gain a firm grasp and understanding of the concepts?  What…

Upcoming Events

Academic Calendar August 16: First Day of School August 16: Picture Day August 17-19: MAP Testing for Grade 6 August 18: Back to School Night August 30: Wingman for a Day September 3: Professional Learning No School September 6: Labor…

Upcoming Events

Academic Calendar August 9: New Learner Orientation (10 AM  – Noon) August 12: All School Block Party (5 – 7 PM) August 13: Orientation make-up (2:30-4 PM) August 16: First Day of School & Picture Day August 18: Back to…

CSA Blasts Off!

Learning takes flight at CSA! Watch this video we put together last year featuring a glimpse of the learning process at CSA!

Colorado SKIES Academy’s Exploratorium Facilitator Holly Pierce Inspires Learner-Led Projects

By Michael Niehoff Education Content Coordinator, iLEAD Schools A couple of years ago, veteran K-8 educator Holly Pierce was thinking about leaving the profession. Fast-forward to today, and not only has Pierce not left teaching, but she has been invigorated…

Colorado SKIES Academy Learners Talk about Exploratory SmartLab!

CSA learners interviewed one another for a Creative Learning Systems contest. Hear what they have to say about their hands-on deeper learning experiences in the Exploratory SmartLab!

Colorado SKIES Academy Culture: Components of Social-Emotional Learning — Grit

What does it take to really succeed? Some might call it drive or determination. At Colorado SKIES Academy, we like to call it grit, and it is a crucial component of social-emotional learning. We define grit as “having courage and…

Upcoming Events

Academic Calendar August 9: New Learner Orientation, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Lunch Provided. August 12: CSA Family Block Party, 5:00-7:00 PM August 16: First Day of School August 19: Back to School Night, 5:30 – 7:00 PM Prospective families,…