K-12

These questions and answers apply to both Upper School (grades 6-12) and Lower School (grades K-5).

What is a charter school?

Charter schools are publicly funded elementary or secondary schools in the United States that have been freed from some of the rules, regulations, and statutes that apply to other public schools. This is usually in exchange for some type of accountability for producing certain results, which are set forth in each school's charter. Their founders are often teachers, parents, or activists who want to bring an innovative approach to the local public school community.

Does MacLaren charge tuition?

No, it does not. MacLaren is a public school and, like all public schools, does not charge tuition. However, also like other public schools, there may be fees charged to cover certain costs. There are payment plans available for these fees as well as income-based reductions.

Is MacLaren a District 11 school?

Yes, Colorado Springs School District 11 serves as our authorizer, but MacLaren remains an autonomous charter school that is responsible for its own operations.

How is MacLaren governed?

As a charter school, MacLaren is governed by its own Board of Directors, giving it autonomy over its curriculum and culture. There are currently eight people serving on the Board. As a public institution, MacLaren’s Board meetings are open to the public.

Where is MacLaren located?

MacLaren is located at 1702 N. Murray Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80915.

What grades does MacLaren serve?

MacLaren serves K-12th grades.

Is there an entrance exam?

No, there is no entrance exam. As a public school, we offer this curriculum to all who apply. That said, MacLaren may not be the right fit for every child. We are a school of choice and we offer a specific educational environment which may work very well for some children and not as well for others. All families who choose MacLaren are welcome. Each spring, MacLaren holds diagnostic exams for students transferring into grades 7 and higher to ensure proper placement within our program.

What are the school hours?

School is held Monday through Friday. The Lower School (K-5th grade) starts promptly at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 3:10 p.m. (2:20 p.m. on Fridays). The Upper School (6th-12th grade) starts promptly at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. (2:40 p.m. on Fridays).

Does MacLaren offer bus service?

Unfortunately, we are unable to afford bus service at this time.

What is distinctive about a MacLaren education?

All MacLaren students, grades K-12, receive an excellent liberal-arts education in which the humanities, the fine arts, mathematics, and the sciences are valued and given equal weight. And all MacLaren students study a common, sequenced, content-rich curriculum, with no tracking. Grades are de-emphasized in favor of meaningful, personal feedback and evaluation. In this environment, students begin to pursue learning for its own sake and become the agents of their own education.

What is Core Knowledge?

The Core Knowledge Sequence is a specific core of shared knowledge that we believe all children should learn in U.S. schools. Elegantly sequenced, commonsensical, rigorous, and intrinsically interesting, Core Knowledge is proven to help close the achievement gap and help children establish a strong foundation of knowledge. It is also the best way to prepare students for our high-achieving 6-12 program.

What is your approach to technology?

We believe that technology can be a useful tool, but for students at this age the need for it is minimal. Although students need to take certain standardized assessments in the computer lab, we seek as much as possible to give students an unmediated experience of learning and the world. They write by hand, read print books, and play outside in the fresh air.

How do you address the needs of children who are struggling in a particular subject? How do you address the needs of children who are further along than their peers and need extra challenge in a particular subject?

At MacLaren, while we do not have ability grouping or tracking, we are able to accomplish a certain amount of differentiated learning during class time. We believe, however, that learning is best done in the context of a community and the interplay of the strengths and weaknesses within the group of students. We know that some children struggle in certain subjects while other children excel beyond their peers. To address these particular needs, one thing we have done is created a seventh hour to our school day to offer faculty-led tutoring for struggling students, challenge sessions for those who are well-ahead in a subject, and a general study hall for the rest of the student body to begin their homework assignments.

Do you have the capability of addressing the needs of children with IEPs or other special needs?

Yes, we do have a special education coordinator and we will bring in specialists as needed. However, as a small school, we may not be able to offer the range of help needed for students with particularly intensive needs.

How do I enroll my child?

The first step is to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) using our online submission form found on the Enrollment Process page. Our enrollment office will contact you with details on the enrollment process. View our enrollment process timeline for more details.

What is the enrollment lottery and when is it held?

Admission is granted through a lottery process. We hold our lottery on January 31 for any grade that is oversubscribed (or the Friday before if January 31 falls on a weekend). Please read our K-12 Enrollment Policy for further details regarding the lottery. After the lottery is held, enrollment is on a first-come-first-served basis to fill the remaining seats available in the class.

Does my child have to re-enter the lottery each year if he or she is already enrolled?

No. Once your child is enrolled, he or she will always have a spot at MacLaren.

How do younger siblings of enrolled students find a space in the school?

The lottery is weighted for sibling preference, i.e. siblings of already-enrolled students are automatically ranked higher in the lottery than their peers. That almost always results in a sibling either getting a spot outright or ending up very high on the wait list.

FAQ