Aspen Country Day School

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Aspen Country Day School Photo #1 - Aspen Country Day School enjoys a beautiful forested campus on Castle Creek. Ponds and mountains provide an ideal natural environment for learning in the outdoors. The entire campus was redone and reopened in 2016 with state-of-the-art classroom buildings that inspire learning and foster creativity.
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Aspen Country Day School Photo #1 - Aspen Country Day School enjoys a beautiful forested campus on Castle Creek. Ponds and mountains provide an ideal natural environment for learning in the outdoors. The entire campus was redone and reopened in 2016 with state-of-the-art classroom buildings that inspire learning and foster creativity.
Aspen Country Day School Photo #2 - A robust arts curriculum begins in the earliest grades and continues through Middle School as one of the signature elements of ACDS's three-part program balancing academics, arts, and outdoor education. From studio arts to music to performing arts, children develop skills and gain wide exposure to many creative avenues.
Aspen Country Day School Photo #3 - A vigorous academic program ensures that students are ready to excel at the high school of their choice. Science is a core academic subject starting in the youngest grades, culminating in an innovative Eighth Grade science course that combines physics and environmental chemistry.
Aspen Country Day School Photo #4 - Circling the pond are three arts centers: for drama, music, and studio arts. Children canoe at recess in the fall and spring, and ice skate on the pond in winter.
Aspen Country Day School Photo #5 - Outdoor Education trips begin in Kindergarten with a gentle introduction to hiking (complete with s'mores and campfire). Expeditions continue with two trips per year for each grade. We venture across the Rocky Mountain West for rock climbing, mountain biking, backcountry skiing, and desert camping or kayaking. The capstone is an eight-day river trip for the Eighth Graders right before graduation.
Aspen Country Day School Photo #6 - The school mascot is the aardvark, chosen by the children in the school's earliest years. ACDS was founded in 1969 by a group of families who sought an independent school alternative in the Roaring Fork Valley. The school today is an energetic mix of East Coast sensibilities with a Western spirit of innovation and adventure.
Aspen Country Day School Photo #7 - Shakespeare's works come alive for children in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade each year as each grade studies a particular play, then presents it for the whole school at the Shakespeare Festival each fall.
Aspen Country Day School Photo #8 - A national-level independent school high in the mountains of Colorado, Aspen Country Day School is a destination for families that seek a solid foundational academic preparation along with that essential ingredient for a lifetime of enthusiastic learning: joy.
Aspen Country Day School Photo #9 - The first step on the journey: preschool and PreK. Children as young as 2 1/2 years are full participants in the wider school, making friends and learning together across all grade levels.
Aspen Country Day School Photo #10 - Ski days are a favorite tradition, when an entire class heads to the local ski mountains for a fun afternoon of making turns.
Excellence doesn't just happen. It takes bold and intentional preparation. That's why everything teachers do at Aspen Country Day School is thoughtfully designed to challenge and nurture children as they build confidence, resilience, and joy in learning.
The mountain ethos of vitality in mind, body, and spirit is at the heart of the program, which balances rigorous academics, creative arts, and outdoor adventure.
Children become critical thinkers ready for a lifetime of learning, and a rich arts program fuels creativity.
On two outdoor expeditions each year starting in Kindergarten, children become campers, bikers, hikers, skiers, climbers, and paddlers.
They grow up with a strong sense of place and a wholesome sense of self.
At Aspen Country Day, children simply love to come to school. Country Day is Aspen's only accredited member of the National Association of Independent Schools.
Graduates excel at high schools, public and private, across the country.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked CO School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 295 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $10,800
  • Average class size: 14 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Aspen Country Day School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Colorado for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
Year Founded
1969

Student Body

Total Students
295 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
4%
State avg.: 24%
Students by Grade
Aspen Country Day School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
50 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
70%
Average Class Size
14 students
List of Courses Offered
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Feb. 1 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Tuition ranges from $10,800 for two days per week in PreKindergarten to $35,700 for Middle School. Lunch included, no additional fees.
% on Financial Aid
25%
Admissions Director
Susan Glah

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
3 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Buddy grades

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Outdoor Education trips, Ski days

School Notes

  • Traditional academic curriculum prepares students for the top independent and public secondary schools in the country
  • Outdoor education trips, two per year, begin in Kindergarten
  • Strong program in performing and studio arts, with annual musical, Lower School Shakespeare Festival, and numerous other performances and shows
  • World language beginning in Kindergarten: French and Spanish
  • Graduates earn admission to top-choice high schools, including Colorado Rocky Mountain School in Carbondale (www.crms.org), and a wide range of top independent boarding and day schools around the country
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Aspen Country Day School cost?
Aspen Country Day School's tuition is approximately $10,800 for private students.
What sports does Aspen Country Day School offer?
Aspen Country Day School offers 8 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Climbing, Ice Hockey, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Nordic Skiing, Rock Climbing and Snowboarding.
What is Aspen Country Day School's ranking?
Aspen Country Day School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Colorado for: Largest student body.
When is the application deadline for Aspen Country Day School?
The application deadline for Aspen Country Day School is Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

School Reviews

5  
Aspen Country Day School is a nurturing environment that encourages each student to become his or her best. The curriculum includes rigorous academics, arts and outdoor education. Each component is carefully designed to encourage a love of learning, critical thinking, problem solving and character development. Children finish the Journey ready to excel at any high school including top college preparatory schools. The pre-K through 8th grade school is small, with only two classes of 16-18 students per grade. From the youngest grades, students have specialized teachers for art, music, science, technology, drama, literacy, math and physical education. The faculty is largely composed of long-time dedicated teachers of ACDS, thus the students are well known by all teachers. This fortunate situation enables each student to be Known and Loved. ACDS provides many opportunities for students from various grades to develop relationships with each other through all-school Blue/Green competitions; Buddy grades; an All School Holiday Concert and an extremely well produced All School Play written and directed by the graduating 8th grade class each year. Approximately half of each graduating class attend excellent boarding schools each year. They arrive well prepared for the most rigorous demands. More importantly, they are well-balanced, thoughtful, caring and kind with integrity and excellent morals. We are very proud of the school and would recommend it to anyone who wants their child to be well educated in a nurturing, supportive environment with an appreciation and love of the outdoors, arts and academics.
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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked CO School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 295 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $10,800
  • Average class size: 14 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Colorado is $11,855 for elementary schools and $15,590 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Colorado is 91% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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