Vertical Skills Academy vs. Alpine Valley School

VSA is a nonprofit, private school in Jefferson County, Colorado for students in grades 2-8 with dyslexia and other reading or language-based disabilities, as well as dysgraphia, dyscalculia and ADHD.

We support students and families with full-day literacy immersion schooling, dyslexia tutoring program, and dyslexia summer reading program.

VSA's highly qualified teaching staff follow the Orton-Gillingham approach, along with explicit, evidence-based, multi-sensory instruction to empower students to reach their full potential.

Alpine Valley School is a self-directed democratic school in Denver where students aged 5-19 choose how they spend their time and what they learn.

Founded in 1997 and modeled after the Sudbury Valley School, we operate without traditional classrooms, grades, or tests, instead fostering intrinsic motivation through freedom, respect, and community governance.

Our mixed-age environment allows children to pursue their natural curiosity while participating in democratic decision-making alongside staff.

We welcome families seeking an alternative to conventional education, particularly those with neurodivergent children or families exploring homeschooling who want their kids to rediscover their love of learning in a supportive community that treats children with dignity and respect.