Awardees

Located in Fort Collins, CO, the charter school is authorized by the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI) and originated in 2018. The expansion project will begin in the fall of 2026. Students who attend are enriched in a dual language immersion learning model led by Head of School, Jenny Whitaker. Students in grades K-5 will be served under the Great Schools Colorado project during the 2027–2028 fiscal year.

Website:

www.axiscolorado.org/

Located in Grand Junction, CO, the charter school is pending authorization and will open in the fall of 2027. Students who attend are enriched in a Career & Technical Education learning model led by Director Rebecca Ruland. Currently in the planning phase of up to 18 months, students in grades 9-12 will be served under the Great Schools Colorado project during the 2027–2028 fiscal year.

Located in Golden, CO, the charter school is authorized by Jefferson County School District R-1 and previously operated as a district-run Option School. The conversion school will open in the fall of 2026. Students who attend are enriched in a Montessori learning model led by Principal Donnetta MacDonald. Students in grades K-8 will be served under the Great Schools Colorado project during the 2027–2028 fiscal year.

Website:

freehorizonmontessori.jeffcopublicschools.org/

Located in Centennial, CO, the charter school is pending authorization and originated in 2016. The replication project will begin in the fall of 2027. Students who attend are enriched in a Classical Core Knowledge learning model led by Executive Director Natalia Miller-Forrest. Currently in the planning phase of up to 18 months, students in grades K-4 will be served under the Great Schools Colorado project during the 2027–2028 fiscal year.

Website:

www.heritageha.org/

Located in Peyton, CO, the charter school is authorized by School District 49 and will open in the fall of 2027. Students who attend are enriched in a Marzano Academy learning model led by Dr. Robert J. Marzano. Currently in the planning phase of up to 18 months, students in grades K-5 will be served under the Great Schools Colorado project during the 2027–2028 fiscal year.

Website:

honorcharterschool.org/

Located in Lakewood, CO, the charter school is pending authorization and will open in the fall of 2027. Students who attend are enriched in a school-wide enrichment model with an Expeditionary Learning curriculum led by Executive Director Jennifer Norris. Currently in the planning phase of up to 18 months, students in grades K-2 will be served under the Great Schools Colorado project during the 2027–2028 fiscal year.

Website:

mesak8school.net/

Located in Colorado Springs, CO, the charter school is authorized by the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI) and will open in the fall of 2027. Students who attend are enriched in a substance-free, recovery-focused, and individualized learning model led by two Co-School Leaders. Currently in the planning phase for 12 months, students in grades 9-12 will be served under the Great Schools Colorado project during the 2027–2028 fiscal year.

Website:

www.vivoco.org/

Located in Colorado Springs, CO, the charter school is authorized by Colorado Springs School District 11 and will open in the fall of 2026. Students who attend are enriched in a classical learning model led by Executive Director, Dan Ajamian. Currently in the Planning phase of up to 14-months, students in grade Kindergarten will be served under the GSC project during the 2026–2027 fiscal year.

Website:

easthillsacademy.org/

Located in Fairplay, CO, the charter school is authorized by the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI) and opened this fall of 2025. Students who attend are enriched in an experiential learning model led by Executive Director, Laurel Dumas. Students in grades K–8 will be served under the GSC project during the 2026–2027 fiscal year. 

Website:

highrockiescommunityschool.org/

Located in Elizabeth, Colorado, Independence Classical Academy (ICA) is authorized by Elizabeth School District and is slated to open in fall 2026. ICA has received initial approval to serve students in grades K–8, with the option to pursue a streamlined application for approval of grades 9–12 in the future. The school’s long-term vision is to grow into a K–12 classical academy under the leadership of Headmaster Jessica Turner. Currently in the planning phase, ICA will serve grades K–5 under the GSC project during the 2026–2027 fiscal year.

Website:

www.independenceclassical.org/

Located in Colorado Springs, CO, the charter school is authorized by Colorado Springs District 11 and will open fall of 2026. Students who attend are enriched in a project-based learning model led by Executive Director, Loren Reynolds. Currently in the Planning phase of up to 13-months, students in Kindergarten will be served under the GSC project during the 2026–2027 fiscal year.

Website:

sprucecommunityschool.org/

Located in Aurora, CO, the charter school is authorized by the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI) and will open in the fall of 2026. Students who attend are enriched in a recovery-focused charter high school led by School Founder, Melissa Mouton. Currently in the Planning phase of up to 13-months, students in grades 9–12 will be served under the GSC project during the 2026–2027 fiscal year.

Website:

www.vivoco.org/

Located in Westminster, CO, the charter school is authorized by the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI) and originated in 1997. The expansion project will begin in fall of 2026. Students who attend are enriched in a core knowledge learning model led by Executive Director, Keith Ouweneel. Currently in the planning phase of up to 12-months, students in grades PreK (tuition free) in addition to grades K–8 will be served under the GSC project during the 2026–2027 fiscal year.

Website:

www.crownpointeacademy.org/

Located in Fort Collins, CO, the charter school is authorized by Poudre School District R-1 and originated in 1997. The expansion project began in the fall of 2025 specifying the junior high level. Students who attend are enriched in a core knowledge learning model led by Principal, Kathleen Kearney. Students in grades 7 & 8 will be served under the GSC project during the 2025–2026 fiscal year.

Website:

www.libertycommon.org/

Located in Aurora, CO, the charter school is authorized by Aurora Public Schools and originated in 2006. The expansion project will begin in fall of 2026. Students who attend are enriched in a college preparatory learning  model led by Executive Director, Mehmet Nalcaci. Currently in the Planning phase of up to 10-months, students in grades K–12 will be served under the GSC project during the 2026–2027 fiscal year.

Website:

lotusschool.org/

Located in Longmont, CO, the charter school is authorized by St. Vrain Valley School District and was founded in 2009. The expansion project will begin in the fall of 2026. Students who attend are enriched in a Montessori learning model led by Head of School, Jessica Rawlings. Currently in the Planning phase of up to 12-months, students in grades K–8 will be served under the GSC project during the 2026–2027 fiscal year.

Website:

www.svcmontessori.org/

Located in Commerce City, CO, the charter school is authorized by the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI) but originated in 2011. Through replication in 2024, the expansion project began in the fall of 2025. Students who attend are enriched in a college preparatory learning model led by Principal, Clare Lundquist. Students in Kindergarten will be served under the GSC project during the 2025–2026 fiscal year.

Website:

www.uprepschool.org/our-schools/commerce-city-campus/

Located in Aurora, CO, the charter school is authorized by Aurora Public Schools (APS) and was founded in 2008. The expansion project began this fall of 2025. Students who attend are enriched in an expeditionary learning model led by Executive Director, Christian DeLaOliva. Students in grades K–8 will be served under the GSC project during the 2025–2026 fiscal year.

Website:

www.axlacademy.org/

Located in Littleton, CO, the charter school is authorized by the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI) and will open in 2026. Students who attend will be enriched in an American Classical Leadership Education model led by co-founders and board members, Ellie Reynolds and Kim Gilmartin, until a school leader is hired in January 2026. Currently in the Planning phase of up to 13-months, students in grades K–8 will be served under the GSC project during the 2026–2027 fiscal year.

Website:

www.jaadougco.org/

Located in Aurora, CO, the charter school is authorized by the Colorado Charter Institute (CSI) and founded in 2014. The expansion project began this fall of 2025. Students who attend are enriched in a Dual-Language Montessori learning model led by Executive Director Wendy Renée. Students in grade 7 will be served under the GSC project during the 2025–2026 fiscal year.

Website:

montessoridelmundo.org/

Located in Montrose, CO, the charter school is authorized by Montrose County School District (MCSD) and will open in 2026. Students who attend will be enriched in a core knowledge learning model led by Founding Board Member/Vice President, Alyssa Reimer, until a school leader is identified. Currently in the Planning phase of up to 13-months, students in grades K–5 will be served under the GSC project during the 2026–2027 fiscal year.

Website:

www.montroseclassical.org/

Located in Steamboat Springs, CO, the charter school is authorized by the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI) and founded in 2016. The expansion project began in the fall of 2025. Students who attend will be enriched in a Montessori learning model led by Head of School, Emily Barnhart. Students in grades K–5 will be served under the GSC project during the 2025–2026 fiscal year.

Website:

www.steamboatmontessori.org/

Located in Grand Junction, CO, the charter school is authorized by the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI) and opened in the fall of 2023. Students who attend are enriched in a classical learning model led by Headmaster, Carissa Drake. Students in grades K–10 will be served under the GSC project during the 2025–2026 fiscal year.

Website:

gj.ascentcolorado.org/

Located in Brighton, CO, the charter school is authorized by the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI) and opened in the fall of 2023. Students who attend are enriched in a classical learning model led by Headmaster, Dr. Thomas Tacoma. Students in grades K–9 will be served under the GSC project during the 2025–2026 fiscal year.

Website:

nd.ascentcolorado.org/

Located in Parker, CO, the charter school is authorized by Douglas County School District RE-1 and was founded in 2002. The expansion project began in the fall of 2025. Students who attend will be enriched in a STEAM-focused, problem-based learning model led by Executive Director & Principal, Liz Dougan. Students in grades 6–8 will be served under the GSC project during the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Website:

c2e.org/

Located in Colorado Springs, CO, the charter school is authorized by El Paso County District 49 and opened in the fall of 2024. Students who attend are enriched in a core knowledge learning model led by Principal, Janiece Primrose. Students in grades K–5 will be served under the GSC project in fiscal year 2025–2026.

Website:

www.jamesirwin.org/schools/jies-canada-drive-campus

Located in Golden, CO, the charter school is authorized by Jefferson County School District R-1 and opened in the fall of 2024. Students who attend are enriched in a core knowledge learning model led by Principal, Carrie Mott. Students in grades K–8 will be served under the GSC project in fiscal year 2025–2026.

Website:

coalcreekcanyon.jajags.com/o/jaccc