COAL CREEK CANYON - The Jefferson Academy Coal Creek Canyon PK-8 School, 11719 Ranch Elsie Road, opened for Prospective Family Night on November 20, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. for both traditional and homeschool families. Those attending could tour the school, ask questions, and get to know more about the school.

Principal Carrie Mott, with a video screen to her left, welcomed guests in the packed library. She said she has been at the school for six months. Previously, she taught at Jefferson Academy Elementary School for 23 years.

Mott said she and a PTO representative would speak, and then guests could tour the building. She noted that Jefferson Academy Charter School has been around for 30 years, but the JA Coal Creek School is just six months old.

School hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with after school care from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The biggest class has 14 students, and the smallest, 11. Classrooms can hold 20 students.

Mott displayed the school’s mission, vision, and core values:

Mission

“The mission of JA is to help students attain their highest academic and character potential through an academically rigorous, content-rich educational program.”

Vision

“JA envisions a community of parents, teachers, students, and educational and business leaders working together to create a learning environment that engenders academic achievement, growth of character and the love of learning, resulting in responsible, productive citizens.”

Core Values

“We stand confident and unwavering in our mission and vision. We communicate with candor, kindness, and respect. We are responsible for ourselves and accountable to each other. We value learning through growth. We embrace new ways to introduce, explore, and understand. We are invested in educational partnerships and intellectual curiosity. We promote a supportive environment for the safety and well-being of our community.”

Mott continued to present the Academy’s Guiding Principles:

“Guiding Principles of Academic Rigor:

· To foster a lifelong commitment to learning.

· To enhance a respect for diversity of thought and perspective.

· To build fundamental knowledge using the Core Knowledge curriculum.

· To develop high-performing leaders ready for post-secondary opportunities.

· To set high expectations that challenge students intellectually, academically, and personally.

· To create meaningful and personal connections to academic work.

· To hold staff, students, and parents accountable to JA’s mission, vision, and core values.

· To uphold a learning community that values academic growth and embraces intellectual curiosity.”

Mott added that the school uses the Core Knowledge Sequence curriculum for history and sciences.

She reminded parents that “we are a public school in Jefferson County.” The school operates independently in some ways, but they are not a private school. “We are small and don’t have a lot of room to build here,” she said. Current total enrollment is at 72 students.

The school combines kindergarten, first, and second grades, and fourth and fifth grades. They would like to have enough students for every grade and move on to have an eighth grade class.

Jeffco planned to close the school, after which the community opted for a charter school. The school is now in the inspection phase, Mott said, and will officially start in January.

Faculty teach reading, math, social studies, and science. On Super Monday, they bring in the homeschoolers and have six classes and an extension. “What a great way to start the week,” Mott smiled.

The school’s approach to discipline is restorative practice, Mott explained. Students repair relationships when they make a mistake.

The school also serves the community and wants parents to be involved, to “dig in” and help. There are so many ways to help, she said, and everyone has a small part.

Following the remarks, guests toured the school and visited classrooms.

Kelley Worm held forth in the kindergarten and explained the days’ schedules. She is in her second year at the school and feels fortunate to be able to stay on after the school closed. She has a degree in early childhood education.

Michael Webster, in his second year, teaches first and second grade combined. He is in his second year at the school and in his 25th year with Jeffco.

After touring, potential families headed home for the evening to think about their choices. Open enrollment begins on December 3, 2024, through Jeffco. “Everyone has a great shot,” Mott said.

 For more information, go to jajags.com.