Renaissance Secondary School

3954 Trail Boss Lane

School District

Douglas County Re 1
Grade

6-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

charter

School Map for Douglas County Re 1 School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by student on December 13, 2024

Currently, I'm in my 8th grade year as of writing this review. Overall, a good school, great teachers, very friendly and welcoming. Beautiful campus, and the concept of "Adventure Education" really works, as it gets students to step out of their comfort zone. They make great strides with their peers on these Voyages, whilst they learn that they can do much more than they ever thought was possible for themselves.A few years ago, I would have rated this school with 5 stars because it was genuinely amazing. But now, the "small-school feel" they advertise is complete garbage. It is an incredibly dense school, and don't let them tell you otherwise. What's worse than a public school with a huge building and a lot of students? A school with a small building with a bunch of students roaming around. If you're looking for a small school, don't come here because it is not small by any means. They've opted to stupid means of finding the space for extra students, even putting a classroom in the middle of what they called "The Crew Space" (basically a hallway). The whole goal of this is to build another high school by 2027-2028, but I don't think it'll happen by then.Why'd they have to throw away the "small school feel" that they advertise so much? It's a real shame, because every other school in Castle Rock feels incredibly overpopulated. If any staff from the school are reading this, please reach out to me and tell me where this garbage is going.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2024

My daughter is graduating in about 8 days. She was part of the first 6th grade class when the school opened in 2017. She's spent 7 years there.She attended public school for 6 years prior, one of the better rated elementary schools in the region. However, my daughter is dyslexic and was on an IEP for both English and Math. I also served on the parent advisory board for some time there. However, my daughter is biracial, white and asian, and I think that being different looking and having a learning disability make the public schools very undesirable. There were specific teachers I could name that singled out my daughter in very inappropriate ways, starting with her first grade teacher. Also, I believe while the public school seemed to love the extra money for IEP support, they did an absolute horrible job supporting her.We move her to Renaissance (RSS) when the opened leaving the other school a year early. I can say this there have been a couple teachers at RSS that I wouldn't have wanted, but for the most part the teachers and support staff bent over backwards to make her grow, develop and learn. There are some awesome people at this school. It was good that my daughter didn't love all of them, she needed to learn to navigate the speed bumps life is going to throw at her.Heres the rub. When my daughter started there in the sixth grade she was assessed as having the reading and math skills of a second or third grader. By 9th grade she was mainstreamed in math. She was very, very far behind her peers. It's taken 7 years, some of those during COVID, but she's made every grade, has a B average and is anticipating entering college in the fall.At one time she didn't want to stay there, but I think it was because they demanded so much more. I just got off the phone and she was sobbing because it just hit her that school at RSS is over and she's going to miss it so much.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2024

The administration at this school is horrible. There is no regard for students' mental health and policies are not followed in a manner that values students.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2023

We couldn't be happier with this school. My daughter has thrived. The size of the school has given my daughter opportunities that she never would have found in one of the big, traditional high schools. She is an advanced student, and the teachers individualize the curriculum for her so that she is consistently challenged. My daughter tells us that she feels a part of a community that really cares about her. This school is a hidden gem in Castle Rock.
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2022

Overall the staff is wonderful.and i believed that a certain male counselor was awesome.but sadly no longer.now i view this person as pompous, condescending and judgemental. and making many assumptions that just weren't correct.I will he happy to deal with any of the other staff I n the future,but will attempt to avoid this one,if possible..disappointed to say the least.
Submitted by student on March 02, 2022

As a student at RSS I would say that some of the reviews for this school are quite a bit exaggerated. Being a newer school we are still working out some kinks. While some of the reviews on this site are more accurate then others I feel that you can find the truth somewhere in the middle. Some of the teachers at this school are less preferred than others I have experiences ware a teacher had a very homophobic approach to a student in my grade feeling uncomfortable about the teacher calling her the wrong name. Aside from that there is only one other teacher in this school that I have anything to say about but I have not experienced it first hand.
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2021

I have a MS and HS student and we've been at RSS since it opened its doors in 2017. There were many growing pains that first year, but new leadership in the second year, turned everything around. The school is very organized, has consistent and clear communication and is providing a rigorous program for the students. The school has handled the COVID-19 pandemic exceptionally well, offering in-person, and synchronous hybrid and remote learning. My kids are thriving and are very happy here! With a small student body, the students are known by many teachers and staff members and it’s a very inclusive, supportive culture.
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2021

RSS has been a wonderful fit for our family! Our elementary school, Sage Canyon, subscribed to a Project Based Learning model which was very effective for our kids. They were learning how to make real-life connections with the world around them. When it came time to head to middle school, we wanted a similar feel and decided to look into RSS because we loved the Expeditionary Learning Model. We are so glad that we did! The relationships that our children have with the teachers and staff at RSS are authentic and meaningful. They are known and they are seen...every single day. They have teachers who truly care about who they are, how they are, and how to push them to be their best. As a 20+ year teacher in Douglas County myself, I have been a staff member of several schools and even helped to open one years ago. It takes years to establish traditions and a healthy climate/culture for the entire school community. RSS is in a place now where their traditions are taking root, the staff is strong and committed, and the overall feel of the school is grounded in the philosophy that "We are Crew." Our son, when given the choice to stay at RSS for high school or move to our neighborhood high school, opted to stay at RSS. Our daughter joined the middle school this year and she is happy with her choice. We are grateful for RSS every day and recommend it to families who are looking for a smaller, more personalized experience for their kids.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2021

Our family was looking for a small middle school experience. Although we liked the feeder /public middle school, I wasn't ready for my twin boys to get lost in the system. Renaissance has been exactly what we were looking for...the teachers are very attentive, classes are engaging and the x-block system of electives keeps my boys involved in fun activities. There is a positive, family attitude that runs throughout the school and my boys are enjoying their school days.
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2021

Renaissance has been a fantastic school for my son. He has been there since the school opened and is currently in the 10th grade. I have been consistently impressed with the teachers and staff and their genuine concern with the well-being of every single student. Walking through the courtyard, you will hear every child greeted by name. This isn’t just for show, they care SO much for their students. They tailor the education to the child to an amazing level. My son is on an IEP and he has been challenged every day, while also receiving ample support in order to be able to meet those challenges. During the pandemic, I have watched as my other children (who go to other DSCD schools) have struggled with connecting with their teachers and actually learning anything. RSS immediately stepped up and provided a level of connection, engagement and education that none of the other schools have gotten close to.
Submitted by parent on December 30, 2020

We've found RSS to be a positive, supportive community with a lot of opportunities for independent learning and out-of-the-box thinking. Smaller classes, more time out of doors, and an emphasis on learning through collaboration have been very beneficial for our family.
Submitted by parent on July 21, 2020

We have been at RSS since it opened. We knew the first year would be bumpy (anyone who didn’t was fooling themselves). The improvements made each year have been huge. My daughter loves the school and all her teachers. Voyages are a wonderful part of the RSS experience. So much growth happens. We love that it is a small school and our daughter knows she is seen.
Submitted by parent on July 21, 2020

Overall my experience has been great. The first year was a bit shaky.It has continued to get better and better each year.
Submitted by parent on July 21, 2020

I have had two children at this school since it opened. Like any new school, it had its growing pains, but the commitment to developing character and a deep understanding of academic material has been there from the start. My children are confident, inquisitive, and engaged in their world. I thank Renaissance Secondary for that.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2020

Don't believe their lies. This school will handicap your kids for life.
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2020

Poor. Our child went to RSS for two years and fell behind because of the terrible teaching. We finally gave up and switched back to a traditional school. It took a lot of hard work to get caught back up with the other kids. Don't buy into the hype - this school is all about marketing their image and nothing about actual learning and accountability.
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2020

If I could give zero stars, I would. We had to get a tutor after we withdrew our kids, just so they could go to a traditional school. I can NOT express strongly enough how bad our experience at RSS was. From the top down, this school was a nightmare and should be closed down.
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2019

My daughter is very happy with the academics, social components, teachers, and extra-curricular offerings at the school. It has made middle school a much better experience than my other child had at a big neighborhood middle school. The small school size helps, too.
Submitted by parent on July 11, 2019

My 6th grader had a great year last year and we are looking forward to 7th grade!
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2019

Still experiencing growing pains as it is a new school. Hopeful for great things!