Vanguard Classical School

801 Yosemite Street

School District

Adams-Arapahoe 28j
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

charter

School Map for Adams-Arapahoe 28j 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 parent on March 31, 2021

The first thing I really noticed about Vanguard Classical West is its diversity. I mean all around diversity, from the students, to the staff, and even the curriculum. My son has had the privilege of befriending children of multicultural backgrounds, races, ethnicities and religions. Very reflective of the world we live in. This diversity also extends to the teachers and staff at Vanguard Classical who are also of many different backgrounds, which reinforces the truth that figures of authority come in many forms. Bringing together such a unique group of scholars and educators with a shared goal of making a positive impact in the communities and ultimately changing the world, requires a multifaceted curriculum. Vanguard's course study not only teaches our children how to count, read, and write, but also emotional awareness, conflict resolution, and the beauty of cultural difference. As a member of a multicultural family it is important that my children attend a school that is as diverse as the world we live in.
Submitted by teacher on March 31, 2021

Two years ago I began work here as one of two English Language Development (ELD) teachers. The time I have spent here has been incredibly rewarding. The people I work with are great and the level of teamwork and collaboration with my colleagues is amazing. I really enjoy the students and families that attend Vanguard as well. Vanguard is a great place to work at supporting our second language learners.
Submitted by teacher on March 30, 2021

As a teacher at Vanguard Classical School, I enjoy coming to work every single day. The students are kind, hardworking, and help make the school community a positive place to learn. Students are able to grow academically following the curriculum taught at the school, but also grow their character development by learning and focusing on a new core virtue each month. The other staff members I work with are welcoming and friendly. They care about each and every student in their class. Vanguard Classical School equips students with the tools they need to be successful in many facets of their lives.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2021

This school does an amazing job teaching students core virtues. They teach the students a new core virtue every month. The staff is very welcoming and encouraging to all the students.
Submitted by parent on March 29, 2021

This is probably the most diverse school setting we have experienced. Everyone here feels welcomed. You feel a good vibe as soon as you enter the building. The teachers and staff are so kind, and will absolutely go out of their way to help you out. The teachers are outstanding and create an environment where students are happy to learn! I love the character education that is taught, and the classical education model which teaches to the whole child. I highly recommend this school to anyone who is looking!
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2021

We have been a VCS West family since 2011. 3 out of our 4 children attend Vanguard, with our fourth enrolled for kindergarten in the fall. We have had nothing but great experiences over the years. The teaching staff has been phenomenal. The admin staff is very welcoming, informative and helpful. As a family, we feel communication is key; the teaching & admin staff have always been very efficient & thorough with their communication. We feel that the school is working with us to help our children succeed. One of the many things we appreciate about Vanguard is their focus on character building. As a school, they understand that character is key to being a successful person in the world and in their personal lives. The students learn about a new core virtue every month and learn ways to develop that virtue within themselves. In an ever changing world, character is key to creating a better future for everyone. One of our kids is also a SPED student and has been since the third grade. Vanguard has been wonderful with his IEP; helping him progress, learn, development self advocating skills, and meeting goals. I just can't say enough about Vanguard. We recommend our school to everyone. Vanguard wants each student to have every opportunity to be the best that they can be. Vanguard provides an environment where overcoming challenges is celebrated - and each student is celebrated. We love Vanguard and we're grateful to have such an amazing school for our kids to attend.
Submitted by parent on June 23, 2020

My kids have love Vanguard West and since I toured we felt welcome. Everyone is so friendly and the communication is great. The SPED team is amazing too and has been so helpful with my autistic son. Also great support for my son with ADHD. It felt right and we are glad we made the switch to this school.
Submitted by parent on June 23, 2020

Great School!!!! I love the fact that kids wear uniforms and it is such a disciplined school
Submitted by parent on June 23, 2020

Awesome great best recommendation for everyone, love this school
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2019

VCS West is one of the best schools you could send your child to. Yes, we hear from other parents every now and then that they are displeased with this or that, but all-in-all, the outcome is the same. It's a great school! I see some other reviews on here from years past that are very negative. I'm here to tell you that all of the bad actors have been weeded out. As a parent volunteer I and my team were incredibly active in steering the school in the right direction. With the help of a new board being elected and the dismissal of a few ineffective staff, it was only months before a NOTICEABLE improvement was seen. These were no tiny improvements, they were leaps and bounds! VCS West is a fantastic school. Don't let anyone tell you different.
Submitted by other on March 14, 2019

The head of school gave me PTSD. I now go to a different school, along with many ex-Vanguard students, and rather than call them that, it'd be more fitting to call them Vanguard Refugees. This school focuses more on following all the rules rather than academic success. They also seem to vaguely "care" about mental health on the surface, but when I had a stuffed animal to help my social anxiety, the only people who cared were administration. All the teachers were supportive of the idea, but admins wouldn't give a reason as to why I couldn't have it until I brought my mother in. Not a good school.
Submitted by other on December 13, 2016

We had such high hopes for this school (West Campus) but it has fallen short entirely. Will update more later.
Submitted by principal on July 15, 2016

The teachers and administrators at Vanguard Classical School invite you to come see us now! With a new leadership team and a renewed partnership with our Board of Directors, we are poised to have a fantastic school year for 2016-17. Come to a Parent Information Night or schedule a tour today and learn about the exciting changes happening at Vanguard!
Submitted by other on February 14, 2016

The teachers at West go out of their way to help students. My son not only loves school, but he is learning so much!
Submitted by other on February 08, 2016

We have two daughters at vanguard and one has attended both campuses. I appreciate that the expectations are clear from the first day for the students and parents. Our oldest daughter has been attending since 2013. I have seen both of them excel once they understood and followed the expectations. Most complaints I have heard from other parents have to do more with how rigorous programs of study in math, reading, and science are than bad teachers, Etc. There are no sports offered at the East campus YET. I believe that the school is growing carefully in this Ares as not to over budget. I agree with the model of these schools. I also think they are doing well to prepare my kids for higher education.
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2016

Our daughter attends VG East and we are very unhappy with her school experience there. She now has anxiety about everything related to school, about not having her books or her homework or not being on time every day. She seems really stressed out about any little infraction. And the stories she brings home are very disturbing. They give kids a disciplinary action for needing to use the restroom at any time other than restroom breaks. Our daughter was injured while playing a game of tag on asphalt, she has recess every other day in the school parking lot because there is only one playground and not enough room for everybody to use it, so they rotate days. One day she was pushed down, face first into the asphalt parking lot by another child, she had large abrasions on her forehead and knee that had chunks of asphalt embedded in them. She told us that she screamed really loud until a teacher came out (apparently they are unsupervised on the playground?) and in the meantime another child came up to ask if she was ok, even though it's against the "rules" to ask another child if they are ok! The school nurse sprayed some soapy water into her abrasions and when she cried in pain, she acted coldly, just put a bandaid over her asphalt-embedded wounds and made her take the stairs back down to class because she "didn't have time" to escort her down in the elevator. When she got home 6 hours later we removed the band-aid and had to scrub out the road base from her wounds and we hadn't been notified at all of her injury. We feel this school is teaching the opposite of empathy and good character, it seems very military-like and not caring, it is giving our daughter anxiety over everything, she hasn't been the same since she started school here two years ago.
Submitted by other on November 22, 2015

Please Please Please DO NOT ENROLL YOUR CHILD AT THIS SCHOOL!! We just received a memo stating that Mr. Miller left effective 11/18/15. My son started here in the 2nd grade and is now in the 5th. None of his original teachers here. They have all left. My son is currently in a class with a teacher who is not certified in Singapore math. This teacher complains that ALL of the students are doing poorly in math but fails to recognize it is his teacher and not the students that have a problem. This same teacher sent me a very unprofessional email when I questioned him about a failing grade. RUN AWAY!! This school preys on non-English speaking parents that have no idea what is happening. If you have a spine and stand up for your child by asking questions you will notice the school will label your child as a problem and their grades will suddenly drop.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2015

This was our first year at Vangaurd East in Aurora and it will be out last. I just only wish I would have seen the signs earlier and not kept my child there the whole year. I would not recommend this school To any parent that wants their kids to learn what is the future... Technology.. was told the Millers don't like it and don't encourage it. My daughter had so much anxiety over going to this school everyday that she made herself sick. At first I just thought it was just drama of being a 13 year old. But now that the year is over she is telling me all kinds of stories about what some of the teachers had said and done to her. As a previous reviewer has said the teachers yell at the kids all the time! If you are a teacher you should have the patience and kindness for kids and encourage learning instead of putting them down all the time. If you don't have these qualities you shouldn't be teaching kids. My daughter has struggled with school all her life and the last thing she needs is a teacher, a person who should lift up and encourage, call her stupid in front of the whole class when she couldn't answer a question. There is no excuse for that! My daughter was also told by Ms. Miller on several occasions that she couldn't be friends with someone simply because her friend was in the 9th grade and my daughter was in the 7th. And if they were seen together they would get a referral and then get suspended. If you are going to have a school that has kids from K to 12 then you should expect and encourage kids to be friends with people of all ages not just those in their grade. Just like it is in the world outside of school. I also personally witnessed a teacher in a yelling match with a parent in the pickup line for being in the wrong line and this was done in front of all the kids and other parents. If they do that in front of everyone what are they doing behind closed doors? My daughter was so afraid to do anything in this school because even looking at the teacher wrong would get you a detention. Do not walk away from this school... RUN!!!
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2015

With the school year coming to a close I could not be happier that I switched from Aurora Academy to VG. The difference in my children's confidence from last year to this year is unbelievable! They all enjoy going to school, come home talking about what they learned and actually don't even try to "play sick"! The co- teaching method is brilliant and seems to work to both the teachers and kids advantage. I will admit the school is still a little rough around the edges but is buffing out quite nicely and I am sure will be even better next year! The facility is state of the art. I also love that there are no half days and minimal days off during the school year besides breaks! ( makes it easier on us working parents) I would definaty check this school out and sit in on some classes. It is not for everyone but has worked out fantastic for my children and family!
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2015

This school is the epitome of the education system. They are rigid and strict and allow almost no freedoms to the students. The day is spent in a lecture type environment with no hands on learning or visual aids. Students are punished for talking & have minutes taken off of their recess.. They are given no free time to unwind and conversate with fellow students even academic related conversation. This cause the student to be isolated and have a hard time connecting with others and making friendships. There is no room for error, homework is counted off 50% is turned in late even if the assignment is 100% correct they still receive and F. That is not teaching, that is controling. Student are taught that their opinion and voice does not matter because they are not allowed to share. If you walk the halls you will hear the teachers demanding the student be "on silent". Students are ocked out of the classroom for the period if they are late to class. The people who run this school have no education degrees. The school is not warm & welcoming but is run more like a corporate business. I feel that Vanguard teaches children to fear and loath school. I would NOT recomend this school