Olander Elementary School

3401 Auntie Stone Street

School District

Poudre R-1
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for Poudre R-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 parent on October 16, 2024

Olander is a one of a kind school that makes your student feel like family!
Submitted by parent on October 14, 2024

This school is not only exemplary in its community, learning environment, and staff, but also its beautiful location. It should be called a "foothills campus"! The teachers often use the beautiful nearby environment for lessons and excursions, and after-school groups like the bike club can use the nearby trails to their advantage. We are so lucky to have this gem in our area, and grateful that our kids get to grow up and learn in the environment that Olander creates, which is inclusive, compassionate, and highly conducive to learning.
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2024

Olander School for Project Based Learning is an incredible school and I'm so happy my kids are able to attend. Project Based Learning is a teaching approach that encourages critical thinking about real world problems and working as a team to find solutions (in such a fun and engaging way). Olander's inclusive model is just the best- the ILS program ensures that ALL students are included in classrooms with their peers, which benefits everyone. Olander's location (by Spring Canyon Park and Pineridge Natural Area) gives students opportunities to learn and play in a spectacular outdoor setting, and teachers make great use of the location. Social Emotional Learning is also a focus at Olander. Teachers nurture the "whole child" as students learn how to manage emotions, build relationships, and make responsible decisions. I drive my kids 20 minutes to school each day because I wholeheartedly believe that Olander is a place where they will be cared for, learn, and begin to build knowledge about how to be a kind and successful human being.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2024

Olander has had such a positive impact on our family! We moved to FoCo from out of state and we are thankful everyday for deciding to send our kid to Olander! The amazingly friendly school culture embraced him immediately and we don't think he ever really had to feel like the "new kid." The teachers and staff do a wonderful job of promoting kindness within the school culture through modeling and encouraging kids to follow the "Osprey Way" in every situation. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is not just something added on to the curriculum; it is intentionally incorporated into the daily experience of all students here. We have seen the positive effects of this focus on character development at home as our kid has improved in his self-confidence, ability to resolve conflicts and self-regulate his own behaviors and strong feelings. His teachers also send home weekly updates to let us know how we can continue to support learning at home (including for SEL) by sharing the wording and structures they use at school, which we find so helpful! His weekly homework this year includes a section for mindfulness and keeping his body active/healthy, in addition to academic practice. We also appreciate that Olander is one of the few elem schools in the district to provide full inclusion for students with severe disabilities, which has an immeasurable positive impact on all students as they are given the daily opportunity to practice kindness and acceptance of peers with a variety of abilities. The PE curriculum even has an entire unit on adaptive sports! The other reason we chose Olander was because it was the only elem school in the district to offer Project Based Learning (PBL). I am a public school teacher (in a neighboring district) and appreciate how much skill/dedication Olander teachers must have in order to create/implement an entire PBL curriculum that works within a public school district. Our kid absolutely loves the PBL projects he works on in class and we feel like he is more motivated to engage in school and talk with us about what he is learning because of them. We love that he is able to practice real-world skills like teamwork and collaboration, while being encouraged to creatively problem-solve and implement student-led solutions to help out his community. For example, last year he studied water access inequality around the world and helped his class to create PSAs and student-led fundraising initiatives to support a global water non-profit.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2024

As the parent of 2 elementary students, I cannot say enough good things about Olander Elementary. I've been an educator for many years as an elementary teacher and university professor. I've taught and observed in a variety of schools and can say with confidence that Olander is a truly special and extraordinary school. I've been impressed with the strong leadership, supportive school culture, and experienced teachers at Olander. The Project-Based Learning approach is a highly effective, holistic approach to learning that engages my children in deep thinking, hands-on learning, and leaves them excited to go to school. My kids learn real-world problem-solving skills and effective collaboration through their long-term projects. They have the opportunity to think creatively, follow their curiosity, and engage with the wider community. Because of the school's location next to a large park/open space, the students also have ample opportunities to learn outside and engage with the natural world. Olander also offers the cornerstone educational model for Integrated Learning Services for students with profound special needs. I love the way Olander has built a truly inclusive community within the school. The empathy my children learn because of the way Olander approaches its integrated learning program is truly priceless. The entire school community is focused on teaching and caring for the whole child and on ensuring that each child feels a sense of belonging. I'm so grateful for this school and recommend it highly to any parent looking for a school that does more than worksheets and test prep.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2024

Our family’s life is better because of Olander! Our last child is a 5th grader this year and we have had 7 wonderful years with Olander between our three kids. The teachers are so caring and merry each child exactly where they are at. The leadership is very supportive of the staff and it creates such a warm culture. My children have especially grown as individuals because of the project based learning model and the privilege of being in class with kids with special needs. So grateful for our Olander family!
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2024

Olander is amazing! I wish I went to an elementary school like Olander when I was a kid. The staff are incredible and truly care about the kids. It is a little community and we’ve made relationships that will last a lifetime. There are so many offerings, like bike club, yoga and more. They often visit the nearby park and go for hikes. The teachers aren’t concerned with scores, but treat the kids as whole humans with emotional needs. I can’t say enough about this incredible school!
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2024

We just moved here and chose Olander for its concentration on the social and emotional wellbeing of the kids. I was so nervous about my oldest switching schools, and I am glad to say it wasn’t warranted. The teachers and the students have been warm and welcoming and our daughter is thriving. It is a sweet elementary school and we feel lucky to be apart of it.
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2024

Olander is such a gem. We chose Olander for our family for so many reasons but top of mind is the Project Based Learning curriculum and focus. Our 1st grader was doing projects and multi-step self directed study of native animals which is far beyond what we expected at his level of education. And most importantly, he was engaged and having fun while doing it. We also value the inclusion of all children of different abilities in the classroom setting. Finally, we have been nothing but blown away with the teachers and staff at Olander- they are all AMAZING and so supportive and loving to all of our kids. We feel so lucky to have found Olander.
Submitted by parent on September 16, 2024

Our family chose to send our children to Olander Elementary school because it is the only public school for project based learning (PBL) in Poudre School District. Project based learning fosters creativity and collaboration and research has shown that “PBL was superior in terms of long-term retention, skill development, and student and teacher satisfaction” compared to tradition lecture/discussion models. My children have worked on projects ranging from being in kindergarten and doing a presentation about the habitat and adaptation of their favorite local animal to a project about how to combat climate change with creative solutions in 4th grade. Olander has a strong social emotional learning curriculum that is woven into all parts of the day. Teaching social-emotional skills is vital to a safe and supportive community and Olander excels in these areas. Olander is also home to one of the district's best center-based Integrated Learning Support (ILS) programs serving students with severe to profound disabilities. My children have thrived in an environment where all children are accepted and valued for who they are. The staff at Olander prioritize the students being outside as much as possible with 3 recesses a day, hikes, walks to Spring Canyon Park and field trips. Olander’s building features natural light, central library, wellness room, separate dining hall, and gymnasium with the largest rock climbing wall in the district.Olander has an amazing Gifted and Talented Program as well as a strong Math Olympiad team and highly successful Odyssey of the Mind teams. When we toured Olander, it was clear that the staff love children, love working together, and have created an amazing community. I am so happy our children have a safe school with high test scores, but isn't focused solely on the academics, but on raising kind humans.
Submitted by parent on January 12, 2024

I can't say enough wonderful things about this school. The teachers and administrators care about the kids and my son is receiving an excellent education. I have been so impressed and happy with my decision to send him here.
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2020

We love Olander. There is a strong sense of community and pride in our school. Our child has been supported academically, socially, & emotionally. We feel like there are opportunities to be involved and that the school is always open to hearing new ideas and suggestions. The teachers are fun and engaging while also doing the hard work of teaching the curriculum. We really love the project-based learning model that keeps bodies and minds active and engaged in the lessons.
Submitted by other on March 24, 2016

Really good Teachers here, great leadership. Project based learning works very well for the real world
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2015

Olander is a fantastic school! Both my children go to school there and we have all loved the teachers and staff at Olander.
Submitted by parent on December 17, 2014

We love Olander! My children love to go to school and really love project based learning!
Submitted by other on June 06, 2014

Weird... and suspicious... WHERE are all the low reviews the March 11, 2014 poster is referring to??? I see no bad reviews listed... how sad that you can't trust reviews regarding your child's education!!! Regardless, the 4/10 school rating speaks volumes... maybe this school can try and falsify those results too. Last time I checked 40% was FAILING... but nice try Olander... nice try. Your faculty must pride themselves in their 4/10 rating. You get a F. You FAIL. Just like the kids you "educate".
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2014

I cannot imagine what measures were used to give such an excellent school such a bizarrely low rating. Olander is the best school I have ever seen or experienced. The teachers are excellent, dedicated professionals, most with advanced degrees, who continue their professional development. The students are uniformly engaged in interesting, meaningful work, learning grade-appropriate materials in fun ways that connect to their real lives and which build enthusiasm for learning. The culture is one of inclusion and kindness with sensible, consistent discipline applied appropriately, both pro-actively and, when needed, reactively. Kids with a variety of disabilities are fully and appropriately included in all areas of school life. After 4 years and 2 kids at Olander, I have never seen any of the problems that I grew up with: bullying, teasing, boredom, cliques, disengaged administration or teachers. Never. Not one single hint. The facility is similarly excellent with a comfortable, clean building, fun playground, garden, gym with a climbing wall. There are smart boards in every classroom. The library books are abundant and in good condition. Seriously, this is the best school ever.
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2014

We have five kids that have been through the school and another that will start in a couple years. Our oldest daughter has special needs, and the community around the Olander school (teachers, parents, staff, & students) has always been very supportive. Even our other kids joined the rest of the community who have not had special needs in helping all kids, with or without disabilities. Supporting all kids is a key strength of the school. With the addition of the Project-Based Learning curriculum, all kids have the chance to experience both book- and experiential-learning and dive into a subject as deep as they are interested. Given all our kids' experiences, we'd highly recommend the school to anyone.
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2013

Olander has excellent teachers who are dedicated to making a difference for each and every student regardless of his or her level of need. Diversity is celebrated in such a way that everyone contributes to and learns from the project-based learning format. Parents are welcomed, valued, and included in the building culture that has a solid history of excellence in our community.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2007

N/A