Golden View Classical Academy

601 Corporate Circle

School District

Charter School Institute
Grade

K-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

charter

School Map for Charter School Institute 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 February 23, 2025

My family has been at the school since it started in 2015 and let's just say we stirred and sold the GVCA Kool-Aide for years. The Grammar School is quite good, I would say it is on par with the local private and parochial schools, it is the Upper School, particularly the high school grades that are managed with a pompous incompetence. I have sat through many "Coffee with the Principal" talks and every time a parent asks why students leave the high school the reply is either they leave for sports or that it is simply too hard. More like it is too hard for them to figure out! Students leave GVCA high school because it is a dour, oppressive environment where a few favorite students are put on a pedestal and the rest suffer. If a student makes one mistake, it will follow him or her for the duration of the time at the school. The incredibly young staff, including the principal, have very little experience and the students are the Guinea Pigs even though their high school GPA is at stake. I honestly don't understand how they can get away with taking public dollars and doing such a disservice to the students who were entrusted to them. They proclaim virtue but are forgetting that Humility, Honesty and Charity are the highest of these. Many parents whose children leave the school report a kind of "GVCA detox" from the harsh environment.After our first child finished here, we pulled our remaining children and put them in a Jeffco high school, I would like to offer this:Don't be fooled because of a wait list, this can be a good school for younger children, however most private or parochial schools in the area are far better if you can afford them. Jeffco has a far superior math and science program AP Literature and English in Jeffco are on par with GVCA. Jeffco offers an incredible amount electives and other opportunities Most parents in the early days were sold on GVCA because they wanted their children to learn real history and to keep them away from the nonsense of the public school system. Stay alert with Jeffco and you will avoid/ navigate the nonsense. It is a tragedy that this school became so foolishly elitist, they put on their website "Our Vision is to be nationally and internationally recognized as one of the premier K-12 classical schools and to serve as an example for others." Notice how there is nothing about the students in there? SO. MUCH. VIRTUE.This could be a great school if they focused on the students instead of themselves.
Submitted by parent on November 01, 2024

My kids transferred here from a 'highly rated' public school in 2020. I'm so grateful they got in and we have not looked back once. I was worried about the rigor for my younger child, but she went from not being able to read as a 7 year-old at the public school, to reading at Golden View within two weeks of joining. She was "lost" in the public school system, but through support of her teachers continues to elevate her learning and thriving. This school teaches students how to think, not what to think. And, there is emphasis on character. They deal with behavior issues swiftly to create a safe and effective learning environment.
Submitted by student on September 07, 2024

I am an eighth grader at this school, this is my first year! First off I must say that the schools I have been to over the years have been not great, so I have pretty low standards. The education at this school is much better than any I've ever seen. The students (for the most part, BEWARE EIGHTH GRADE BOYS.) are really nice and supportive. I do not think this school would fit well with students that slack off on their work or have no motivation to do it. You will get low grades and your time at this school will not be very fun. This school has high expectations for all of it's students, but I do think that this varies from student to student. A lot of kids have said the homework load is too much, but I disagree and this is coming from someone who's never had to do homework in their life. You may have to do some at home, but most times you'll get it done at school. I hated the first day but that was because it was different and I didn't know my schedule. It takes about a month to really get fully adjusted to the 'classical academy' lifestyle.
Submitted by parent on February 29, 2024

We have been at the school since its inception in 2015. We started with a child in one of the lower grades at GVCA and have had several children attend both Grammer and Upper School. I believe any parent considering this school needs to understand that the children who attend are expected to fit a particular profile. This is no longer the beautiful Classical Liberal Arts school with an amazing staff and community with which it began. The culture of the school has changed negatively. There are few and far between extracurricular activities offered, and any classroom celebrations are prohibitive (don't expect birthday treats or Holiday celebrations), in fact, essentially the only "community" activity for families to partake in is the yearly fundraiser. Previously, we donated to the school on a yearly and monthly basis, however, once their vision changed, so did our donations. Our oldest has since moved to a different school for High School, and as that child reflects on the experience at GVCA, it brings anxiety and negative emotions. It's so unfortunate that this is the memory of Grammer/Upper School. It's also discouraging that this is the next best thing to public school. At this point, I'd rather spend a small fortune on private school than continue at GVCA. The well-established relationships that both my children and I have through Golden View are the only reason we stay.
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2024

What is this mental heath stuff it is not real. Just grow up and stop trying to get attention. It is great the teachers are strapped. Frick liberals!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by student on August 28, 2022

Hello! I am a student, currently going into seventh grade. I've got to say, the sixth grade teachers are horrid. They target students, and even drove one to have to leave the school. I'm horrified for seventh grade to the point where I have thrown up multiples times. I have never seen a worse school, ocming from someone who has moved schools four times, and some were also horrid, just not to this extent.
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2022

Honestly this isnt a safe or accepting school, the head staff are all really agressive when you stand up fo yourself, and make false accuastions about the children in the care. They are hyper agressive and the staff have guns with kids being allowed to bring not only guns but also ammo to school for a "shooting club" but they wont allow for the gay minority at the school to have their own club.
Submitted by parent on December 26, 2021

All students and families who desire to succeed at GVCA are provided the supports to do so and are treated fairly. It is a safe learning environment because expectations are clear as part of the climate and culture. This greatly reduces student anxiety. If a student is looking to live below the line, you will not be successful here, but anyone wanting to move to the other side of the line is given the grace and help to do so. Very strong mentorship by staff and built in recognition of virtue amongst classmates. Highly recommend regardless of perceived academic ability.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2021

Golden View had done a great job of meeting my child's educational needs while pushing for growth without burnout. The school culture as well as the school do a wonderful job of supporting parental rights in raising children and don't force current social trends into the curriculum.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2021

The school has very strong academics. The rule of thumb is 10 mins of homework per night per grade. My daughter is in second going into third, and she is doing math problems and spelling at the level I was at in 4-5th grade in standard public school. Teachers in KG, 1sr, and 2nd are stellar and love their students. Dr. Garrow leads the school with ethics and unwavering commitment to learning. The school was in-person learning during the pandemic quite successfully. There are seven core virtues they highlight. The walls are full of educational information about important people of history, and ideas worth learning.There are a lot of teacher assistants (at least in the first set of grades) which helps support the students. Bullying is not a big issue from what my child tells me. There are some anti-bullying talks, but with such a small school, bullying appears to be minimal.
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2020

We love GVCA and don't know what we would do without it!
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2020

I’ve had a really positive experience with GVCA for me and my two children. A classical education is different than what you find in a typical school so it’s better to have an understanding of what the school does and to support it coming in. It’s not for everyone and counter to what is popular in schools these days but it is a traditional approach to learning that also supports the founding principles of our country.
Submitted by other on March 25, 2020

It’s been a mixture of good and bad. Parents in 6th and 8th grades usually start looking around and leave. I think what has been the saddest behavior to witness has been the silent derision and snide comments that get made concerning kids the leadership has decided not to like. Buyer beware.
Submitted by principal on November 18, 2019

This school isn't just about a rigorous academic program but also focuses on developing good people.
Submitted by parent on November 16, 2019

It is a rigorous school so for most students it pushes their academic abilities. For others it’s too stressful to enjoy learning. Overall I am neutral. It’s a great fit for some but not for all.
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2019

I pulled my student from this school because they couldn't support his needs. This school made him feel like he was an idiot, completely broke his self-confidence, and set him back socially. However, it did cater a thirst for learning, and in comparison to the other school I've sent him too, he had to choose between having a good education and being constantly demoralized or being pumped up and supported but having a lackluster education. If given the choice, what do you choose?
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2019

Amazing!!! We are so very thankful for such a great opportunity.
Submitted by student on January 28, 2019

The academic curriculum at Golden View is extremely rigorous, and not for the faint of heart. That said, I feel better prepared for college and for my future leaving this school than I would feel in leaving any other. I have been taught what it looks like, and feels like, to work hard for the grades I earn. Respect is not given freely here, it is earned. The athletic programs are led by coaches who emphasize our core virtues as strongly as our academic teachers do. The fine arts program pursues beauty in many different ways, including instrumental music, vocal music, visual arts, and club ensembles. The senior thesis forces us to come to terms for ourselves with what we believe about the world, and prepares us to defend those claims as we advance into adult life. If I had to do high school all over again, I would choose Golden View again in a heartbeat. The lessons I have learned here have shaped my work ethic, my character, and my relationships in ways that will prepare me for success down the road and happiness in life. If you are considering enrolling, my advice to you is to do so as soon as you can. You will be challenged, but you will be strengthened. You will grow as a person and as a friend. You will learn to communicate with people with whom you disagree. Golden View embraces that learning is for the mind, heart, and soul, not just for the facts. It is a worthwhile experience for everyone, and one I wish everyone could have.
Submitted by other on January 08, 2019

I would rate my experience at this school poor. I felt completley unchallenged and uncared for. The teachers were so young they seemed to be barely able to succesfully do their jobs. I do have to say the the curriculum is accelerated, but it still doesn't challenge the above average students. The curriculum seems to have one small box of students which it caters to, anyone above or below is barely, if at all, cared for. In my opinion, the students are expected to sit straight backed in their chairs, with their hands folded neatly on top of the desks, anyone whe deviates from this expectation is labeled as a "Bad Kid". I also found that one you achieved this ranking of "Bad Kid" you were singled out and the teachers would actively search out for any imperfections in behaviour just to get you in trouble. Also, adressing the teachers, I found the as well as being expected to be the perfect mold of a "Virtuous Student" in the classroom, the teachers seemed have distaste for the students who challenged the teachings. They seemed to expect the students to sit silently and accept whatever was being told of them, no questions asked. I don't think I will ever find the correct words to adress the behaviors of the principal. I extremely disliked the way he treated the students, the behaviours he exhibited, belittled, condescended, and patronized the students. Overall, I would not reccomend this school to any of the people I know, and I am dissapointed in both the "more rigorous" curriculum and the leadership of this school.
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2018

This school is very different than the "normal" public schools. You do see this when you go on a tour. Little clutter on the walls, only meaningful, historical art work instead. Kids wear uniforms and face forward in chairs facing the teacher. Kids are held to a high standard of behavior. It's a teacher centric method of teaching. They say they use the Socratic method of teaching but it seems there is an overabundance of busy work instead of employing the Socratic Method. Most of the teachers have no teaching certification or experience with children prior to teaching at the school. I see this as a problem when it comes to classroom management, teaching skills and experience with children. The administration has little experience with kids, especially kids in a school setting. They are more interested in hiring teachers who have advanced degrees than actual real life experience teaching kids. This shows as a detriment in how the teachers teach and administer homework. This is a new school, which isn't bad but the leadership is new, the people who teach are new and their lack of experience shows in the decisions that are made at the school. Changes that have been made stem from the CYA mentality after they get into some kind of trouble......trouble they shouldn't have gotten into in the first place but because they are lacking life experience with children, as teachers and as administrators, happened anyway.