Ambleside School

9941 Lone Tree Parkway

Lone Tree, CO 80124

24 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on December 16, 2023

My child loved the curriculum and how it was taught at this school. The class size was great and my child had no problems making friends. The issue was the complete disregard and lack of compassion for a child that learns differently (meaning can’t sit still for a period of time). For a school that claims to follow Christian values, I was shocked at how they treated a child that struggled to keep still. The teacher was awful as well. I would think twice if you have a student that learns differently.
Submitted by parent on December 18, 2020

I'm so grateful for teachers and staff that really care about my kids and their character growth, not just academic skills. The teachers foster a love of learning and a joyful atmosphere in their classes. The expectations are high, and with the guidance of great teachers, the students learn to live up to them without feeling stressed and anxious. I have kids in third grade and kindergarten, and both are thriving at this school.
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2020

With the craziness of Covid and the frustration of what's happening in many of our public schools, we pulled our two sons, grades 3 & 5, from public, and put them at Ambleside in August 2020. We are thrilled with the choice!!! They've been: welcomed with open arms, loved dearly, learning history...IN-PERSON, have small class sizes where they're learning to think AND articulate critically, using pencil and paper vs. only tech, and growing in wisdom / stature / character. As parents, we couldn't be more grateful for this "village." It required some re-prioritization from a financial perspective, but worth every penny when you consider the majority of a child's personhood is in place by age 13. Elementary school truly matters and is worth the investment!
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2020

We have been so thankful for Ambleside and how it has shaped and grown our three boys as well as my husband and me. The school has been an excellent place for our children to enter into their educational experience. They truly love to go to school each day and come home excited to talk about what they learned throughout the day.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2020

Fantastic school. Learning is not about test taking and homework but about understanding and mastery. The approach is refreshingly different while remaining challenging and thorough. Focus on habits is unique and builds real character in students. The Christ centered community is wonderful.
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2015

Our children spent 3 years at this school, and we did enjoy much of our experience there. I have to say, though, that I saw the St. Cyrs focus change to really focus on habit training, and I felt it was to an excessive degree. (It all started when they began to read and lecture on the teachings in books by Jeffery Schwartz) The St. Cyr's focus trickled down to the school level, and the degree of habit training for things like 5 year olds sitting still for extended periods of time, seemed to me to be too much. Also, they were teaching the kids that if you are moving your body, then your mind is unable to focus and learn as well. Numerous studies contradict this--instead finding that using movement can actually significantly help with learning and retention of information. I think this is an amazing school for older children. I would find somewhere else for the younger years--especially wiggly Primary students.
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2015

We have unfortunately been in 5 different school situations with our son who is now in 7th grade. .. we have been in 2 Douglas County charters, a magnet school, home schooled and attended another private school. ... we were just looking for a school to truly challenge our children, not just tell us that they were in the highest (reading or math) group. Not until we landed at Ambleside did we realize that there is the possibility to not only challenge our children academically but also hold them accountable for their choices. Having the teachers on the same page with us has made all the difference. If you are looking for attainable excellence (remember that it is different for each child) without sacrificing your family life to do it, this is a school you should check out for your children. Their goal is for retained and applicable knowledge not just a high score on a unit or standardized test. We only wish that we would have found it sooner in our process.
Submitted by parent on February 12, 2013

Excellent School! Ambleside has made such a positive impact on my daughter and our entire family! Excellent caring staff that has the students best interest at heart! We feel blessed and fortunate to be there!
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2013

For the first time in my recollection, our daughter - a new student at Ambleside - showed true excitement about learning for the sake of knowledge, and not because there was a gold star attached to the process. I was amazed as we walked outside one night when she began to excitedly point out the constellations and stars by name. It was fun and her depth of knowledge was impressive. True excellence and knowledge is pursued at Ambleside, rather than studying to get a grade. An added bonus, one you do not find many places, is the rich community of families at Ambleside. The school fosters relationships through numerous and ongoing parent and family activities. We are thankful and feel blessed to have found this place for our daughter and our entire family!
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2013

Ambleside is a unique school home for my children and our family. My child has been exposed to classical music and their composers, famous painters' works and lives, poetry, literature, handwork skills ( such as weaving or knitting or sewing), along side the traditional skill areas such as reading, and math. The excellence in education is evident whether it is at first impression or through the memorable moments when my child shares how she learned to tell the difference between a pine & a spruce by looking at one. Also evident is the humility with which the teachers and staff carry out their calling. Their love for the children & their humility in teaching the children good habits draws in the hearts of the children and creates an atmosphere for learning that is truly unique among schools. Without coercion, bribery, rewards and pride used with the children and without power used as a technique by the teachers, the atmosphere is one of honor, respect and humility, knowing that we all are learning-- just different things. Last, the school takes special interest and care in in it's families; the parents are invited to be learners to. And my children would testify to my growth.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2013

This school does not use traditional textbooks and worksheets, does not pit student against student in competition, does not rely heavily on technology to teach, and does not use the normal assortment of points, stickers, candy, prizes, etc., to attempt to motivate students to learn and behave. My son and my family are thriving here!! check it out at http://amblesidecolorado.com/
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2013

The school trains students in interpersonal and academic habits which enable students to do the work of rigorous learning for themselves, in an atmosphere that engages students' minds with rich discussions about great ideas.
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2013

As first-year parents of a third grader at Ambleside, we can firmly say that we only wish we had found them sooner! It was immediately apparent that everyone involved with this school, has as their main focus, to provide a positive growth experience for all of their students. Our 2 older kids are presently in public high school and are doing ok, but we can't help regretting that they missed out on such a wonderful school. Incorporating the teachings, and wisdom, of Charlotte Mason, a woman many decades ahead of her time, this school has an interactive structure that keeps the children alert, involved and interested. For example, instead of the same old passive approach of students listening to a lecture, taking notes, then later a test, these students read aloud together several pages, then they're randomly selected to "tell back" everything they can remember about what they just heard. Talk about keeping you on your toes! It takes practice, but since the atmosphere is one of encouragement and patience, even kids new to the school, like my daughter, enjoy the active learning and catch on rather quickly. This is just one example of why I'm happy to recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2013

Ambleside offers balanced preparation for its students and families. By focusing on instilling a love for learning and individual growth for all students, Ambleside creates a picture of total preparation for a student - academic, character, social, and spirit - and does so by adding life to families instead of draining it. Ambleside offers families an opportunity to grow collectively and individually alongside their child. Ambleside prepares the family for life as well as the individual student.
Submitted by parent on May 27, 2012

My husband and I have been thrilled with Ambleside. I agree wholeheartedly with the other reviews I've read here and all the aspects of the school they highlight. My children are learning to truly THINK, and the wonderful thing is that they love it. I can't count the number of interesting discussions that we've had at home that were sparked by something that fascinated them at school, or the number of complicated questions they've raised after pondering something on their own. If you've ever had a teacher or professor who was absolutely passionate about the subject they taught - who taught out of a pure love of the subject, and was always pushing to learn more themselves - that is exactly the way the teachers at Ambleside are. My kids are catching hold of that same fire. And the teachers aren't just passionate about knowledge, but about Christ. I was deeply touched by the way my kids' teachers brought out some of the richness of Christ's teachings and pondered them with the students, urging them to truly think through them. I just can't say enough about how much we appreciate Ambleside, and what a blessing it has been to our family.
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2012

I love that this school puts "skin on" what it means to be Christ-centered, and provides an example for me and my family . They put it into everything they do -- with kindness, simplicity, humility and a generous spirit. When you walk in the door, you can feel the peace and catch the joy of the staff. The students are not just told the "right answers", but are wooed into a relationship with God through pondering Scripture, singing beautiful hymns, memorizing inspiring passages, following the gracious example of the staff, and seeing all truth as God's truth. My children are seeing the world around them as a gift given by a loving heavenly Father for them to enjoy, and are learning to do what is right out of thankfulness to Christ their King.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2012

Prior to Ambleside we had been homeschooling our children. When we felt God was leading us to make a change we never imagined that we would find something as close to our homeschooling environment but in a Christian school setting as we found in Ambleside. Our children come home every night with minimal homework in the evenings allowing them to play and enjoy being children after a long day of challenging school work. The teachers have a genuine love and concern for their students and have truly invested in them. Although the school does not give traditional grades, their "progress reports" are much more thorough and show the teachers' insight and knowledge of each student's strengths and areas of challenge. They do not expect students to be perfect but rather be in process towards a reachable goal. We have not been disappointed at the choice of rich literature and quality books that the students are exposed to. Ambleside is able to accomplish so much more in one day (nature study, foreign language, art and composer studies, etc) than we were able to do at home with such a variety of levels and ages. Our kids have loved the transition and it has not been a difficult one.
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2012

We have had the pleasure of being at Ambleside since its opening last year. We have seen our child grow not only in academics, but in character building as well. The teachers and staff are the best we have seen and it feels more like a partnership in rearing the child as a whole. Our daughter started this year and we have seen tremendous growth in her, she has come out of her shell and loves to learn and see the wonders of nature, art and Shakespeare. My children are able to think and speak at a level that is more in depth and beyond their years, which always seems to amaze our family members
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2012

Ambleside offers a rich and varied curriculum. Children are taught to really think about the characters they are reading about, pictures or music they are studying. A strong math foundation is built so that children have an understanding of the concepts being taught. Their character is an important area of growth and the faculty cares about this deeply. Habit formation is also emphasized. All of these areas concern the whole child as a person and helping them grow and prepare for future.
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2012

At Ambleside each student is treated as an individual. The learning is at a demanding level, requiring students to think deeply. Historical figures come alive, math is presented so that students know why - not just how, an afternoon walk becomes an opportunity to wonder as little details are noticed and memory is challenged all throughout the day. Students learn about character and habits, growing not only intellectually but also as persons. My son is a more thoughtful young man because of his two years at Ambleside. In fact, our whole family has grown in so many ways.