Schools in Boulder, CO

“Alaya is the most magical preschool! As a graduate myself, I knew I wanted to send my children to Alaya too, which is one of the reasons we moved back to Boulder from Europe. The teachers care so deeply, and I know my child is in good hands. I love that it's a play based program, that they get outside everyday, and that they incorporate some little bits of mindfulness into their days. It's such a special place that we drive across town in order to attend. We love Alaya and the whole Alaya community!”

“Snow Lion Preschool is such a special place. As the school director, Rachel is so incredibly available and involved it is remarkable and feels really supportive. She is loving, caring, organized, she does outreach into the community and beyond. The layout of the school is amazing....rooms for the children to find endless activities to do, they sing, dance, do yoga, they are very creative with art, they have rituals and festivals, and morning circle time. They have beautiful Birthday celebrations for the children and sweetly honor their life. Rachel really goes the distance with her WEEKLY NEWSLETTER with pictures from the week, sayings they heard from the kids, opportunities to volunteer and participate, any additional helpful community events that would support parents or children. We feel so connected to our kids experience there, which is incredibly special and unique. The teachers also do a graduation book for the graduates compiling pictures from their start of the school, some beginning at less than 2 years old. So much care and mindfulness goes into this school. Great place!”

“Sunrise Early Learning Center has been fantastic for my 3-year-old's preschool adventure, even though we were only in a short period! Their program is fantastic, creating a fun and supportive space for kids to learn and grow. The teacher (Melissa) and staff (Nick) are super caring and great at making learning exciting. My little one has blossomed there, making friends and getting excited about learning new things every day. I'm so impressed by how much they care about each child. If you're looking for a fun and nurturing preschool, Sunrise Early Learning Center is the place to go!Big thanks to the whole team for making this such a wonderful experience!”

“We love Sunflower. It has been such a great fit for our son. He has made some great friends there and practically begs to go to school in the morning. The teaching staff is also top-notch. They are very observant and attentive, while also giving the kids room to explore their curiosities. I have had the opportunity to interact with numerous Sunflower parents, and without exception, each one has expressed sincere appreciation for the program Sunflower runs. If your kid is happy, the other kids seem happy, and the other parents are happy, then I would say Sunflower is a winner.”

“Being a first time mom makes it so hard to go back to work after your little one is born. However, TinyMinders North made the transition a lot easier for our family. Their teachers are all very attentive and caring with our sweet girl AND they're okay with me popping in to see her on my break at work, which is so helpful. We feel so blessed to have found a daycare that is this wonderful and affordable. I would definitely recommend them :)”

“The school is equipped with everything to make the learning experience a great one! Shelly is a fantastic teacher. I'm learning so much. If you want to learn how to make jewelry thoroughly, this is your school.”

“If I could add another 5 stars, I would. Bixby is what elementary education should be. The teachers and staff have a deep knowledge of each child, they recognize each child's unique strengths, and they impart a genuine love for each student's growth and wellbeing. Bixby teachers exemplify what so many of the best teachers strive to be. Their deep love for children enables them to see each child’s strengths. Their faith that each child has a spirit worth nurturing enables their students to see their own strengths, and their persistence to keep digging until they find the spark that helps their students build on their strengths enables each child to become their best selves.Some parents may look to test scores or academic performance as the marker of academic success. If that is your primary goal for your child's education it is unlikely you'll find a match at Bixby. That is not to say Bixby doesn't prepare their students for academic success; quite the contrary! I appreciate Bixby's awareness that academic performance is a very small part of the definition of what makes a person successful, and that the foundation of academic success is not any one specific academic skill but instead the broader category of executive function skills. Thinking critically, knowing how to solve problems, having the courage to take risks, seeing your peers as valuable and worthy human beings, understanding who you are and what you need to thrive, and being willing to advocate for yourself...these are the true drivers of success. Neuroscience, education, and child development researchers have only started to realize this important fact; Bixby teachers have known and taught it for nearly 50 years. That they also achieve traditional academic excellence is nothing short of remarkable.Bixby's model of individualized learning is perfect for kids who are gifted and/or have mild to moderate learning challenges such as dyslexia or ADHD, as well as typically developing children. Given their population of diverse learners, the school is putting in place a strong administrative team and the necessary teacher supports to ensure each child receives exactly the education he or she needs to be successful at Bixby and beyond, including hiring a gifted and learning specialist and specialized training for teachers (e.g., all literacy teachers are trained in Orton-Gillingham).The school struggled for a few years by accepting kids with significant socio-emotional or behavior challenges whose needs were beyond the teachers' and administrators' expertise. This has changed substantially in the past two years, and they are implementing new, stringent processes to ensure the students who are accepted are the students the teachers can support, and students who will thrive in an education model that emphasizes skills such as independence and responsibility.Bixby teachers are inspiring, brilliant, courageous, and compassionate human beings, and they help their students find their own path to becoming inspiring, brilliant, courageous, and compassionate human beings. There is truly no greater gift in the world I could give my children than a Bixby education.”

“I've been so impressed with the Children's House. They've taken such good care of our daughter, and we've watched her go from scared and unsettled in the first day at school, to now loving school and coming home telling us about all the fun. The team combines a depth of professional understanding with warmth and genuine care about our daughter's experience and development. As with most parents, where to place our child is a significant decision for us. While there are plenty of good options in Boulder, we're very confident and happy with the decision we made to go with Children's House. A wonderful place, and a wonderful team.”

“Only great things to say about Meadowlark. Both our kids attended over multiple years and our experience was consistently positive with very supportive and caring teachers.”

“We are very happy with Pathways Learning Academy. The staff is very experienced with babies and takes warm and good care of my 1 yo. The communication app is very easy and convenient and the place is clean and secure. I highly recommend this childcare center!”

“My son has been at Dream Makers for almost two years now and we could not feel more blessed to have found such a great preschool! Deb, Crissy and Francesca are wonderful teachers - caring, focused, fun, creative - I could go on and on. My son's language, social skills, and overall development have blossomed under their care and I truly feel they have set the stage for him to have a life-long love of learning. Perhaps the best "review" for Dream Makers is the fact that my son LOVES going to school! In addition, the facility is cozy and bright - and the outside play area is a kid paradise. A highly, highly recommend Dream Makers!!!”

“Fortunate to have Columbine Elementary School as our local school. Great leadership, experienced, effective and committed teaching staff, excellent support and specialist staff, new building, great neighborhood and diverse student population. Bilingual (Spanish/Español and English)!”

“It's a truly amazing public Montessori school. Friendly and attentive staff. Their "Children's House" preschool and kindergarten age program is outstanding. If you are looking to help give your children the tools they need to be independent, inquisitive, and well-rounded members of society, this is the place to go! The students are given so many different ways to access the learning materials. They have opportunities through the Montessori education to also learn necessary skills to survive in today's world like self regulation, peace education, grace and courtesy, etc. It's right at the base of the mountains with a beautiful view and large playground, which is always nice too!”

“could not ask for a better elementary education for my son. The teachers here are warm, caring, and creative, and are truly invested in each individual child. They do not just teach the basics here, they teach these children how to become truly good human beings, investing in social-emotional, cultural, and humanitarian teachings. And the students here reflect that - every child of every age that I have encountered at this school is respectful, and full of heart.”

“My son went to this preschool for almost seven months and he absolutely loved it. He learnt a lot. The teachers are very caring and friendly. I definitely recommend it.”

“Boulder Waldorf Preschool and Kindergarten is the BEST! Our family wasn't familiar with Waldorf until our daughter started this past fall during the COVID outbreak. The teachers are supportive, caring, good natured individuals who use nature and simplicity to inspire the children. We haven't seen much of the inside classrooms but the glimpses we have seen show a calm classroom with beautiful, natural materials and colors. This has been an exceptionally challenging time with the global pandemic but the school administration has been clear with its directions and very informative when action needs to be taken. I can't recommend this school and the staff enough...our daughter is growing into a confident little person!”

“My twins are in their eighth year at Friends' School in Boulder.  They have absolutely LOVED every year and are begging us to continue on into Friends’ middle school. At Friends', each and every child is known and is celebrated for their own unique personality. Parents are valued as part of the community and are involved in the school’s rituals, traditions, and celebrations. We are invited to volunteer and to visit the classrooms. Friends' learning community is hands-on and engaging. Our children are encouraged to stretch themselves academically, socially, and creatively. The students celebrate one another’s successes, and support one another's short comings. Friends puts great effort into teaching social skills, from preschool on through the fifth grade. The students learn how to reach out and make friends in preschool, learn to play with a variety of classmates throughout elementary, and learn about expressing emotions, both at school and at home with their families. Discipline is handled gently and with respect for the child.  I can’t say enough positives about Friends’ School. Go take a tour and see for yourself. Our family recommends it whole-heartedly!”

“When I was looking into preschool options for my kids, I was interested in finding a family oriented co-op environment. New Horizons has provided us with that, as well as so much more. It has been the perfect place for my kids to learn and discover and be supported by so many lovely adults and friends. Co-oping provides so many ways for the children AND the parents to benefit and learn from each other. In addition to keeping abreast of my child's preschool development, I have learned SO much from the teachers and other parents/families. My kids absolutely love it when it's my day to co-op, and I enjoy being a part of their lives on that level.New Horizons is a very special place that celebrates diversity and socially conscious behavior, while teaching your preschooler those invaluable lessons of acceptance, inclusion, and love.”

“Excellent. The teachers care about the emotional, physical, educational and social growth of the children. We have 3 kids that attend there and have always felt like all the teachers and administration took our concerns to heart. We are given daily notes, weekly newsletters and bi-yearly progress reports that highlight the activities and milestones for our children. Our kids love all of the STEM related projects they get to do at school. Finally they offer great nutrition for both snacks and lunch. I am often told by my 2 oldest that Brenda makes better food than me! I would recommended the CCC to anyone looking for exceptional care for their children.”

“My son is new to Heatherwood and he loves it. I have never seen a school as concerned for its students as this one. We love it here, and I cant think of anything negative to say about it.”

“My toddler is attending this daycare now and I have been happy with the care and attention she gets here. Her teacher Ms. Erin is absolutely amazing and everyone else has been very helpful and kind. My toddler had an accident in her previous daycare and it was so hard for me to trust and start daycare again. However, the care she received here has been amazing and changed my opinion. The level of communication is perfect and everything is well organized. I am amazed with how friendly the environment is. They hang kids' photos everywhere and write about them on the walls which not only teaches my kid that she is valued, it also connects me with other kids in the classroom. I also love the fact that they serve lunch.”

“My oldest son graduated graduated and we were happy there was room for our second this spring. The teachers are loving and very good teachers as well. The children thrive in this little school house as they learn independence and prepare for Kindergarten.”

“We adore this school! The educators are so passionate and dedicated to inspiring the children that it's infectious. We have absolutely LOVED our kindergarten and first grade teachers. From what I hear the other teachers in coming years are going to be equally beneficial at each level of development as we grow through the school. The Principal Jon Wolfer is enthusiastically involved with every level of the school and also with the school district. He has 'out of the box' opinions about education and it's all rooted in providing the best learning experience to the children. The staff in the front and around school is always happy and helpful. It really feels like everyone in the school is working together with one focus, the children.”

“My children have attended this school from pre-school through 4th and 8th grade. They are kind, supported, and emotionally and academically well rounded with good manners and a positive sense of community. I would highly recommend that you look at this school yourself and consider it for you family if you're interested in a great environment for a well-rounded education.”

“Boulder Journey was an excellent fit for our son Jackson. They are caring, nurturing and he thrived at this school. The teachers are patient, enthusiastic and supportive of the various emotional processes an infant and toddler go through. He always had a smile on his face when we picked him up. We highly recommend Boulder Journey”