At The Colorado Springs School, students from prekindergarten through high school learn by doing. Programs immerse students in hands-on activities in the classroom and beyond. They explore through curriculum-based seminars and adventures, both locally and across the globe. Intentional challenges stimulate students’ academic and social growth.
The Colorado Springs School (CSS) is the #1 private school in Colorado Springs, according to the Colorado Springs Business Journal, and Niche.com ranks CSS as a top private school in Colorado.
CSS believes the closer the link between learning and experience, the more meaningful the resulting knowledge will be. The goal is to prepare students for college and for life by equipping them with thinking and problem-solving skills, self-confidence, compassion, and a love of learning. Students are prepared for a dynamic world.
One project that highlights hands-on learning at CSS is 8th graders bungeeing Barbies from from the top of the historic Trianon building on campus as students hone their Algebra skills.
The goal is to use linear algebra to determine how many rubber bands are needed for Barbie to safely bungee from the Trianon. Too many could mean disaster for Barbie. Students collaborate in groups as owners of a bungee jumping company that would provide Barbie with the thrill of a lifetime while keeping her safe.
First, they measure how far Barbie falls during smaller trial jumps such as with two rubber bands and then with four before creating a scatter plot to graph their data and draw a line of fit. Using their algebra skills, they determine the equation for their line and then use it to predict how many rubber bands she would need for a safe plunge from 30 feet.
With excitement, students test their findings by sending Barbies bungee jumping 30 feet from the Trianon roof.
“We learned how to use a scatter plot to figure out how many different rubber bands we needed using different formulas,” 8th grader Malakai White said. “It was really fun. We got to see if the formulas work in a real-life application.”
“The Colorado Springs School truly expands learning beyond the traditional classroom walls,” Head of School Tambi Tyler said. “It is through the curriculum that is integrated, experiential, and at times expeditionary, that students embark on a learning journey to know both themselves and discover their interconnections with the real world. There is a commitment to problem-solving, critical thinking, mentorship, and integrity. Faculty and staff encourage students to discover and develop their strengths.”
Founded in 1962, The Colorado Springs School sits on 28 acres with eight buildings, including an innovation lab, a 300-seat performance theatre, art studios, a field house gym, and athletic fields. CSS enrolls students from across the Pikes Peak region, as well as from international countries.
Our Mission: Through superior academics and mentoring, The Colorado Springs School prepares students to think independently and to meet the challenges of a dynamic world with leadership, ingenuity, problem-solving skills, and personal integrity.
CSS graduates go on to top colleges, including Yale University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Cornell University. The 24 graduates in the Class of 2020 received more than $4.6 million in merit scholarships and awards. They earned an average ACT score of 28; the national average is 21, and the Colorado average is 20.8. Of the graduates, 83% reported Advanced Placement (AP) Scores of 3 or better, a score that can earn them college credits. Learn more at css.org.
This article is sponsored content by The Colorado Springs School
