The Classical Academy (Colorado)

The Classical Academy (TCA) is a kindergarten through twelfth grade public charter school located in northern Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States. It is chartered through Academy School District 20.

The school is known for having an extensive waiting list, with over 5,400 students on the current waiting list for all grades combined.

Rankings
The Classical Academy High School is ranked #1 in Academy School District, 19th within Colorado and #611 nationally by U.S. News & World Report.

Awards
In 2012, 2013, and 2014 the Colorado Department of Education awarded every TCA (elementary, junior high, and high school) as well as College Pathways the John Irwin Award for Academic Excellence. The John Irwin awards are given to schools that demonstrate excellent academic achievement.

Campuses
The Classical Academy currently has three campuses in Northern Colorado Springs:

North Campus
The Classical Academy High School, The Classical Academy Junior High School and The Classical Academy North Elementary are located at 975 Stout Road. The North Campus is considered the main campus and is the location of the school administration offices.

Central Campus
The Classical Academy Central Elementary is located at 1655 Springcrest Road. This facility, formerly known as Mountain View School, was purchased by the TCA Building Corporation in 2004 for $1.9 million. Monthly payments will continue until November 1, 2019, when the note is paid in full.

East Campus
The Classical Academy East Elementary is located at 12201 Cross Peak View (just west of Pikes Peak State College, Rampart Range Campus).

East Campus is also the location of the school's homeschool programs:
 * The Cottage School Program for kindergarten through eighth grade.
 * TCA College Pathways for seventh through twelfth grades. Students as part of this program also attend the adjacent Pikes Peak State College Rampart Range Campus.

School uniforms
The school has a uniform policy for all grade levels.

Admission and enrollment
The Classical Academy does not have open enrollment for students, nor is it an Academy School District 20 Choice option. The Classical Academy is a wait list school. Students are offered seats and admitted to the school based on their wait list position. Parents can apply from any of the surrounding fifteen school districts in and around Colorado Springs. Priority is given to students of administration, faculty, current enrolled siblings, and residents of Academy School District 20.

Board of directors
The school is governed by a seven-member Board that is elected by the parents of students. These board members are volunteers. Terms are 3 years in length and, per Colorado election law, board members are limited to 2 consecutive terms.

Athletics
High School sports include Baseball, Cross Country, football, Men’s Basketball, Men’s Golf, Men’s Soccer, Softball, Spirit/Cheer, Track, Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, Women’s Golf, Women’s Soccer, and Wrestling.

Junior High sports include Boys’ Basketball, Cross Country, football, Girls’ Basketball, Softball, Track, Volleyball, and Wrestling. All of the main sports compete in Colorado's 3A athletic conference, except cross country, which competes at the 4A level as of 2012.

Performing arts
The Classical Academy Marching Band has won the CBA (Colorado Bandmasters Association) state championship in the 2A class five times, in 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Chess
The Classical Academy chess team has won the CSCA state 4A championship title three times, in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Notable Alumni
Daniel Carlson

Anders Carlson

Criticisms
In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Classical Academy gave students the option of whether or not to wear a mask, sparking criticism from parents and health officials alike. “I’m so pleased to be one of the first to welcome you back to another school year,” TCA President Russ Sojourner writes in a letter to parents, “Another NORMAL school year – one that will resemble those we remember before the infamous March 2020 shut down.”