Thank you for your interest in Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy and The Vanguard School. We are a tuition-free public school of choice and welcome applications from all across the Pikes Peak region. Please follow the steps below to start the admissions process.
1. Come Visit Us!
CMCA and The Vanguard School have an open door policy. Please feel free to stop by at your convenience. (Keep in mind that we have a shortened Friday schedule). To receive more information about CMCA/The Vanguard School, please click here.
Information Nights
- High School Information Nights: To be announced
- Kindergarten Information Night: March 19, 2013
Call 719.471.1999 to find out more information about our offerings or to schedule a personal tour or shadow day. Select the applicable phone extension below for your child's grade.
| Grades K-4 |
Grades 5-6 |
Grades 7-12 |
|
Call x100
Mon-Thu: 8:00 AM-3:15 PM
Fri: 8:00 AM-1:30 PM
1832 S. Wahsatch Ave. [Map] |
Call x242
Mon-Thu: 7:45 AM-3:00 PM
Fri: 7:45 AM-1:15 PM
1605 S. Corona Ave. [Map] |
Call x200
Mon-Thu: 7:45 AM-3:00 PM
Fri: 7:45 AM-1:15 PM
1605 S. Corona Ave. [Map] |
2. Submit an Application
Click on the links provided below to review the application procedures and access our student enrollment application. Print the form and return it to the school office in person, by regular mail, or via fax. The lottery for the upcoming school year takes place on February 1st.
Submit applications to:
Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy
1832 S. Wahsatch Avenue Colorado Springs, Colorado 80905
Fax: 719.799.6149
We request transcripts for students entering grades 10-12 at this time to ensure students will be able to fulfill our graduation requirements.
3. Take a Placement Test
Once your student's name is near the top of the wait list, we will call to schedule a placement test. Placement tests are given to ensure students will be challenged and successful.
**The next placement tests are scheduled for February 8 and February 22, 2013 (2:00-4:00 PM) in the Vanguard School Library (Corona Campus).** Students need only to attend one session.
Grades 1-4: Reading, Mathematics
Grade 5: Writing, Reading, Mathematics
Grades 6-12: Writing, Grammar & Composition, Mathematics
4. Enrollment
Once your student has been placed, you will be notified about enrollment. Congratulations! Welcome to the CMCA family!
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Click on the Adobe icon below to download your free version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Admission (Grades K-12)
- When is the application deadline?
Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy and The Vanguard School have open enrollment after February 1st. All enrollment applications are due prior to February 1st, which is when our enrollment lottery takes place.
- Are tests required for admission?
Yes, students complete placement tests. These tests are not entrance exams; they are used to place each student in the appropriate level to ensure that children are appropriately challenged.
- Is there a tuition cost for CMCA or Vanguard?
Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy and The Vanguard School are tuition-free public charter schools. Full-Day Kindergarten is tuition based; however, there is no charge for Half-Day kindergarten. There is a one-time student fee for all grades ($50.00 for kindergarten, $100.00 for grades 1-12), payable at the being of the school year, which covers individual student costs as well as costs associated with classroom supplies, textbooks, planners etc.
- Does my family need to live in a certain district?
Our K-6th grade is chartered under Cheyenne Mountain District 12 (D12). Therefore District 12 residents do have priority for available slots in grades K-6. Our school actually serves 15 different districts with approximately 25% of our student population residing in District 12. The Charter School Institute (CSI) of Colorado is the authorizer for our 7th-12th grades. There is not a district affiliated with CSI, and consequently, resident district is not a factor for admission.
Academics (Grades 9-12)
- What academic support is provided to students?
Students typically schedule one study hall each semester. 9th graders who play sports at Vanguard are able to opt out of Physical Education, thereby giving them an additional study hall. Vanguard offers a Friday study hall from 1:30-3:30 PM for students who want additional support. In addition to study halls, teachers are available to support students every day. Monday through Thursday, teachers are available during Activity Period (2:30-3:00 PM) and after school (3:00-4:00 PM). Teachers are also available on Friday afternoons (1:15-4:00 PM).
- What college preparation do students receive?
Starting freshman year, students participate in programming to help them start thinking about college and their future interests. The Vanguard School uses a college counseling software program, "Naviance," to keep track of our students as they progress through our high school and continue on to college. Through the Family Connection Center of Naviance, students are able to search for and compare colleges that meet their requirements, track scholarships, and take the necessary steps to meet the milestones set by The Vanguard School such as creating a resume and requesting transcripts and recommendations. Parents have access to this information as well and can see the steps their students have taken to prepare for college. Vanguard’s College Counseling department hosts a College Perspective series where families are invited to learn more about various aspects of college, including financial aid, scholarships, and athletics. Students are able to enroll in over 10 courses to earn college credit. Additionally, students have the opportunity to attend local college fairs and to visit college representatives throughout the school year. Learn more about Vanguard’s College Counseling program by clicking here.
- What are advocacy groups?
Each student in the high school has a faculty advisor who monitors progress and establishes a supportive relationship. Each advocacy group is made up of approximately 12 students from grades 9-12. Regular meetings as advocacy groups help students stay on target academically, physically, and socially by setting focused goals.
Athletics (Grades 9-12)
- What competitive sports are offered at The Vanguard School?
Our offerings include soccer, basketball, volleyball, cross-country, tennis, and track. Visit the Athletics page for more information. The High School sports programs continue to excel in the Black Forest League now and at the State level. Vanguard’s basketball, cross country, tennis and track teams have all gone on to compete at the State level.
- What if my child wants to play a sport that isn’t offered at The Vanguard School?
There are some sports that Vanguard does not offer such as football, lacrosse, swimming, hockey, golf, wrestling, softball and baseball. There have been many student athletes at Vanguard who have played those sports at other local high schools. CHSAA allows students to attend one school and play a sport at another school if their attending school does not offer that sport. Vanguard also allows those athletes to be released from school every day at 2:30 PM to attend their games and practices. Clubs and Leadership (Grades 9-12)
- What is Activity Period?
Activity Period is the last period of the day, from 2:30-3:00 PM Monday through Thursday. Students may use Activity Period as a study hall or to attend various clubs. Students who play a sport at their home district are able to leave at 2:30 PM to ensure that they make practices and games.
- What leadership development opportunities does The Vanguard School offer?
The Vanguard School has a variety of student leadership opportunities, including National Honor Society, Student Council, Class Officers, and Student Ambassadors. Additionally, students develop public speaking skills by performing recitations at Friday assemblies, speaking at events such as High School Information Nights, and by participating in the various service projects offered.
CMCA
When we moved to Colorado Springs we intentionally moved to a particular district for the "fantastic" public schools. I wasn't impressed, put our children at CMCA and it has blown us out of the water. This is the best school we have ever attended and I am so thrilled that my children are getting such a marvelous education. The children are continuously challenged, and love going to school everyday. The principal and staff are amazing, and they lead by example. Also, every week they have a different character trait they explore....AMAZING SCHOOL!
- From a parent
It's worth the drive! We live 12 miles (one way) away and after many many hours of research and a few tours, we chose CMCA as the school for our family. Our oldest is in Kindergarten this year and we are very impressed by what he is learning and how fast he is learning it. His teachers are very responsive and open to parental involvement. The campus is always open to parents to come and observe their child(ren). I never feel like an outsider in my child's education, but instead as an active partner in teaching him. There is excellent communication between teachers, staff and parents. Teachers and other staff are always available via email. You can access your child's grades & attendance records online. The school and each grade level sends out a weekly newsletter letting you know what your children are going to be learning the next week and any other things of importance. All that said though, this school isn't for everyone, so do your homework first. I think a majority of the disappointed parents had different expectations or ideas of what CMCA is. This is a school of choice, just make sure it's the right choice for you.
- From a parent
The Vanguard School
The Vanguard School is the best thing that could have happened to me. It has furthered my education beyond all of my expectations. I came from a traditional public school to the rigorous, classical curriculum at Vanguard. I was really behind, but my teachers were so helpful in getting me caught up. Vanguard prepares you amazingly in all aspects of life, and I am truly thankful I had the opportunity to attend here. If your child has the drive to learn and the desire to become competitive in every aspect of life, it would be a mistake not to send them here. It was the best decision my family and I could have ever made.
- From a former student
Why do I love The Vanguard School? 1. The teachers and their commitment to the kids. 2. The kids and their commitment to themselves and their school. 3. The administration who is devoted to working for our kids and squeezing every cent out of every dollar. Please come in for a visit, sit down, watch our teachers in action—you will not be disappointed! Our family has been part of the Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy/The Vanguard School family for the past 11 years, and I cannot imagine being with a better group of people!
- From a parent
Vanguard is an excellent school! Despite the challenging schoolwork and lessons, my daughter is having the time of her life. The students and teachers are very friendly and the teachers are always ready to help any student. My daughter thinks she's learned more this semester than throughout her whole average junior high career at her previous school. If you're looking for an academically rigorous education for your child, you should definitely look into Vanguard.
- From a parent
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