Founded
Mountain Shadows opened in January 1976 as an Elementary program in the basement of St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Boulder.
Location
Boulder, Colorado (Gunbarrel area of Boulder County)
Four miles east of downtown Boulder; 10 miles southwest of downtown Louisville; 11 miles west of downtown Erie.
Campus
- A picturesque 7-acre farmhouse campus
- 40,000 square feet of academic classroom space
- 4,000-square foot multipurpose room with full stage and sound booth
- Three playgrounds
- Outdoor basketball court
Head of School
Harry Donahue
Programs
All programs are 5 days (half days available through age 4):
- Young Child’s Community/Toddler (12 months – 3 years)
- Primary (2 ½ – 6 years including Kindergarten)
- Lower Elementary (First – third grades)
- Upper Elementary (Fourth – sixth grades)
Teachers
All lead teachers in our classrooms are AMI trained. With three additional courses in administration, teachers are eligible for their master’s degree in education. Through this training, our teachers are bona-fide experts in child development. They respect your child’s individuality, they are patient, and they create inspiring classroom environments.
Hours of Instruction
8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with optional an After 3pm Program available.
Admissions
Year-round rolling admissions.
Tuition
Community Service
Age-appropriate service projects are introduced in Primary and off-campus public service begins in Elementary.
Experiential Education
Begins in Primary with local field trips.
First-sixth grade students initiate deepened learning with student-initiated going outs.
Lower Elementary students participate in a 2-night local overnight trip.
Upper Elementary students rotate week-long overnight experiences that have included trips to Oregon, Wyoming, and California.
Environmental Stewardship
Mountain Shadows dedicates itself to being a leader in environmental responsibility and is a an Eco Cycle Gold-Star School, recognized as cutting edge of resource conservation, waste reduction, and composting in addition to traditional recycling. The School maintains Zero Waste status in its classrooms, restrooms, and offices during annual audits.
Mountain Shadows’ goal is to demonstrate practices that are compatible with today’s lifestyles and important for students to understand as a viable lifestyle choice.
Governance
An independent, volunteer Board of Directors governs Mountain Shadows. As a non-profit supported through tuition and charitable giving, the Board’s responsibility is to hold the school’s mission in trust for future generations.
The Head of School is the only employee of the Board.