Academics

Academic and Life Skills Program

We value individualized instruction, project-based learning, initiative, mastery and practical life skills.  We also include a spiritual formation component that seeks genuine heart change and believe this type of change best takes place in highly relational community rooted in love.  Indeed, we aim to be this type of school as we work diligently to create a family atmosphere that regularly invites its students to deeper levels of relational connecting, emotional healing, and critical thinking.

Pikes Peak Academy’s (PPA) comprehensive curriculum is tailored to meet the different needs of each of our students. Our 2-part program is composed of an academic portion that takes place at the school and a life-skills portion that takes place at both the school and within the community.  When students have successfully met all of the requirements in the two areas detailed below, they will earn their high school diploma.  Pikes Peak Academy is accredited by the National Association of Private Schools.

Academic Course Requirements

In the academic portion of our program, students will participate in individualized, teacher-guided in-person instruction as they seek to complete a minimum of 8 semesters of English and 6 semesters each of math, science and social studies courses fulfilling Colorado Department of Education standards.

Life Skills Activities & Portfolio

Life skills activities are the part of our program that help students learn what it means to be relational, compassionate, responsible members in their communities.  We begin by directing students toward life’s three big questions:  “Who Am I?”, “Am I Going to be Okay?,” and “What Should I be Doing in Life?.”  Each life skills activity is then designed to help give students insight and needed experience so they can confidently answer these questions for themselves as they begin to prepare for the world of work and additional training that quickly follows graduation.

Life skills activities are held at different times throughout the week and are counted as electives on the student’s transcript.  These activities are tracked on the Life Skills Portfolio and include such things as meeting weekly with a mentor, team-building projects, personal worldview group discussions, culinary arts, learning vocational and independent living skills, volunteer service-learning projects, part-time employment, and college/career exploration.