Following are questions often asked by families considering Front Range Christian School for their children. For additional information, or if you have questions not answered on this list, please contact our Admissions Office or call 303-531-4541.
General Information
All preschool-12th grade students are located on our campus, just southeast of the intersection of Coal Mine Avenue and Pierce Street in Littleton, Colorado. The master address for the campus is 6657 W Ottawa Ave (for suite numbers and other addresses, please see the contact page). As the owner of the entire complex, Front Range Christian has renovated the former Cooper 7 movie theater complex and has built a relationship with several secular and Christian-owned businesses located onsite which lease business space from the school. These businesses enhance our community by providing useful services to our students and school families.
Preschool through 12th grade. Our Early Childhood Learning Center hosts students preschool through kindergarten. The Elementary serves students grades 1-6. Junior High consists of students grades 7-8, and our Senior High is 9th-12th grade.
All full-time students meet Monday through Friday. For days off, half days, holidays, etc. please view the academic calendar.
No. Front Range Christian School is an independent, non-demoninational Christian school. Our school families represent over 75 churches within the surrounding communities.
No, we do not require uniforms. Our dress-code is based on Christian standards of modesty and neatness. A detailed description is available in the Family Handbook.
Front Range Christian School is governed by an elected Board of Directors comprised of parents of students enrolled in the school. The administrative staff includes the President and Head of School (David Cooper), Jr/Sr High Principal (Eli Spector), Elementary Principal (Jill Hart), Director of Early Childhood Education (Ron Downs), Director of Generosity (Dave Sherman), Director of Operations (Rod Ross), Director of Discipleship (Brian Gehr), Director of Student Guidance (Sierra Downs), Director of Student Experiences (Jeremy Wall), and Athletic Director (Eric Osberg).
Because of the strong secular emphasis given to certain holidays, the following guidelines will be followed in respect to celebration:
- Halloween – Because of the controversial nature of Halloween, we choose NOT to observe this holiday. Instead, we focus on the harvest theme of the season. Also, recognition of the Reformation (occurring on October 31, 1517) is an option for teachers.
- Thanksgiving – Before Thanksgiving, we observe a time of prayer and thanks to God for the many blessings He provides. The historic Christian roots of this holiday are emphasized.
- Christmas – We want students to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and, therefore, we emphasize and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, God’s precious gift to us. There is no promotion of Santa Claus at the school.
- Valentines Day – We focus on friendship and God’s love.
- Easter – We emphasize the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There is no promotion of the “Easter Bunny” at the school. Because we view this as the most important holiday for Christians, All FRCS students and staff have an Easter Break each year, which includes Good Friday and the Monday after Easter.
- Birthday Parties – Students who have birthdays during the school year may bring treats for the entire class if desired. Birthday treats may be distributed at a convenient time as determined by the classroom teacher. A day near the end of the school year may be designated to celebrate summer birthdays. If you are inviting students from school to a birthday party and want to give out invitations, please mail them or hand them out personally instead of using the teachers or the classroom for this purpose. Birthdays parties shall not be held at the school.
Education & Classrooms
Enrollment is over 500 students, preschool through 12th grades.
Our average class size is 15 students at the Elementary and 17 students at the Junior and Senior High Schools. This allows for individualized attention so that every child achieves their ultimate potential.
All students enrolled for kindergarten at Front Range Christian must turn five prior to September 1 of the upcoming school year. We conduct screenings to determine the readiness of all kinder applicants.
Elementary: Please review the course offerings and curriculum for elementary students here.
Jr/Sr High: Please review the course offerings for both junior high and senior high. You may also be interested in our graduation requirements.
Yes. Front Range Christian School is fully accredited in grades preschool-12, through ACSI (Association of Christian Schools, International) and AdvancED (now known as Cognia).
Our position on elementary level standardized testing
In general, we believe that there is way too much emphasis on standardized testing in the public school arena. Parents have valid complaints in regard to there being too many mandatory tests throughout the school year and concerns regarding the loss of inordinate amounts of classroom instruction time as a result of those tests. As a private school, FRCS does not receive any federal or state funding and, therefore, is not mandated by law to administer the same standardized tests as one finds in public schools. In the interest of maximizing classroom learning at FRCS, we do not participate in TCAP, CSAP, etc.
At the same time, we do believe in monitoring the progress of our students to ensure that every student is meeting or exceeding appropriate grade-level benchmarks, especially in the area of reading, which is fundamental to all learning. We individually assess our K-6 students’ reading levels three times per year using DIBELS reading assessments, which take about 15 mins each, and this helps us identify students who may face learning challenges that require intervention, as well as children who are gifted beyond their grade level and need extra challenges in order to stretch and grow further. In addition, we use the Iowa Assessments tool (grades 3-6) once per year to measure children’s general progress across multiple subject areas. Students continue to take this test in junior and senior high at Front Range Christian School.
What about junior and senior high students?
Our junior high and senior high students participate in standardized testing as a part of their preparation for college entrance tests (ACT and SAT). Our students consistently score around 15% above the average state and national scores.
Spanish is offered at the junior and senior high levels. At the high school level, FRCS requires three years of foreign language in order to graduate.
Elementary
An average of 10 minutes per grade level per year is a guideline. So, an average first grader would spend about 10 minutes on homework a night; a sixth grader would average about an hour. Of course, each class has a wide range of personalities and abilities. What might take one child 10 minutes could take another one 30 minutes or even longer. Our philosophy is to avoid assigning busywork and to focus on assigning only relevant homework.
Junior High
An average of 15 minutes per subject per evening (or a weekly total of 60 minutes per subject, with the exception of Saxon Math). For an elective course, the expected homework load is 30 minutes per week. If homework is assigned in every class in a given day, you could expect that your junior high student will spend approximately 90 minutes per evening completing the work.
Senior High
20 minutes per evening, weekly total = 80 minutes per subject. For most elective courses, (exceptions for Speech or Honors Spanish), the expected homework load is 40 minutes per week. If homework is assigned in every class in a given day, you could expect that your senior high student will spend approximately 2 hours per evening completing the work.
Possibly. Front Range Christian views special needs as including students on both ends of the learning spectrum: those who are extraordinarily gifted and those who have learning disabilities.
Gifted Students
The Explore Program is Front Range Christian School’s tool for addressing the unique needs of highly capable elementary-aged learners. Specific services offered vary according to grade level and employ a variety of tools including pull-out classes, differentiated work, cluster classes, leveled classes, apprenticeships, and servant leader opportunities. Students are identified for the Explore Program through the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test scores (above the 90th percentile), teacher recommendation, and parent recommendation.
For gifted students in the junior/senior high, we offer a variety of honors, AP, and CCP courses. For a complete list of courses, please refer to the junior high course catalog and the senior high course catalog.
Students with Learning Challenges
There are currently two different levels of services:
- Learning Accommodations can be provided to students in the classroom to support those students with documented learning needs.
- RISE (resource-based, individualized special education) – RISE services junior and senior high students in a setting which offers a modified and differentiated curriculum, as well as opportunities for students to attend regular classroom settings for electives. One of the features of our program is our pre-vocational and vocational program. Learn more about the program here
Desktop computers and iPads are available in the elementary school. Use of this equipment is assigned by teachers for specific lessons and projects. Junior and senior high students are required to have iPads for classwork and homework (iPads are provided for grades 7-8; students grades 9-12 must have their own iPad). A computer lab is available for specific class use and may also be available for specific projects if something more than an iPad is needed.
As a discipleship-based Christian school, biblical principals are integrated into all subject areas. We offer a detailed Bible curriculum for students PreK-12 and appropriate time is devoted each day to Bible instruction. Our teachers encourage students to have their own personal devotions and to attend church regularly. In addition, students attend chapel once a week. Spiritually, FRCS provides an atmosphere in which students begin to “own” their faith and transition from a faith inherited from their parents. If you’d like to know more, be sure to ask our Admissions Office about our junior/senior high discipleship groups or read about our Discipleship Programs.
Admissions & Financial Aid
Current rates are available on the tuition and fees page.
Yes, tuition scholarships are designed to meet a short-term financial need for qualified families who desire to have a Christian education for their child(ren). Tuition scholarship applications are only accepted and processed after the prospective family enrolls their child(ren) at FRCS. Tuition assistance funds are limited, so the sooner you enroll your child(ren), the better the chances for qualified families to receive assistance.
We also a SCRIP program to help reduce tuition costs using things you buy already.
For more information about all tuition assistance options, please see the financial aid page.
No, however, a parent may apply for a job, when available, and, if hired, use the paycheck to pay school bills just as with any other job.
Please complete this form to schedule a tour of our school. Front Range Christian also offers open house events in which families considering FRCS can experience the school in the evening.
Community & Parents
Yes. We offer an after school program for students up to grade 6.
Front Range Christian offers a family atmosphere that is both welcoming and supportive. We are an active community of believers who possess a common vision for preschool-12 education.
For opportunities to get involved or a better picture of community life at FRCS, please see the Campus Life section of our website.
Yes. The Parent Partnership Program (P3) is a vital component to the operation of our school. Realizing that our tuition rates do not fully cover the cost to educate children at FRCS, our school relies on charitable contributions and gifts-in-kind from parent partners and generous givers to remain financially healthy. All Front Range Christian families are also asked to consider one (or both) of the following: Charitably contributing $600 or serving 60 hours per family during the fiscal year (80 hours per family if receiving tuition assistance). Charitable gifts to FRCS (monetary donations are receipted and may be tax-deductible; FRCS is a 501(c)3). Many P3 hours goals can be fulfilled together as a family and as a community. For a current list of opportunities in which to serve, please see the P3 page.
You may schedule a family tour using this form. Front Range Christian also offers special events in which families considering FRCS can experience the school in the evening.
No. Since the school does not provide transportation for students, many of our families opt to carpool. FRCS provides a list of families (separated by zip code) in the FACTS Family Portal (the school’s interactive software system) to help accommodate carpooling. Parents are given access to FACTS Family Portal once their student is enrolled at FRCS.
Extracurricular Activities
Yes. We offer an after school program for students up to grade 6.
Yes! Front Range Christian offers numerous opportunities for students through our excellent fine arts program. Vocal music, praise and worship band, and art are components of the elementary curriculum. Choir, visual arts, musical theater, digital photography, drama, and video production are offered in grades 7-12. FRCS proudly presents drama and musical programs each year. The spring musical invites students grades 4-12 to participate.
For complete information, be sure to visit the Athletics and Sports section of our website.
Elementary: The FRCS Athletics Department helps facilitate team placement of students into community leagues for basketball, baseball, volleyball and soccer.
Junior High: We have FRCS teams in boys soccer, boys basketball, girls basketball, girls soccer, volleyball, cross country and cheer. We also assist students in placement in baseball and football community leagues.
High School: FRCS is a member of CHSAA (Colorado High School Activities Association) and it competes with public and private schools in 2A. Boys sports include football, golf, basketball, soccer, and baseball. Girls sports include volleyball, cheerleading, basketball, and soccer. Co-ed cross country and track & field are also offered.
Lunches
Yes. Students may purchase a hot lunch from the school or bring their own lunch. Food items are also available for purchase from Holy Grounds Café or from vending machines on campus. You can learn more about the hot lunch program here. Microwaves are also available for student use.
NOTE: Due to COVID-19 restrictions (including a short lunch period and mandatory wellness checks) NO FRCS students are allowed to leave campus for lunch during the 2020/2021 school year; even to have lunch with a parent or other family member.
Only juniors and seniors are allowed to drive off campus at lunch, and they are not allowed to take underclassmen with them. Sophomores may walk off campus on Thursdays. Freshmen must remain on campus during lunch. More information is available in the Family Handbook.