Frequently Asked Questions
About The Peak School
What is The Peak School?
The Peak School is an independent, college-preparatory day school for students in grades 6–12 located in Frisco, Colorado. Peak provides a personalized, experiential education designed to help students develop academic mastery, confidence, independence, and a strong sense of purpose.
What grades does The Peak School serve?
The Peak School serves students in grades 6 through 12.
Is The Peak School a boarding school?
No. Peak is a day school; students attend school during the day and live with their families or guardians.
Where is The Peak School located?
The Peak School is located in Frisco, Colorado, in the heart of Summit County. Its location in the Colorado mountains provides students with unique opportunities for outdoor education and mountain sports.
What is the student-to-teacher ratio at Peak?
The Peak School has approximately a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio, allowing for highly personalized instruction and meaningful relationships between students and teachers.
What makes The Peak School different from a traditional school?
Peak combines rigorous college-preparatory academics with experiential and outdoor education, a mastery-based learning model, small classes, and close relationships between students and teachers. Students have opportunities to apply what they learn through real-world experiences rather than learning exclusively in a traditional classroom setting.
Who is a good fit for The Peak School?
Peak is designed for students who are curious, engaged, and ready to take an active role in their education. Students who thrive in small communities, value strong relationships with teachers, enjoy learning by doing, and are excited by experiential and outdoor opportunities may find Peak to be a particularly good fit.
Academics & Learning
What is mastery-based learning at The Peak School?
Mastery-based learning focuses on what students know and can do rather than simply how much material they have completed. Students work toward clearly defined learning goals and have opportunities to demonstrate their understanding and continue developing their skills.
What is experiential learning?
Experiential learning is learning through direct experience. At Peak, students apply academic concepts in real-world settings through projects, outdoor experiences, field studies, community engagement, and other hands-on opportunities.
How does The Peak School personalize education?
Peak's small community and mastery-based approach allow teachers to understand each student's strengths, challenges, interests, and goals. Learning can be adapted to meet students where they are while encouraging them to take increasing ownership of their education.
Is The Peak School academically rigorous?
Yes. Peak is a college-preparatory school with a rigorous academic program. Students are challenged to develop strong academic skills while also learning how to think critically, solve problems, collaborate, communicate, and apply their knowledge.
How does Peak prepare students for college?
Peak prepares students for college through rigorous academics, individualized support, increasing independence, and opportunities to develop the skills needed to succeed beyond high school. Students also receive guidance throughout the college exploration and application process.
Outdoor & Experiential Education
What is outdoor education at The Peak School?
Outdoor education is an integral part of the Peak experience. Students use the Colorado mountains as an extension of the classroom, developing skills such as leadership, collaboration, problem-solving, resilience, and environmental awareness through outdoor experiences.
What kinds of outdoor activities do Peak students participate in?
Depending on the program and season, Peak students may participate in activities such as hiking, camping, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, canoeing, fly fishing, and other outdoor pursuits.
Do students need to be experienced outdoor athletes to attend Peak?
No. Peak's outdoor experiences are designed to support students with a range of interests, abilities, and experience levels. The focus is not simply on athletic performance; students also develop confidence, teamwork, leadership, resilience, and other skills through shared experiences.
Admissions
How do I apply to The Peak School?
Families interested in Peak begin the admissions process by connecting with the school and completing the application process. The process is designed to help both the family and Peak determine whether the school is a good fit for the student.
Can prospective students visit The Peak School?
Yes. Visiting the school is an important part of getting to know the Peak community. Prospective students may have opportunities to visit campus, do a Shadow Day, meet students and teachers, and experience the school firsthand.
When should my family apply to The Peak School?
Families are encouraged to begin the admissions process early. Admissions timelines and available spaces can vary by grade and school year, so families should contact Peak for the most current information.
Does The Peak School accept students throughout the school year?
Yes, we have rolling admissions.
Does The Peak School offer financial aid?
Yes. Peak provides tuition assistance to families who qualify based on demonstrated financial need.