Frequently Asked Questions
About CSCA
What makes CSCA different from other schools?
Colorado Springs Charter Academy is committed to cultivating the potential of each student by ensuring they are known, challenged, and supported. Through our focus on Building BEST — Belonging, Excellence, Scholarship, and Tradition — CSCA provides a strong academic foundation, a close-knit school community, meaningful character development, and a purposeful learning experience that helps students grow in confidence, knowledge, and character.
What grades does CSCA serve?
CSCA serves students in kindergarten through 8th grade, providing families with a consistent school community from the elementary years through middle school.
How much does it cost to attend CSCA?
Colorado Springs Charter Academy is a tuition-free public charter school. There is no cost to attend, though families may be responsible for standard school-related expenses such as the Supply fee, additional school supplies, field trips, or optional activities.
Does CSCA have uniforms?
Yes. Uniforms help promote school pride, reduce distractions, and support a focused learning environment. Students are required to wear a polo shirt in either red, blue, or forest green with either navy or khaki bottoms.
Academics
Does CSCA use a traditional approach to education?
Yes. CSCA values strong academic foundations, direct instruction, respectful classroom routines, cursive handwriting, uniforms, responsibility, and character development. CSCA uses technology intentionally and in moderation so students can focus on strong academics, thoughtful discussion, handwriting, reading, problem-solving, and meaningful connection with teachers and peers.
What is the Core Knowledge curriculum?
The Core Knowledge curriculum is designed to help students build knowledge year after year in a thoughtful, connected way. Rather than teaching subjects as isolated topics, Core Knowledge helps students make connections across reading, writing, history, science, geography, art, and music. For example, students may read literature connected to a historical time, study the geography of a region, explore scientific ideas related to that content, and build vocabulary that supports deeper understanding. As students move through each grade level, they revisit and expand on important concepts, allowing their knowledge to grow over time. This content-rich approach helps students become stronger readers, better writers, deeper thinkers, and more confident learners.
Are CSCA students taught cursive?
Yes. CSCA values cursive handwriting as part of our traditional approach to education. Students begin learning cursive in Kindergarten to help build fine motor skills, improve handwriting fluency, support attention to detail, and connect students to classic texts, historical documents, and written communication.
What does a typical school day look like?
Students participate in core academic blocks such as reading, writing, math, science, and social studies, along with recess, lunch, specials, intervention or enrichment time, and character-building opportunities.
How does CSCA support students who need extra help?
Students receive support through classroom instruction, small-group intervention, progress monitoring, and Lynx Time, which provides opportunities for additional support, practice, or enrichment.
How does CSCA challenge advanced learners?
CSCA works to meet students at their academic level. Students may receive enrichment, advanced work, flexible grouping, or opportunities to move into a higher-level class for a specific subject when appropriate.
What Specials or enrichment classes are offered?
Students participate in specials that include areas such as art, music, physical education, Spanish, and library.
How does CSCA teach character?
Character development is woven into the school day through Core Virtues, classroom expectations, school traditions, assemblies, service opportunities, and daily interactions with teachers and peers.
Activities
How are families involved at CSCA?
Families are an important part of the CSCA community. Parents can participate through school events, classroom support, PTO, SAC, family nights, volunteer opportunities, and regular communication with teachers and staff. CSCA does expect families to volunteer at least 40 hours a school year (20 for a single-parent household) within the school community.
Are there After-School activities for my student to participate in?
Yes! CSCA has many opportunities for students to participate in clubs and sports. Activities for students include Soccer Buddies, Flag Football, Band, Art Club, Cooking Club, and more! Middle school students can also participate in competitive sports with Volleyball, Basketball, Cross Country, and Track. We are always adding more activities so check our Activity Catalog for current information.