FAQs

How do you achieve socio-economic diversity at St Elizabeth’s?
St. Elizabeth’s School is committed to enrolling a truly inclusive and diverse school community. Essential to this policy is our Family Commitment Plan, which is based upon a sliding scale tuition system that eliminates the categories of “scholarship” or “financial aid.” It is designed to determine each student’s tuition according to the principle that a family’s financial commitment should be equitable to its financial resources. Families annually submit a confidential financial worksheet to the Director of Finance and fees are determined, up to a maximum amount, according to that family’s financial ability. A sliding scale system allows SES to enroll families from a broad economic spectrum representative of the neighborhoods and Denver communities we serve. Return to Top
What is the student-to-teacher ratio?
St. Elizabeth’s is committed to maintaining a low student-to-teacher ratio. To achieve this, we cap our classroom size at 20 students. With a lead teacher and a co-teacher in each classroom in grades K-5, the student-to-teacher ratio is never higher than 10:1 and in most of our classes, it is 7:1. Return to Top
What support is available for a child who is struggling in the classroom?

Homeroom teachers continuously evaluate their students. Learning support is available to students by grade level who are identified as needing help beyond what they would receive in the classroom.  There are two separate rooms, one for lower school and one for middle school, that provide support 4 days a week. St. Elizabeth’s School also employs school counselors for both lower and middle school students.  These counselors are available to support students two days a week free of charge.

We have also partnered with CCPLD, Developmental FX, and other private learning specialists to provide OT, speech therapy, and specialized reading support for students during the school day.

While we provide these services for our students, we are not a school that specializes in individual learning support. We are capable of providing accommodations in the classroom, but we cannot provide modified or individualized curriculum for students.

 
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How do you support the gifted student?
The learning experience is truly individualized for each student. We are able to do this because our classrooms are so small, and each teacher has a fully qualified assistant in the classroom during academic periods. Each class is comprised of children with a range of abilities in given academic subjects, and the students are supported at their individual level. With such a rich academic environment, gifted students are able to engage in more challenging work without leaving their homeroom class. Return to Top
What are school’s discipline procedures?
Behavior and social virtues are addressed as unified school values from day one of the school year. Faculty and staff model appropriate and respectful behavior, and they are able to assist students in learning the skills of de-escalation and self-advocacy.  There is a policy in place to address behavior issues progressing from the teacher to the parent to the principal and to the head-of-school. Return to Top
What is an Episcopal school and what if we aren’t Episcopalian?

The first Episcopal School, Trinity School, was founded in New York City in 1709, and St. Elizabeth’s School draws on this 210-year history in order to fulfil our mission.  The Episcopal School tradition, based on the Episcopal tradition of commitment to social justice and equity of opportunity, was the perfect birthplace for an intentionally inclusive school like St. Elizabeth’s. Episcopal schools are also known for their excellence in academics and for incorporating a broad and well-rounded, Liberal Arts approach to education.

One aspect that differentiates most Episcopal Schools from other faith-based or parochial schools is that they are independent of any particular church or parish. We are governed by a Board of Directors who are responsible for hiring and supporting our Head of School. The Head of School, along with school administration and faculty, have the autonomy to make daily operational decisions for the school.

 
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What types of parent involvement are required?
Parent involvement is not required at St. Elizabeth’s School. However, the parent community at the school is very strong and highly involved. Because of St Elizabeth’s ever-increasing size, there are constant opportunities to help cultivate new programs or enrich existing ones. There are many ways for parents to share their gifts and talents with the students, teachers, and Parent Association projects. Return to Top
What programs does the Parent Association support?

First and foremost, the Parent Association supports the wonderfully diverse school community at St Elizabeth’s. This sense of community, and working together for the betterment of our school, is the underlying mission of all Parent Association fund-raising projects and social events.

As the school continues to grow, its financial needs are constantly changing. The PA, working in conjunction with the Head-of-School, annually re-assesses the rising needs of this dynamic environment. In the last several years, the PA has raised all of the funds necessary to implement an exciting new science curriculum for all grade levels, a computerized library cataloging system, additional support for in-school, overnight, and extracurricular activities, etc... Return to Top
What happens if my financial situation changes after my child is enrolled?
The Family Commitment Plan, designed to calculate a family’s just and fair tuition, may be re-evaluated at any time. Return to Top
Does the school provide hot lunch?
Hot lunch is provided by a catering company every day of the week, for a small fee on a sliding scale. We will work with families who qualify for free or reduced lunch and breakfast to honor that for their child(ren). Families have the option of signing up for every day, or on an a-la-carte basis. Children who do not sign up for hot lunch bring lunches from home. We are a nut-free based school Return to Top
Do you have before or after-care programs?

The Extended Day Program is available until 6pm, for a reasonable fee on a sliding scale. It is available full-time, or on a drop-in basis. Children are given healthy snacks, engage in outdoor/indoor play, and have homework/reading time. After-school enrichments are also offered each semester, such as Cooking and Crafts, Choir, Soccer, Dance, STEM Club, Chess Club, Newspaper, Yearbook, Student Council, etc…

We partner with families on before-care options.  Return to Top
Are students required to wear uniforms to school?

Students in grades K-5 have a uniform.  It consists of khaki or navy pants, shorts, or skorts, and solid colored knit polo shirts.  Approved colors for shirts are red, dark or light blue, and white. Uniforms can be purchased anywhere, and we do not require students to have a St. Elizabeth’s School emblem on their shirts.  Students are also given a St. Elizabeth’s School t-shirt each year that can be worn in lieu of the knit polo shirt.

Middle School students do not have a uniform, but they do have a dress code.  Crew or collared shirts must not have graphics, unless they are high school or college related.  Pants need to be in good condition with no holes or intentionally stressed fabric. If leggings are worn, shirts must be thigh-length.  

 
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What are school hours?

Drop-off begins at 8am, and the school day begins at 8:15am. Afternoon pick-up begins at 3:15pm.  At 3:30pm, any students who have not been picked up are taken to the Extended Day program.

 
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Do you provide bus transportation?

We do have a 15-passenger van and a school bus that are used for off campus activities, but we do not provide bus transportation to and from school. We are proactive about partnering families for carpool opportunities, and we do have families who drive from all over the Denver Metro area.

 
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Are there additional annual fees?

St. Elizabeth’s School works very hard to make sure every student is able to fully participate in all school programming.  There are almost no additional fees above and beyond tuition. Any fees associated with field trips, overnight trips, in-school and after-school activities are offered with a suggested donation range.  Those who are unable to pay have access to funding.

 
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What are the payment options for tuition?

Annual tuition payments begin in July of every year.  There is a non-refundable enrollment deposit that is submitted when the contract is signed, and the deposit is directly applied to the tuition total.  The remaining balance can be paid all at once, or in three or ten equal payments. We have an electronic billing system. Payments can be made online or direct deposited on a monthly basis.  Cash and checks are also accepted.

 
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Does your calendar match the DPS calendar?

The St. Elizabeth’s School calendar does not match DPS exactly.  Our major holidays are carefully scheduled to align with the majority of Denver area schools, but they may not be an exact match.  In-service and conference days are not scheduled in alignment with DPS, as they are based on our own internal grading schedule.

 
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What does it mean to be accredited by ACIS?

The Association of Colorado Independent Schools accredits, supports, and promotes independent schools in Colorado in a way that respects each school's mission and fosters excellence in teaching and learning. Member schools in ACIS make a commitment to continual school improvement when they join the association. A ten-year evaluation cycle holds them accountable for complying with the association’s high accreditation standards. The evaluation cycle begins with a rigorous self-study process in which the school community conducts an honest and comprehensive analysis of its strengths and challenges in every area of the school.

 
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Where can I find the SES Inclusive Language Guide?
We are happy to provide anyone access to the SES Inclusive Language Guide by clicking here.  Return to Top