$10 million awarded to 7 Public Colorado Charter Schools through Great Schools Colorado

By: Peter Mason, 
VP Communications
Colorado League of Charter Schools
[email protected]   |   303-989-5356
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Seven Colorado Public Charter Schools Receive More Than $10 Million in Federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) Grants Through Great Schools Colorado

Colorado League of Charter Schools administers Charter Schools Program funding to support new schools, school expansion, and replication across Colorado

DENVER, Colo. — July 1, 2026 — Seven Colorado public charter schools have been awarded more than $10 million in federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) grants through Great Schools Colorado, a grant administered by the Colorado League of Charter Schools. The awards will support the opening of new public charter schools, expansion of existing schools, and replication of proven educational models serving students across Colorado beginning in the 2027 school year.

The 2027 Fiscal Year Cycle 2 awards will help schools prepare to serve students by investing in curriculum, instructional resources, classroom technology, educator training, and other critical startup and expansion costs.

The seven schools receiving Great Schools Colorado awards (Cycle 2) are:

• AXIS International Academy (Fort Collins) – $1,583,520 to support the expansion of its dual-language immersion model serving students in grades PK–5.
• BridgePoint (Grand Junction) – $1,196,172 to establish a new public charter high school focused on Career and Technical Education for students in grades 9–12.
• Free Horizon Montessori (Golden) – $667,845 to support its transition to a charter school, providing a Montessori education for students in grades PK–8.
• Heritage Heights Academy – Washington (Centennial) – $2,000,000 to replicate its successful Classical Core Knowledge model for students in grades K–8.
• Honor Charter School, a Marzano Academy (Peyton) – $1,999,993 to launch a new school centered on the Marzano Academy instructional framework for students in grades K–8.
• MESA K–8 School (Lakewood) – $1,814,200 to establish a new Expeditionary Learning school serving elementary and middle school students.
• Vivo 719 (Colorado Springs) – $918,426 to launch a new recovery-focused public charter high school designed to serve students in grades 9–12 through an individualized, substance-free learning environment.
• Cycle One awardees can be viewed here.

Together, these awards represent an investment in innovative public education and in the thousands of Colorado students and families who continue to seek high-quality educational options that best meet their needs.

"Every one of these schools represents a commitment to expanding opportunity for Colorado students," said Peter Mason, VP Communications, Colorado League of Charter Schools. "Whether they are opening a brand-new school, expanding a proven educational model, or replicating a successful program in a new community, these leaders have demonstrated a clear vision for serving students with excellence. We are honored to support their work through Great Schools Colorado."

The Charter Schools Program is a competitive federal initiative that encourages the development and expansion of high-quality public charter schools. Through Great Schools Colorado, the Colorado League of Charter Schools provides both financial resources and technical assistance to school leaders as they navigate the complex process of opening or expanding public charter schools.

The seven award recipients reflect the diversity of Colorado's charter school landscape. Their educational models include dual-language immersion, Montessori education, Classical Core Knowledge, Career and Technical Education, Expeditionary Learning, evidence-based Marzano instruction, and a recovery-focused high school designed to support students overcoming substance use challenges.

Several of the funded schools are currently completing planning and authorization processes and are expected to open during the 2027 school year. Others will use the funding to expand existing high-quality programs to serve additional students and communities. Each school successfully completed a rigorous application and review process evaluating academic quality, operational readiness, governance, financial sustainability, and community impact.

"Launching or growing a public charter school requires significant planning, leadership, and community partnership," said Dan Schaller, President of the League. "These federal grants provide the essential startup resources that allow school leaders to focus on creating outstanding learning environments from day one. Ultimately, this investment strengthens Colorado's public education system by increasing access to excellent schools."

Grant Award Summary

• Total federal investment: $10,180,156
• Number of schools awarded: 7
• Funding source: U.S. Department of Education Charter Schools Program (CSP)
• Grant administrator: Colorado League of Charter Schools
• Program: Great Schools Colorado
• States served: Colorado
• School types funded:
  • New schools
  • School expansion
  • School replication

About Great Schools Colorado

Great Schools Colorado is a federally funded Charter Schools Program (CSP) grant administered by the Colorado League of Charter Schools. The program provides competitive grants, technical assistance, and implementation support to eligible Colorado public charter schools seeking to open, replicate, or expand high-quality educational opportunities for students. Federal Grant Award #S282A240003. More at www.greatschoolscolorado.org.

About the Colorado League of Charter Schools

The Colorado League of Charter Schools is the statewide membership organization supporting Colorado's public charter schools through advocacy, leadership development, school support services, research, and strategic partnerships. The League is dedicated to advancing high-quality public school choice and helping charter schools thrive in communities across Colorado. More at www.coloradoleague.org.

Media Contact

Peter Mason, VP Communications
Colorado League of Charter Schools
[email protected]
303-989-5356 ext. 120