Twenty Schools Awarded Great Schools Colorado CSP Sub-Grants
November 6, 2025 (Denver) – The Colorado League of Charter Schools (the League) announced today that 20 schools have been selected to receive Great Schools Colorado CSP sub-grants in the first round of funding. This competitive federal funding opportunity is designed to help launch, expand, or replicate high-quality public charter schools that meet community demand and advance educational excellence for Colorado students.
Applications were reviewed by an external panel of peer reviewers, and awards were made to those who demonstrated strong readiness and alignment with CSP priorities within the available funding. The following schools were selected as recipients in the first funding cycle:
- AXL Academy: an expansion school awardee in Aurora
- Crown Pointe Academy: an expansion school awardee in Westminster
- East Hills Academy: a new school in Colorado Springs, opening in the fall of 2026
- High Rockies Community School: a new school in Fairplay
- Independence Classical Academy: a new school in Elizabeth, opening in the fall of 2026
- John Adams Academy: a new school in Littleton, opening in the fall of 2026
- Liberty Common School: an expansion school awardee in Fort Collins
- Lotus School of Excellence: an expansion school awardee in Aurora
- Montessori del Mundo: an expansion school awardee in Aurora
- Spruce Community School: a new school in Colorado Springs, opening in the fall of 2026
- St. Vrain Community Montessori School: an expansion school awardee in Longmont
- Steamboat Montessori: an expansion school awardee in Steamboat Springs
- University Prep: an expansion school awardee with locations in Denver and Commerce City, and
- Vivo Colorado: a new school in Aurora and Colorado Springs, opening in the fall of 2026
The final awardee, a new school in Montrose, has appealed to the State Board of Education following an initial authorization denial. The decision has been returned to the school’s authorizer for reconsideration.
In addition, five schools received continuation grants tied to previous awards from the Colorado Department of Education, including: Ascent Classical Academy of Grand Junction, Ascent Classical Academy of Northern Colorado, Challenge to Excellence Charter School (Parker), James Irwin Elementary - Canada Drive (Colorado Springs), and Jefferson Academy - Coal Creek Academy (Golden). These schools bring the total award amount for 2025 to over $24 million.
“We’re so pleased to distribute this money to strong schools where students, teachers, and parents can benefit from it,” said Dan Schaller, President of the Colorado League of Charter Schools. “Charter School Program funds are critical to ensuring that we expand and improve quality public education across Colorado.”
In fall 2024, the U.S. Department of Education selected the League to administer $68M in Charter School Program (CSP) funding over five years. In September of this year, the Department awarded the League an additional $9M, bringing the total CSP funding to $77 million. The Colorado Department of Education also secured $33 million through the State Facilities Incentive Grant (SFIG). Together, these awards represent more than $110M in new federal funding to support Colorado charter schools over five years.
About the Colorado League of Charter Schools
The Colorado League of Charter Schools is a nonprofit, membership-based organization representing the interests of the state’s 262 charter schools and the families of the more than 136,000 students attending them. Our mission is to improve student achievement by supporting Colorado’s charter schools, positively reshaping the public school landscape, and advancing opportunities for innovation and expanded choice. The League strives to ensure that all Colorado students, regardless of background, have access to high-quality public school options.
