Colorado Timberline Academy Photo #9 - Mountain Biking Fall Trip

Colorado Timberline Academy

Colorado Timberline Academy is a non-traditional college preparatory, co-ed, secondary boarding/day school dedicated to changing the lives of students who have experienced difficulties in a previous high school setting.
Our mission is to prepare students academically and socially for the challenges they face upon graduation.
Through our diverse curriculum and outdoor programs we foster freedom with responsibility, creativity, and respect for self, each other and the environment.
Colorado Timberline Academy's primary objective is to provide an environment where a feeling of self-appreciation can be fostered.
When a student realizes that he or she is able to be successful, self-appreciation develops along with a sense of control over one's environment.
Consequently, the strong characteristics of students must be recognized and reinforced so that they realize that they are a success.
Once that initial success is recognized, students may utilize confidence and self-appreciation in dealing with other challenges, both academic and social.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Top Ranked CO School
  • School Type: Alternative School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 30 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $35,000
  • Acceptance rate: 90%
  • Average class size: 6 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Colorado Timberline Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Colorado for:

Category
Attribute
Sports offered

School Overview

School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Dyslexia and other mild language and auditory learning differences.
Year Founded
1975

Student Body

Total Students
30 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
8%
State avg.: 25%
Students by Grade
Colorado Timberline Academy Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
10 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
3:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
90%
Average Class Size
6 students
Number of AP Courses
7 courses
List of Courses Offered
Average SAT score
1290
(Out of 1600)
Average ACT score
23
(Out of 36)
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Note: day student tuition is lower then residentual
Acceptance Rate
90%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Ian Altman

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
3 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Durango Youth Soccer Association

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Indoor Rock Climbing Gym, Purgatory Ski Resort

School Notes

  • Colorado Timberline Academy is a non-traditional college preparatory, co-ed, secondary boarding/day school dedicated to changing the lives of students who have experienced difficulties in a previous high school setting. Our mission is to prepare students academically and socially for the challenges they face upon graduation. Through our diverse curriculum and outdoor programs we foster freedom with responsibility, creativity, and respect for self, each other and the environment. Colorado Timberline Academy's primary objective is to provide an environment where a feeling of self-appreciation can be fostered. When a student realizes that he or she is able to be successful, self-appreciation develops along with a sense of control over one's environment. Consequently, the strong characteristics of students must be recognized and reinforced so that they realize that they are a success. Once that initial success is recognized, students may utilize confidence and self-appreciation in dealing with other challenges, both academic and social.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Colorado Timberline Academy cost?
Colorado Timberline Academy's tuition is approximately $35,000 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Colorado Timberline Academy?
The acceptance rate of Colorado Timberline Academy is 90%, which is lower than the national average of 91%.
What sports does Colorado Timberline Academy offer?
Colorado Timberline Academy offers 10 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Climbing, Cross Country, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Nordic Skiing, Rock Climbing, Snowboarding and Ultimate Frisbee. Colorado Timberline Academy is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Colorado for most sports offered.
What is Colorado Timberline Academy's ranking?
Colorado Timberline Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Colorado for: Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees and Most sports offered.
When is the application deadline for Colorado Timberline Academy?
The application deadline for Colorado Timberline Academy is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

School Reviews

5  
I started attending CTA this January and I love it! The teachers really care about you and will do anything to help you succeed. Whether it's giving you advice, a shoulder to cry on or working with you in study hall on their free time with classwork or studying for a test. I was nervous starting mid year but that was absolutely not a problem, everyone was welcoming and I fit in instantly. I plan on graduating from CTA and can't see myself anywhere else. The outdoor sports program is outstanding! I have tried things I never would've probably without coming here. I did not have a great academic history and since attending I have been an honor roll student all of my attendance at CTA. The bloc system keeps everything fresh taking a new class every 4-5 weeks and provides a new start in sequence classes, and with taking only 3 classes at a time it makes it easier to stay on top of all of your work. With the bloc system you can also finish classes and achieve credits in a very timely manner, I finished an entire year of biology in three months. By far the best decision I have ever made.
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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Top Ranked CO School
  • School Type: Alternative School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 30 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $35,000
  • Acceptance rate: 90%
  • Average class size: 6 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Colorado is $12,407 for elementary schools and $15,954 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Colorado is 91% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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