Crested Butte Academy is a co-ed, college preparatory boarding and day school serving students in grades 8-12.
We occasionally provide a special program for seventh grade and/or post-graduate students.CBA is fully accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS).
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- Top Ranked CO School
- Grades: 8-12
- Enrollment: 61 students
- Average class size: 6 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Top Rankings
Crested Butte Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Colorado for:
Category
Attribute
Advanced Degrees
Sports offered
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 8-12
Year Founded
1992
Summer School Offered
Yes
Student Body
Total Students
61 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
12 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
5:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
90%
Average Class Size
6 students
Number of AP Courses
4 courses
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Tuition Notes
Students attend as full year boarding; full year day; or winter tutorial. Tuition depends on enrollment in a particular program
% on Financial Aid
50%
Admissions Director
Cristie Frey
Sports
Total Sports Offered
11 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
5 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Creative Writing, Film, Health and Human Performance, Publishing, Studio Art
School Notes
- Crested Butte Academy is committed to educating the whole person in a safe and caring environment. Standards are high and classes are small, emphasizing individual attention. Our flexible schedule allows students to excel in academics as well as train for and compete in the highest levels of snowboarding, alpine racing, freeride, nordic skiing and distance running. Our community ensures that every Crested Butte Academy child is known and loved. The faculty to student ratio is 1:6. Of our sixty-five students, twenty are day students, residing in the Gunnison Valley. Boarding students travel from as far as Holland and the Czech Republic. The CBA student body represents twenty states, including California, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Montana, New Mexico and Illinois. The day and boarding students enjoy a very close relationship. It is common for day and boarding students to work on a project in the evening on our campus. The academic program offers a college preparatory core curriculum with an emphasis on literacy, critical thinking, writing, humanities, laboratory sciences, mathematics and foreign language. The Crested Butte Academy faculty is devoted to developing intellectual excellence, independent thinking, free inquiry and an appreciation for learning. We nuture creativity through programs in music, creative writing, film and art. The goal is learning for life. Our athletic programs share in the core philosophy of our school. Through athletics, each student-athlete develops team loyalty, dedication to improvement, and commitment to achievement. Citizenship is important at Crested Butte Academy. Students are given clear messages about the importance of character and individuality. The residential experience fosters good personal and study habits. There is a warm supportive community within each dormitory. CBA students are colorful and confident young people. Faculty, staff and students are stimluated by each other, their school, their sports and their town. Graduates go on to some of the nation's finest colleges and lead lives bettered by learning and achievement.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Frequently Asked Questions
What schools are Crested Butte Academy often compared to?
Crested Butte Academy is often viewed alongside schools like Colorado Rocky Mountain School by visitors of our site.
What sports does Crested Butte Academy offer?
Crested Butte Academy offers 11 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Climbing, Cross Country, Freestyle Skiing, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Nordic Skiing, Rock Climbing, Snowboarding, Track and Field and Winter Track. Crested Butte Academy is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Colorado for most sports offered.
What is Crested Butte Academy's ranking?
Crested Butte 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 Crested Butte Academy?
The application deadline for Crested Butte Academy is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
School Calendar
View the Crested Butte Academy yearly calendar below. Note key dates such as:
Event
Date
Last Day of School
June 06, 2025 (Friday)
Related Schools
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Popular comparisons: Crested Butte Academy vs. Colorado Rocky Mountain School
People that viewed Crested Butte Academy also viewed these schools: Gould Academy and Vermont Academy.
The nearest high school to Crested Butte Academy is Paonia Experiential Leadership Academy (31.7 miles away)
The nearest elementary school and preschool is Aspen Country Day School (22.7 miles away)
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School
Location
Miles
Grades
Students
Grades: 7-12 | 230 students 1891.6 miles 39 Church Street
Bethel, ME 04217
(207) 824-7777
Bethel, ME 04217
(207) 824-7777
1891.6
7-12
230
Grades: 9-12 | 237 students 1808.6 miles 10 Long Walk
Saxtons River, VT 05154
(802) 869-6229
Saxtons River, VT 05154
(802) 869-6229
1808.6
9-12
237
School Reviews
5 10/1/2016
I went thru the winter tutorial and it helped me advance my public school credits when I went back to my school I skipped the entire grade of math.
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