St. Elizabeth's School

Overview

St. Elizabeth's School is an intentionally inclusive K-8 Episcopal school located in Denver, Colorado, dedicated to providing excellence in education while promoting equity and belonging. Founded in 2007, it serves as a model for inclusive education, reflecting the diverse community of Denver.

Mission and Philosophy

The school's mission is centered on inspiring learning and transforming lives by fostering curiosity and creating a culture of exploration. It emphasizes the boundless potential of every child and aims to develop well-rounded students who are resilient learners, ethical leaders, and conscientious citizens. The curriculum includes subjects like Spanish, discovery time, and financial literacy to cater to diverse interests and talents. The school's approach is designed to promote academic excellence, critical thinking, and holistic growth.

Core Values and Community

St. Elizabeth's School is guided by core values of compassion, curiosity, courage, and connection, which foster a profound sense of community. The school encourages community building through shared values, cross-grade events, and teamwork, leading to lasting connections among students. It also offers diverse extracurricular activities, including STEM, sports, arts, and various clubs like Choir and Book Club.

Inclusivity and Equity

St. Elizabeth's has a strong commitment to inclusivity and equity. The school uses an individualized tuition plan to ensure affordability for families from a broad socio-economic spectrum, reflecting the neighborhoods it serves. Over 40% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The school actively engages in social equity workshops and professional development to dismantle systemic inequality and promote equitable classrooms.

Curriculum and Programs

The curriculum emphasizes well-rounded education, incorporating music, visual arts, physical education, faith studies, and community service. Notably, St. Elizabeth's offers a Social Justice Studies class, which aims to grow socially aware agents of change by encouraging students to explore and discuss social issues.

Facilities and Expansion

In recent years, St. Elizabeth's School relocated to a historic building on the Johnson & Wales Campus in Denver's Park Hill neighborhood. This move has provided a permanent home with expanded opportunities for serving the community, including enriched after-school and year-round programs. The new campus offers a transformative environment, allowing for increased enrollment while maintaining the school's commitment to inclusion.

Partnerships and Support

St. Elizabeth's School collaborates with several organizations, including the Urban Land Conservancy, Denver Housing Authority, and Denver Public Schools, to enhance its services and community engagement. The school is supported by numerous donors who believe in its mission of equity and belonging.

[1] https://coloradoparent.com/directory-listing/st-elisabeths-school/ [2] https://www.episcopalschools.org/school_story/st-elizabeths-schools-commitment-to-equity-and-belonging/ [3] https://www.episcopalschools.org/school_story/st-elizabeths-school-one-year-in-our-new-home/ [4] https://episcopalcolorado.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/St.-Elizabeths-School-Report-to-Diocesan-Convention.pdf [5] https://urbanlandc.org/saint-elizabeths-school-shaping-denvers-future-leaders/