Welcome to Ascent Classical Academy of Northern Denver!
Since opening our doors in 2023, Ascent Classical Academy of Northern Denver has been dedicated to one enduring mission: to provide a classical, content-rich education while cultivating moral and civic virtue and preparing our students to become free and flourishing adults.
We are a mission-driven school, and that mission guides our work each day. We believe a great education does more than prepare students for the next grade, college, or career. It forms the mind, shapes the character, and inspires a lifelong love of learning. Our commitment to our students and their parents is to pursue this kind of education faithfully, thoughtfully, and consistently.
At Ascent, our classical curriculum invites students to discover the world as an ordered, intelligible, and beautiful whole. They learn to read with confidence by mastering the foundations of language through phonics and spelling. They develop a love of written expression, progressing from careful cursive penmanship to the art of crafting elegant prose and defending an argument in the senior thesis. In mathematics, they move from the fundamentals of arithmetic to the satisfying challenge of complex problems.
Through the study of literature, history, science, music, and the arts, students encounter the great ideas, discoveries, stories, and achievements that have shaped our world. They learn not only to acquire knowledge, but also to ask good questions, think clearly, recognize beauty, and seek truth.
Education at Ascent extends beyond the classroom. Through free play at recess, participation on athletic teams, and the shared traditions of our house system, students practice self-government, cooperation, perseverance, and responsibility. They learn to lead and to serve, to compete with integrity, and to contribute to a community larger than themselves. We believe intellectual growth and the cultivation of character belong together, and we seek opportunities throughout the school day to nurture both.
We want our school to be a place of joy and wonder, where the pursuit of knowledge is an adventure and the life of the mind is shared. Each day, our students read, discuss, create, and play together. We celebrate the traditions that connect us to our common inheritance, including patriotic holidays that invite gratitude for our nation, its founding principles, and those who have defended its freedoms. In these ordinary and extraordinary moments, we hope to foster a genuine affection for learning, a respect for others, and a sense of responsibility for the world our students will one day help shape.
Our aim is to graduate thoughtful, intelligent, responsible, and joyful young men and women – adults equipped not only with knowledge, but also with the judgment and character to use it well. We believe that, in partnership with parents, a classical education can prepare students to lead fulfilling lives, meet the challenges before them with confidence, and contribute meaningfully to their families, communities, and country.
It is a privilege to partner with families in this important work. Thank you for taking the time to learn about Ascent Classical Academy of Northern Denver. I invite you to explore our website and discover who we are, what we do, and what we hope for every student entrusted to our care. Then, please join us for a school tour, attend an information session, or speak with our current families. We would be delighted to welcome you and help you discover what an Ascent education might mean for your child.
Warmly,
Dr. Thomas Tacoma
Headmaster
Ascent Classical Academy of Northern Denver