Academic Programs

Early Childhood Education (ECE)

We offer the following classroom options in ECE:

• Full-day dual language preschool programs** for 4-year-olds. (students who turn 4 on or before Oct. 1 are eligible for this program)
• Full-day English preschool program for 4-year-olds. (students who turn 4 on or before Oct. 1 are eligible for this program)
• Half-day English preschool program for 3-year-olds. (students who turn 3 on or before Oct. 1 are eligible for this program)

Our licensed teachers and certified paraprofessionals provide quality preschool, by using Creative Curriculum instruction, helping your child get a strong start on the path to lifelong learning.

Cost: Preschool is a tuition-based program. Tuition is determined on a sliding fee scale by the family household size and gross income, and ranges from free to out-of-district cost. Contact the Early Education Department for more information.

Our program offers:

• Adult to child ratio of no more than 1:10
• Highly trained, certified teachers and paraprofessionals in every classroom
• Colorado Shines rated classrooms
• A safe, nurturing environment
• A curriculum that focuses on play and school-readiness
• Classrooms equipped with state of the art play materials and modern furniture
• Lunch and snack
• Library will be open from 2:15-3:00 pm for ECE families/caregivers who would like to stay at school

We offer Dual Language classrooms in our Early Childhood Education (ECE) program. We are the Far Northeast’s only Dual Language program! There are many benefits to being in a dual language program. Students in dual language programs do as well as or better academically than their peers in English-only settings and have the added benefit of learning a second language. Learn more about this awesome opportunity.

Elementary: Kindergarten to 5th Grade

We offer both English and Spanish language classrooms in all of our elementary grades.

Our curriculum in elementary includes:

• English Language Arts:
  • K-2: CKLA / Caminos: Offers both English and Spanish literacy instruction with a focus on foundational reading and writing skills, phonics, and engaging, authentic texts.
  • 3-5: Expeditionary Learning: Engages students in deep literacy study through great books, compelling topics and student ownership of their learning and progress.

• Bridges Math: Focuses on developing students’ deep understandings of mathematical concepts, proficiency with key skills, and ability to solve complex and novel problems.
• Science Labs
• National Geographic Social Studies
• English Language Development
• Extended Learning Opportunities

Junior Academy: 6th to 8th Grades

• Connected Mathematics Project (CMP) Mathematics is a problem-centered curriculum promoting an inquiry-based teaching-learning classroom environment. Mathematical ideas are identified and embedded in a sequenced set of tasks and explored in depth to allow students to develop rich mathematical understandings and meaningful skills.
• Expeditionary Learning for Language Arts gets students excited about learning through great books, compelling topics and ownership of their learning.
• Independent Reading through Renaissance
• Science Labs
• National Geographic Social Studies
• English Language Development
• Extended Learning Opportunities

GT Program

• Farrell B. Howell ECE-8 program empowers students with leadership skills. The G/T program at Farrell B. Howell will create equitable programming that supports the G/T departments initiative to close disparities among demographics and subgroups with emphasis on self-determination and leadership skill development. We will enrich and extend the regular classroom curriculum beyond the core instruction as well as challenge students to think critically and develop higher-level thinking skills that meet their emotional, intellectual, and creative potentials using culturally responsive teaching. The G/T Itinerant identifies Gifted students and works collaboratively with classroom teachers and families in developing and implementing Advanced Learning Plans. In addition to this, the G/T teacher works collaboratively with classroom teachers to increase rigor, build collaborative strategies within the classroom, and address the social and emotional needs of gifted learners.

Arts Programs

• Music
• Physical Education (PE)
• STEAM
• Visual Arts