Academics
Considering enrolling at Trailside Academy?
We hope to give you a peek at what a student's experience can be.
If you still have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to:
Jessie Massey, School Director (303.853.3041, masseyj@mapleton.us) or
Chua Vue, Assistant Director (303-853-3042, vuec@mapleton.us).
All school enrollment is done online here.
Thank you for your consideration!
Trailside Academy is a PK-8 school. We partner with EL Education which means that we align our work with three dimensions of achievement Mastery of Knowledge and Skills, Character, and High-Quality Student Work. We have identified five Habits of Character which are perseverance, accountability, compassion, integrity, and advocacy.
Our mission statement is:
At Trailside Academy, students develop mindsets for success and
take ownership of their learning by engaging in work that has meaning
surrounded by a supportive community.
Curriculum
Trailside uses the following curriculum:
- English Language Arts: EL Modules, Skills Block (K-2)/Additional Language and Literacy Block (grades 3-5). Learn more here.
- Math: Bridges (PK-5), Envisions (grades 6-8)
- Science: standards-based units Project Lead the Way (K-5), SEPUP (grades 6-8)
- Social Studies: standards-based units (K-5), National Geographic (grades 6-8)
- Social/Emotional: Incredible Years (PK/K), Olweus Bullying Prevention (grades 1-8), Zones of Regulation, Sources of Strength
*Preschool classrooms also use Zoo Phonics, Handwriting without Tears, and Dialogic Reading.
The best way to imagine the learning experience of a Trailside student is to describe an example.
In first grade, students engage in a Module named "Growing as Researchers: Birds' Amazing Bodies." Throughout this quarter-long unit, first graders answer the questions:
-What makes a bird a bird?
-How do birds use their body parts to survive?
-How do specific birds use their body parts to survive?
-How do we build our research skills and share our learning?
Students build background knowledge about birds by reading informational texts, participating in structured conversations called "Science Talks," doing observational drawings in their Birds Reseach notebook, and writing informational paragraphs. The module ends with a culminating Celebration of Learning in which students sing and act out a bird song using handmade puppets, share riddles they've written, and play a bird matching game. Throughout the unit, students can be found watching "bird cam" video footage, reading a volume of informational texts, and sketching the details of a bird's beaks or feathers.
Specials
K-8 students at Trailside receive instruction in Health/Physical Education, General Music, and Art. Our specials programming is exceptional!
Character
Trailside students are recognized for their positive contributions to our crew. We formally celebrate students each month, identifying students as Leaders of the Pack.
YMCA Care
Trailside hosts on-site before and after-school care. YMCA Metro Denver provides this programming each day beginning at 6:30am and ending at 6:00pm. You can learn more here.
Parent and Community Support
At Trailside, we value the support from our family and community. The graphic below depicts some of the pathways our partners to support the school.