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 The Academy
opened in 1993 as a Colorado Springs "sister" to Mackintosh Academy in
Denver. Mackintosh Academy was a pioneer program for the gifted in the Denver
area, opened by Eve Mackintosh to educate her four children. We opened under the
name of Mackintosh Academy of Colorado Springs and shared a Denver based board
of Directors, administrative procedures and forms, replicated the "divisional"
format (instead of grades), and used similar exit requirements and report cards.
 | September 1993/94:
Mackintosh opened in 2200 square feet of space on North Academy Boulevard with few
students, four divisions, five full time teachers and one full time administrative staff
member. Our goal was to grow to 20 students and relocate to a more suitable facility.
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| September 1994/95: We
began this school year with 20 students and moved to 6,000 square feet at 2001
West Cheyenne Road. We signed a five year lease in this location. During this
year we developed a detailed scope and sequence which continues (with constant
revision) to operate as the curricular backbone of the Academy.
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| September 1995/96: We began
this year with 35 students and opened a fifth division, closing the age span in divisions.
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| September 1996/97: The
Academy had enrollment of 45 students. We began the community service aspect of our
program through offering a city wide Parenting the Gifted Conference seminar which has
been held at CU The Springs and Fountain Valley High School.
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| September 1997/98: Our
enrollment was up to 55 students.
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| September 1998/99:
Enrollment was at 65 students, we obtained our own local board of directors, changed the
name to Renaissance Academy and accepted a land donation of 11.5 acres from Classic Homes.
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| September 1999/00:
Enrollment was at 75 students. We leased 10,000 square feet of space from District #11 at
730 North Walnut. The preschool grew to two instructors who manage 18 to 19 three- and
four-year-old students. The Renaissance middle school model was created and fully
operational by the start of this school year. Renaissance sold the 11.5 acres from a
Classic Homes donation to purchase the 22 acre parcel in the Mountain Shadows neighborhood
called "Hole in the Wall" Ranch |
| September 2000/01:
Enrollment grew to 80 students. We grew to 11 instructors and an administrative team of
three. The Academy prepared to build a new school facility. During this year, we
secured the school site property, architecturally designed the facility, and
structured our current classrooms to position ourselves for increased enrollment. We
achieved North Central Association Accreditation during this year. |
| September 2001/02: Another
move for the Renaissance Academy! After only 2 years at 730 No. Walnut St. , District 11's
growth resulted in their need to utilize the building we occupied. Consequently, we built
an 10,500 sq. ft. interim facility located on the grounds of District 11's Jackson
Elementary School. We expanded our student population to 98 and added a D2 and D4
instructor. During the 01/02 school year, plans for the new school were solidified.
We gained city council approval in a contested zoning debate, architectural plans were
created, and the site development plan was finalized. Concurrently, we initiated the
'Pledge 2000' campaign and raised close to $100,000 from our families toward financial
support of the new school. |
| September 2002/03: The
Renaissance Academy continued in the 1010 Darby St. location on the grounds of the
Jackson Elementary School. This year welcomed 108 students taught by 12 faculty
members and an administrative staff of 3. We continued our commitment to
build our permanent home as we journeyed through the construction process. |
| September 2003/04: September
03/04: Renaissance remained at their temporary location at 1010 Darby Street,
while continuously pursuing the permanent home that we have desired for many
years. The school year began with 97 students, twelve faculty members, and an
administrative staff of four, adding the curriculum coordinator position to
the staff. |
| September 2004/05: As school
opened this year with 91 students, our construction documents are in the hands
of Regional Building for a building permit. We broke ground in October 2005, and
planned to occupy the building for the 2005/06 school year. The Renaissance
Academy Environmental Center was born, and a successful environmental
education summer program delighted 75 children ages 5-13 on the Flying W Ranch
property that borders the Hole in the Wall site. |
| September 2005/06:
At last
in a permanent home, the Renaissance dream has come true as Faculty,
administration and students began the year in the new location in Mountain
Shadows. (trying to use global pronouns). Beginning the year with 76
students, the goal for the new building was to grow all divisions to 26
students and two faculty. The 05/06 school year was the inaugural year for
the half-day preschool program. |
| August 2006/2007: After successful summer programs in both RAEC
(Renaissance Academy Environmental Center) and S'mores (the preschool summer
program), the Academy began school with 83 students. The success of the
preschool, Division I, led to the creation of a second Division I, Division
I West, which includes both the half and full day program.
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