Philosophy

SELF

Colorado Timberline Academy’s primary objective is to provide an environment where a feeling of self-appreciation can be fostered. When a student realizes that he or she is able to be successful, self-appreciation develops along with a sense of control over one’s environment. Consequently, the strong characteristics of students must be recognized and reinforced so that they realize that they are a success. Once that initial success is recognized, students may utilize confidence and self-appreciation in dealing with other challenges, both academic and social.

Faculty, students and parents are involved with the need for self-appreciation throughout life. Teachers at CTA seek to develop close relationships with students in order to share experiences which are both meaningful and educational. As well, faculty members are learners who serve as excellent role models for students. Not only are the teachers outstanding classroom educators, but they also share varied, unique lifestyles and value systems. Students, with exposure to a variety of models, become capable of determining which goals, values and behaviors are important for themselves.

Students are encouraged to seek self-knowledge and to develop tolerance and respect for other members of their community. Education, then, takes on a broad definition at CTA. While an excellent academic program is a major emphasis, development of a genuine sense of self-appreciation and integration into one’s environment is the essence of education. Academic skills become tools with which students may shape their worlds

COMMUNITY

It is within the context of our community that we define the relationships between individual freedoms and group responsibilities. Students soon realize that their actions have a direct effect upon other people. If a student presents an outstanding project in class, other students will tend to upgrade their work and try harder. If a student slacks off during maintenance hour, other members of his crew must bear his responsibilities.

As a student learns to appreciate himself, he can expand his world and learn to appreciate the special talents and uniqueness of other individuals. Students must have the freedom necessary to make responsible decisions and choices for themselves in both academic and social contexts. An irresponsible decision or poor choice necessitates obvious consequences for which the student must bear responsibility. Through this process, students are able to recognize the negative and positive effects that their choices may have in influencing both personal and community consequences and decisions.

A learning environment is created at CTA that provides a framework for total student development within a small school setting of approximately 45 students and 11 resident faculty members.

ENVIRONMENT

We believe that a comfortable, congenial and homelike atmosphere is the essential key in the promotion of community ideals and individual growth. We are large enough to have diverse attitudes and backgrounds, yet small enough to allow for the represented expression of each person’s uniqueness.

We are not a “free” school without structure, for we believe that students need boundaries. Neither are we a traditional, wholly structured school. Instead, CTA offers involvement in a close knit community and the opportunity for active participation in one’s learning environment with direction from capable faculty and staff.

Because students are given the freedom to err, the actual environment is often far from the professed ideal. Students and teachers alike must realize that their goals are not easily attained and that the school year may be fraught with trauma and trial. This creative tension is decisive in promoting personal growth — just as the balance between freedom and responsibility is needed to provide an atmosphere in which a student may see the effects of his choices.

Our philosophy thus defines the ideal environment for which we constantly strive. CTA is more than a school — it is a learning community. We endeavor to create daily, a setting for caring confrontation. It is through successfully dealing with our challenges that we all grow and learn.