Academy International Elementary School

United States, Colorado Springs

Ask School a Question

Shortlist

Ask School a Question

Shortlist

🔒

Asking this school a question isn't available on this profile

Academy International Elementary School doesn't currently receive questions from parents through doris.

Schools that manage their doris profile answer parent questions directly.

Is this your school? Claim your profile to start receiving enquiries from parents.

Why request through doris?

Book multiple tours with one click

doris will follow up with the schools on your behalf

Keep all your bookings in one place

Format

In person Video

Your timezone

Preferred slots (9am–4pm in school's timezone — pick at least 2)

Tell Academy International Elementary School you're interested

Let the school know you're thinking of applying — they can share their prerequisites and help you through the process.

The school confirms eligibility before you commit

Doris keeps you updated and follows up if they go quiet

How many children are you applying for?

Where's your family from?

Some schools have residency / visa requirements — this helps the school answer you.

I want to enrol in…

Anything you'd like to mention? (optional)

🔒

Live availability isn't shared on this profile

Academy International Elementary School doesn't currently share live availability, places or waitlist updates through doris.

Schools that manage their doris profile answer availability questions directly.

Is this your school? Claim your profile to start sharing live availability with parents.

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school

Is this your school? Claim your profile

The school at a glance

Instructs in English, French

Fees $4,000

Ages Not listed

Pupil numbers 400

Type Co-educational

Opened 1998

Bus Service No

Availability Not shared by this school

Academic offering

Curriculum IB (PYP), American Curriculum

Taught languages French

Typical class size 22

Strengths Languages, Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts

Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language

Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School

Introduction

Academy International Elementary School is a neighborhood public elementary in Colorado Springs offering the IB Primary Years Programme from kindergarten through fifth grade alongside the American curriculum. The school teaches in English and French, with all students receiving French instruction and a partial French immersion option beginning in first grade. The IBPYP drives the inquiry-based curriculum, supported by a staff-developed Programme of Inquiry, MTSS interventions, and a Dyslexia Therapy Program led by Certified Academic Language Practitioners. AIES opened in 1998 as the Americas' first public PYP school and remains a flagship IB institution. Facilities emphasize inclusivity and natural light: a centrally located 21st‑century library, grade-level pods, skylights, and kindergarten classrooms with direct access to outdoor play spaces. Sensory pathways support social‑emotional breaks, while two chalets support the Take Flight reading program and Champions before and after school care. Students access 1:1 devices; a range of before/after-school activities enriches daily learning.

academyinternational.asd20.org

Gallery

The school has not added photos

Vibes and Culture

The school has not added this information

The Essentials

Location

8550 Charity Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80920, United States. Located in Colorado Springs, the school has a boundary and walking zone viewable on the School Location / Maps page.

Stages

Preschool; Kindergarten; Grades 1–5.

Type

Neighborhood/choice public elementary school.

Additional learning support

Special Education; MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports); Gifted Education; Speech/Language Pathologist; Social Worker; School Psychologist.

Country affiliation

United States

School day structure

Grades 1–5 and Kindergarten run 8:20 a.m.–3:25 p.m.; Preschool (3-year-olds) 8:10–10:55 a.m. (Mon–Thu); Preschool (4-year-olds) 11:40 a.m.–3:25 p.m. (Mon–Thu).

Bus service

Kiss and Drop/Go for all students; transportation options vary by grade level and distance from school.

Diving Deeper

The school has not added this information

Fees

Application / Enrollment Fees

- Preschool enrollment (new student): USD 55 (per enrollment).
- Preschool enrollment (returning student): USD 40 (per enrollment).
- Child care program registration (district-wide item): USD 50 (non‑refundable).

Tuition fees by year group (fees stated as USD)

- Preschool (Early Childhood program): USD 400 per month (program length shown as 10 months, district 2025–26 fee schedule).
- Kindergarten – Grade 5 (elementary): No annual tuition for resident K–5 students; required charges are limited to classroom, course, activity, athletics and field‑trip fees as applicable.

School / classroom fees (examples that apply to preschool and elementary students)

- Preschool classroom supply fee: USD 20 per year (classroom supplies).
- Preschool consumable materials fee: USD 25 per year (workbooks, readers, communication folders, party supplies, etc.).
- Kindergarten classroom supplies fee: USD 30 per year.
- General field trips, clubs and activity fees: charged per activity or trip at cost; amounts vary by activity.
- District technology / device fees (where applicable): Chromebook use fee USD 35 per year; software licensing USD 30 per year; replacement or damage charges apply for lost/damaged devices and accessories.
- Returned / NSF check processing fee: USD 5 (per incident).

Transportation (bus) fees and billing schedule

- Semester bus fees (charged per student, per semester): In‑district neighborhood students USD 63; In‑district School Choice students USD 73; Out‑of‑district School Choice students USD 83. Semester fees are posted in August (first semester) and January (second semester). Families are charged even if a student does not ride; per‑family maximums per semester apply.

Meal costs

- The district participates in a universal meals program that provides the first complete breakfast and the first complete lunch of the day at no cost for students. Additional entrées and à‑la‑carte items are available for purchase (examples: elementary entrée‑only breakfast USD 1.50; single extra lunch entrée USD 2.00). Meal account refunds and balance questions are handled by Food & Nutrition Services.

Other routine charges and child care

- Before‑school child care: USD 12 per day (3‑day minimum).
- After‑school child care: USD 20 per day (3‑day minimum).
- Child care late pick‑up charge: USD 2.00 per minute past pick‑up time.
- Child care late payment fee: USD 25.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Most district fees (transportation, meals, field trips, course fees and activity fees) are posted to student accounts and billed through the district's student payment system. Transportation fees for each semester are typically posted in August and January. Unpaid transportation fees from a prior year will prevent approval for current‑year transportation until paid.

Refund information (where applicable)

- Meal account refunds and balance questions: handled by Food & Nutrition Services; requests are processed via the district food services help contact.
- Preschool application/enrollment fees are shown as non‑refundable in the district preschool application materials for the program. Other refundable items are handled according to district policy and the specific program's published terms.
- Transportation fees: fees are posted by semester and are due by the posted due date; unpaid fees block approval for bus service. No routine pro‑rata refund schedule is published for semester transportation fees.

Boarding / residential fees

- Not applicable. Academy International Elementary School is an elementary day school; no boarding programs or boarding fees are charged.

Fee payment options

- Online: Campus Payments via Infinite Campus (electronic payments for student fees, meals, transportation, field trips, athletics and course fees). A convenience fee is added at online checkout.
- In person / by mail: Check, money order, cashier's check, credit card or cash accepted at the student's school front office, Business Services office, or designated district locations. Specific in‑person payment locations and hours are published by the district.

Notes on participation and fee reduction

- Certain fees may be reduced or waived for students who qualify for free or reduced‑price meal benefits under federal income guidelines when a current information‑release form is on file. For fee reduction or hardship waiver questions, contact the school principal or the district's Free & Reduced Meal Registrar.

Academics

Curriculum

IB Primary Years Programme (IBPYP) drives the curriculum from kindergarten through fifth grade. It is an English and French language school with all students receiving French language instruction and a partial French immersion option beginning in first grade. Core subjects include reading, writing, speaking, math, science, and social studies, with technology and the arts, and the Programme of Inquiry is staff-created and inquiry-guided. The school provides a Dyslexia Therapy Program with Certified Academic Language Practitioners and uses a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to tailor interventions. Talented and Gifted (TAG) programming is offered, along with a range of before- and after-school clubs. AIES is a flagship International Baccalaureate school.

Student Teacher Ratio

Student-teacher ratio is about 12.5 to 1. The average class size is 22 students.

Higher Education Progression

The school feeds into Mountain Ridge Middle School and Rampart High School.

Gifted and Talented

Talented and Gifted (TAG) Program.

Wellbeing

The school has not added this information

Parent Experience

The school has not added this information

Facilities

The school has not added this information

Extra-Curricular Activities

The school has not added this information

Languages

The school has not added this information

Reputation

The school has not added this information

School Events

The school has not added events

FAQs

What grades does Academy International Elementary School serve, and what curriculum drives the learning?

The school serves Preschool, Kindergarten, and Grades 1–5. The IB Primary Years Programme drives the curriculum, with English and French instruction and a partial French immersion option beginning in first grade. The Programme of Inquiry is staff-created and inquiry-guided, and the school offers Dyslexia Therapy, MTSS, and Talented and Gifted programming.

Where is Academy International Elementary School located, and what type of school is it?

The school is located at 8550 Charity Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80920, in Academy District 20. It operates as a co-educational neighborhood/choice public elementary school.

Who leads Academy International Elementary School?

The head of school is Laura McNally, who leads daily operations and oversees curriculum and student wellbeing.

What are the tuition costs for Preschool and for K‑5 residents?

Preschool costs USD 400 per month (10 months). Kindergarten through Grade 5 has no annual tuition for resident students; classroom, activity, and field-trip fees apply as applicable.

What other typical fees might a family expect?

In addition to tuition, families may pay classroom supplies and consumables fees, technology/device fees, and per-activity or per-trip fees. There are also semester bus fees, before- and after-school care charges, and occasional late pickup or late payment fees.

How are meals and transportation arranged and billed?

The district provides a universal meals program; breakfast and lunch are no-cost for students. Bus transportation fees are charged per semester, varying by category (in-district neighborhood, in-district school choice, or out-of-district school choice), and billing is through the district's Infinite Campus system.

What is the class size and student-teacher ratio?

The student-teacher ratio is about 12.5 to 1, and the average class size is 22 students.

What curriculum and languages are taught?

The IB Primary Years Programme drives learning from kindergarten through fifth grade. All students receive English and French instruction, with a partial French immersion option starting in first grade; the Programme of Inquiry is staff-created and inquiry-guided. The school also offers a Dyslexia Therapy Program, MTSS, and Gifted and Talented programming.

Where do students typically go after Academy International Elementary School?

Students feed into Mountain Ridge Middle School and Rampart High School within the district.

What are some standout facilities at AIES?

AIES has a centrally located 21st-century library and grade-level pods around a bright building with skylights. Kindergarten rooms have direct access to the playground, and there are sensory pathways in the hallways. There are two chalets for the Take Flight reading program and Champions Before/After School care, and 1:1 devices are available at all grade levels.

What spaces support after-school programs and reading initiatives?

Two chalets support the Take Flight reading program and Champions Before/After School care. The gym and outdoor spaces encourage daily physical activity.

Are technology resources available to students?

Yes. 1:1 devices are available at all grade levels to support learning, and technology and the arts are integrated into the curriculum.

What clubs or extracurricular activities are offered?

There are before- and after-school clubs, and the school offers arts and music activities, including a choir as part of the arts program.

What makes the IBPYP program unique at AIES?

AIES is a flagship IB school and opened in 1998 as the first public PYP in the Americas. The IB program emphasizes holistic development, global-mindedness, inquiry-based learning, and international perspectives.

Are there reading or language support programs?

Yes. The Take Flight reading program supports reading skills, and the school operates as a Dyslexia Satellite School with CALPs on site. It also functions as an ESL magnet with English-language support for multilingual learners.

How does AIES support students with dyslexia and English language learners?

The school has two Certified Academic Language Practitioners on site to support dyslexia through Take Flight interventions. It also serves as an ESL magnet with a diverse community (more than 17 countries and 27 languages) that supports English learners.

What SEL and wellbeing resources does the school offer?

The IB program integrates social-emotional learning, and MTSS provides academic and social-emotional/behavior supports. RULER is used to develop emotional intelligence and supportive communication.

How is safeguarding handled at the school?

Safeguarding concerns can be reported through Safe2Tell, providing a direct channel to report safety issues.

How is governance structured at Academy International Elementary School?

The school is part of Academy District 20 and is governed by the district.

Is Academy International Elementary School affiliated with the International Baccalaureate Organization?

Yes. AIES is a flagship IB school and was opened in 1998 as the first public PYP in the Americas.

Search for more schools

Search schools in United States View all schools in Colorado Springs View all schools in United states IB curriculum schools in United States Open days & tours in Colorado Springs What is the IB curriculum? View all schools Search all schools

Academy International Elementary School

Asking this school a question isn't available on this profile

Request confirmed

The school will be in touch soon. Schools typically confirm bookings within 5 business days

Tell Academy International Elementary School you're interested

Sent to the school