James Irwin Elementary - Astrozon

Posted: July 29, 2026

My experience with James Irwin Astrozon Campus has all been great.

The 2025-2026 year was our first year there. We had a 3rd and 4th grader. We absolutley loved their teachers Mrs. Link and Mr. Schauffele and their teacher support staff. The communication has been amazing, and not once did I feel blindsided by an issue with behavorial or academics.

The school and teachers are actually able to teach the students with their structured lessons, and smooth transitions through lessons that there is no room for behavioral issues that would arise. Our girls are actually excited about learning, and want to show us in real life, what they have learned and the examples and how it was taught to them. This summer was a huge eye opener for us, when we went to Washington DC and they could read with minimal help the Constitution (which is written in cursive) While on our summer travels during the 250th year Celebration, my girls also knew and sang the many patriotic songs that were taught by their wonderful music teacher Mrs. Shorden. I know for a fact, that if I had kept my daughters were still in the public school system, that would not have happened, for many reasons; one, cursive is not taught in public schools, and two, public schools iin my opinon are not allowed to teach and do what they love, because they are too busy addressing behavioral issues, and finally, they have to tow the line with the school district.

I rated the Special Education a 3 only because, I personally don't know. I do know that my daughter is diagnosed with ADHD and they are wonderful with her. They address the behavior as oppossed to making my child feel as if "she" was the problem. By no means, does it take the accountability from her, but it empowers her to see how she could have changed her decision for a better choice.

JICES- is also a huge supporter of families and getting to know the parents. This makes for a great team for our daughters education.
There is Coffee with the Principal, where Mrs. White goes over some ideas to share with parents, and you can voice your concerns there as well. Mrs. White truly has an "open door" policy, and does not make you feel like a bother or waste of her time. She truly cares.

I could not stress enough, going to James Irwin Charter Astrozon, has been one of the best decisions We could have made for our daughters. My only regret, is not starting here in Kindergarten. I cannot wait to see what this year brings for our girls.

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Posted: July 23, 2026

I cannot say enough good things about James Irwin Elementary School on the Astrozon campus. The staff is exceptional and truly cares about every student’s success. The curriculum is academically challenging, but what I appreciate most is that they don’t just teach academics—they also teach students how to be respectful, responsible, and kind people.

The teachers and staff are always willing to help students and parents who need assistance with assignments or schoolwork. You can tell they genuinely want every child to succeed, both in the classroom and in life. As a parent, I feel supported and confident that my child is receiving an excellent education in a caring environment.

I would highly recommend James Irwin Elementary to any family. In my opinion, it is the best school around.

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Posted: July 17, 2026

My son has been going to James Irwin since kindergarten and we are now headed to the 5th grade. We love this school and all the opportunities they provide for my son. This is a great place to see your child thrive and get the education they deserve. They make sure your kid is learning and growing with the best education possible. I can’t say enough about how amazing this school is.

Posted: July 17, 2026

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Posted: July 16, 2026

We have been at James Irwin for 8 years and we love it! Not only do they focus on academics but they are also all about helping instill our kids with excellent character traits. I feel the school is very well-rounded and I love the fact that they are patriotic. The teachers as well as the administration are very involved and passionate about helping all students reach their fullest potential. I'm so thankful to have such an amazing school for my kids to attend now for elementary school and then have the ability to move on up to the middle and high school levels in such close proximity.

Posted: July 16, 2026

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Posted: July 15, 2026

How do I even begin to describe this school? It delivers! The staff truly care and truly believe that all students can learn. Because of their structured environment and high positivity, learning is a reality for ALL students! I am so grateful that my kids have had a strong start at JIES-A. Thank you, thank you, teachers and admin!

Posted: July 15, 2026

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Our family has had an outstanding experience at James Irwin Elementary School-Astrozon Campus. Since enrolling, we have seen tremendous academic growth in our child. The direct instruction teaching model has provided a strong educational foundation, and we appreciate the clear, structured approach that helps students build confidence and master new concepts.

One of the things we value most is the school's leadership. The administrators genuinely care about the students, the staff, and the overall culture of the school. Their commitment to excellence is evident in everything they do.

We also deeply appreciate the emphasis on character development. The values and virtues taught each day reinforce important life lessons that go beyond academics, helping students grow into respectful, responsible, and compassionate individuals.

Every teacher our child has had has been wonderful. They have consistently been kind, encouraging, professional, and invested in our child's success. It's reassuring to know our child is learning in such a positive and supportive environment.

We are grateful to be part of this school community and highly recommend it to families looking for a school that excels academically while also investing in the character and development of its students.

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This is the best school Colorado has to offer in my opinion. Close to a private school standard without the cost, while being a charter school. The educational philosophy lead me to transferring my Freshmen, and my kindergartner. The moment my 1st grader got into the school she was able to read, her comprehension doubled, and has continued to excel in academics. The school instills discipline, standards and morals that every parent should seek for their child's development away from home. James Irwin is 5 star in my humble opinion.

Posted: July 15, 2026

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Posted: April 21, 2026

I have had my kids in this school for 3 years, I have a first grader and a third grader. After attending another, unnamed school in the area for kindergarten, the reading and math improvements that I saw in my kids was immense. I've watched their confidence grow and their genuine excitement about everything that they learn, in every subject.

Even during rare moments where I have voiced concerns about either child, I have been met with understanding and collaboratively minded engagement from the staff. Every single staff member; teacher, counselor, receptionist, principal; at this school is warm and cares deeply for the students. I love this school, my kids love this school, and we can't share it enough. I wish every kid had the opportunity to thrive in this environment.

Posted: April 21, 2026

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Posted: September 23, 2022

I love the school! Teachers, principal and office staff are insanely kind. I HATE the parking lot system and feel they need to overhaul it immediately. It's one way in, one way out and you get stuck for 30+ minutes. Surely, they can remodel or even reform the lot to make this stressful thing go away. The school has academic excellence and if you attend any of their assemblies you would be impressed at what they are able to teach such young children. We love the school!

Posted: September 23, 2022

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Posted: March 24, 2022

Not much has changed. Looked back to the 2013 reviews and it’s the same. Little to no socialization, recess is taken away, kids are robots & asking questions are discouraged. This school needs to update and ease up on the kids.

Posted: March 22, 2022

"Inclement Weather" school closure days are out of control at this school. If you are a single parent trying to keep your job, attending this school is a very real challenge when your boss is wondering why none of your co-workers schools are closed. So frustrating to be driving on streets with no snow accumulation on a closure day. This is Colorado we know how to drive in snow! It is as if the decision maker has only ever driven in California.

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Posted: November 16, 2019

My child has attended JICES since kindergarten and is now in 4th grade. She has learned so much. I don’t know many 4th graders who can recite the preamble to the constitution by memory. She can also do complicated math problems very quickly, read over 190 words per minute, write in cursive, sing the national anthem and so much more. More importantly, she has been taught to love, respect and honor her peers and adults. JICES doesn’t just focus on teaching your child, but develops their entire character. They are the best school in Colorado Springs, not just because their test scores are the highest, but because they are truly dedicated to building up the children to become successful in their lives in and out of school.

Posted: November 16, 2019

The teachers do assign homework, but it is not an overwhelming amount. They are also very open to feedback if you feel your child is overwhelmed in anyway and willing to work with you.

Posted: November 16, 2019

The staff at JICES are amazing, supportive, kind and loving. They break the children in to small groups to work with them at their level and provide closer attention to each students needs.

Posted: November 16, 2019

They have a zero tolerance for bullying and disruptive behavior. They work closely with the children to develop their character to be positive, loving, supportive, respectful and kind at all times.

Posted: November 16, 2019

The leadership is very involved in the well being of the students and ensuring they are having the best learning experience possible.

Posted: November 16, 2019

They break the children in to small groups to work with them at their level.

Posted: November 16, 2019

They have a zero tolerance for bullying.

Posted: September 8, 2019

The leadership is not good. Whenever they are are unsure of things, instead of investigating they quickly make a stance that benefits the school first and not the students. Ask any student the last time they heard ANYone-- teach or admin say they were sorry! They do not admit they were wrong.

Posted: September 8, 2019

When you transfer to this school you are required to take a placement test. I was told my children needed to be in a lower grade. Reluctantly I did as they asked thinking they knew what they were doing--biggest mistake EVER!! My son already knew what was being taught and when I asked if he could test out they would not because they did not have an ability group for him. IF they have an ability group that your child can fit in then you are fine, but if not, then your child will have to suffer. They had me lower my son and then they still did not accommodate for him. How horrible is that. Later I found out that they ultimately did not have room for him in his correct grade, but did have room in a lower grade. They allowed my son to go through repetition based on the schools needs not his. I am beyond disappointed! I trusted the school! I transferred my son because when I visited and I saw the students in uniform and how well behaved I thought they were during assemblies, I was excited. I looked over their website, read their mission, and I assumed it was a good school. I should have done more research, like reading sites like this.

Posted: September 8, 2019

It really depends on the teacher. The best teachers are great, but its hard to tell until your child is in the classroom for a couple of weeks. I thought the best students had the best teachers until I found out some classrooms appear great, but that is because some teachers are beyond strict. How your child feels really does matter. Yes they may be obedient, but that does not mean they will not end up with emotional scars. The teachers make the difference and sometimes lines are crossed in the name of children's obedience. One example is reducing recess for the whole class to work on children that are not listening. Why punish everyone for a few? Actually the kids that are being bad probably need the recess. My child suffered because the kids acted bad and he and the rest of the class would have to miss out because of a few. At first I was frustrated with his classmates, but at the end of the year I realized it was his teacher. She should not force everyone to suffer, because those kids never acted better, yet the good kids had to pay the punishment too!

Posted: September 8, 2019

The teachers talk about character, but that is all that is done. Just because the teacher takes 5 minutes to read about a character trait does not mean the children are actually developing a strong character. The teachers do not take the time to make it interactive so students may listen, but most do not change any behaviors.

Posted: September 8, 2019

My experience at this school has been Horrible! I transferred my sons and I really regret it. I thought charters would be better than public schools, but each school has its own pros and cons. At this school, transfer students have to take a placement test. What I did not know is that the school has its own best interest at heart, which is extremely hurtful. I wanted my children to learn more and to get away from the craziness of public schools, so I trusted everything the school said, because I believed in their concept. However, my son no longer liked school after going to JICS. He was embarrassed to repeat the same grade. I tried so hard to make him feel better. No one at the school put him down for repeating a grade, but there was no point to repeat a grade if he already knew the parts that were being taught. It wasn't until the end of the year that he was finally introduced to new materials. His grades were good, therefore it made the school look good, but since he already understood the materials it did not enrich him and he was not feeling challenged. My son started focusing on his flaws and what he could have done better. My sons life was altered because of one bad test day. Can you believe it? The day he had his placement test, was a hectic time, because he was still dealing with the other school. That is why I was trying to get him into another school. However, to be tested and stuck by the results is not okay. He was judged and no corrections were made. I should have argued with the school more instead of just accepting it. Ultimately I put my son in this school trusting them, when I should not have, which makes me feel really bad. They put my child in limbo because he was high in some things like math, average on others and low only in reading. But to put him in a lower grade entirely for one subject is deplorable and also absolutely mean. The concept of the school could work but it depends on so many things including how the teacher implements the schools concepts. Therefore you could have a good experience or poor experience depending on the teacher your student has. Do your research! Ultimately I left the school, but if you want to try it, check your child's emotional state daily. I personally would not recommend the school.
Thank you

Posted: September 8, 2019

The school is focused on academics, but if your student already knows the material and there is not a higher ability group, there is nothing in place to increase their knowledge. Also the school gives the students a lot of busy work.
Repetitive worksheets should not supplement actual teaching. Homework is not based on students abilities, it is given because it is given, which makes it extremely boring and just a task that needs to be done, not something that enhances or enriches the educational experience.

Posted: February 22, 2017

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Posted: February 22, 2017

This school never cease to amaze me. My daughter is in Kindergarten and I am so happy I chose this school. They discipline the kids very well with positive way that makes kids want to be good. I love their Direct Instruction method they use, I think it makes kids pay attention more to teachers. They constantly award kids who did well not only academically but also for having good personalities, and bring their spirit up. They don't overload us with homework, just the right amount every day, yet what kids learn at school is so advance. They teach with songs and hand gestures that makes memorizing so much fun! The communication between staff and parents are well established and parents are always welcomed to be involved. I can tell all the staff go through very well training and they are all so caring. My daughter loves this school and so do I. Especially if your kids love learning new things, this is the school to go!

Posted: February 3, 2016

My child has been attending JICES since kindergarten and is now in the 5th grade. He is excelling in all his studies and loves going to school. He has a love of math, reading and history because of the excellent teachers at JICES that are making a huge impact on his education. I could not have asked for a better school to send my child to.

Posted: August 4, 2015

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Posted: August 4, 2015

I have three kids in the James Irwin schools soon to be four when she's old enough and I can't say enough about how great the school is. They really care about what is best for your child. The teachers not only help your child to strive for excellence but they themselves strive for excellence too. It feels good to know my children are in the hands of people who have high standards and will do everything in their power to help them reach their full potential. Thanks James Irwin for caring so much.

Posted: May 9, 2015

This is a decent school. Character emphasis is great! We use to have khaki in the elementary just like the middle school. Khakis and blue skirts give parents 2 options with uniform purchase but the elementary school has deleted Khaki which often can be less pricey. Since khakis do not affect character i hope the school administration will look at this from the parent point of view and give parents two options again khaki skirt and pant option again just like in the middle school. Also another challenge will be with not allowing kids to use the bathroom when needed. We hope you can see this from the parents standpoint and lets have a great school together.

Posted: February 12, 2015

Everything was okay until I decided to pull my student because of a worry about pacing and curriculum. Communication with administration is subpar. My student ended the year in December and we were mailed a final report card in February. He has always been an A or B student. However, on his report card he received a C. I was given one artifact to show his decline. I asked for a meeting but they stated because of testing they had no time. I had no clue my student had such a great decline and the work he brought home was normally. The teacher never contacted me or anything. I am very disappointed. I guess that since my student no longer attends their school they do not have time to resolve our issues.

Posted: January 26, 2015

Great school and excellent curriculum. My daughter loved her teachers and the staff. They teach and encourage positive character development traits.

Posted: May 22, 2014

This is an exceptional school. Recently my Kindergartner recited a portion of the Gettysburg Address in a school-wide assembly. My son's progress this year has been amazing, and he is excelling at this school. He is nearing the 2nd grade level in both reading and math. There is very little downtime at this school -- kids stay on task because of the direct-instruction method and high standards enforced by the teachers. I also love the open-door policy. I drop in at any time I please to help out in the classroom, or to just sit and observe. I don't even have to let the teachers know I am coming. At the Landsharks Running Club meets, which are community-wide events, our students are the ones to sing the National Anthem before the running begins. This school is big on American history and values and character. I could not ask for a better school or for more dedicated teachers. Thanks to the wonderful staff at James Irwin.

Posted: April 27, 2014

I am so happy that I listened to my friend and enrolled my daughter in this excellent school. From the CEO all the way to the people who keep up the appearance of our school, they show that they care for our children and our school. When you walk down the halls you hear learning in progress. You don't hear children screaming and teachers pleading with them to calm down and be quiet. I love that I have the opportunity to sit in on classes in session and volunteer everyday. I get a chance to see education in progress. At other "neighborhood" schools, you might actually feel like they don't want you to sit in on classes. I feel like we all are Blessed and lucky to have our children in this school system. I say system because they don't have to worry about going to a "new" school because the schools are connected. You can actually walk from the elementary to the middle and from the middle walk across the break area to the high school. Our children are safe and well cared for while in school. They are greeted in the morning when they walk through the main doors and again when they enter their classrooms. My daughter brings home a math "book" rather than a math "sheet". Thank you all.

Posted: April 22, 2014

We love the school! The entire staff is very friendly and they greet the students when entering the school. Every morning the principal is waving to and greeting the students and parents as they enter the parking lot. The principal is also involved in everything that goes on at the school. Students are placed in groups for reading and Math with other peers of their level. My child has learned more in 9 weeks than the whole year in their previous Charter school last year!.

Posted: April 4, 2014

We love this school. The strong character first program is brilliant. They are not pumping out kids that can rattle off numbers but teaching, training, and guiding students to be strong, smart, confident citizens for the world. Two teachers per class is so helpful to the students. They are easy to talk to and so loving to all the students. Its rare these days to see students rushing to hug their teachers but I've seen it day after day from the kindergarteners to the 5th graders.

Posted: April 2, 2014

LOVE this school and am thankful that all my children are enrolled. If you want a school that embraces our Western heritage and tradition then you will enjoy this school. If you just compare the TCAP scores to the district and state results you will see that JICES is in the mid-90% while the others are about 75% proficient. There are rules and guidelines, uniforms and pride in appearance so if that is not for you then this school would not be for you. Personally, I welcome these things as life lessons for my children. The classes are small and there is individual attention. For example, my son was below average in math and he received intensive instruction until he caught up. There is a second math class after school called "double dose" and that sort of boost helped him catch up. Now, 4 months later, he is in advanced math. I also like that they are an all-cursive school. I can't say enough in this small space about how much I love JICES. I recommend that you take the tour (sign up at the front office) and see for yourself.

Posted: April 2, 2014

I am very happy to have all my children at JICS. I believe the teachers really do care!

Posted: April 1, 2014

I thought sending my child to JICES was the best choice but let's just say I was completely wrong. I want my child to have a great learning environment. I feel as if the children are treated like robots. The sad part is that the teachers are the same way. They have to teach in a dictating form that well it's hard for children to flow unless they are exceptional. I would love to say that my kid is a perfect students but let's face the fact my kid isn't. They will struggle and sometimes the environment is the one thing that needs to be change. I wish this school would reevaluate how they do things. I have had the opportunity out to observe all three schools and let's just say that the things they stress at the elementary school aren't a priority in the at the others. Our kids struggle for excellence but why isn't it followed through???? I will be moving my child next year into a school that will care for him rather than be concern with appearance and scores.

Posted: January 28, 2014

My son attends this school and I love it. This school is rigorous, and very structured. This school is for serious students and parents who want their kids to learn with little distractions. They are strict here, and this school is not for everyone. My son is a high achiever, and is excelling here. He reads at a first grade level, and is also in a first grade level math class, but he is in Kindergarten. He works hard, his teacher does too. The school is not the prettiest (although the interior isn't bad), there is no library, and no computers because the school focuses on other things like Art, PE, Music, and academics. This school receives the least funding of any district 2 school, but still does well. The school does not provide a bus system, because it is a charter school and the district is not obligated to. This school is a Choice School. You must apply in November of the year prior to attendance. They teach direct instruction, and have an open door policy. The front office administration is so helpful and courteous. If you are looking to challenge your child, look no further.

Posted: August 28, 2013

My students attended here for several years. However, this year I have moved them to another HSD2 school and am very glad I did. I work in education and have watched the test scores and achievement data - this school does not grow kids. If a student comes in advanced, they stay advanced. If a kid comes in unsatisfactory, they stay unsatisfactory. Truly great schools are able to take low achieving students and provide them with interventions and supports to move forward WITHOUT the "gift of time" or retaining them. I do not blame the teachers, I simply think they do not have the resources and skills to grow students, their answer instead is to offer tutoring (by unlicensed teachers) or having students repeat grades. My children now have 30-45 minutes of homework (rather than 2+ hours), are enjoying school, and are already showing academic gains.

Posted: August 27, 2013

I am so grateful knowing that my children go to James Irwin Elementary School. The core knowledge they're teaching is remarkable.

Posted: August 27, 2013

I just read a few one star comments. Sad because these parents are blaming the school for teaching their children or child the best way possible. Come on parents. It is our responsibility to follow up what our children had learned in school. Don't be mad for sitting down with your student guiding them while doing their homework. Instead, be thankful that everyday we have at least two hours to spend quality time - and that is learning, with our children. JAMES IRWIN IS ON TOP 100 SCHOOLS IN COLORADO. We have almost 950 Elementary School here in our state and being on top 100 is an honor. Why??? Hey, it is the QUALITY OF TEACHING JAMES IRWIN IS GIVING OUR CHILDREN. I agree, if learning and be the best is not your goal for your kids just go ahead pull them out from JICES because I am pretty sure lots of kids are still on the wait list whose parents are very eager to join the JICES Family. TO JICES - GREAT JOB YOU GUYS.

Posted: August 22, 2013

Our grandchildren attend James Irwin Elementary. We live in Georgia, visit often (6 times last year) and attend school programs and have sat-in during class. So impressive, the teachers know how to hold the children's attention. They learn to chant important facts and historical events, which helps them recall during a test. Great teachers who must perform their duties, NO UNIONS.

Posted: May 1, 2013

James Irwin is phenomenal! If your goal is to raise a child of character, discipline and determination to succeed, what a great partner to help you get them there! If providing a private school level education is important to you (though this one is of no cost) then you will not find a better school in Colorado Springs-I am sure of it. My son started here in Kindergarten of this year, and the amount he's learned up til now (it is May 2013) is MIND BOGGLING! And the best part is HE LOVES IT!! The communication flows freely between his teacher and I...they truly take the time to be sure that you and them are partnered in your child's education. I could go on and on, but there are only so many characters allowed-LOL. I also have a daughter who began in J.I. in 6th grade and is now a sophomore,. The middle and high schools are as top notch as the elementary. Without a doubt...James Irwin has been one of the best decisions I've ever made for my family.

Posted: April 24, 2013

I am so proud of the 4th Graders! You have done an amazing job with teaching them music and specifically the Recorder. My Daughter has enjoyed this so much! She especially loved the challenge that you put out for them to earn the different colored karate belts! This was such a neat program! The poetry and periodic table memorization was Awesome! Thanks to All the 4th Grade Teachers! They were all amazing!

Posted: April 21, 2013

I have to step up here. As a parent of a long-term student at JICES, I am appalled at the attitudes of the REVIEWS here. You must understand JICES is a school of choice and it is a school focused on academics. If your son has the talent and skill to be a great football player, James Irwin is not for him. If your daughter wants be a singer and dancer, James Irwin is not for her. So what? Please understand JICES offering tutoring, a chance to retake a year is a blessing to your child; it's a sink or swim world, there a few "do-overs" in the real world. Would you rather have a chance to move your child to a different school more tailored to your child's needs or lump the F's and have a frustrated child? I'd rather have a happy child and a decent GPA. In all our years at JICES the ONLY disappointment I have is the deterioration of the attitudes of the PARENTS of this school. Honestly, any parent who claims they didn't know the standards and expectations of JICES is not being truthful and posting such is nothing short of petty and vindictive.

Posted: April 17, 2013

I have 2 kids that both started there in Kindergarten. At first I was really excited for a quality education, but later learned this was not the case. First of all, I am not bitter towards the school but simply want to state very realistic facts. The school teaches in dictation style in which the teachers cite information to the students and they cite it back. One day I popped into class and sat in the back. During the citation process I seen kids raise their hands to ask questions but were told not now. If it wasn t bad enough to have to remember things cited to you, they can t ask questions that may slow the class down. I later asked my son if that happened all the time and was told yes. I asked him when he is permitted to ask questions and he told me during independent work time but that he usually forgets Not good. Starting about 2nd grade my kids were coming home with almost 2 hours of homework every night. The school leaves most of the teaching up to the parents at home. If you have time to home school your kids, then this set up will work great for you. If not, then they will fall behind and it will be the child and parents fault, not their processes.

Posted: April 17, 2013

My daughter kept bringing home her report card with mostly A s and B s. I was then pulled into a conference and told my daughter was struggling in class and they needed her to do tutoring. I was confused about how she needed tutoring with A s and B s. I was told her A s and B s were in material below her grade level. My response to the teacher was to then move her to grade level if she s finding the current material so easy. They refused and said that she was behind 20 lessons from the next work group and there was no opportunity to make up those lessons. I then asked what good would tutoring do if they weren t spending the time working on the next set of lessons. The teacher referred me to their lead teacher for discussion someone who doesn t teach or interact with my daughter, but could probably think of a better answer to my real questions. I had to then pay a teacher $40 a week to tutor my daughter , with no changes, and they still held her back and put her through summer tutoring ($60 a week), which didn t get her any higher work group the following year repeating the same grade. Seems like they are the one missing the mark, not my daughter. - Very sad over waisted time here

Posted: April 4, 2013

I work for the school, although I am not a teacher. It saddens me to see some of the negative comments here, as I believe they truly are not justified. In fact, I notice some of the language used in each of the negative entries is the same, and so it leads me to believe it is only one person here that has an issue. I understand the James Irwin Charter Schools may not be for every child (what school is?), but the school does deserve every kudo it gets from the State, the other rating organizations, and even the parents here on this forum. I understand that some parents would find the school "too hard," "too strict," "demands too much of parents." I understand that some parents have a hard time watching their students have to work at school. But it does not mean it's a bad school. The expectations of student academics and behavior are much higher than traditional schools, but thanks to the incredibly wise and talented teachers, this is an expectations that most kids gladly meet because they see the success it brings and enjoy it. You can't argue with the outcomes: children who are successful students and well-prepared to succeed in future schooling.

Posted: January 18, 2013

James Irwin is a wonderful school that has provided the best academic teaching, positive learning environment, and most well-rounded curriculum for my two children. Both of my children have been at JICES for since Kindergarten and are now in 4th and 2nd grade. The school has a high emphasis on Core Knowledge, patriotism, and character. Not only have my children been motivated to exceed learning expectations, but they have also been put to the test to grow their character, as well. I would recommend James Irwin to anyone who is looking for a "top notch" school in the Springs area.

Posted: January 10, 2013

My son is in second grade at James Irwin and has attended since K. I have been very impressed with the teaching staff, who genuinely care about him as a person, not just his academic success. I love that the school provides flexible grouping for reading and math, which has allowed my child the opportunity to speed up where he is able to or slow down on concepts he struggles with. He loves his teachers and strives to please. With the assistance of a timer and incentives at home, the daily homework assignments have not been extreme (as was cited in previous posts). I was welcomed into the classroom as a parent and was delighted to observe administration staff also observing day to day operations.

Posted: January 10, 2013

I am delighted to be a staff member at James Irwin! As someone who came to teaching later in their career, I have been highly impressed with the diversity of backgrounds among the teaching staff, as well as the emphasis placed on staff development by the administration. Teacher coaches come into our classroom on a regular basis and provide feedback on teaching style, behavior management, classroom positivity, and educational content. The philosophy of the school is that all students can learn and want to learn. The scripted lessons and direct instruction style help keep classes on topic and learning consistently across classrooms in each grade level. Many teachers come in early and stay late to provide tutoring to students who need assistance to catch up to their academic peers. James Irwin is a no social promotion school that looks intentionally at the test data of every student daily, weekly, and monthly to analyze where a student may be struggling. I have personally worked with a number of students who took advantage of the "gift of time". Those students frequently have a highly successful experience the following year, which sets them up for success in future grades.

Posted: January 2, 2013

This is a truly great school! A great place for children to get the best education possible!

Posted: November 16, 2012

I am continually impressed. My child is taught not only core knowledge and rigorous academic, my child is retaining all of it. The teachers are ideal, and my child actually loves to go to school. The kids are also taught these amazing character traits, ie honor, respect, integrity, deference, ... and the whole faculty displays it. The kids are constantly being encouraged by their teachers instead of being shot down. I've read most of the reviews from parents on here, and it's my observation, so far in this school, that the parents who are upset with teachers or little things about their kids, are usually parents who NEVER volunteer in the classroom or even meet the teacher and don't actually try to help their child succeed so they're caught off guard when they haven't even paid attention to begin with. This is an amazing school. My child's success is cared about AS WELL AS his character and unique personality.

Posted: November 4, 2012

Scores are not everything, but they certainly say a lot!!! And despite some of the comments on here...scores are not the only thing the school cares about. The teachers care about the students succeeding and giving them a wonderful foundation in core knowledge. It is because of those things that the school has such great scores!!! And it is not because of ethnicity, or economic standing or anything else...it is because of the caring teachers who are committed to teaching Direct Instruction with an emphasis in Core Knowledge and making sure that every child succeeds!!! I can't say it enough!!!! Check out the fantastic ratings for JICES on School Digger (schooldigger.com), comparing all Colorado public elementary schools. JICES is 20th in ranking for ALL 874 elementary schools in Colorado! This puts the school in the top 2% of elementary schools statewide! School Digger also ranks JICES as 2nd in El Paso County for all public elementary schools. Way to go, James Irwin students & teachers! You are quite a team!

Posted: July 17, 2012

JICES is NOT your typical public shool. This school has high expectations for their students, the parents of the students, and their staff. If you, as a parent, are not willing or prepared to be part of the team effort necessary, you, and your child, will be disappointed and frustrated. Do I agree with every single rule and expectation? NO. However, it is a reality of life. If JICS was in a wealthier area of the city, I have a feeling a lot of the same people who complain JICS today would say the school is only successful because of the wealth! I do wish there were more field trips for all grades. I would encourage a few more "fun, let kids be kids" opportunites during the year. I BEG the PTO/school to be more offer more volunteer opportunities for 8-5 working parents. PTO meetings are held on Friday late morning & all officers and parents involved are the same people year after year, which is okay, but some of the rest of us would LOVE to be involved but we have to work, too.

Posted: July 12, 2012

I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS SCHOOL. They just want Bright and Gifted kids with perfect grades, If your child is like this then go ahead. But if Instead your child is like most children in this planet in need of extra help on math,reading,writing etc. be prepared because this school does not want to deal with it. You will see your kid repeat the school year in order to keep their CTAP score high of the school. they are going to blame the kid AND the parents, but the school never going to take responsability if your child does not learn well during the school year, they will just suggest tutoring after school at almost the end of the school year when there's nothing to do to help your chid.

Posted: April 5, 2012

I would NOT recommend this school to anyone!!! Shortly after receiving my daughter report card that had all A's (she had one 2) I received a phone call telling me that she would most likely have to repeat the 2nd grade. I tried to talk to the teacher and she kept telling me it was the schools policy not to promote socially, I just wanted her to get the extra help she needed in reading, the only subject she struggles with! I then tried to contact the principal and was never allowed to speak with her. After several more calls I got to talk to the VP which is like talking to a wall. She speaks to parents as if they are in Kindergarten not adults who may have valid concerns about their child s education as well as their emotional well being. I was told I could PAY one of their teachers by the hour to get my daughter the help she needed. I believe that the school saw that my daughter was having difficulty and instead of helping her they just wanted to make sure she stayed in 2nd grade in order to keep the CTAP scores high. This school is more concerned with how they look on paper then the children they are teaching. I feel as though I failed as a parent when I chose this school

Posted: April 4, 2012

When searching schools, I was eager to find one that used direct instruction with core knowledge. The Kindergarten program was challenging, yet rewarding. The same goes for 1st.Sadly, the second grade staff has not lived up to the accustomed expectations. I am upset with the lack of communication. Conferences seem to be of no help. The staff at James Irwin appears unapproachable, and intimidating, including the Principal and Vice-principal. I am unaware of any science classes. There has only been one field trip ever. There are few ways to integrate fun and socialization in the school day. Using the restroom at unscheduled times results in recess time being taken away. They are scolded for talking and not playing at recess. My daughter has upheld all character traits, and was still reprimanded for having a physical ailment out of her control. She comes home with an hour of homework four out of five days. She is only in second grade, and is stressed beyond belief. To resolve the problem, I am going to look into Cheyenne Mountain Charter. They use the same direct instruction and core knowledge, have around the same test scores, and they incorporate more anxiety free days.

Posted: March 11, 2012

How rewarding that you found that JICES complements your educational expectations & character values! There are many schools of choice - we appreciate that you chose JICES. Unfortunately, you state that there have been many encounters with school admin where you felt disrespected. This is significant; school leaders must hold the line & hold people accountable for appropriate behaviors; it's never the intention to hurt anyone. No doubt, when such conversations require the admin s involvement, the topics are serious in nature, scope, & content. The admin takes great pains to uphold respectful conversations, no matter the seriousness of the topic. In fact, at times, necessary recommendations are made to agree to disagree so that parties need not resort to disagreeable interactions. Accountability can feel uncomfortable & difficult to accept: it has no bearing on someone being a bad parent or being related to the CEO. The Board has put executive measures in place for any ongoing conflict resolutions; it acts with great objectivity should situations need further assistance. Thank you - we look forward to educating your children to the best of our ability! -the Asst. Principal

Posted: March 8, 2012

When my children began attending JICES 2 years ago I was thrilled to find a school that offered structure, vigorous curriculum and character development. I am sad to say that over the past year I have had numerous negative encounters with school administration in which I was talked down to, lectured and disrespected. While I believe my children are getting a good education and I have had positive interactions with their teachers, I am greatly displeased with the attitude of the administration and the lack of accountability for their actions. If you have a complaint about this school it is difficult to do much about it because the CEO is the principal's husband. I have heard from numerous parents similar complaints. It feels as if once you have disagreement with the administration they are continually looking down their noses at you or looking to catch you or your child doing something "bad". The interesting thing is that my kids are great students, they are not discipline problems, and I am an involved parent. I am not a "bad" parent! I believe that JICES is a great school and can be even better if the administration would treat the parents better.

Posted: October 5, 2011

I don't know about this school. It is our first year and it seems that the school is more concerned with their appearance and their scores than my daughter. They are always saying negative remarks about other springs schools like they are so far better than them, with the exception of cheyenne mountain charter which they appear to be trying to "out do." The teachers are nice, but it feels like a fake nice, my daughter has heard her teacher gossiping about kids in the class and other teachers which really bothers me. The entire way this school is being run makes it into one big popularity contest down to every aspect .

Posted: August 24, 2011

I am very happy with not only the academic achievments of both my son and daughter, but also the social maturity they have gained. My son was challenged academically both years he attended(4th & 5th). My daughter had interferences that hindered some of her growth. The school was supportive and helped my daughter reach her highest potential. The teachers both of them had thoughout the years were remarkable and dedicated educators. The support I felt from them, and both principal and assistant principal touched me and my daughter. She is now a confident student and a leader no matter what situation she is faced with. I am thankful that my children attended this fantastic school.

Posted: August 15, 2011

Best. School. Ever!!!! The teachers truly care and are absolutely invested in ensuring that your child succeeds. Positive reinforcement is the method by which most behavior modification occurs. They have very high standards and it's refreshing to see all the kids able to live up to those standards. There is great ethnic diversity in the school, but very little diversity in how much the parents, teachers and administration care about each child and their success, both academically and socially. I recommend this school to anyone moving to the area, especially if you have a fairly conservative, old-school idea of how education should be achieved!

Posted: August 12, 2011

Our kids have gone here since K. We loved K and 1st, but haven't been impressed since. They are constantly losing teachers. Last school year they had a teacher that taught our 1st grader math and our 4th grader reading. She was amazing, always had time to talk with us about our kids progress and greet us by name. She even tutored our son free of charge and made him love reading. The kids loved her. Halfway through the year she was moved to 2nd grade. Our kids were upset and couldn't stand the new teacher. Almost the end of the year our 1st grader came home crying because the teacher quit and now she couldn't have her next year. You would think they would try to hold good teachers. Each year they gain and lose quiet a few. We haven't had much interaction with the principals, and hope we never do, they are pretty snooty and look down on everyone. Our kids will stay here, we live in D2 so this is the best option for us. we gave teacher quality 2 stars only because we were happy with k and 1st and not since. But k and 1st deserved a 5.

Posted: July 23, 2011

My child has attended this school since Kindergarten. I have mixed views about the school however everything in life has pro's & con's. Even though sometimes I feel homework is rather much for my child - I as a parent sit and make sure that the homework is done and understood. Majority of the time my help is not needed and I'm constantly amazed at the information my child has learned. My child has set a goal to obtain one of the character awards for this school year and with this goal comes my part to help he/she do whatever it takes to obtain such a great award. I'm not too keen with the Principal however I can say she does have a open door policy - I just think her level of thinking on certain situation is not thought out well but she does have a outstanding adminstrative staff to make up for what is lacking. Overall, I truly can say this has not been a bad fit for my child who will be a moving on to the middle school after this school year.

Posted: July 12, 2011

I have to agree with the April 24 posting. The teachers are very friendly but the quality of their teaching is low. Both principals are cold, fake, and uncaring. If your child does not naturally thrive at their school, they will take no responsibility and the parents are to blame. As a previous parent volunteer I heard teachers constantly gossiping about other staff and principals. Not something I wanted my child to pick up.

Posted: April 24, 2011

I would love to be able to talk with this parent in person. We WANT parents to have their questions answered because we believe "every good question deserves a GOOD answer." If parents are concerned about a lesson their child found confusing, they can contact the teacher of their child's class as a first step. If their questions are still not answered, parents can go to lead teachers or either the assistant principal or the principal. It's always best to start with the most direct communication: when I was teaching, I always appreciated being able to address parents' questions first - we could save so much time and effort that way. But if questions are still there, then a parent can take it to the next level until they are satisfied. The parents are amazed at how carefully designed and refined the whole teaching process is, from curricula to teacher training and coaching, to adding extra structure for struggling students. As for JICES teachers using scripted lessons, we do use a number of Direct Instruction curricula (Science Research Associates publisher), which do have very specific lesson plans that are scripted in order to avoid confusing "side trails" and extra wording that doesn't always help. These highly researched lessons have had numerous studies showing how students can "learn more in less time" and accelerate their success. However, teachers should never leave a student confused. A number of other curricula we use is not scripted, but teachers are trained to use Explicit Teaching methods in these subjects as well. Again, I would love to talk with this parent - please make an appointment or come by the office. As for students with language challenges: yes, we do have a number of students whose home language is not English. In fact we have a number of different home languages other than English represented in our student population. We have opened up some tutoring for all students who struggle with language challenges, whether they "qualify" as an English Language Learner or not. Parents can contact the classroom teacher for more information. Hope to see you so we can explore your questions! EB, Principal

Posted: April 23, 2011

James Irwin has a friendly staff and good dicsipline. Teacher quality is poor. Teachers do not have to meet state education requirements. The lessons are scripted, we sat through our sons class and when he didnt understand something the teacher was reading it seemed that she didnt understand either and was not able to answer our sons questions. Our daughters math teacher has had her skip math problems telling her that they don't make sense. However, we were able to explain to our daughter how it was done. James Irwin caters to their hispanic students, providing programs like free tutoring which our children are unable to take advantage of because of their last name. We would not reccomend this school nor will our children be returning.