CIVA Charter High School

Posted: May 5, 2026

Posted: May 5, 2026

The teachers here like Mr.Madson make you want to stay, but they dont offer support at all for students. As someone about to head off to college, CIVA has left me unprepared. Even with having taken all of their advanced classes, my transcript looks unimpressive to a competitive market that is 4 year universities and CIVA was unwilling to ever support me when I wanted to increase my workload. Expecting me as a student to fully cover the cost of college classes if I wanted to take them knowing many other schools would support me financially in that case.
Senior seminar was given to an unprepared teacher, etc.

Freshman year, I loved it here, but as the years go on, I wish I had transferred out as I believe the freedom and support of bigger schools would’ve done greater for my future.

Posted: May 5, 2026

Posted: May 5, 2026

Posted: May 5, 2026

Posted: May 5, 2026

Posted: May 5, 2026

Posted: January 23, 2026

Posted: January 23, 2026

Posted: January 23, 2026

VERY tight knit community, every week the whole school does an assembly type thing which is kinda nice. The teachers are very open to changing certain things for students who learn different or experienced sensitivity problems. The students who go here are all losers though. It’s such a small school that it’s actually kinda suffocating.

Posted: January 23, 2026

Posted: January 23, 2026

Posted: January 23, 2026

Posted: January 23, 2026

Posted: January 23, 2026

Posted: February 12, 2020

The best school I’ve ever been to. I’ve been to 10 other schools

Posted: February 12, 2020

There is an appropriate amount of homework and most students have a study hall each day so it’s easy to get all of your work done

Posted: February 12, 2020

They always are there for you if you need any help.

Posted: February 12, 2020

Posted: February 12, 2020

The principal and staff are very kind and care about every student.

Posted: February 12, 2020

Everyone is welcome and has a place to fit in

Posted: February 12, 2020

There is no bullying. Everybody is nice

Posted: February 18, 2019

Posted: February 18, 2019

Civa offers many courses to fit each students need so they can thrive

Posted: February 18, 2019

The administration does not put up with bullying. They always properly deal with any situation that might occur.

Posted: February 18, 2019

I've been attending Civa since my freshman year. Right now I'm a sophomore and I LOVE this school. The teacher are great and more than willing to sit down with the students and help them when needed. Everyone can be their own person without having to worry about being bullied. The principal is very involved in the school which isn't something you can find much anymore. They DO NOT put up with bullying which makes Civa a welcoming and comfortable environment. Overall I love the experience I've had at this school so far and I cant wait finish out high school in such a wonderful school.

Posted: February 18, 2019

The homework load is never too much. The teachers talk to each other to make sure they dont give too much homework out on the same day

Posted: February 18, 2019

The teachers are more than willing to take time out of their day to sit down with the students to help them when needed. They're very involved in the classes they teach. You can tell they're very enthusiastic about teaching.

Posted: February 18, 2019

The students can be their own individual without the fear of being bullied for being different

Posted: December 4, 2018

Don't care about the students, they know kids are suffering and do nothing to help

Posted: December 4, 2018

Clear favorites, staff does a great job at making sure certain groups of students are considered outcasts.

Posted: December 4, 2018

Worst 3 years of my life. Luckily I transferred and graduated from a different school because this is not a college prep school.

Posted: December 4, 2018

Posted: December 4, 2018

Posted: December 4, 2018

Strongly encourages bullying and favoritism among students

Posted: November 26, 2017

like with most schools you have some wonderful teachers and some horrible ones, this school is no different. the teachers choose favorites which if you're not chosen can leave you isolated from the rest of the school in the classroom and in the social construct of the school.

Posted: November 26, 2017

if the teachers like you. If the students like you. If not? well you might as well pool in your chips because your set up to fail.

Posted: November 26, 2017

they do let the students lead the way and encourage them to grow but this can be both good and bad because this tactic often leaves most of the school feeling in equipt.

Posted: November 26, 2017

most of the teachers don't read the 504s which leaves a gap in knowledge among students.

Posted: November 26, 2017

i honestly feel like the staff didn't care about this for the most part.

Posted: November 26, 2017

I felt isolated and i felt inferior in every way. the staff seemed to not care about the cyber bullying and mental toll of bullying on school grounds. i honestly give up on trying o make them see the importance of a 504 and countless other things. I am stuck at CIVA due to lack of support to transfer... I will probably be alone until i graduate next year .

Posted: November 26, 2017

They are more strict with due dates than other schools which can truly break your grade, the english department is not as great as advertised when it comes to this. 30% of teachers refuse to budge on the issue with homework.

Posted: January 7, 2017

The school defiantly has a zero tolerance policy toward students bullying each other.

Posted: January 7, 2017

This school does not offer an individualized approach, they are not willing to work with students with learning disabilities, the principle is very prejudice, and never gave me a chance. This is also not an art school it is a college prep school.
I was not a problem, I was having one.

Posted: January 7, 2017

NO, NO WAY
i have a traumatic brain injury and the school claimed to have an individualized learning approach with small classrooms, and i promise they did not pay any mind to my learning disability. The principal told me that he doesn't give students who don't excel as much effort or respect as other students. He didn't even learn my name before he decided that i wasn't worth his time.
This school has no counsellors or para professional educators. I felt humiliated and stupid for my learning disorder, this is not the school for students who don't fit the mold, no matter what they say.

Posted: January 7, 2017

The principle ignored, and was foul to most students. No leadership, just bad attitudes.

Posted: January 7, 2017

They seem to turn a blind eye on the way students behave towards each other, but they are very into their oddly specific dress code.

Posted: January 7, 2017

The teachers refused to look over my 504 plan, and were hostile and not approachable, or willing to help a student with a learning disability.

Posted: May 24, 2016

The whole staff seem to genuinely like each other and work as a team to create a healthy and supportive environment for the students as well as themselves.

Posted: May 24, 2016

Students are challenged without being drowned. I also enjoy that some of the teachers refer to it as "homefun."

Posted: May 24, 2016

CIVA's teachers and administration focus on the development of the full student, not just the marks on the report card

Posted: May 24, 2016

CIVA's small atmosphere and individualized focus on learners is outstanding! My eldest, who needed additional help to turn his academics around after a bad experience of apathetic teachers in middle school became a dean's list student with the help of the hard-working CIVA staff. My youngest, who is an extremely advanced 7th grader, is going to be heading to CIVA for high school as I know the teachers there will be able to keep her challenged and engaged instead of bored as so many advanced students are in most modern high school settings.

Posted: May 24, 2016

We have a highly capable and talented group of teachers at CIVA. Many teachers here did not start out in education but found their way here.

Posted: May 24, 2016

We balance the level of homework and expect students to be fully present in class.

Posted: May 24, 2016

Our 9 keys of excellence program that stresses Integrity, Failure Leads to Success, Speak with Good Purpose, This is it, Commitment, Ownership, Flexibility, Balance

Posted: May 24, 2016

I've been a teacher at this amazing school for the last six years. I have seen amazing growth among our students as we have improved in every area - especially in leadership, academics, musicianship and character. We attract a diverse group of students, and it always amazes me this time of year the number of students who openly praise CIVA for making a massive difference in their lives. Come check us out!

Posted: May 24, 2016

Posted: May 24, 2016

Posted: May 24, 2016

Posted: May 24, 2016

CIVA Charter High School is a gem in the rough. The sense of community that has been created within these walls is amazing and the caliber of both student and teacher creates an environment that is both unique and rewarding.

Posted: May 18, 2016

CIVA is a school that is welcoming to all students; where students feel safe to express themselves. After graduating from CIVA, students have the confidence and knowledge to be successful at a four-year college as well as the character to be professional in any environment. Several students who are currently attending college have said they felt prepared for this next step in their lives.

Posted: May 18, 2016

Posted: May 18, 2016

Posted: May 18, 2016

Posted: June 18, 2015

Posted: June 18, 2015

Posted: June 18, 2015

CIVA Charter High School feels like family! The school has small class sizes. Teachers and staff give individual attention to each student and kids feel safe to be themselves. There are a lot of opportunities for students to take part in the arts and it has a strong curriculum that prepares them for college. Visit CIVA and see if it’s right for your child! www.civacharterschool.org

Posted: June 18, 2015

CIVA Charter High School feels like family! The school has small class sizes. Teachers and staff give individual attention to each student and kids feel safe to be themselves. There are a lot of opportunities for students to take part in the arts and it has a strong curriculum that prepares them for college. Visit CIVA and see if it’s right for your child! www.civacharterschool.org

Posted: March 31, 2015

I use to attend civa charter school, freshman year was amazing I made a lot of friends, Everyone was nice , accepting, wouldn't judge one another,and could express ourselves threw art,dance,theater, and the way we dressed and looked. There were a lot of great memory's but when attended shophmore year it wasn't so nice ,we got a dress code, teachers were a lot less fun and pumped and didn't teach as well , and kids weren't so nice a lot of bully's now and the dress code turned almost into a uniform and they were portraying us as something we were not. Civa was made for the arts for us to be ourselves a place were people who love different forms of art and people who weren't accepted by other people come together as a family but it changed there's nothing special about this school a lot of my friends are miserable there and I wouldn't recommend going.

Posted: February 4, 2015

I am thankful for this school, as it really saved my son from all the bullying that comes with larger schools. My only concern is that the curriculum seems a little behind from other schools. I am not seeing anything to be challenging at all and seems to make some students "lazy" when it comes to school work and grades. Also, the communication between teacher/parent doesn't seem to be very important. Otherwise, I like the small school atmosphere and how well my son has been able to make friends here!!

Posted: June 3, 2013

The teachers really care about and work with students. The principle is awsome with the kids. There is a very good atmosphere of friendship at the school.

Posted: October 8, 2012

This school saved my middle daughter from becoming a drop out to an outstanding member of the school and her community. This school is taking my youngest daughter to new experiences she would never have if she stayed in a large public school.

Posted: October 3, 2012

The poster who gave CIVA one star is completely wrong about this school. The arts and music offerings are outstanding. Garage band? CIVA's choir wears uniforms and are lead by an outstanding music teacher. There's also band, theater, art, photography, even jewelry making. Tons of arts electives. And the format is very college like. Some classes are every day, some twice a week, it really helps students understand what college will be like. They learn to plan their schedules and study times and become disciplined learners. On top of that, the school offers a very small, family like environment where the students support and care for one another. You won't find bullying at CIVA. I'd encourage families to come check it out for themselves. The students who don't get anything out of CIVA are students who choose not to. This is far from an alternative school...it's a well rounded college prep and arts curriculum.

Posted: September 8, 2012

CIVA is a wonderful school. This is my second year here and I have never seen a school build their students like CIVA has. After just a semester at CIVA, I saw students morph from unruly children to responsible and dedicated students. It really is remarkable how contagious CIVA's positive attitude is. With such a great principal, it's no wonder that the teachers and students are so upbeat. If you're a student stuggling with your studies or with any social problems, there is no better school than CIVA. Because of the one-on-one method we use here, students are always guarenteed help. The way teachers and students help each other improve and challenge themselves is one of the most inspiring things I've ever seen in the education system. The principles that CIVA teaches also reflects in the students. Quantum Learning's 9 keys of excellence are almost always present in the students and teachers. I recommend and support this school 100% because without it, I wouldn't be half the student I am today.

Posted: August 9, 2012

CIVA Charter High School is certainly not for students looking to be challenged. Definitely an "alternative" style school, the teachers are very relaxed and often turn a blind eye to obvious disrespect and misbehavior of the students. CIVA tried very hard to be a "family", which often comes before the student's education. Many of the teachers are more like students than role-models, which causes the students to easily take advantage of them. Claiming to be an "art-based" school, the extracurricular classes are poor at best. Only offering a few basic art classes and band classes that feel more like a garage band jam. I was disappointed in this school. The idea of it sounds so perfect, yet it is executed terribly.

Posted: September 7, 2011

CIVA Charter School is a life-changing experience not only for students but for parents as well. Everyone becomes part of the family. Students that graduate from CIVA are well-educated, confident adults. The teachers really care about each individual student and their future. Even the principal know each student by name and genuinely cares about each of them.

Posted: September 6, 2011

This school is amazing. I has been here for three years, and I would not imagine going anywhere else!

Posted: September 6, 2011

I hace been a student at Civa for three years. I beloved that Civa has changed my life for the best kind of future. I have been a leader here sence day one and I beloved this is my family and I am part of this family

Posted: August 30, 2011

This school does wonders for students self esteem...great small school environment, interactive classrooms, and the students are really free to be themselves in a safe, family-like environment. The kids are respectful and all treat each other like family. I've never seen a school like this...great arts program, college prep format, and strong academics. Love it!

Posted: August 30, 2011

CIVA is amazing! This school is a small, family like environment that allows the students to be themselves and does wonders for their self esteem. The classrooms are interactive, the teachers know and care about each student, and the students treat each other like family. Great arts program and college prep format. Take a tour...you will feel the positive energy and great things happening when you walk in the tour. This school is the best kept secret in Colorado Springs

Posted: June 14, 2011

CIVA focuses on helping their students, many of whom are square pegs and out-of-the-box types, discover who they are and who they can become. They believe in these kids, and the majority of the staff works hard to help the kids believe in themselves. This school is not for everyone, but it provides an environment that encourages and enables students who might otherwise not succeed, an opportunity to succeed.