Admissions

Your Journey Starts Here

Begin your educational journey where academics and adventure come together. Discover our admissions process and learn how you can join a community dedicated to growth, learning, and outdoor exploration.

Application process

A Step-by-Step Guide to Admissions

Welcome to the Colorado Timberline Academy admissions process. We're here to guide you through every step, from your initial inquiry to enrollment. Our goal is to make the process as seamless and straightforward as possible, ensuring you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Step 1

Submit initial inquiry form

Complete our online inquiry form to get started, and we’ll reach out to share more about our academy.

Step 2

Schedule a Visit

Visit our campus to meet our dedicated staff and experience our community firsthand. A campus visit is a key part of our admissions process and is required for all prospective students.

  • A campus visit is a key part of our admissions process and is required for all applicants. However, if you're simply exploring whether our school is the right fit, you're welcome to use the visit for that purpose as well. Below is a typical itinerary for your visit to Colorado Timberline Academy.

Step 3

Complete Application Materials

During your visit to CTA, our admissions director will guide you through the application process, ensuring you have all the necessary materials. They'll assist you in getting started and answer any questions along the way.

  • During your site visit to Colorado Timberline Academy, our admissions director will walk you through all of the following application materials.

Boarding Program

Live & Learn: The CTA Boarding Experience

Our boarding program offers a unique blend of independence and community, designed to nurture both academic and personal growth. Students are immersed in a vibrant residential life that balances structure with freedom, allowing them to develop important life skills while building lifelong friendships.

A Supportive and Connected Community Surrounded by Nature

Our small, close-knit community provides a supportive environment where students can thrive. Living arrangements are comfortable, with shared rooms and common spaces that foster collaboration and connection among peers. The academy's stunning natural surroundings further enhance the boarding experience, offering students the opportunity to engage with nature daily.

Dorm Life Includes:

  • Comfortable Shared Rooms: Spacious for both study and relaxation.

  • Supportive Community: Encouraging personal growth.

  • Balanced Routine: A mix of academics, outdoor activities, and personal time.

  • Nutritional Meals: Healthy, balanced meals prepared on-site.

  • Community Engagement: Activities and events that build school spirit.

Explore Boarding at CTA

Find out if our boarding program is the right fit for your child’s development. Contact the admissions director to learn more about life at Colorado Timberline Academy and available openings.

2024-2025

Tuition Fees

At Colorado Timberline Academy, we recognize that selecting a school is a major decision. Our tuition reflects our dedication to offering a well-rounded education with strong academics and outdoor experiences. We aim to make this opportunity accessible and are here to assist with tuition and financial aid options.

  • Day Student

    $28,000

    Day students live nearby campus with their parent/guardian

    Cost includes:

    • Tuition

    • On-campus Lunch

    • Seasonal Ski Pass

    • Class supplies

    • Activity fees

  • Boarding Students

    $47,500

    Boarding students live on campus

    Cost includes:

    • Tuition

    • Room & board

    • Seasonal ski pass

    • Class supplies

    • Activity fees

  • The supportive environment and close-knit community helped me build confidence and develop crucial life skills.

    My time at Colorado Timberline Academy was transformative. The supportive environment and close-knit community helped me build confidence and develop crucial life skills. The balance of academics and outdoor activities made learning engaging and enjoyable. I left CTA feeling well-prepared for the next chapter in my life and with friendships that I know will last a lifetime.

    Jamie L., Class of 2024

  • The values and skills I gained there laid a strong foundation for my career success.

    Attending Colorado Timberline Academy was a pivotal experience in my life. The values and skills I gained there laid a strong foundation for my career success. The emphasis on personal growth and community has stayed with me, guiding me through challenges and opportunities in my professional journey. CTA's impact has been profound, and I’m grateful for the experience every day.

    Alex M., Class of 2010, Senior Manager at a Tech Firm

FAQs

  • Yes! Colorado Timberline Academy is fully accredited with Cognia.

    Click Here for more information.

  • Yes! A school crisis or the need for a fresh start does not necessarily follow the school calendar. The flexibility of the Bloc System at Colorado Timberline Academy allows a student to enter the program at almost anytime during the school year. Also, the Bloc System allows for a smooth transition by eliminating the stress of playing catch up and keep up as is the case when transitioning to a traditional program.

  • Yes! No student may posses or consume alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beers or other drugs (non-prescribed or illegal) on campus or off. This rule is in effect at all times when a student is enrolled at CTA. Colorado Timberline Academy is very proactive in regard to drug and alcohol issues. On a weekly basis, randomly selected students are tested for drug usage. Also, if we have any reason to suspect that alcohol has been brought on campus or that students have been drinking, staff will not hesitate to breathalyze any student suspected of violating the drug and alcohol policy.

  • FIRST OFFENSE: The student will be restricted to campus for one month and further required to perform one month of dinner duty. In addition, the student will be tested on a mandatory basis each week for the reemainder of the school year.

    SECOND OFFENSE: The student will be suspended for two weeks if found in possession or upon laboratory verification of the test results.

    THIRD OFFENSE: The student will be expelled if found in possession or upon laboratory verification of the test results. The severity of the third offense will determine the punishment.

    • Drug and alcohol offenses are treated identically.

    • If a student is expelled for the above reasons and successfully completes a program to address the issue of drug or alcohol usage, CTA will consider the possibility of re-enrollment.

  • Yes! Students who are meeting all academic and community responsibilities may sign out to leave campus if they have no school scheduled obligations and have permission from their parent or legal guardian. Please keep in mind that CTA is located approximately 12 miles north of town and transportation must be arranged and available.

  • In most years, 90% of the graduating seniors go on to attend college.

  • In most years, we have seen a ratio of 4 boys to every girl enrolled.

  • Yes. Each student has a faculty advisor who is responsible for the academic and community well being of his or her advisees. If there is a greater need for counseling, arrangements can be made for a student to meet more frequently with a professional in Durango.

  • Yes. Students may make and receive calls at any time except during classes or during quiet hours (7:30pm – 8:30pm).

  • We recommend a weekly allowance of $10 to $20 per week and funds are distributed to students at the beginning of each weekend. Students may also pursue a paid position washing dishes for our kitchen and are paid twice a month.

  • Yes. All prescribed medications are to be given to the Director for distribution according to the prescription instructions. Students are not permitted to have any medications in their possession at any time. This includes over-the-counter medications.

  • Yes. Tutorial Math and English courses are available for students who need support or remediation in these areas. Peer tutoring along with the help of the teacher proctoring the evening study hall is also available. Our small classes with an average of 5 or 6 students per class also allow for frequent one-on-one instruction.

  • Yes. The trips and outdoor activities are part of our curriculum. Consequently, all school trips (Wakan, Fall Trip and Spring Trip) are required. In addition, three afternoons per week the students are required to be involved in our outdoors program. Choices of activities include rock climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, fly fishing, ball sports, skiing & snowboarding, and dance among others.

  • Rather than students taking five, six or more courses for a semester or for the entire year, students at CTA take three classes per Bloc. With the Bloc System the school year has been divided into seven time periods (Blocs) of four or five weeks in length. Each school year is usually made up of 5 four-week Blocs and 2 five-week Blocs. Each Bloc is a separate unit and there is no cumulative effect to the marking from one Bloc to the next. Also, when students change from one Bloc to the next, to bring freshness to their program, our scheduling almost inevitably results in at least one or more classes being completely different from those of the previous Bloc. In this way students do not feel as if they are doing the same thing every day of the school year.

  • Colorado Timberline Academy is positioned between traditional boarding schools for mainstream, high achieving students and programs of a more restrictive nature such as a therapeutic, emotional growth or rehab program.

  • No! The use and /or possession of any tobacco product is not permitted at any time by any student while enrolled at Colorado Timberline Academy, including those students above the age of eighteen.

  • No. Students begin the year with privileges and freedoms available. Our expectation is that students will deal with privileges and freedoms in a responsible fashion. See Point System for further explanation.

  • Yes. United Airlines and America West both serve Durango. Both airlines usually have five arrivals and departures throughout each day. Southwest airlines serves Albuquerque, NM which is approx. a four-hour drive from Durango.

  • There are two small dormitories on campus, one for the girls (five single rooms) and one for the boys (six single rooms). Each dorm is supervised by a dorm parent. Younger students are usually housed in the dorms. The remainder of the students are housed in small, two-person log cabins.

  • Everywhere! We've had students from the following states and foreign countries: Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Hawaii, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Mexico, and The Gambia.

  • No. CTA does not provide summer school. There is, however, a summer camp, The Durango Mountain Camp, which is primarily for students diagnosed with dyslexia. Colorado Timberline Academy rents facilities to the camp but is otherwise not involved in the operation of the camp.