Overview
Bear Creek Elementary School is situated on a hilltop at the base of the Flatirons, Boulder's dramatic rock formation, and we enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Boulder and the Colorado plains. The impressive mountain backdrop is a daily inspiration reminding us that our thirty-year tradition of maintaining a strong school community is the bedrock upon which we strive to reach high academic goals. By enveloping children in a safe, nurturing environment and teaming with parents and the community to ensure learning for all students, we can inspire students to conquer their mountains and realize their dreams.
In 1971 Bear Creek opened as an innovative open space school and continued for many years as a highly successful and much loved neighborhood school. In 1996, after extensive staff and parent research, Bear Creek chose to become a focus school working in partnership with the University of Colorado that emphasizes our strengths in math, music and science.
Bear Creek has developed a culture of high expectations for both academics and behavior. The partnerships established among the students, teachers and parents enhance students' learning. Parental involvement and support are evident in all aspects of life at Bear Creek from the daily volunteers in the classroom to their enthusiastic participation in educational and family events. Parents are represented on the school governance team, the school improvement team, the school vision committee and the home and school association. They assist students and student council with community outreach programs including a yearly coat drive, food drive, UNICEF collection, Jump Rope for Heart, recycling program and music programs at a nearby retirement community.
Our focus, which makes explicit the cognitive and conceptual connections among math, music and science, enhances the thinking of students and teachers alike. Research supports the value of integrating subject matter to help young students recognize meaningful relationships across subject areas. Reading and writing are essential components of learning in all areas of our curriculum. The focus on math, music and science is a portion of the educational experience students receive; it does not lessen Bear Creek's commitment to provide rich language arts experiences as a solid foundation in literary skills.
We strive to stimulate children's intellectual curiosity and love of learning in children. In the process of acquiring skills and knowledge, we encourage students to ask questions, take risks, and be willing to make mistakes in their quest for greater understanding.