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Board approves contract with Independence Classical Academy; charter to open August 2026
Summary
The Elizabeth School District board approved a contract with Independence Classical Academy, a tuition‑free charter school planning to open in August 2026. Presenters detailed enrollment targets, a $1.297M CCSP grant, other startup loans and planned Frontier Building renovations.
The Elizabeth School District board approved a contract with Independence Classical Academy (ICA) at its Dec. 16 meeting, greenlighting a tuition‑free charter school that plans to open with kindergarten through fifth grade in August 2026.
ICA representatives told the board the school aims to enroll about 200 students in its first year, with a five‑year growth plan to reach more than 400 students and expand grade levels each year. The presenters said the school opened enrollment on Nov. 1 and scheduled a lottery for Jan. 12.
ICA outlined startup financing that included an Academica startup loan (reported as approximately $47,000), a Daniels Fund grant of $75,000 and a Colorado Charter School Program grant (reported in the presentation at $1,297,404). ICA said additional facility financing under discussion included a low‑interest $250,000 loan from the Colorado Charter School Facility Solutions Group. "Together, these funding sources total $1,669,404 and will enable ICA to establish a strong foundation for opening and operating the school," presenters said.
Presenters described the Frontier Building as the likely initial facility and walked directors through planned renovations: HVAC replacement for several aged units (presenters said three of four circled units were not working), new secure entry, cameras, plumbing scopes and playground equipment paid for from CSP grant funds. The ICA team said most renovation costs would be paid by ICA in exchange for use of the Frontier Center building.
Jessica Turner, introduced as ICA's headmaster hire, outlined the school's classical education approach—Core Knowledge sequence, Singapore math, 'great books', Latin, fine arts and virtue formation—and argued it would foster critical thinking and civic habits. Turner said the model will add one grade level per year until the school serves K–8.
Administrators at the meeting said the contract includes performance benchmarks ICA must meet; board members framed the vote as a partnership rather than competition with district schools. A roll‑call vote recorded 'Aye' from the directors present and the contract motion carried.
