D49 Public Charter School | Located in Forest Meadows

Character Development is a priority at GPA

7036 Cowpoke Rd

Colorado Springs, CO 80908

School Hours

7:30am - 4pm

Summer Hours

Mon - Fri 7:30am - 12pm

Preschool

GPA Preschool/Pre-K

Welcome to your child’s first step into their education. We create a program that will provide your child an environment where they can grow, develop and explore the excitement of learning. One of our goals is to help each student develop social and self help skills. These skills help students build the confidence for an easier transition into Kindergarten. Our curriculum includes Core Knowledge Language Arts program and Kindergarten Saxon Math. Our Pre-K students have the privilege of attending a “specials” class daily. Art, Music, P.E. and Spanish are “specials” classes within the main school taught by the teacher of that classroom. Attending these classes allows for the students to become comfortable with the main school teachers and the school itself. In turn helps make an easier transition to Kindergarten. Our students also participate in the Lexia Core5 Reading program on Chromebooks. Lexia is a reading program for Pre-K – 5th grade students. Our students’ Lexia exposure provides them with an advantage as they move through grades K-5 with the main school. At Grand Peak Academy we encourage each student in our program to explore and embrace their imagination and creativity.
We know your decision regarding your child’s education is an important one. We encourage you to come in for a tour to see first hand everything we have to offer your child. Please contact the Director, Michele, to set up your tour.

Enroll in Preschool/Pre-k at Grand Peak Academy

GPA Preschool/Pre-K is a full-time program where students attend Monday through Friday for 8:05 am – 3:05 pm. We offer one Preschool class, ages 3 years – 4 years old, 20 students. We also offer two Pre-K classrooms, ages 4 years – 6 years old, 20 students in each class.

  • All students must be fully potty trained.
  • All students wear uniforms to school daily.
  • All students bring lunch and a snack from home daily.

A Before and After School program is offered through a contracted corporation. This is a separate identity from GPA.

We do follow the school year calendar for Grand Peak Academy.

The Pre-K classrooms participate in Colorado’s UPK program. Seats are limited. To qualify for UPK your child must turn 4 by September 15th. All UPK seats are full-time only. Please use the following link to register for UPK at Grand Peak Academy.

https://upk.colorado.gov/provider_referral?subsidyProgramId=92d7c9b1-8b14-4703-8776-320d3ec2658a&programId=2c579144-8ad2-4f01-8642-60af710c215f

Open enrollment begins January 1st each year for the upcoming school year. Seats fill up quickly. Please complete our online Intent to Enroll Form to get on the waitlist.

Tuition

Tuition for the 2026/27 school year will be posted soon for Preschool and non UPK students.

Tuition for UPK students will be based on their qualifying UPK hours.

Tuition for the 2026/27 school year:
$1,000/month for Preschool (3 year olds) and non Universal Preschool students
$392/month for 15 approved UPK hours
$0/month for 30 hours approved UPK hours

All families are required to pay a $125 non-refundable registration fee once your spot is offered by the Director. This will guarantee your child’s spot in our program.

If you would like more information regarding our Preschool/Pre-K programs please contact our Preschool/Pre-k Director Michele Lucero at michele.lucero@grandpeakacademy.org or 719-495-7360 ext 127

Intent to Enroll Form

The enrollment process begins when a parent submits an Intent to Enroll Form. All Intent to Enroll Forms are stamped in the order they are received.
The Intent to Enroll Form is the first step in getting your students on the waitlist. Grand Peak Academy welcomes all students and does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, creed color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services.

4 Step Process

Click on the Intent to Enroll Form button, fill out the form as complete as possible.
Once you hit submit our Director will receive your completed form and will enter you into our system.

The Director will reach out to you with any questions and confirm your placement.
Once your spot is secured for the enrollment you will receive an acceptance letter with additional instructions.

Teachers

Loretta Ackerman

Bio coming soon

Desiree Davis

Bio coming soon

Joyce Lopez-Mcdonald

Bio coming soon

Lisa Shishkin

Bio coming soon

Nakiesha Coleman-Colby

My name is Nakiesha (Kiesha) Coleman-Colby.  I was born in Dayton, Ohio. I come from a military family (Air Force) and I’m the oldest of 4 (I have 3 brothers). I’m married, with an adult son, and we now have a grandson.  I graduated from Mitchell High School here in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1995. In June of 1995 I started my career working with young children in Child Care Centers. I started taking college courses in Early Childhood Education in 2003. In 2017,  I completed all the required classes in Early Childhood Education from Pikes Peak Community College to receive my Early Childhood Education Director’s Certificate.   My hobbies are going to the movies, watching sports (Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies, Colorado Avalanche, and the Air Force Falcons), hiking, reading , and spending time with family and friends. My favorite colors are blue, orange, and pink. 

“Think and Wonder, Wonder and Think”

                                                    -Dr. Seuss

Michele Lucero

Hello! I am Michele Lucero the Director and Teacher in the Preschool program here at Grand Peak. I have been in the Early Childhood Education field for 29 years. I started as a licensed in-home provider then moved on to child care centers as a teacher working with all ages groups of children. After 17 years of teaching and more education I became a Director of large child care centers. I held this position for over 8 years then realized I missed being with the children. That led me to my position here at Grand Peak. I am extremely happy to be back with the children and part of the GPA team.

I am originally from California but I have been living on Colorado Springs since 1996. I have two grown children, a son and daughter in law and four grandchildren who all live in Colorado. Family time is my favorite time!

Working with children is a new adventure each day and I wouldn’t wan it any other way!