The New America School

The New America School (NAS) is a system of public charter high schools dedicated to serving a unique population - recent immigrants and their families and children who want to learn or perfect English and earn a high school diploma, non-traditional students, and traditional students seeking a more personal atmosphere that fits their learning needs.

We are a fully accredited, publicly funded institution that serves students ages 14-21. Our highly qualified staff provides intensive English language instruction and a rigorous academic curriculum to help students fulfill their dream of a better future.

At the New America School we believe educational opportunity is a cornerstone of American life and that English language skills are an essential component.

Our schools are located in diverse communities where the need is greatest. We have three campuses in the metro Denver area:

NAS-Thornton campus, located in Old Thornton, off of 89th and Washington in Thornton;

NAS-Aurora campus, located near Colfax and Elmira in Aurora along the East Colfax Corridor; and

NAS-Lakewood campus, located in Lakewood off of Alameda and Harlan.

The instructional methods NAS utilizes have two inter-related goals: to provide access to mainstream, grade-level content and to promote the development of English language proficiency. The difference between standard English Language Development instruction and NAS’ methodologies is that we not only focus on language development but offer content instruction equal to that offered to native English speakers.

In addition to cultivating academic skills, we engender the life skills necessary for students to flourish in the broader society, including: how to be effective in groups, manage anger, problem-solve and communicate effectively. NAS also understands that students new to this country often experience difficulty adjusting and accordingly imparts information about American life and culture.

NAS offers several programs to ensure equitable access to the educational system by a population that faces multiple barriers to such participation:

1. Classes are scheduled day and night, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., allowing students who work to attend school or any student to attend classes all day in order to catch up on missing credits.
2. Classes are scheduled four days/week to accommodate working students and parents.
3. Our ‘Newcomer Centers’ serve students with little or no English skills. Students spend up to four hours daily in intensive English instruction before being mainstreamed into core classes.
4. A reimbursement program to help teen parents pay for the cost of childcare.
5. Specialized teaching techniques that meet the needs of students at various learning levels.
6. NAS enrolls students up to age 21, providing access for students who have been turned away from traditional schools.