Where tradition, innovation, and community gather to create life-long learners.

Community

We build community in formal and informal settings. Steele celebrates together, connecting families through special events like the annual Shakespeare Production, MonsterMash Dance, Fall ONENfest, and Colorado College Field Day. Teachers regularly share classroom successes with families through education media, and staff and faculty make a habit of greeting students and families in the morning.

Critical Thinking

Learning at Steele is student focused and happens in a myriad of ways.  Teachers build rotations for students to access learning through writing, game-playing, building, and collaborating.  Socratic Discussion circles and debates help students develop courage and sound reasoning.

Rigor

Steele students develop academic stamina through carefully planned problem solving and individual challenge.  Student-curated digital portfolios track their growth, and teachers provide opportunity for perseverance and personal learning.

Character

Committed to the whole child, Steele builds six social concepts into instruction: empathy, perseverance, leadership, creativity, cooperation, and integrity.

Creativity

We see the value in the arts and look for ways to incorporate them in daily classroom activities.  Integrated Units encourage learning about architecture, starting a business, cultural appreciation, local history, space exploration, and robotics.

Action

An active lifestyle is a hallmark of many Steele parents and families.  Steele builds students into healthy kids with a robust PE program and active after-school enrichments like running and biking.  Field Day at Colorado College is an annual celebration of movement and song.

Collaboration

Steele TV, written, directed and produced every week by 4th and 5th grade students, is a great example of visual and story-telling creativity.  Students work with teachers and parents to recycle, plan playground improvements, and recreate learning spaces

Curriculum

Steele teachers find the right curriculum to help each child learn.  Resources like Readers & Writers Workshop, Wonders, Math Expressions, EngageNY (math), Aleks, and various technology applications serve students at their point of need.  After school enrichment includes classes like yoga, chess, and Spanish.

Facts & Figures

• 300 students K-5
• Art, Music, Media, P.E., Social Work, Special Ed., and GT
• PTA membership is 100-plus
• After-school enrichment classes
• Current school was built in 1970
• Playground updated in summer 2018
• Low teacher turn-over rate
• School of Excellence, showing above average growth on state testing
• YMCA After-care is available
• Approximately 40% of Steele students choice in 
• Designed by Thomas Maclaren and opened in 1901