OUR MISSION IS TO GUIDE STUDENTS IN KNOWLEDGE, CHARACTER, AND FAITH TO DISCOVER AN AUTHENTIC LOVE OF LEARNING AND A LIFE OF OPPORTUNITY.
WHAT MAKES DPCA DIFFERENT?
Besides being the only four day school in Buena Vista, only Christian school in Chaffee County, and only Teaching for Transformation school in the Central Rockies...
INTENTIONALLY
SMALL
By limiting our enrollment to 100 K-8th students, we are able to provide personalized care and instruction to meet the needs of each of our students and provide a safe, family centered environment.
RIGOR + JOY
Our rigorous academics are hands on, active, and engaging for all learning types. We work hard together, play hard together, and celebrate each other's growth and achievements with great joy.
ADVENTURE
Outdoor Expeditions such as climbing, backpacking, and xc skiing allow students to take their learning beyond the classroom and develop confidence, communication, and teamwork skills.
CHARACTER + FAITH
We care about who students are becoming, not just what they know. We emphasize character development and spiritual growth alongside academic knowledge in order to empower students to become agents of good in their local communities and our world.
OUR STAFF VALUES
Our staff are truly what makes DPCA unique! In order for the school's mission to be translated from words into reality, we are committed as a team to modeling the following behaviors in ways that consistently cultivate a joyful, welcoming, Christ-centered culture.
LEADERS IN LEARNING | As educators, our staff model a love of learning for their students not only by continuing to pursue professional development opportunities, but by remaining willing to grow and change in order to best serve their students.
MOTIVATED BY LOVE | All the ways our staff serves parents, their children, each other, and our local community are authentically characterized by love, so that our actions may serve as an indicator of Christ's work in our hearts.
BUILDERS OF COMMUNITY | Our staff is focused on developing personal relationships with students, a positive school culture, and a supportive work environment in order to unify our learning community and best serve the broader community of Chaffee County.
ADMINISTRATION
Ashley has served this community in numerous ways while living here, including participation on the boards of 51:10 Youth Ranch and the BV Pregnancy Center, serving briefly at Trail West as the High Ropes Course Coordinator, and instructing Holy Yoga. She has also continued to faithfully serve DPCA as a substitute teacher, professional development instructor, and leadership consultant. Her three children have been a part of Busy Bees and DPCA since 2011 and all three have graduated from DPCA. Ashley currently works with Silverstone Leadership as a Leadership Consultant and Executive Coach. She holds a Masters in HIgher Education from the University of Mississippi and a Bachelor of Science from The University of Texas.
Hannah Otteni
Office Manager
otteni_h@dpcaweb.org
Nancy Lock
Food Service Manager
Maggie Stark
Business Manager
tuition@dpcaweb.org
ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL
Brook Cervenka
Dean of Students
Director of Outdoor Adventure
Heidi Gerberich
2nd Grade
Director of Cirriculum
Mary Moore
K-4 Spanish
Pippa Morestead
Middle School Science/Math/Elective
Charity Courson
Kindergarten
Caitlin Treat
3rd Grade
.jpg)
Mary Caraway
K-3 PE
Gavin Depew
Middle School History
4-8 PE
Kate Johnson
1/2 Day Kindergarten
Spanish
Dawn Cambers
4th Grade
Hope DeLaRue
K-8 Art/Music/Theater
Jenny DePew
Crew
Brooke Bole
1st Grade
Assistant Outdoor Adventure
Brenda DeWalt
5th Grade / Director K-5 Staff Development
Thea Gab
Middle School Math
.jpg)
Mary Kate McWhirter
Middle School ELA/Bible
EARLY LEARNING
Brook Cervenka
Preschool Director
Sue Granger
Assistant Preschool Teacher
Laura Hansen
Assistant Preschool Teacher
Becca Wingo
Assistant Preschool Teacher
Julianna Miller
Preschool Assistant Director / Teacher
Mary Moore
Assistant Preschool Teacher
Dana Pierce
Assistant Preschool Teacher
Rachel Lew
Preschool Teacher
Stephanie Rauch
Assistant Preschool Teacher
Joy Johansen
Assistant Preschool Teacher
Laura Dereszynski
Preschool Teacher
Catherine Bearss
Assistant Preschool Teacher
Jessica Green
Assistant Preschool Teacher
BOARD MEMBERS
Anne Patterson
School Founder
Joe Chambers
Board Member
Jonathan Litwiller
Board Member
Kathy Young
Board Member
Shannon Allen
Board Member
John Pinyard
Board Member
John Jacquat
Board Member
The school board meets the third Monday of every month at 6pm. These meetings are
open to the public by appointment. The school board enjoys hearing from community members,
our school families, students, and staff. Feel free to email to get on the monthly meeting schedule or with any questions, concerns, feedback, or ideas you might have!
The Role of the Board
The Board serves as a support and resource to the administrator and staff and as a advocate and voice for the school in the larger community. They oversee the decision making processes and provide accountability in guiding the mission and vision of the school. In addition, they oversee fundraising efforts.
The Board meets monthly - these meetings are open to the public by appointment. The Board is open to hearing from students, parents, staff, and members of the community. If you are interested in attending a meeting or in applying to be a board member, please contact us for more information.