We asked the seniors in Ambleside’s first graduating class about the greatest benefits realized through their Ambleside education and what a living education means to them as they go forward in the future.

— THREE AMBLESIDE SENIORS —

Think critically.

Throughout the years at Ambleside, you grow and have more responsibility. Here, as you get older, you start to think for yourself. Education becomes more discussion, explanation, hands-on. Questions like, “How do I think for myself? What do I think on this subject? How do I address what my classmates think?” It’s not a lecture where you’re just having facts thrown at you. Ambleside teaches you to have an open mind — really listen to discussion — and then think for yourself.

Think about others.

My education at Ambleside has really taught me to formulate my own opinion, but also truly listen to what others are talking about and trying to see their point of view. It’s an important life skill to have — to be able to seek to understand what others are thinking. It helps you have a more rounded view of why people make decisions and helps to create a certain culture and to protect a certain atmosphere. Ambleside has taught me to think deeply about others and not to jump to conclusions or assumptions.

Think about the future.

Ambleside has taught me to love to learn. It’s a very diversified education. I’m looking at colleges and wondering, “How can I continue this learning rigor in the future?” The rigor here is either equal to or greater than the colleges I’m considering. Ambleside has challenged me to grow and think about what I believe, how I’m going to think, and how I’m going live my life. Ambleside has prepared me to know who I am, to love to learn, and to love the challenges of life.

A living education.

One of the biggest reasons I wanted to come to Ambleside after homeschooling was because I was learning by myself — it was hard to focus and hard to be responsible. Plus, I wanted friends. It’s a living education at Ambleside because there’s community. You are learning and having discussions with a small class that’s super tight. You’re able to build deep relationships and you know everyone in your class. Here you know everybody.

A living education has to be interesting and engaging. And, Ambleside really is alive and pulls you into it, and makes you want to learn.

My living education is vibrant and full of life. When we’re learning here, it’s not just some boring lecture with a teacher talking to us and then we kind of assimilate it, take notes, and then study for the exam. Instead, it’s very interactive. It is a life really. The conversation can go all these different ways. This student and this student are disagreeing. Alright, let’s build on that and let’s see how to resolve that or how can we learn from it. I would say that’s a living education. It’s an atmosphere that I haven’t seen in other schools.

And the relational aspect that Ambleside provides is also fantastic. Our small community means I have 12 best friends in a class of juniors and seniors that I’ve been with for years and friendships I know will last for the rest of my life.

Dear Ambleside Colorado families and friends,

This year, we are deeply grateful for the new developments and tremendous generosity of our community that has enabled us to achieve the dream of a permanent school home. And even as we look forward to our move, we do not lose sight of the reason for this growth: our mission that every child will have the opportunity to receive a living education.

Why is an Ambleside education worthy of our investment? As our seniors so beautifully expressed, it’s because it creates adults who are thinking, thoughtful, engaged, and full of life.

We are confident that our first graduating seniors will be leaving Ambleside with a living education. A thoughtfulness as natural as breathing. A philosophy and a method of embracing all that life presents with the capacity to seek the true, good, and beautiful.

As a community, we are dedicated to providing as many students as we can with an Ambleside education. This dedication makes it our responsibility and privilege to address the needs of those families who are struggling financially.

The need for financial aid is greater than ever due to increased enrollment and today’s cost of living. Some of our families live below the Arapahoe County median annual income of $87,000, and some live at 50% of median income.

This year, 49 students from 20 families are receiving financial aid because of you. In order to meet this need, we must come together to raise $215,000. We know you share our belief that an Ambleside education is worth the investment as Christ-followers who receive His fullness, and then are blessed to pour out His “grace upon grace” to those in need.

Thank you for continuing this legacy of giving.

_{“Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”}