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Character
GO WITH COMPASSION
We’re committed to building strong character and teaching children about kindness, respect and empathy. -
Innovation
GO CREATE
Innovation isn’t an option, it’s a way of life. -
Enriched Learning
GO FURTHER
Learning happens in all ways at Graland in and out of the classroom. -
Inspiring Faculty
GO INSPIRE
Teachers connect with students encouraging them to reach further as lifelong learners. -
Hands-on Lessons
GO DEEPER
Creative techniques lead children to understand concepts in exciting ways.
discover a love of learning
discover a love of learning
Students who go Graland are the kind of forward thinkers who can go anywhere and do anything.
Since 1927 we’ve gone to great lengths to give every child the best education possible. Why? Because we want them to reach higher and go deeper. We want them to pursue excellence with passion and intent.
Graland serves Denver-area children starting in Preschool and from Kindergarten through Grade 8.
Our Community
Here, you'll never go alone.
Our school community is dedicated to bringing people together in a journey that lasts all the way through middle school graduation and beyond.
50
things to experience at Graland
Unique moments happen every day at Graland. Will your child go cross country skiing on our campus? Practice Spanish at a farmer’s market? Lead an assembly? Here are 50 things to look forward to.
News and Events
Graland Today
Recent News
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Grade 6: Discovering the Power of Numbers
Sixth graders in Mrs. Jolene Collier’s math class recently brought mathematics to life through the number exploration project, an inquiry-based unit that encouraged them to uncover the stories hidden in data all around them. Each student selected a topic of personal interest that involved numbers in some way, ranging from sports statistics and music to population growth and weather trends.Read More -
Grade 7: Measuring the Geologic Time Scale
Seventh graders in Mr. Steve Collins’ science class recently modeled Earth’s vast history through a Geologic Time Scale lab. As part of their Earth Science focus, students converted billions of years into metric distances and labeled them along long strips of paper to create accurate, scaled timelines.Read More -
Pre-K: Exploring the Five Senses With the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Graland’s Pre-K students recently welcomed educators from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science for a hands-on exploration of the five senses. Through interactive stations, children used sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell to make discoveries about the world around them, just like real scientists.Read More -
Grade 4: Look Up, Look Down, Look All Around
Fourth graders are learning how artists use perspective to make flat drawings look three-dimensional. In their latest art unit, “Look Up, Look Down, Look All Around,” students discovered how the placement of lines and shapes can create the illusion of depth, making a picture appear as if it stretches into the distance.Read More -
Grade 5: Practicing Smart Research in the Digital Age
Before beginning their major history research project with Grade 5 History Teacher Mr. Mike Willis, fifth graders visited the library for a hands-on digital literacy lesson with Director of Library and Grade 5 Advisor, Mrs. Ashleigh Stepanian. Drawing on her extensive work in this field, including summer grants and participation in national research symposiums, Mrs. Stepanian guided students through the skills and habits needed to be thoughtful, discerning researchers in a digital world.Read More -
Grade 3: Postcards from the Peak
In Grade 3, students spend the year learning about Colorado—its land, history, regions, and ecosystems—through an interdisciplinary unit that blends social studies, science, writing, and art. As they explore the geography and story of the state they call home, third graders begin to make connections between the classroom and the world around them. One early highlight of the year is the annual Chief Mountain hike, where students experience Colorado’s natural landscape firsthand.Read More -
Grade 4: A GPS-Powered Learning Adventure
Fourth graders recently returned to Castlewood Canyon State Park for their annual geocaching field trip—an outdoor adventure that blends teamwork, navigation skills, and real-world learning. Geocaching, often described as a modern-day treasure hunt, uses GPS devices to help participants locate hidden containers called geocaches. Inside, students found stamps to mark their passports and logbooks to sign as a team.Read More -
Grade 2: Ladybugs to the Rescue!
Graland’s Grade 2 pollinator garden began as a student-led response to a science question: “Where are all the butterflies?” When students noticed a lack of butterfly activity on campus, they partnered with faculty and horticulturists to design and plant a garden to attract and support pollinators like butterflies, bees, and birds. Since then, tending the garden has evolved into a cross-curricular, year-long service-learning project that spans science, art, Tinker Time, and more.Read More -
Kindergarten: Building Strong Foundations Through Classroom Stations
In Kindergarten, station work is a regular part of the learning routine, giving students the chance to practice important skills in small, focused groups. These rotating activities support development in areas like fine motor coordination, handwriting, executive functioning, and early literacy—all building blocks for independent learning.Read More -
Grade 1: Where Curiosity Takes Flight
Graland first graders recently kicked off their yearlong bird study with a surprise visit from the Graland Eagle. After a Lower School assembly, students were invited to stay in the theater, where the Eagle delivered a special message: an invitation to visit its habitat at Barr Lake and begin their exploration of birds.Read More -
Preschool: Getting to Know Graland Grown-Ups
Preschoolers kicked off the school year by exploring the concept of community. To help them understand who is part of their school world, the class welcomed several visitors to their classroom. Associate Head of Lower School Ms. Parthenia Williams and the Admissions Team were their first guests, giving students a chance to practice introducing themselves, making eye contact, and asking questions.Read More -
Grade 8: Laying the Groundwork for Deeper Understanding
In preparation for their upcoming Civil Rights Trip to the American South, eighth graders recently participated in a new series of local field trips. These additions stemmed from a summer grant developed by Grade 8 educators, designed to enhance what is already a powerful and meaningful experience. The goal was to give students more local context and historical perspective ahead of the November trip, deepening engagement and reflection throughout the unit.Read More
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Upcoming Events
Featured News Story
List of 1 news stories.
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Shaping the Future of Education: Graland’s Sphere Compensation Model Earns Further National Recognition
Graland has been awarded the 2025 Jeffrey Shields Innovation in School Business Operations Award for its faculty Sphere Compensation Model, a unique system designed to reward teachers based on professional growth and impact rather than tenure. The prestigious recognition was presented on February 26 at the 2025 NBOA Meeting in New York City, where Head of School Josh Cobb and Director of Finance and Operations Juan Botello accepted the award on behalf of Graland.Full Story
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
