At Evergreen Country Day School (ECDS), learning isn’t just something students do. It’s something they feel a part of. With hands-on academics, a culture of belonging and experiences that spark confidence, ECDS is where kids discover who they are and how to lead.

Serving students from 18 months through 8th grade just outside Denver, ECDS has become one of Colorado’s fastest-growing independent schools—a transformation fueled by a bold vision and a belief in every child’s potential.

With small class sizes averaging 14 students and a 6:1 student-teacher ratio, ECDS creates space for students to love learning again. From a play-based, sensory-rich early childhood program to a rigorous, project-driven middle school experience, academics meet students where they are and help them grow.

“We’re not focused on test scores, even though ours are high,” says Kabe ErkenBrack, head of school. “What sets us apart is the belief that kids need both future-ready intelligence and tech fluency (AIQ), emotional intelligence (EQ), and human connection. That balance is what we build here.”

An Upward Trajectory

Since 2020, ECDS has grown enrollment by over 50 percent, doubled revenue, and achieved faculty retention above 95 percent. The bigger shift has been cultural. Students consistently outperform national and local MAP benchmarks, scoring well above other independent schools and more than 20 points higher than local public schools. But test scores are not the headline.

“We focus on leadership, character, and professional skills,” says ErkenBrack. “When kids love school, feel safe being themselves and are challenged to stretch, that’s when real learning happens.”

Programs that Build Confidence and Readiness

ECDS’s approach blends strong academics with real-world readiness. One standout example is The Amazing Shake, a live competition focused on professional and interpersonal skills. Students rotate through 15 real-life scenarios, like rebooking a flight at an airline desk, navigating a conversation with a stranger next to them, making a sales pitch to mock investors or interviewing business professionals. The goal is to practice confidence under pressure.

That same mindset drives the entrepreneurship program, where students design and manufacture products, set pricing and sell to the community. The public speaking journey builds to a TED-style capstone talk in eighth grade on topics from autism and body image to faith and environmental justice, using research and storytelling to find their voices and lead with purpose.

Outdoor education begins in kindergarten with an overnight camp. Students plan meals, pack and carry their gear and problem-solve in real time. By second grade, students are in off-grid cabins; by third grade, they are hiking into the backcountry. By eighth grade, they are studying oceanography in California. Students also travel to Washington, D.C. and Boston for civics experiences and to Spanish-speaking countries for language immersion.

ECDS calls this the Journeys Program. It builds grit and independence by taking students beyond the school walls and into the real world.

Belonging From Day One: The House Program

Belonging at ECDS is intentional. Every student is sorted into a multi-age House during a spirited ceremony at the start of the year. The process involves a light-up ball, a Plinko board and a crowd of cheering classmates. One new seventh-grade transfer student stood holding the ball, clearly nervous on stage. When the ball landed in Green House, dozens of students and teachers rushed forward to welcome them.

They weren’t just moving to a new school. A community was embracing them. House activities continue yearly and create lasting bonds between older and younger students. These relationships foster mentorship, leadership and a powerful sense of connection.

Stories That Define the Culture

One third-grade transfer student arrived at ECDS quiet, unsure and disconnected. She didn’t like school and struggled to find her place. That changed when she joined the basketball team. Despite being younger and smaller than most players, she earned a spot on the court during a championship game. Assigned to guard the other team’s best player, she stole the ball, scored a layup, and turned to the crowd with arms raised. The crowd erupted. Her smile lit up the gym.

“It was about earning her place,” says ErkenBrack. “That moment of joy carried over to everything. She started seeing herself differently.”

A student who entered ECDS in kindergarten with support needs related to autism grew into a confident self-advocate by 8th grade. They gave a powerful capstone talk and earned admission to Colorado Academy, one of the top high schools in the state.

These stories are scripted daily at ECDS, where students are known, supported and inspired to grow.

Looking Ahead: Innovation and Growth

ECDS is expanding. With input from engineers and AI experts, a new Next Innovation Lab has been designed. It will give students hands-on experience building and programming robotic arms, advancing their 3D printing skills and gaining experience with tools that shape the future.

This lab is part of a larger vision to double the size of its middle school in the next three years. With waitlists in nearly every grade, ECDS is preparing to take another big leap forward.

“We’re building a place where kids learn to trust who they are becoming,” says ErkenBrack. “That takes character, curiosity and courage. And that’s what ECDS is all about.”