9300 E Mineral Ave #226
Englewood, CO 80112

Have had a TERRIBLE experience at this school. Bullying behavior is truly out of control. Student culture is really sad.

Cherry Creek High School may not be suitable for every student, especially those in need of academic and mental health support. Due to its large size, the school struggles to provide individualized attention to each student. Teachers have the autonomy to implement their own teaching methods, grading systems, and offer extra credit, resulting in inconsistent academic experiences and disparities in GPAs. Unlike other schools in the district, Cherry Creek High School follows a rigid schedule with eight classes per day, limiting opportunities for in-depth learning. Additionally, the workload of counselors and deans may hinder personalized support and college counseling services, often necessitating outside assistance for students who do not fit the school's mold.

We opted into Willow Creek Elementary mid-year and were initially drawn to the school’s strong academic reputation and engaged community. However, we encountered unexpected challenges around parent-teacher communication within weeks of joining.After noticing academic concerns—our child had transferred from another Cherry Creek School District (CCSD) school that followed a different curriculum—we emailed the classroom teacher seeking ideas and support. Rather than a reply from the teacher, we received a response from the Principal, who informed us that teachers are not expected to respond to parent emails since they focus on instruction during school hours and lesson planning after school. Instead, she wrote, communication would be limited to a brief in-person check-in at Friday dismissal, not to exceed a few minutes.This policy came as a surprise, especially since the school’s archived handbook encourages parents to contact teachers when concerns arise ("If you think your child is having a problem or you have a concern about his or her progress, please do not wait for the regularly scheduled conferences — call your child’s teacher as soon as possible.") and provides teacher emails for that purpose ("Teacher emails are found on the website if you prefer that mode of communication."). The proposed approach places a disproportionate responsibility on families, requiring them to adjust work schedules and be physically present at Friday dismissal for only a few minutes. This limited, informal check-in may be insufficient for students who are new to the school or need extra support. For example, the Principal’s email announcing this new structure was sent on a Friday, and that same day, the teacher was not present at dismissal—delaying any opportunity to speak until the following week. The model also assumes that all parents are available at 2:45 pm on Fridays, which may not be feasible for working families or those whose children take the bus.We are sharing our experience so that families—especially those with students who may need academic or emotional support—can be aware of how communication is currently structured at Willow Creek. For those who value more flexible or responsive teacher interaction, we recommend asking the school about its communication practices before enrolling. While the importance of protecting instructional time is well understood, open and timely communication between home and school should also be key to student success.