The Chesterton Schools Network, founded in 2013, is a confederation of almost 70 classical Catholic high schools across the United States and internationally. When OLV opened its doors in 2019, we chose the Chesterton model because we believed (and still do!) that it provides the best curriculum on offer today. As part of the CSN, we have access to tried-and-true curricular resources, summer training for faculty and administrators, and an international network of established schools. Faculty and students alike benefit from the Chesterton name recognition and academic track record. Finally, being part of the network gives our students the opportunity to take advantage of programs like the Rome pilgrimage and Chesterton-specific college scholarships.

Yes! The purpose of uniforms at OLV is three-fold: to express our God-given dignity, to reflect the seriousness of the intellectual task we are undertaking, and as an outward sign of our communal endeavor, no matter our individual backgrounds. Our classic navy and white uniforms are modest and good-looking. Current families can find more information about uniforms in the OLV handbook.

Absolutely. While OLV operates independently, Archbishop Aquila granted us a formal decree when we opened in 2019 recognizing us as an official Catholic school within the archdiocese. Furthermore, one spot on our governing board is reserved for the Archbishop’s nominee. All our faculty and board members are practicing Catholics who take an oath of fidelity to the Catholic Church. 

However, families and students at OLV are not required to be Catholic! Non-Catholics are welcome at OLV and have flourished here. OLV’s mission and education makes it a trustworthy partner in a family’s quest to raise virtuous sons and daughters.

The vast majority of OLV graduates go on to four-year colleges or universities. In the past few years, OLV graduates have attended places such as Colorado School of Mines, University of Dallas, CU Boulder, Texas A&M, Benedictine College, Hillsdale College, University of Navarre (in Spain), Christendom College and Thomas Aquinas College. Our graduates are studying in a variety of fields such as biochemistry, architecture, theology, military science, sports business, engineering, philosophy and nursing.

Other OLV graduates choose to enter the military, pursue a vocation as a priest or religious, or enter the trades. Clearly, an OLV education prepares students to excel and flourish in any field!

Yes! Beginning in the fall of 2025, OLV will expand its freshman class size from around 20 students to 30-40 students per class. However, OLV is committed to making sure every family is a good fit and will never sacrifice culture or academics for larger class sizes. Furthermore, OLV plans to never grow larger than 200 total students.

OLV has spent two successful years at Littleton Church of Christ and plans to continue at that location for the foreseeable future. Beginning in the fall of 2024, OLV will move to a more spacious suite of classrooms with - among other things - large windows and mountain views! We are very grateful to Littleton Church of Christ for allowing us to rent their beautiful space. Its location in the heart of south Denver with easy highway access and acres of open space is a gem. As we expand, our board will continue its long-term planning with an eye on our future needs. If you haven’t yet, schedule a tour to come in and see what OLV has to offer!

We believe a quality Catholic liberal arts high school education should be accessible for all families in the Denver area. Our board works hard to keep tuition as low as possible, while still paying our top-notch faculty substantially above the going rate for Catholic high school teachers in Denver. We keep our overhead low, we prioritize excellent faculty, and we grow in an organic and sustainable way. Through scholarship programs, grants, generous donations, and careful stewardship, we ensure that an OLV education is within reach for families of all sizes and financial circumstances.

You bet. Several of our graduates have been accepted into prestigious engineering programs and many of our graduates are currently pursuing science and math careers. A classical education prioritizes science and math along with the humanities. Students at OLV take math and science all four years, and we offer multiple tracks for math, one of which ends in a rigorous calculus course. Moreover, our hiring choices reflect the seriousness with which we take these subjects. However, we do not offer a hyper-specialized or tech-focused education and students at OLV will graduate with a robust and well-rounded education.

At OLV, we believe a fully human education isn’t possible without athletics. Our athletic program is oriented towards a dual goal: developing each athlete to his fullest potential and growth in virtue. Inspired by the athletic passion of John Paul II, OLV seeks to form athletes who exemplify loyalty, perseverance, toughness, friendship and magnanimity. As of 2024, OLV offers 5 athletic teams: co-ed cross-country, men’s basketball (both varsity and JV), women’s basketball, and women’s volleyball. OLV also offers a strength and conditioning clinic in the off-season. We have a full-time athletic director dedicated to our athletic programming. As our student body grows, OLV will continue to look for opportunities to expand our athletic offerings.