Riverstone Academy
Coverage of Riverstone Academy in the Nexus archive.
- Here’s what happened to 3 Colorado schools when state lawmakers reined in a controversial education group
A new Colorado law restricting the school-authorizing power of BOCES led to three schools' uncertain futures: Riverstone Academy closed, Ascend College Prep became a charter school, and Pueblo Classical Academy's status remains unresolved. The law targeted ERBOCES, a controversial group that operated schools outside its member districts and through contractors, which now violates the updated regulations.
- Another defection hits group that launched ‘Colorado’s first public Christian school’
Pikes Peak State College is set to withdraw from ERBOCES, a controversial education co-op that authorized Colorado's first public Christian school, reducing its membership to one and threatening its legal existence. ERBOCES faces challenges after recent legislative changes curtailed its ability to operate schools and programs outside member districts, leading to closures like Riverstone Academy.
- After a year of controversy, the leader of a shuttered ‘public Christian school’ is pitching a new venture
Quin Friberg, former leader of the shuttered Riverstone Academy, is proposing a new nonprofit called Keystone Education Services to oversee publicly funded homeschool enrichment programs. The initiative faces skepticism from the Pueblo County District 70 school board due to past controversies involving Friberg's previous school, including lawsuits, safety violations, and a leaked email revealing the school's ties to a conservative law firm.
- Colorado group that started controversial ‘public Christian school’ faces member defections
A Colorado public education co-op, ERBOCES, faces member defections as Elizabeth School District and potentially District 49 withdraw, threatening its viability. New state laws have also forced the closure of its public Christian school, Riverstone Academy, and could impact other programs.
- Elizabeth School District cuts ties with Monument education agency that backed a “public Christian school”
Elizabeth School District severed ties with Education ReEnvisioned BOCES (ERBOCES) after determining the partnership lacked sufficient benefits. ERBOCES faced scrutiny for authorizing a short-lived 'public Christian school' in Colorado, which closed due to state law changes disqualifying it from funding.
- Colorado’s ‘First Public Christian School’ Closes Permanently
Colorado’s Riverstone Academy, a 30-student public Christian school in Pueblo County, closed permanently after state law changes cut off funding. The school, backed by a conservative law firm to spark a Supreme Court lawsuit, faced legal setbacks and operational challenges, including safety issues and a $20,000 settlement.
- Colorado’s ‘first public Christian school’ closes permanently
Colorado's Riverstone Academy, a 30-student public Christian school in Pueblo County, closed permanently after changes in state law cut off funding. The school, backed by a conservative law firm to spark a Supreme Court religious liberty case, faced legal setbacks and operational challenges before its closure.
- Colorado’s ‘first public Christian school’ drops religious discrimination lawsuit against state
Colorado’s Riverstone Academy, a public Christian school, dropped its religious discrimination lawsuit against the state after changes to state law rendered it moot. The school, which received state funding but faces potential closure due to new legislative restrictions, had argued that funding clawbacks violated the First Amendment. The lawsuit termination ends efforts to use the case to expand religious school inclusion in public education.