Music and Drama
Children explore rhythm, movement, and creative expression through hands-on music and drama. They learn fundamentals like melody and notation while building confidence through storytelling, puppetry, and simple performances.
The Gardner School at 9+CO
Where Learning Feels Joyful and Connected
Caring Early Learning Community in the Cherry Creek Neighborhood
At The Gardner School at 9+CO, children learn and grow in a warm, thoughtfully designed environment that blends early academics with meaningful play. Located just down the road from Rose Medical on 9th and Colorado Boulevard, with our entrance on the north side near 11th Avenue, we offer convenient access for families in the Congress Park, Hale, and 9+CO neighborhoods. Our school brings a balanced mix of hands-on learning, creativity, and community to one of Denver’s most vibrant urban areas.
Purposeful Blend of Play and Early Academics
Our research-based curriculum supports early literacy, math, problem-solving, and social-emotional learning through a thoughtful blend of teacher-guided instruction and child-led exploration. Children enjoy rich experiences in music, art, language, and movement while building strong foundations for kindergarten and beyond. Bright classrooms, spacious playscapes, and our hands-on S.T.E.A.M. Lab create inviting, interactive spaces where young learners feel confident, curious, and supported.
Location
Inside this School
Learning
-
A research-based curriculum supports early academic skills, creativity, language development, and social-emotional growth.
-
Teachers provide hands-on learning and purposeful play that help children build confidence and strong foundations for later success.
Safety and Health
-
Families feel at ease in our secure school environment with controlled access, clean and calm classrooms, and predictable routines.
-
Children enjoy nutritious meals and snacks in the Kids’ Café, supporting healthy habits and daily comfort.
Movement and Exploration
-
Spacious indoor and outdoor playscapes give children room to climb, explore, and build gross motor skills.
-
Our S.T.E.A.M. Lab offers integrated experiences in science, technology, art, math, and movement through rotating enrichment activities.
Community
-
Located in the heart of the 9+CO development, our school offers walkable convenience and strong neighborhood ties.
-
Real-time parent updates, daily check-ins, and family events help build a warm school community where families feel connected and supported.
Academically-Focused Programs
At The Gardner School, learning truly begins with care. Our infant classrooms provide a nurturing start built on a nationally recognized, research-based curriculum that supports early learning and development. With teachers who understand both the science and the soul of early education, babies grow in an environment that builds trust, curiosity, and confidence from the very beginning.
Toddlers are natural explorers, full of curiosity, movement, and new words waiting to bloom. At The Gardner School, our toddler classrooms nurture and celebrate this growing independence through play-based learning and intentional teaching. Each day builds confidence, language, and friendship in an environment that’s safe, structured, and full of joy. Our early childhood education program develops the whole child — encouraging physical coordination, emotional confidence, and early cognitive growth in every discovery.
Two-year-olds are bursting with curiosity and confidence. At The Gardner School, our classrooms encourage this new independence through hands-on learning, nurturing guidance, and joyful discovery. Teachers help children explore, experiment, and build social and self-help skills in a safe environment where learning and laughter go hand in hand. In this two-year-old early learning classroom, children begin to strengthen emotional regulation, independence, and empathy while exploring the world around them.
Pre-K is a milestone year filled with confidence, curiosity, and preparation for what’s next. At The Gardner School, our teachers guide children through meaningful, play-based learning that builds academic readiness, social skills, and independence. With a curriculum designed around kindergarten preparation, students develop the focus, responsibility, and love of learning that will carry them into elementary school and beyond. Our Pre-K program helps children grow the attention, independence, and social skills they need to feel confident and ready for kindergarten.
Preschoolers are natural problem-solvers and collaborators. At The Gardner School, our classrooms inspire curiosity, confidence, and creativity through hands-on learning and purposeful structure. Teachers guide children through new concepts in literacy, math, science, and art, helping them build independence, friendships, and a lifelong love of learning. Our preschool classrooms encourage critical thinking and pre-academic foundations that set the stage for kindergarten success.
Enrichment Classes
Sports
Active, structured classes help children build coordination, strength, and confidence. Through sports like soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and yoga, they practice teamwork, listening skills, and healthy movement habits.
Martial Arts
Martial arts introduce balance, discipline, and respectful movement in a safe, beginner-friendly format. Children learn basic stances and controlled motions that build focus, confidence, and body awareness.
Dance and Movement
Children build balance, coordination, and spatial awareness through beginner dance and creative movement. With simple steps, stretching, and expressive motion, they strengthen motor skills while growing confidence and joy in how their bodies move.
S.T.E.A.M.
Hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math experiences spark curiosity and critical thinking. Through simple experiments and creative projects, children explore how things work and discover the joy of learning.
Foreign Language
Through songs, games, and simple vocabulary, children are introduced to the basics of a second language to enable basic conversational skills. Lessons built around familiar themes make learning fun, natural, and age-appropriate.
Seasonal Experiences
Children participate in seasonal, multi-week, or pop-up enrichment classes that may include cooking, gardening, or exciting seasonal activities. These experiences offer fresh ways to learn, create, and discover.
School Leadership
Charlotte Staton
Executive School Director
Charlotte Staton
Executive School Director
Charlotte finds joy in the everyday energy and creativity that fill The Gardner School of 9+Co. Whether it’s a burst of laughter from a classroom, children proudly sharing their work, or teachers collaborating with enthusiasm, those moments remind her why she loves leading such a vibrant community. She joined The Gardner School in 2023 as Executive School Director and is passionate about creating an environment where children feel safe, seen, and celebrated.
Meghan Hartigan
Assistant Director
Meghan Hartigan
Assistant Director
For Meghan, the best part of each day at The Gardner School of 9+CO is the connections she shares with children and families. Whether it’s a morning sticker, a Friday dance, or a quick high-five at drop-off, those small routines have become special traditions that start the day with joy. She loves watching those simple moments grow into lasting relationships that make the school community feel like family.
Schedule a Tour
Please select a date and time that works best for you (tours are ~45 minutes). We recommend visiting in the morning between 9:30 – 11:30 am. Of course, we completely understand that is not always possible with families’ schedules and welcome families to join whenever is most convenient for you. If you aren’t ready to tour yet or these times below don’t work for your family, use the Contact Us button below, and we will coordinate a time together.
Contact Us
If you aren’t yet ready to schedule a tour or the available times do not work for your family, please click Contact Us to connect with someone from The Gardner School.