Our History

Dr. Everett and his growing band of like-minded parents submit a second proposal to the PSD Board of Education to establish an Elementary School of Choice organized around the Core Knowledge Sequence.

The Charter Schools Act is adopted, allowing for the creation of charter schools in Colorado.

In spite of strong opposition, (we believe) the existence of the Charter Schools Act causes the PSD Board to approve Dr. Everett’s second proposal, and the Washington Core Knowledge School opens at 233 S. Shields Street with 125 k-4 students. 

The huge demand for the educational program offered at Washington Core Knowledge School prompts the school’s founders to begin drafting an application for a Core Knowledge charter school. Unresolved issues about the permanence of Washington Core and the authority of the parent board over the academic program spurs a full-scale charter effort. The parents name themselves the Core Knowledge Charter School (CKCS) Partnership.

Now enrolling nearly 300 k-6 students, Washington Core outgrows the Washington building and moves into the south wing of the old Fort Collins High School building at 1400 Remington Street.

The CKCS submits its application to the PSD Board of Education.

The PSD board votes to deny the charter application without ever having met to negotiate with the parents. Undaunted, the CKCS board appeals the decision to the Colorado State Board of Education.

The Colorado State Board sides with the CKCS and instructs the PSD board to negotiate an agreement in good faith with the charter group.

At the second appeal hearing, PSD’s attorney reveals PSD has filed a lawsuit against the State Board of Education and the five parents comprising the CKCS Board. Concerned intervention by the State BOE would now result in an injunction against the school’s opening, the State board recommends the charter group try to open a school within PSD’s constraints.

The CKCS requests PSD modify two restrictions thereby enabling the charter school to be financially sound. 

The contract deadline expires and PSD drops its lawsuit against the parents. There would be no charter school in 1996.

Parents submit the charter application for Liberty Common School to PSD.  Negotiations ensue for months.

PSD approves the charter with a five-year contract. 

The charter group hires a headmaster and teachers, obtains books, curriculum materials & desks, and searches for a facility to house the school.

A small group of Liberty supporters purchase the Viadent toothpaste factory at 1725 Sharp Point Drive to be the site for Liberty Common School.  Parents put up personal collateral for a $1M construction loan and renovations begin. 

A dream becomes a reality as Liberty Common School opens its doors to more than four hundred eager young students in kindergarten through 7th grade.

Construction begins of upstairs classrooms to be used for grades 7-9.

Liberty nears maximum capacity with two tracks K-9.

The Liberty Common School Building Corp purchases vacant lots which would eventually become the Everett Field.

Artios, a comprehensive project to fully outfit Liberty’s facility and grounds, begins construction.  Construction includes a competition gym, performance hall, band/choir rooms, student/events entry foyer, locker rooms, kitchen, art rooms, track and soccer field, and playground.

Liberty’s reputation as the top-performing school naturally attracts the attention of new parents throughout the region. The waiting list swells to over 1000 students.

Liberty Common’s Board petitions the Poudre School District to amend the Charter and to add a third track of K-6th grade and add a 10th, 11th, and 12th grade.

250 scholars in grades 7–10 began the first day of school at Liberty Common High School.

Liberty Common School Board of Directors votes to approve the expansion of a second elementary school campus at 2130 West Horsetooth Rd in Fort Collins.  This campus will be named “Aristotle” and the original campus named “Plato” as an homage to the school’s classical roots.

The Aristotle Campus opens its doors to 250 new students.