What is an Educational Consultant?

In several aspects of life, we count on the knowledge of professionals in a specific field;  for example, we visit doctors to advise on our health and use accountants and financial planners to guide our financial decisions. An educational consultant is available to help advise us on one of our greatest investments, our children’s educations.  Educational consultants are experts in the field of education, have intimate knowledge of the local schools. Their role is to advise on the best school selection for your family, whether it be public, magnet, charter, independent, or parochial school. Front Range Educational Consulting prides itself on assisting hundreds of families each year in making these important decisions. 

What sets Jen Rigsby apart from other consultants in Denver?

Jen has been embedded in the Denver educational landscape for over 15 years. As a teacher, consultant, curriculum developer, coach, and parent; Jen has viewed the educational field in Denver from all sides. She advises through each of her lenses and assesses the ideal educational environment for your child. Jen has a proven track record of school placement, and has many repeat clients, guiding families from selecting their child’s preschool through high school selection. 

Jen has visited hundreds of schools in Denver, Boulder, and the surrounding suburbs in order to stay current on the exciting changes and evolutions of the educational landscape in the area.  These school visits keep Jen knowledgeable about new programming and alternative educational options. Jen’s expertise in district policies, open enrollment strategies for charter/option/innovation/magnet schools, and the private school admissions process provides you a clear route to ensuring a place at the school that is the best fit for your child. 

What is the best school district in Colorado?

This is a common question, and unfortunately, one that has no clear answer.  A district that may be deemed “best” by a website, test scores, or by word of mouth, may not be a good fit for all families, or families whose children have certain needs. Additional factors to consider are due to the diverse educational landscape, a home may be zoned for an amazing elementary school while the middle and high school options are less than stellar.     

Navigating the choice system in Colorado can be confusing and overwhelming, especially with so many options, all with varying deadlines and procedures for each district. Front Range Educational Consulting helps to sort through the different aspects while considering your child(s) specific needs and long-term goals. If you are looking at schools in the following school districts, contact us to gain invaluable insight so you feel confident making these crucial decisions. 

Public school districts we serve: Denver Public Schools, Boulder Valley School District, Adams Five Star School District, Aurora Public Schools, Douglas County School District, Littleton Public Schools, Jefferson County School District, Westminster Public Schools, Englewood School District,  Summit School District, Eagle County Schools, and Aspen School District.

When is the best time to start meeting with an educational consultant?

First, we want to say that it is never too late to seek out an educational consultant. We have helped many families select a new school environment outside of standard transition points. If you notice something is not working in your child’s current setting, or your child is yearning for a different approach, allow Front Range Educational Consulting to assess your child’s needs, and introduce you to some options you may not have been aware of. Also, if you are relocating to the area outside of normal admissions or school choice windows Front Range is here to help as well.

If you are able, starting the process in the summer helps your family to slow down and prioritize your educational values, schedule visit days, and create a structured timeline to prepare for any admissions requirements, and meet all your deadlines. In addition, meeting with an educational consultant early in your child’s life can help plan and inform decisions from preschool through high school, and avoid potential pitfalls by entering a school that is not the best fit for your child.

What is the best school in Denver?

​There is not a “best school”, but rather a school that is the best for your child. Various websites claim that know the best schools in the state, yet in reality, the data these sites utilize is often skewed, inaccurate, and does not give you a clear picture of the day-to-day operations of these schools. Through hundreds of tours, observations, administrative meetings, close-knit school connections, and independent research, Front Range Educational Consulting is able to help you identify what schools would best serve your child.

​My child is having problems both in and out of school, can you help?

Many behavioral problems arise both in and out of school due to student needs not being met in the classroom. With students increasing anxiety, and pressures of academic performance and social acceptance, if there is trouble in school this can often present at home as well. For years, we have helped families assess their child’s needs and learning style and evaluate school programming that helps them flourish. In addition to the services directly from Front Range Educational Consulting, we partner with reputable psychologists, tutors, and support professionals in the area to serve all your family’s needs.

 With so much information available online, what can educational consulting provide my family?

A school is so much more than reputation, tradition, and test scores. Parents want the best for their child(ren), but it is overwhelming to compare schools and evaluate them on data and testimonials alone. FREC prioritizes visiting schools in person to understand school culture, programming, and curriculum at a deeper level. There is not a universal “best school”, but there is a school that is the best fit for your child. We provide the information you can’t glean from a tour or website. Allow our expertise in the Denver and Boulder educational landscape to guide your family to a strong educational foundation, and cultivate a lifetime love of learning in your child.

Why are school ranking websites inaccurate?

Are you still wondering why school ranking websites won’t give you the information you need? Read more here

What are the benefits of interview preparation?

Have you seen the show “Kids Say the Darndest Things”? It is all true, and in practice sessions, we have heard it all. Imagine how flustered adults get when they are nervous, then remove the filter. Your child does not have many opportunities to practice talking about themselves in an evaluative nature to adults with whom they are unfamiliar. Providing this opportunity to practice answering the tough questions, and show their personality, allows them to stand out among their most competitive peers and has a proven track record of greatly increasing success during the admissions process.

Interview preparation is beneficial not only for private school admissions, but invaluable preparation as your child enters the job force, interviews for volunteer and internship opportunities, and prepares for college admissions. FREC has the highest percentage of acceptance rates for private middle and high schools in the entire Front Range due to their interview prep sessions.