Expanding Learning Beyond School Walls: How ReSchool Colorado is Revolutionizing Education Access
When we think about education, most of us picture classroom desks, textbooks, and traditional school buildings. But what if we told you that only 20% of a child's learning happens during school hours? The remaining 80% occurs outside those walls – and that's where ReSchool Colorado is making a transformative difference.
In a recent episode of the Educational Awareness Podcast, host Melissa LaShure sat down with Amy Anderson from ReSchool Colorado to explore how this innovative organization is helping families access a more expansive education system that works across all learning spaces.
The Vision: Education That Extends Beyond School Hours
Founded 13 years ago, ReSchool Colorado operates on a simple yet powerful premise: children are learning constantly, not just during the traditional school day. Amy Anderson explains their mission as supporting families to "co-design an education system in Colorado that gave all kids access to learning opportunities that occurred across all of those spaces."
This approach recognizes what many parents instinctively know – that their children's interests, talents, and learning needs often extend far beyond what traditional schools can offer. Whether it's a child passionate about music, dance, coding, or athletics, ReSchool helps families access these enriching experiences regardless of their financial circumstances.
Breaking Down Barriers to Educational Equity
One of the most significant challenges ReSchool addresses is the growing cost of enrichment activities. Anderson shared some eye-opening statistics: recreational soccer, which cost around $200-250 per season just a few years ago, now runs between $500-600. Summer camps that were once $300 for a week have jumped to $700-800 or more.
"We initially shadowed families in the early days of ReSchool," Anderson explains, "and that's where it became just a huge aha that kids were spending a lot of time in these spaces outside of school and families were sharing with us, most of the families that we work with are lower income families, that they did not have the same resources."
To address this inequity, ReSchool has raised about a million dollars over the past decade, redistributing these funds as "learning dollars" that families can use to access educational experiences their children might otherwise miss.
How ReSchool Works: A Multi-Faceted Approach
ReSchool's support system includes several key components:
Learner Advocates
These navigators and coaches work directly with families, helping them identify resources and access the types of educational opportunities their children need. They serve as trusted guides in what can often feel like an overwhelming landscape of options.
Learning Dollars
This direct funding program provides families with financial resources to pursue learning experiences and activities for their children. Families have the flexibility to use these funds in ways that best serve their children's unique interests and needs.
Resource Platforms
ReSchool has created two valuable online tools:
Denver Learning Ecosystem: A comprehensive database of Denver-area providers offering out-of-school programming
Discover Learning: A parent-focused platform where families can input their location and children's interests to find suitable learning providers
Family Choice Journal
This free tool helps families engage in meaningful conversations about their learning interests and needs, then guides them toward finding aligned experiences.
The Broader Movement: Education Savings Accounts and Micro-Grants
ReSchool's work connects to larger national trends in education funding. Anderson discussed education savings accounts (ESAs) – programs in several states that allow families to access public education funding for private schools or homeschooling resources, provided they leave the traditional public school system.
However, Anderson notes that over 80% of the families ReSchool works with choose to remain in the public system. "It's risky for some people to leave," she explains, pointing out that public schools provide transportation, food services, aftercare, and special education supports that families may not receive elsewhere.
ReSchool maintains an agnostic stance on these policy debates, focusing instead on supporting families in making the choices that work best for their unique circumstances while highlighting potential equity challenges that can arise.
Colorado's Educational Innovation
Colorado offers various innovative educational pathways, including:
Community college integration with high school programs
Innovation centers in districts offering career and entrepreneurship focus
Path Forward program, allowing early graduates access to up to $4,000 for workforce or academic pathways
These options provide students with alternatives to the traditional four-year college track, similar to programs in other states that offer pathways in fields like aviation, automotive mechanics, construction, nursing, and culinary arts.
Expanding the Model: Sharing Resources Nationally
Rather than directly expanding to other states, ReSchool focuses on sharing their expertise and resources. They offer:
Online training for organizations wanting to establish learning dollar funds
Design Lab resources with tools and processes for community co-design
Advisory and coaching services
Speaking engagements and knowledge sharing
"So much of it's local and contextual," Anderson explains. "You really need the relationships and the people there. But if we can be a resource to help you stand that up... people don't have to all start from scratch."
Getting Involved and Learning More
For families interested in exploring ReSchool's resources or organizations wanting to implement similar programs, several tools are freely available:
Family Choice Journal: Available on the ReSchool website under the tools section
Design Lab resources: Free download for communities wanting to co-design educational solutions
Research briefs: Available at investinfamilies.org, detailing lessons learned from various educational funding programs
Interested parties can reach out directly at info@reschoolcolorado.org to learn more about their programs or explore potential collaborations.
The Future of Learning
ReSchool Colorado represents a growing recognition that education happens everywhere – in music studios, on soccer fields, in maker spaces, and through countless other experiences that ignite children's passions and develop their talents. By working to make these opportunities accessible to all families, regardless of economic circumstances, they're helping to level the educational playing field.
As Anderson puts it, every parent knows their child's strengths and interests. ReSchool's mission is ensuring that knowledge translates into access – access to the rich, diverse learning ecosystem that exists beyond traditional school walls.
The work ReSchool is doing in Colorado offers a model for communities nationwide to think differently about education, funding, and opportunity. It's a reminder that when we expand our definition of learning, we expand our children's possibilities.
For more information about ReSchool Colorado, visit reschoolcolorado.org. To learn about their national resources and research, check out investinfamilies.org.
