School Profile
Darren Patterson Christian Academy
School Overview
Since 1982 Darren Patterson Christian Academy has been called to serve the families of the Upper Arkansas Valley in central Colorado with high-quality, distinctively Christian education. From Busy Bees preschool through the 8th grade, our mission is to guide students in knowledge, character, and faith to discover an authentic love of learning and a life of opportunity. DPCA's academic program is rigorous and is enhanced and balanced by a discipleship program encouraging both personal spiritual development and service to others.
School History
The name Darren Patterson Christian Academy is an important part of our school's culture as it represents our deeply rooted belief that young people can change the world.
One little boy's dream paved the way for hundreds of kids to experience more than just a school, but a place where they are known, loved, and believed in. We see students as powerful agents of change, capable of using the knowledge, skills, and character that they develop here to go out and change their communities and our world.
We proudly share Darren's story to acknowledge purpose in the face of pain and to inspire students to be world changers.
So, who is Darren Patterson? He was a 14 year old boy who was killed by a drunk driver in a car accident on Thanksgiving day in 1981... however tragic, the story didn't end there. This one little boy continues to impact the lives of hundreds of kids in our community, past and present.
Darren grew up in Buena Vista and expressed a strong desire to attend a Christian school. He asked his parents if he could, but there were none in the area at the time. After his death, the people who loved him most decided to honor his strong desire by starting a Christian school to serve Chaffee County students. Family and friends banded together to create an endowment fund, but when DPCA opened its doors one year later and invited the 1,500 residents in Buena Vista to consider a Christ-centered education for their students, most people said that the school would never be able to make it. There simply were not enough students in the community to fill up multiple schools.
By 1996 the school had outgrown the church facility that it was renting and so a collection of many generous, hardworking families and contractors came together to build a beautiful, new facility to house the growing student body. In 2007 this facility was tripled in size and expanded to include an additional wing of classrooms, gymnasium, and cafetorium space.
Here we are 35+ years later with a healthy number of students and tremendous support from our local community that enables our school to thrive. Without Darren's desire, families living in Buena Vista and the surrounding area would not have had the option of choosing a joyful, rigorous, Christ-centered education.
Benefits
Beautiful Location | The highest concentration of 14k+ peaks in America with the Arkansas River running right through town. Live and learn in beautiful Buena Vista, Colorado.
Ideal Schedule | Tuesday-Friday, 7:30-3:45. Summers off to travel, spend time with your people, and adventure. Work hard and play hard, too.
Love Your Job | Spend your days in a fun and meaningful way shaping the minds and hearts of kids who will change the world.
Keep Learning | Grow personally and professionally in a supportive, innovative, team-oriented environment.