Aspen preschool seeks support through benefit, new fund

As the Wildwood School, a local Aspen preschool, is getting ready for its annual benefit, it has launched The Wildwood Fund to help create assessable tuition, support teachers, and upgrade the campus.

Wildwood School, located on a 10-acre property within Aspen’s North Star Nature Preserve, offers a nature-based curriculum promoting learning through exploration and play in natural settings. The school’s aim is to foster a deep appreciation for the environment from an early age, also promoting health, physical activity, stress reduction, and rich sensory experiences. 

 “Wildwood began in Bob Lewis’ mind and spirit in the late 1960s,” Tina Person, director of Wildwood School, said in a press release. “He envisioned a gentle, Earth-like place where children’s curiosity could run wild. From the first family’s experience in 1974 to our current generation, Wildwood continues to explore and learn together. We honor our sense of place and all the human and nonhuman inhabitants.”

The Wildwood Fund was created with three goals in mind: funding the gap, recruiting and retaining top teachers, and renovating the campus.

“Wildwood School is committed to keeping tuition accessible, but tuition alone does not cover the full cost of a Wildwood education,” the press release states.

In 2025–2026, families contributed $95 per student per day, but the true cost was $103 per student per day for the school.

“This gap represents our vital resources — faculty compensation and retention, programming development and supplies, continued teacher education, and enriched learning,” according to the release.

To retain current teachers and “attract top talent,” as the press release states, competitive salaries and benefits are crucial with the cost of living of the Aspen area.

Over the next few years, Wildwood School is also planning to renovate and upgrade classroom spaces, the roof, kitchens, bathrooms, and more, in addition to building new classroom sheds for storage.

“We hope you will join us in our mission to carry the Wildwood education experience forward,” the press release states. “Every contribution to The Wildwood Fund makes a difference, holds significant meaning, and is deeply appreciated.”

Thanks to the Colorado Child Care Contribution Credit, taxpayers that make a qualifying monetary contribution to promote childcare in Colorado can claim an income tax credit equal to 50% of the total qualifying contribution, subject to certain limitations. More information about The Wildwood Fund can be found at givebutter.com/wildwood.

Wildwood School is also hosting its annual benefit, “Into the Woods,” from 5 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, on campus. There will be specialty cocktails and hors d’oeuvres by Bosq — tickets on the house. RSVP by Sept. 20 to wildwoodpreschoolboard@gmail.com.