We had the good fortune of connecting with Keely Buchanan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Keely, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born and raised in a small town (village) in Alaska – surrounded by wilderness, tight-knit community, hippies, artists, and entrepreneurs. I learned early on that I could be and do anything that I wanted or could dream of (as long as I was willing to plan and work for it), and that the only person who could possibly get in my way was me. I worked full time every summer starting when I was 14, working weekends during the school year. My work ethic is genetic, both my parents setting influential examples. I consider myself an Alaskan always, even though I’ve now been out of Alaska (leaving to attend DU in 1997) longer than I was there, and I will forever be a “small town” person.  Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I own a company that helps Colorado parents navigate the often overwhelming search for public and private Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, and High School. I have spent five years putting together a one stop shop for all things schools, acknowledging that parents don’t know what they don’t know. I teach Denver Public Schools (DPS) classes monthly, including courses specific to the DPS Central Park Elementary Enrollment Zone. I cover #AllTheThings: deadlines, boundary and enrollment zone schools, lottery schools, before & after care, summer camp, when to start Kinder, ECE/PreK, Round 1 and Round 2 Choice, waitlists, touring, odds, admission priority groups, state scorecards, and all the Q&A. I offer private consultations for any/all CO districts, and work with parents who: -Are moving into or within CO and want to understand school implications before renting/buying -Want to understand public and private school options for their address, commute preference, budget, kiddos, and any specific support needs (eg Gifted/Highly Gifted, Twice Exceptional/2e, Learning Differences) -Want to compare/contrast public and private options -Want to plan for their Choice form so that they optimize odds -Want to find private Preschool -Want to hire tutors, foreign language help, and/or remote teachers -Want deep dive information about their assigned boundary schools, especially since we are not currently able to tour most schools in person -Want help with private school applications My job is make life easier for my clients, and to help them get from today to their best fit school.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
-Alamo Drafthouse Theatre for a quote
-along favorite from the 80s and a yummy lunch or dinner
-Shopping at my favorite ARC Thrift Store
-A long walk around Harvard Park or Wash Park with my dog, Willow
-Dinner on Pearl Street: Park Burger and then Sweet Cow
-Tube sledding at Echo Mountain in Evergreen
-Voice Box Karaoke for a night of fun in a private room in RiNo
-Hike at Roxborough Park -Kitty visits at the Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue in South Denver or the Cat Cafe in The Highlands
-Mani/Pedi at Fingers & Toes in Bonnie Brae

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have been fortunate to connect with many wonderful people in my entrepreneurial journey over the past five years. It all started with a conversation with the owner of my sons’ Preschool: Nicole Martin (Martin School of Early Education). We were able to combine the data, research, and best practices (me), with the teacher and classroom perspective (Nicole) and offer Denver area parents a unique and comprehensive course offering. Since then, I have expanded to cover Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, MIddle, and High School – and I will never forget Nicole’s support, partnership, and valuable perspective as I built this business.

Website: www.preparingfordenverkindergarten.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PreparingforDenverKindergarten

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/preparing-for-denver-kindergarten-denver

Image Credits
Headshot courtesy of T5 Photography

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