Coming Home: Why the Nickel Family Returned to Mountain Song
“Ms. Gina was magical and nurturing,” Stephanie shared. “I felt like this was a place where they would be cared for, and that was so important to me.”
For Stephanie Nickel and her daughters, Annabelle and Caroline, Mountain Song Community School has always felt like a special place—a place where childhood magic and nurturing relationships flourish. Both girls started their educational journey here with Ms. Gina as their kindergarten teacher, an experience Stephanie recalls as profoundly impactful.
As a military family, the Nickels were seeking stability, and they found it at Mountain Song, along with a plethora of special experiences and core memories. From Caroline bravely opening up in assemblies, to the Lantern Walks, Winter Faires, —these moments have stayed with them.
Annabelle flourished in Mountain Song’s creative and artistic environment. She loves singing and handwork, and Mountain Song gave her the space to explore those passions.
But at the start of the school year, the Nickels decided to try their neighborhood school for a change. While the girls excelled academically, the experience wasn’t what Stephanie had hoped.
“There wasn’t as much focus on social-emotional learning,” Stephanie explained. “What was touted as individualized learning was really just the kids working alone on computers in the hallways. The environment wasn’t as welcoming, and the students weren’t as kind as the ones at Mountain Song.”
She noticed a lack of individuality, with conformity and cliques dominating the social dynamic. In contrast, Mountain Song had always been a place where her daughters felt seen and celebrated for who they are.
“It’s softer, loving, and not sterile. It feels like where I would want to be if I were a child,” Stephanie said.
The decision to return this October was an easy one. Stephanie loves how Mountain Song fosters relationships and how the teachers and staff genuinely care for the students. She appreciates the unique focus on Indigenous cultures and the local ecosystem, which enriches her daughters’ learning experience in meaningful ways.
“Caroline can recognize the different ecological levels on Pikes Peak based on the trees,” Stephanie said proudly. “They drop all this knowledge on me, and it’s wisdom instead of just facts, if that makes sense.”
Stephanie believes Mountain Song teaches her daughters to think for themselves, an invaluable skill in today’s world.
“They’re being taught to think critically and creatively, and I think that’s an important skill set to have,” she said.
For the Nickel family, coming back to Mountain Song feels like coming home—a place where learning is joyful, community is cherished, and every child’s unique light is celebrated.
Welcome back, Nickels! We’re so glad you’re here.
