Alumni Success Stories: From Aspen Academy to High School and Beyond

Aspen Academy alumni are thriving in high school, college, and early careers—proving that the foundation built at Colorado’s premier private school extends far beyond graduation day. From state championships and Ivy League recruitment to entrepreneurship and community leadership, these alumni success stories showcase what’s possible when academic success at private schools meets character development.

When parents explore private school options in Colorado, one question comes up again and again: does this investment actually pay off? At Aspen Academy, the answer shows up in the lives our graduates are building. These success stories from private schools don’t just highlight grades and test scores—they reveal confident, kind, capable young people ready to lead.

How Does Aspen Academy Prepare Students for Academic Success?

Aspen Academy’s rigorous, personalized curriculum gives students the academic confidence and study skills to excel in competitive high school and college environments. Alumni consistently credit their Aspen education as the foundation for their academic achievements.

Jon Paul McClure (Class of 2019) is thriving at the University of Florida, recently designated the #1 non-Ivy League academic university in the country. He earned the youngest analyst position in the corporate banking club and is pursuing a Masters of Finance—an incredibly competitive program that positions students for top internships in New York City.

“I want to thank all of the Aspen Academy teachers for giving our son the wings and challenging him to be better, work hard and be a leader. Without his education and all the leadership projects, public speaking, and confidence while driving his love of learning… he wouldn’t be where he is today. Thank you for helping us build a foundation of success while keeping his heart and personality the caring loving man he is.” — Amy Dannels-McClure, Alumni Parent

Ian Liu (Class of 2021, Shark Tank Winner) earned a 3rd place international finish in Financial Statement Analysis at the Future Business Leaders of America 2024 National Leadership Conference alongside his Regis Jesuit classmate. Ian’s entrepreneurial spark, first lit at Aspen Academy, continues to drive his private school success well beyond our hallways.

Lauren Bough (Class of 2022) is a Junior at Kent Denver High School and was nominated as a Candidate for Student Visionaries of the Year with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Lauren credits her Aspen values directly:

“Throughout my nine years at Aspen the idea of being kind, doing good, working hard, and making the world a better place was constantly ingrained in me. I really internalized those values throughout my time there and it helped me become who I am today.” — Lauren Bough, Class of 2022

What Athletic Success Have Aspen Academy Alumni Achieved?

Alumni success in private schools isn’t limited to the classroom. Aspen Academy graduates carry the discipline and perseverance they develop here into competitive athletics at the high school and collegiate level.

Elise Ramsden (Class of 2021) won the Colorado 5A State Championship in the 100 Backstroke and placed 4th in the 100 Freestyle as a member of her Heritage High School swim team. Elise also launched her own business, Planet Tie Dye, while at Aspen Academy—proof that our students learn to balance ambition across multiple pursuits.

Camryn Sailor graduated from Arapahoe High School, played women’s soccer at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, then transferred to UC Santa Barbara. She’s now completing a degree in Film and Media Studies and heading to Los Angeles.

“I loved every second of my 7th/8th grade history classes—I feel like they really prepared me to be a competitive academic writer from an early start. I’ve also been incredibly lucky to have made some lifelong friends at Aspen that helped me become the person I am today.” — Camryn Sailor, Aspen Academy Alumna

Connor Woller (Class of 2022, Legacy Leader) competed in the USA Gymnastics Men’s Development Program Junior National Championships in Daytona Beach, earning 5th Place in High Bar and 20th Place All Around. Connor continues to demonstrate the “Work Hard” value in everything he does.

Jackson Oriol (Class of 2019) earned an internship as an Undergrad Assistant to the Linebacker Coach at the University of Oregon—putting him on the field and in the middle of the action at one of the nation’s premier football programs.

How Do Aspen Academy Alumni Demonstrate Leadership and Entrepreneurship?

One of the hallmarks of alumni success at Aspen Academy is the entrepreneurial mindset graduates carry into the world. Our curriculum emphasizes leadership, financial literacy, and real-world problem solving—skills that serve students long after they leave.

Isabelle Reddington became a licensed Real Estate Broker Associate and launched her career with Colorado Home Realty as part of The Reddington Team. She also co-founded Glaze Denver, a networking group for young professionals in their 20s focused on building genuine friendships while helping each other grow personally and professionally.

Chapman Church (Class of 2023) took his Aspen Academy entrepreneurship experience to the next level by operating his family’s Card My Yard business while enrolled as a student at Heritage High School—a perfect example of how private school success translates into real-world initiative.

Claire Mochan (Class of 2017) is an Honors Finance student at The Ohio State University, where she was elected Director of Belonging for the Student-Alumni Council. Claire is also active in campus leadership and continues to live Aspen Academy’s “Be Kind” value every day.

Annie and Emily Fox launched Project Bobby Bear while at Aspen Academy with a mission to give away one million teddy bears. They’ve grown into inspiring young adults, and their nonprofit is still spreading love and making a real difference in their community.

How Does Aspen Academy’s Theater Program Shape Future Success?

Aspen Academy’s theater and BSE Broadcast programs give students hands-on experience in leadership, public speaking, creative problem-solving, and teamwork. These alumni success stories show how performing arts experiences become lasting advantages.

Sophia Kohls (Class of 2021) parlayed her Aspen Academy theater and Broadcast experience into a leadership role at Castle View High School, where she became Props Lead as a freshman—the only freshman chosen to lead a department. Castle View’s production of Disney’s Frozen received 13 Bobby G Award nominations (the high school equivalent of the Tony Awards) and won five.

“I use my leadership skills every day—I have to work hard, begin with the end in mind, be proactive, think on my feet and solve critical problems. Being able to lead others can be challenging but crucial to the overall success of the show.” — Sophia Kohls, Class of 2021

Kona Burgess is now the lead Set Designer, head of Run Crew, and an officer on the theater leadership team at Regis Jesuit High School. At the Colorado ThesCon competition, he received a superior rating in set design for Individual Events. Kona credits Aspen Academy’s BSE Broadcast and theater programs for teaching him to lead teams and think on his feet.

“The most important thing I picked up from my time at Aspen is an initiative for leadership. The opportunities to experience leading a group at Aspen have been crucial to these roles, particularly in the handling of people and their needs.” — Kona Burgess, Aspen Academy Alum

How Does Aspen Academy Inspire the Next Generation of Educators?

Perhaps the most meaningful measure of private school success is when alumni return—not just to visit, but to build careers shaped by the teachers who shaped them. Aspen Academy graduates are coming back as future educators, bringing the joy of learning full circle.

Maggie Petersen is studying to become a teacher and recently returned to Aspen Academy to observe classrooms as part of her training. Maggie’s “why” for entering education traces directly back to the experience as a student here—specifically, the fact that they actually looked forward to going to school every day, something they said was no longer true once they moved on to middle and high school.

“I actually looked forward to going to school every day. And that was no longer the case once I got to middle school and high school. I really want to take inspiration from how teachers here are able to make learning something fun.” — Maggie Petersen, Aspen Academy Alum and Future Teacher

Maggie credits their fifth-grade history teacher with sparking the inspiration that now drives their career. Despite not being naturally drawn to history, Maggie remembers the class as transformative because the teaching was hands-on, relevant, and energetic—getting students out of their seats, talking, and thinking about how the past connects to their lives today.

“I love learning myself—if I could just be a student forever, I would. But since I can’t, it is so joyful to watch other people learning, watch other people have an ‘aha’ moment or a moment where they find something really interesting. That to me is something I really love. That’s my ‘why.’” — Maggie Petersen, Aspen Academy Alum

During recent classroom observations at Aspen Academy, Maggie noted how fifth-grade teachers made an effort to connect individually with every student each morning, how sixth-grade teachers modeled intellectual humility by correcting their own mistakes in real time, and how a math teacher presented multiple valid approaches to the same problem—letting students choose the method that felt most intuitive. These are the pedagogical practices they plan to carry into their own classroom.

 

What Do Parents Say About Aspen Academy?

The strongest evidence of academic success at private schools comes from the families who experience it firsthand. Here’s what Aspen Academy parents are saying:

“My husband and I couldn’t be happier with our decision to move our son to Aspen Academy. He transferred in 2018 and has flourished since then. In the public school setting, he was a number in the classroom. In his words, ‘At my old school, we sit on the carpet for math, but at Aspen we do math.’ He has developed a genuine love of learning and become more accountable for owning his success.” — Nancy & Matthew Robbins, Aspen Academy Alumni Parents

“Our granddaughter was so well-prepared for high school. She’s getting straight A’s and being recruited by numerous Ivy League colleges, despite being only in her junior year. We can’t thank Aspen Academy enough for helping her to be so well-positioned for her college career.” — Linda K., Aspen Academy Grandparent

“We’ve been at Aspen for 6 months and couldn’t be happier. From the thoughtfully planned curriculum, to the engaging, energetic teachers, to beautiful facilities—we were truly impressed. The school has exceeded our expectations. The teachers work hard to nurture student growth in all areas: social/emotional skills, critical thinking, organization, and responsibility.” — Kimberly Y., Aspen Academy Parent

“Thank you to Aspen Academy for being the perfect spot for Jack to live his best middle school life. He has been exposed to many new experiences and had opportunities to try new things, to excel in new areas and to be challenged in so many different ways. We have found a supporting and kind community at Aspen.” — Trista C., Aspen Academy Alumni Parent

Your Child’s Success Story Starts Here

Every alumni success story on this page began with a family choosing to invest in something different—a school where academic rigor meets character development, where entrepreneurship and kindness are taught side by side, and where every child is known, challenged, and celebrated. Aspen Academy serves students from preschool through 8th grade at our campus in Greenwood Village, Colorado.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Aspen Academy unique?

Aspen Academy is a private preschool through 8th grade school in Greenwood Village, Colorado, that combines rigorous academics with entrepreneurship, leadership development, and character education built on core values: Be Kind, Work Hard, Do Good, and Make the World a Better Place. Students participate in hands-on programs like Shark Tank competitions, BSE Broadcast, theater productions, and financial literacy courses—giving them real-world skills most schools don’t teach. Small class sizes ensure every child is known and challenged at their level.

What do parents say about Aspen Academy?

Parents consistently describe Aspen Academy as a transformative experience for their children. Families report that students develop greater confidence, a genuine love of learning, stronger accountability, and lasting friendships. Many parents highlight the personalized attention, the rigorous yet nurturing academic environment, and how well-prepared their children are for high school and beyond. As one parent shared, their son went from being “a number in a classroom” to flourishing academically and socially at Aspen.

What are Aspen Academy’s core values?

Aspen Academy’s four core values guide everything from daily classroom interactions to long-term curriculum design: Be Kind, Work Hard, Do Good, and Make the World a Better Place. These values are embedded across the student experience—from how students greet visitors to how they approach entrepreneurship projects, community service, and athletic competition. Alumni consistently cite these values as foundational to their success after graduation.

What is the best private school in Colorado?

Families searching for the best private school in Colorado should consider what matters most for their child’s development. Aspen Academy, located in Greenwood Village, is consistently recognized for its distinctive combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurship education, leadership development, and character-driven culture. With small class sizes serving preschool through 8th grade, Aspen Academy prepares students to excel academically while developing the confidence, creativity, and kindness to thrive in high school and beyond.

What type of curriculum does Aspen Academy use?

Aspen Academy uses a proprietary, standards-aligned curriculum enhanced with signature programs in entrepreneurship, leadership, and financial literacy. Core academics include rigorous math (with accelerated pathways), language arts, science, and social studies. These are complemented by specials including theater, art, music, STEM, and physical education. The school’s approach emphasizes critical thinking, real-world application, and personalized learning—so students aren’t just memorizing content, they’re learning how to think, lead, and solve problems.