Aspen Academy Year End Letter 2026

Dear Aspen Academy Family,

As we close this school year, I find myself looking back with genuine pride and deep gratitude for this community.

This was a year of real results — in the classroom, on the field, in our businesses, and in the relationships that make Aspen unlike any school you'll find.

Our students ran 19 businesses at the Entrepreneurs Expo, the most in our history, and generated our highest-ever revenue in Bear's Student Enterprises. They published their own video games. They launched service learning initiatives, donated 2,000 meals to the Food Bank of the Rockies, and raised funds for the Wild Animal Sanctuary.

And academically? 91% of our students are reading at or above grade level. 90% are at or above in math. That's not a coincidence — it's the result of intentional, expert-led instruction at every grade level, every day.

None of this is possible without you. Your volunteer hours, your trust, and your partnership make Aspen the school it is.

What follows is more than a year-end summary. It's the story of what your family helped build.

Enjoy a wonderful, restful summer — your children have earned it.

With Kindness,

Kristina Scala

Founder & President, Aspen Academy

EARLY LEARNING

Building the foundation — from the very first day.

Our Early Learning program gives the youngest Aspen students the same rich, structured experience as their K–8 peers — outdoors, hands-on, and built for the whole child.

A Year of Firsts

This year, PreK students performed on the main campus for the first time, while Preschool I and II hosted their very first performances on the Early Learning Campus.

We rolled out Brightwheel in response to your feedback. This real-time attendance and communication system gave families instant visibility into their child's day through updates and photos.

Strong Academic Foundations

Early Learning families showed up at a 95% conference attendance rate, one of the highest across the school.

Retention tells the story too: Preschool I held at 100%, Preschool II at 91%.

Community Events

The Early Learning Division Art Show celebrated student creativity across every early learning classroom.

Academic night brought families together for a celebratory evening of learning.

LEADERSHIP, FINANCE & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The only program of its kind in the country — and the results prove it.

Aspen Academy is home to the nation's only Preschool–8 fully integrated Leadership, Finance, and Entrepreneurship program. This year, our students set new records.

Bear's Student Enterprises: Highest Revenue Ever

Our 7th grade C-Suite ran three live businesses: Store, Café, and Broadcast. They finished the year at $17,973.33 net, the highest recorded revenue in BSE history.

At the same point last year, BSE had earned $8,001. That's a 124% increase in profitability, driven by students, for students.

This year we expanded the C-Suite with new Chief Operations Officer and Chief Culture Officer roles, plus dedicated team leads for Marketing, Finance, Operations, and Culture within each cohort.

Entrepreneurs Expo: A Record-Setting Year

19 businesses competed at this year's Entrepreneurs Expo — the most in Aspen's history.

Students earned 18% more revenue than last year. Every dollar goes directly into grade level investment portfolios, compounding over their time at Aspen.

8th Grade Capstone: Real Businesses. Real AI.

Thirty-three original businesses were created through this year's 8th Grade Entrepreneurial Capstone; each developed over 16 weeks with a professional mentor.

Four of the five businesses that reached the Shark Tank Finals incorporated AI into their business model, a sign of the future in which our graduates are already preparing to succeed.

Financial Literacy in Action

Students participated in real-world financial simulations at every grade: Young AmeriTowne (5th), International Towne (6th — new this year), and Junior Achievement Finance Park (7th).

The 8th grade Legacy Makerspace initiative was proposed, funded, and approved by parents. The space is an extraordinary student-led project that becomes part of campus for generations to come and has already benefitted so many of our students.

Civic Leadership

Our Student Civic Organization facilitated a Fireside Chat with local representatives from Greenwood Village during National Civics Week, giving students a real seat at the table.

SCO also organized a service learning fundraiser that donated $1,500 to the Wild Animal Sanctuary, and contributed 2,000 meals to the Food Bank of the Rockies.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

High standards. Real results. No trade-offs.

We believe no child should have to sacrifice a great education to attend a values-driven school. Our year-end results make that case clearly.

Year-End Results

School-Wide: 91% Reading  |  90% Math — at or above grade level

• Lower School: 94% Reading / 92% Math
• Middle School: 85% Reading / 89% Math
• State of Colorado: 35% Reading / 23% Math
• National Average: 30% Reading / 18% Math

Our students perform 2-4x above state and national benchmarks — consistently, across every grade level.

New Curriculum Launches

This year we launched a new Middle School Math curriculum (Open Up Resources and Desmos) across all 6th–8th grade classrooms. It's a research-based approach that builds conceptual understanding, not just computation.

Advanced math paths were planned and executed school-wide, ensuring students ready to accelerate are never held back.

We also launched Spanish C and Spanish D courses, creating advanced language pathways and strengthening high school readiness for our top language learners.

Teacher Development at Scale

Every teacher at Aspen completed 49 hours of on-site professional development this year, with 150 additional hours for EvolvED teacher-leaders.

147 individual coaching sessions were held with faculty. Nearly a third of our teachers attended or presented at a national or international academic conference this year and then brought that learning back to the classroom.

Family Learning Events

Family Learning Events Math Night drew over 150 students and family members. Literacy Night brought more than 100 families together. The "How the Brain Learns Math" parent workshop, developed with Dr. Amber Gardner of UC Denver, gave families practical, research-backed tools to use at home. 

Students also competed in the Noetic Math Competition, the Scripps Spelling Bee, and the National Speech and Debate Day. Our teachers presented their Hands Down Conversations work at CCIRA, sharing what works in our classrooms with educators across Colorado.

Competitions and Recognition

Students competed in the Noetic Math Competition, the National Speech and Debate Day, and the Scripps Spelling Bee — representing Aspen at every level.

Our teachers also brought Aspen's work to the national stage: Lauren S., Rachel, Brooke, Amy, Katie H., Michelle, and Jack presented on Hands Down Conversations at CCIRA — sharing what's working in our classrooms with educators across Colorado.

Social-Emotional Support

Our school counselor delivered weekly Social Emotional Learning lessons, targeted to the specific developmental needs at each grade level.

Targeted Lunch Bunches supported 2nd grade girls and 3rd grade boys through specific social-emotional challenges — small groups, real conversations, real impact.

ATHLETICS

More programs. More athletes. More heart.

This year, we expanded our athletics program significantly — adding new sports, new coaches, and new opportunities for students at every level.

Season Highlights

• Girls Volleyball A Team -  League Champions
• Girls Basketball A Team -  League Champions
• Cross Country -  First full-team season, 24 runners (highest participation ever)
• Lower School Flag Football -  Launched with K, 1/2, and 3/4 teams
• Lower School Basketball -  5 teams, 41 student athletes, supported by 8 parent coaches
• Track & Field and Lower School Soccer -  Launched this spring

Twelve parent volunteer coaches supported our athletics program this year, one of the most meaningful ways our community shows up for students.

We also introduced the Bear Award, recognizing athletes who exemplify Aspen's core values, not just on the scoreboard, but in how they carry themselves every day.

ARTS, ESSENTIALS & EXTRACURRICULARS

Built by professionals. Inspired by students.

Every Essentials class at Aspen — Art, Dance, Music, Theatre, Fitness, STEAM, and Spanish — is taught by an expert who is also a working professional in their field.

The result: 100% Essentials teacher retention this year. Our students are learning from people who stay because they love what they do.

New Offerings

We launched a new Guitar course, expanding our performing arts catalog and giving students another outlet for creative growth.

Spanish C and Spanish D were introduced as advanced language pathways. These are the first courses of their kind at Aspen, and a direct bridge to high school language placement.

Performances and Showcases

The annual Art Show celebrated creativity across every grade level. Middle School Essentials Showcases ran each quarter, featuring student-produced performances in music, dance, theatre, and more.

And for the first time, the entire school came together for Aspen's Got Talent and the Aspen Lip Sync Battle: events that built school spirit and gave every student a stage.

Extracurriculars

This year's extracurricular program offered 38 programs to 344 student participants across arts, athletics, STEAM, leadership, and enrichment.

79% of students participated in at least one extracurricular activity — the highest engagement we've seen.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

You don't just send your kids to school here. You show up.

During the 2024–2025 school year, 785 individuals contributed 11,224 hours of their time, talents, and support to Aspen Academy. This extraordinary gift of engagement is valued at more than $409,000 and reflects our community's deep commitment to our mission and our students. As we finalize this year's totals, we encourage all families to log any remaining Community Engagement hours in Golden prior to June 30, 2026.  

Your investment touches every part of school life: classrooms, events, athletics, mentorship, and the one-of-a-kind culture that makes Aspen what it is.

Community Events That Brought Us Together

• 8 Family Workshops held K–8 after AMP'd, addressing specific grade-level parent support needs
• First Annual Trunk of Treat for all ages
• Veterans Day Celebration: all-school, with guest speakers and student performances honoring service
• Grand Day: celebrating the grandparents and loved ones who are part of our extended community
• One World, Many Stories Cultural Celebration: honoring the diverse backgrounds and traditions within our community
• Family Science Night, Math Night (150+ attendees), Literacy Night (100+ attendees)
• Aspen Business Leadership Club (ABLC): hosting gatherings that connect business and community leaders through inspiring speakers, professional learning, and relationship-building. 
• Spring conferences closed with a 95% family attendance rate — a number that reflects the genuine investment our parents bring to this partnership.

Our Parent Civic Organization (PCO) coordinated more than 60 events this year, and the Grandparent Civic Organization (GCO) drew 250 grandparents to Grand Day alone.

YOUR GENEROSITY AT WORK

Every dollar invested in Aspen shapes a child's future.

As part of the 2024-2025 Annual Fund ($423,649 were contributed),  family support funded major curriculum upgrades, new programs, and expanded opportunities at every grade level for 2025-2026.

Curriculum & Program Investments

• $38,052 — Math Curriculum Rewrite: advancing academic excellence through comprehensive curriculum review, alignment, and enhancement
• $23,798 — LiFE Program Curriculum: expanding Aspen Academy's signature Leadership, Finance, and Entrepreneurship learning experiences
• $14,094 — Early Childhood Curriculum Development: strengthening foundational learning experiences through updated PreK curriculum resources
• $931 — Spanish Curriculum Enhancements: supporting engaging and effective world language instruction
• $2,868 — Music Program Expansion: broadening creative expression through new guitar instruction and music enrichment opportunities
• $88,535 — Professional Development: empowering faculty with ongoing learning opportunities that enhance teaching and student success
• $266,388 — Financial Aid: opening doors to an Aspen Academy education for students and families who benefit from tuition assistance

We share immense gratitude to our families for their support this year, which resulted in a 27% increase in giving from last year. Generous donations to the 2025-2026 Annual Fund will provide investments in:

• Buses that enable our students of all ages to engage in experiential learning off campus 
• Early Learning playground additions
• Early Learning Landscaping to support privacy and our commitment to safety
• And much more!

Class of 2026 Legacy Gift

Through the Class of 2026 Legacy Gift Appeal, families contributed a remarkable $55,000 in support of the Makerspace Lab, with 80% of class families making a gift. This meaningful investment will inspire creativity, innovation, and hands-on learning for all of the Aspen Academy students.  

Our financial audits have come back 100% clean for 7 consecutive years. No surprises. No shortcuts. That's what we mean by responsible stewardship.

Thank you for everything you've invested — your time, your trust, and your generosity.

This community is the reason Aspen works. And we're just getting started.