How Aspen Academy Students Develop In-Demand Skills for Success in a Dynamic World

Since our inception as a Denver-area private school focused on entrepreneurship, we have remained steadfastly focused on developing passionate, lifelong learners who graduate from our school empowered to be confident, curious and innovative. A recent article from Linkedin names the top in-demand skills prospective employers look for in hiring as:

1. Management
2. Communication
3. Customer Service
4. Leadership
5. Sales
6. Project Management
7. Research
8. Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking)
9. Marketing
10. Teamwork 

At Aspen Academy, our focus on equipping leaders who lead themselves and have the capacity and inclination to lead others means that our students are tackling these skills in practical application every single day. Specifically, our LiFE (Leadership, Finance, Entrepreneurship) Program focuses on developing analytical and critical thinking, communication, management, leadership, teamwork, creativity, and innovation, all of which are essential life skills.

Learning Management Skills

From Pre-Kindergarten on, our students are taught management skills in many different forms, including self management and learning the importance of managing finances (wants vs. needs, etc.) to managing others as part of group projects (grade level businesses, presentations, etc.) Many of our projects and classroom activities involve collaborative work, so learning how to navigate and leverage your own strengths in the scope of the group is an important life skill that students are able to practice every day. These skills are  engrained daily through classroom work, Bear’s Student Enterprises, and our partnership with the 7 Habits curriculum.

Cultivating Critical Thinking

By encouraging students to question, research, analyze, and evaluate information, we foster a culture of independent thought and problem-solving. As part of daily 30-minute  LiFE lessons, we  engage students in real-world challenges, develop their analytical thinking, and foster resilience. Our educators foster a growth mindset and provide opportunities for students to face challenges, learn from failures, and develop their capacity to adapt to new circumstances. From interactive lessons that include hands-on learning and discovery, to bringing in guest speakers to invoke questions and thoughts, embarking on middle school leadership retreats, finally culminating in building your own business in the 8th Grade, a student’s time at Aspen Academy is a continuous experience of trial, error, and learning from mistakes.

Developing Effective Communication

Every five years, our programs undergo extensive review to ensure we’re teaching the best curricula for our students' lifelong success. During the last review of Language Arts, our team concluded that the skills students need are communication and literacy and renamed our curriculum to focus on these essential skills. Effective communication skills are vital in building strong relationships, collaborating efficiently, and conveying ideas effectively. Aspen Academy places a strong emphasis on developing students' l communication abilities (written, verbal and non-verbal) through public speaking opportunities at AMP’d, our annual 7th and 8th Grade speech and debate day, and numerous collaborative projects, which give our students the confidence to express themselves clearly and persuasively.

Emphasizing Leadership and Teamwork in the Face of Adversity

From daily age-appropriate lessons in leadership to developing class businesses, students are given the opportunity to show up as leaders of self and others. By the time they reach 7th grade, they earn the opportunity to demonstrate leadership and teamwork in running our school businesses, Bear’s Student Enterprises. In each cohort, they experience real life skills including  communicating with customers, teaming with administrators, and building their business with their peers. Through working collaboratively in teams, students are taught important management skills and how to execute on ideas. Our programs allow our learners to practice leadership and teamwork while gaining real world experience.

Fostering Creativity and Innovation

By encouraging students to think outside the box, we empower them to create new solutions and approach challenges with fresh perspectives: to harness their ideas by turning thoughts into things. Aspen Academy offers an innovative and comprehensive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) program for students from Pre-K through 8th Grade. The program aims to foster creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills through a variety of experiential learning opportunities. From coding and digital literacy courses to utilizing online platforms for collaborative learning, we provide a comprehensive technology literacy. And creativity and innovation go well-beyond just STEAM courses, with a curriculum that includes a total of 206+ hours of STEAM integrated into other lessons throughout the year.

As one of Denver’s best independent schools[4] , our focus on entrepreneurship, leadership and financial acumen provides real-world experiences for our students from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th Grade. From a young age, Aspen Academy students develop leadership and management skills, learn how to care for themselves and their personal finances, communicate effectively, and develop creative and innovative solutions, preparing students for continued success throughout the rest of their lives.

For more information on our LiFE Program, click here.