Blog

One of the ways we're transforming education at Aspen Academy is how we integrate STEAM into daily lessons for students, and consistently seek out new ways to integrate innovation into our classes. Here are some of the ways we're currently exploring new technologies with students.

You know you want your child to have a good understanding of money management; one that ensures they will be able to use money thoughtfully, understand how it works in the context of society, and be able to leverage it towards the goals and dreams they have for their futures. The question is, HOW? How do we build that kind of capacity starting young?

A common question comes up regarding mathematics: “When would I ever use this in real life?” At Aspen Academy, we strive to support students with applying mathematics to life. Over the course of the past few weeks, Aspen Academy 7th and 8th Grade Algebra students are working applying their mathematics beyond the typical homework.

At Aspen Academy, we believe that providing our kids with a deep foundation in personal finance and money management is non-negotiable. 

Over the years we have embarked on the process of explicit teaching of concepts that are often assumed to be “absorbed” in the context of home or school. Concepts including: attitude, emotions, responsibility, listening, etc. In today’s world, we cannot assume that these skills naturally develop -- we have to teach them.

Many in our community make a choice to contribute to our Annual Fund that funds professional development opportunities for our faculty. For that, we are incredibly grateful. Learn about some of the exciting ways faculty is being engaged and enriched through professional development opportunities.

Resilience is a life skill that speaks to an individual‘s ability to rise above any number of life’s challenges, problems or setbacks that might be faced on a daily basis, especially during the trying years of developing adolescence. Becoming more adept at this skill allows not only people in general, but our young people in particular, to pick themselves back up when they find themselves knocked down.

It was almost 37 years ago that Time magazine named the personal computer “Man of the Year.” Since then, massive shifts in technology have revolutionized the way we do business. From email and the internet to artificial intelligence and blockchain, tomorrow’s workforce has grown up during decades that include this rapidly shifting technology.

Summer is a time for our teachers, administration and staff to regroup. Aspen Academy faculty, staff and students are continuous learners even during the summer months. Read on for a few highlights of how our faculty embraced learning this summer.

As our Head of School, Kristina Scala, is fond of saying: “the world is run by those who show up and hustle.” What this implies is that the first step is to show up. Getting to school is paramount to success in school.

As we near the end of the first full month of school, it is important for all of us to reflect on the month of September and to look forward to the month of October as our beloved students continue to demonstrate their passion, wonder and curiosity here at Aspen Academy.

Each year, Aspen Academy students start their year off by attending our Middle School Retreats for two days. Here are a few of the big takeaways for what students experience in this focused time together...

Building positive habits and routines that support your child in their learning is one of the key ways that parents can support their children at home along the journey toward academic and personal success.

Our top priority at Aspen Academy is the safety of our students, staff and community. Each year, we remind our community of the safety measures we practice and enforce  that enable us to create a space where everyone thrives. We dedicate the month of September to the Health & Safety of our school and community.

This summer, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), America’s largest wildlife conservation and education organization, recognized Aspen Academy for creating a Certified Schoolyard Habitat® through its Garden for Wildlife program. Aspen Academy has joined with over 5,000 schools nationwide that have transformed their schoolyards into thriving wildlife habitats that provides essential elements needed by all wildlife – natural food sources, clean water, cover and places to raise young.

Summer can be a time of great growth for students physically and emotionally. With this growth comes the opportunity to support your children by flexing their “leadership muscle,” and demonstrating their character.

As students enter Middle School, these are formative years to practice skills helpful in the high school years. Among the important transitions students make during this time is a shift to developing capabilities to be more accountable and advocate for themselves. Learn three ways we support Aspen Academy students in making this transition.

Perhaps you have a child who loves math and can’t get enough of it. 

Or, perhaps you’re looking for ways to sneak it into your child’s summer routine like you might sneak cauliflower into their brownies.  Read on for math strategies you -- and your child -- will love!

Middle school students at Aspen Academy learn about the connection between social media and stereotypes.

Dance plays an essential role in building confidence, cognitive skills, and creative thinking for students at early ages that can support them throughout their lifetime. Read on for more.

Last fall, a selective group of Fellows who are changing education came to Aspen Academy to see transformational education in action, and to see what it looks like to bring to life a vision. Their observations left them inspired.

Each May, Aspen Academy students have the opportunity to participate in experiential, expeditionary education that blends learnings from the year, from history and science to entrepreneurship and service learning. Read on to learn more about these trips.

BossGirl has set out to get more girls involved in the world of entrepreneurship, supporting them with a space to promote and sell at local markets. At their Spring Market, Aspen students Riley Fenton, Arden Ritter, and Delaney McCallum showcased what they're learning as entrepreneurs and as part of the Aspen Entrepreneurial Institute.

Third grade students transition from "learning to read" to "reading to learn," in this engaging lesson that encourages them to be thoughtful and analytical readers and authors!

With technology rapidly on the rise, artificial intelligence surfacing in business applications and big data creating a foundation in all our lives, coding is becoming the language of the 21st Century. Learn how students -- and parents -- at Aspen Academy are raising the bar...

At Aspen Academy each April, the hallways in the Middle School are abuzz with excitement: everyone knows that 6th grade is about to begin the Roller Coaster Project. The Roller Coaster Project combines an understanding of Physics with the ability to work in groups.

Looking for new ways to get kid excited about books and reading? Host a Book Tasting! Learn more from 4th Grade Language Arts Teacher, Gabriella Fratta. 

After making it through two rounds of “shark tank,” pitching their businesses to successful entrepreneurs last week, six 8th Grade students were selected for the final round of pitching in April 2019 at Aspen Academy.

Eighth Grade student Alessa Jackson, CEO of Creative Canvas, founded the organization as a non-profit. She produces one-of-a-kind, commissioned splatter-painted canvas artwork with proceeds benefitting nonprofit organizations...

Three takeaways from renowned speaker, Rosalind Wiseman, who spoke at Aspen Academy earlier this month.

In 2014, when Annie and Emily Fox founded their non-profit called Project Baby Bear, they set out to make the world a better place one teddy bear at a time. Over the past five years, the pair have donated thousands of teddy bears to children and adults "who need a smile, a hug, or just a little extra love."

This week, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who changed the world with his dream and his vision to serve others and ensure that their differences were given a voice. His work is not done. His vision inspires one of our values, “Make the World Better.”

There are many important lessons that occur each week as our students are in the process of creating their class or grade level businesses. As part of the process, students have begun to learn more about the ideation process of generating a product including developing prototypes and researching the cost of items to build the product.

Last week, we welcomed amazing entrepreneurs and business leaders from across the Denver metro area at Aspen Academy for a discussion with Kristina Scala on the possibilities in education. "I was blown away by Aspen Academy..."