Our Essentials Program offers performance-based courses that continue to build leadership, confidence and pride for each student. We realize world language, performing arts, visual arts, technology and fitness, along with the academic content classes, create a space for students to grow and learn in all areas of their school life as well as discover their individual passions and gifts.
Middle School students in Grades 5-8 have the opportunity to build their schedule and create a customized learning experience by selecting their own essentials course offerings. Students are encouraged to dive into their passions as well as select classes that expose them to new adventures in learning.
Our unique Essentials programming at Aspen Academy is amongst the many things that make our school exceptional: a national model in education. And the inspirational design of our Dance program by Maya Pingle is a prime example of what sets Aspen Academy apart.
The Aspen Academy STEAM program, implemented by Ms. Kelly Thatcher, proves that she is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with! Learn more about STEAM at Aspen Academy in this blog.
Mr. Couchman is able to effectively facilitate a learning environment where our students experience a clear sense of belonging, significance, and joy for learning in truly authentic ways through physical education and fitness. Learn more in this blog.
While doing my classroom observations this week, I was able to witness so much joy in learning across both of our Spanish Essentials classes here at Aspen. Learn more in this blog by Yuzo Nieto.
From the time I first visited Aspen Academy in 2018 (during the first stage my Moonshot EdVentures Fellowship), I was completely blown away by Mr. Holtzem’s music class as it already embodied much of the most recent findings that were just beginning to be published regarding the necessary pedagogical shifts in best practices needed to propel music education into the 21st century.
![8th Grade Aspen Academy students dancing at the end of the graduation ceremony.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1654656701/aspenacademy/xvp9zzzympzcjy3mdery/Dance_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1654656701/aspenacademy/xvp9zzzympzcjy3mdery/Dance_1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1654656701/aspenacademy/xvp9zzzympzcjy3mdery/Dance_1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1654656701/aspenacademy/xvp9zzzympzcjy3mdery/Dance_1.jpg","width":906}])
![Aspen Academy 3rd Grade class engaged in lesson in Lower School STEAM Lab.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1654655548/aspenacademy/ubkjplpbr9aiezn8ypfd/STEAM.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1654655548/aspenacademy/ubkjplpbr9aiezn8ypfd/STEAM.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1654655548/aspenacademy/ubkjplpbr9aiezn8ypfd/STEAM.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1654655548/aspenacademy/ubkjplpbr9aiezn8ypfd/STEAM.png","width":936}])
![Aspen Academy Fitness Teacher, Mr. Couchman, instructing students on turf field.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1652807095/aspenacademy/fjnzcezhs93lveduilen/4R1A9067.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1652807095/aspenacademy/fjnzcezhs93lveduilen/4R1A9067.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1652807095/aspenacademy/fjnzcezhs93lveduilen/4R1A9067.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1652807095/aspenacademy/fjnzcezhs93lveduilen/4R1A9067.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1652807095/aspenacademy/fjnzcezhs93lveduilen/4R1A9067.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1652807095/aspenacademy/fjnzcezhs93lveduilen/4R1A9067.jpg","width":2200}])
![Aspen Academy students enjoyment of learning about Dragons and Tacos in Spanish]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1652291740/aspenacademy/fflgutfcig9jqsmniezn/Dragones-y-Tacos.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1652291740/aspenacademy/fflgutfcig9jqsmniezn/Dragones-y-Tacos.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1652291740/aspenacademy/fflgutfcig9jqsmniezn/Dragones-y-Tacos.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1652291740/aspenacademy/fflgutfcig9jqsmniezn/Dragones-y-Tacos.jpg","width":936}])
![Students engage with music teacher]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1652218710/aspenacademy/x4onc1j00g98n47bfwhz/4R1A76581.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1652218710/aspenacademy/x4onc1j00g98n47bfwhz/4R1A76581.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1652218710/aspenacademy/x4onc1j00g98n47bfwhz/4R1A76581.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1652218710/aspenacademy/x4onc1j00g98n47bfwhz/4R1A76581.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1652218710/aspenacademy/x4onc1j00g98n47bfwhz/4R1A76581.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1652218710/aspenacademy/x4onc1j00g98n47bfwhz/4R1A76581.jpg","width":2200}])