Your Family’s Journey to Aspen Academy: The Application Process

The decision to join a school community is one of the most significant choices you will make as a parent. At Aspen Academy, we don't view this as a transaction. We view it as the beginning of a lifelong partnership in raising a good, capable human being.

Our process is designed to be as thoughtful and intentional as our curriculum. We want to know your kiddo beyond their test scores. We want to understand their gifts, your family’s values, and how we can work together to ensure they never face a ceiling on their potential.

Step 1: Witness the "Aspen Way" in Action

Before you apply, we want you to feel the energy of our campus. You can schedule a personal tour or attend a School Preview. You’ll see that our values aren't just words on a wall—they are lived by every human in this building.

Step 2: Submit Your Application

Once you know Aspen is home, you can begin the formal application through our admissions portal. The formal application is due by January 15 via our online portal. This stage includes the parent statement, teacher recommendations via the Common Recommendation Form, and academic records/standardized testing for relevant grade levels.

The application includes:

  • A Parent Statement: This is where we learn about your hopes for your kiddo and your family's story.
  • Teacher Recommendations: We use the Common Recommendation Form to get a professional perspective on your kiddo’s current growth.
  • Academic Records: Report cards (Grades 1-4) and relevant testing scores (Grades 1-5) such as the WISC-V or WPPSI-IV. 

Step 3: The Parent Conversation

We conduct virtual interviews with every family to ensure a deep alignment of values. This isn't a formality; it’s a high-level discussion about your kiddo’s growth, your expectations, and our shared commitment to their development.

We want to hear about your child's strengths and where they need to be pushed into their growth zone.

Step 4: The Student Assessment & Visit

Applicants experience Aspen firsthand through playgroups (Pre-K/K) or full-day shadow visits (Grades 1-8). Middle Schoolers are paired with Student Ambassadors to experience our 80-minute core blocks and entrepreneurial labs.

  • Preschool-Kindergarten: Children participate in playgroup sessions so we can observe social-emotional foundations.
  • Lower School (Grades 1-4): Students join us for a "Visit Day" to engage in our specialized classrooms.
  • Middle School (Grades 5-8): Applicants are paired with a Student Ambassador for a full-day experience, including our daily LiFE block.

Frequently Asked Question About Applying to Denver Private Schools

To apply to Aspen Academy, families must submit an application by January 15. The process involves a personal tour, a parent conversation with leadership, and a student visit day. Enrollment decisions are released in late February/Early March, with a final enrollment deadline around March 10 annually.

1. When is the deadline to apply for the 2025-2026 school year? The formal application deadline for the 2026-2027 school year is January 15, which also includes the deadline for financial aid submissions. Decisions are released to families on February 28 at 4:00 PM, followed by an enrollment deadline of March 10.

2. How does Aspen Academy’s tuition compare to other Denver private schools? Aspen Academy’s tuition is currently 17% below the Denver market average, reflecting our commitment to making a high-consequence education accessible to values-driven families. We maintain a "tuition gap," where the actual cost of educating each kiddo is higher than the published tuition, supported by our robust community development.

3. Does Aspen Academy offer priority to siblings of current students? Yes, siblings of currently enrolled students receive priority consideration during the admissions process to support family consistency. We recognize the importance of a unified "second home" for families with multiple kiddos across different grade levels.

4. What are you looking for during the student visit and assessment? We look for kiddos who demonstrate curiosity, kindness, and a readiness to engage in our leadership-focused environment. Rather than just testing for academic placement, we observe social-emotional foundations and how a student handles challenges in their "yellow zone" of growth.

5. How do you ensure my child won't fall behind or hit a ceiling? We guarantee academic growth through personalized instruction and daily 80-minute core blocks, resulting in 90% of our kiddos performing at or above grade level in Reading and 92% in Math. Our "no ceilings" philosophy means we push every human to their highest potential, regardless of where they start.

6. Is there a "right" time to transfer into the Middle School? While many families join us in Pre-K, we have a deliberate integration process for students entering our Middle School (Grades 5-8) to ensure they hit the ground running with our LiFE leadership curriculum. Every new Middle Schooler is paired with a Student Ambassador to help them navigate the transition into our community.

Early Learning Division (Preschool-PK)

Best Denver Private Preschool | Top Greenwood Village Preschool | Aspen Academy Teacher and Students

WHERE FOUNDATIONS ARE BUILT TO LAST A LIFETIME. At Aspen Academy, our Early Learning Program is more than just preschool—it’s where leadership begins. Every moment is designed to help your child feel seen, valued, and ready to grow—with purpose.

Lower School (K-4th Grade)

Learning for life starts at a young age. Our program lays the foundation for a love of lifelong learning, including fostering curiosity, supporting leaders in leading themselves and fostering community.

Middle School (5th-8th Grade)

How do you apply to Middle School at Aspen Academy?

To apply to Aspen Academy’s middle school (grades 5-8), families must submit an online application via the admissions portal, provide teacher recommendations and report cards, and complete a virtual parent conversation. Applicants for grades 6-8 must also submit ISEE or SSAT scores, while 5th-grade applicants may provide DAS II or WISC-V results.

What is the application timeline for 6th-8th grade?

The middle school admissions process follows a structured seasonal timeline to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of every student leader:

  • September–February: Connect with the community through a campus tour or school preview.
  • January 15: Priority deadline to submit the online application and required parent statement.
  • November–February: Students attend a "Day-in-the-Life" visit to experience Aspen’s classroom culture.
  • Late February: Enrollment decisions are officially released via email at 4:00 pm on a Friday in February.

Launching leaders with next generation education. Middle school students at Aspen Academy experience the innovative, integrated leadership development, financial acumen and entrepreneurial mindset we're known for...and with even more hands on opportunities.