Elevate Student Support Services

Each student shows up, learns, and navigates through the world differently.
Every student is capable of growth.

Read our blog on back to school tips for a successful school year.

ELEVATE provides coaching, intervention, and professional development to support our teachers, parents, and students in achieving their full potential along the academic and social emotional continuum.

We operate on the fundamental belief that through an intentional, student-centered, strength based approach, we can create a paradigm shift in the way we support and empower each and every learner within our community.

Aspen Academy’s ELEVATE program takes a three-tiered approach. By doing so, we honor, cultivate, and celebrate strengths in all learners. Services include:

In our efforts to support students with a variety of learning needs and approaches to learning, it is important for us to be transparent that we are not a school that specializes in special education as it is traditionally known. Our current staffing offers us the ability to serve approximately 25% of all students and admissions decisions may reflect the limited capacity depending on available spaces.

Tier 1 (Universal)

Elevate’s primary role is to support and enrich the knowledge of teachers, as they have the primary and most consistent contact with students. All core instruction also includes the following:

A Personalized Instruction Profile (PIP) for each student
High quality research-based curriculum to all students
Differentiated instruction through flexible small groups and learning methods
Consistent and regular progress monitoring of student progress against grade level benchmarks
Integration of technology as a means of reaching all varying learning styles and interests

TIER 2 (Targeted)

Elevate offers necessary supports and intervention to students with a higher level of need, with the emphasis of early intervention. Targeted instruction also includes the following supports:

Small group, evidence-based targeted intervention
Personalized accommodations implemented both in class and in small group sessions
Consistent progress monitoring to reach academic, social emotional and behavioral goals
Support in and out of the classroom from our Learning Specialist, School Psychologist, and/or Student Success Coach.

Tier 3 (Intensive)

Students who qualify for intensive support are connected with industry specialists who can provide individualized and intensive 1:1 intervention, including:

Coordination of time and space for outside specialists to conduct on campus 1:1 intensive support*
Consistent progress monitoring to meet established academic, social emotional or behavior goals
Accommodation Plan for students with a diagnosed academic, social emotional or behavior need

*Psycho-educational evaluations required for Tier 3 level of support. Additional tuition or fees may apply.

Aspen Academy is committed to the expansion of services to enrich all learners in our community:

Providing Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity screenings
Offering Speech, Occupational Therapy, and Hearing screenings
Onsite Tutoring Available Student (Additional fee required)
Expanded Enrichment services

Resources

Books

download the Elevate Brochure

ELEVATE TEAM

Jessie Skipwith

Elevate Director, Licensed School Counselor

M.Ed., Counselor Education, University of New Orleans
B.A., Justice, American University

Cindy Hewatt

School Counselor, LMFT

B.S., Psychology, Colorado State University
M.A., Clinical Psychology, LMFT, Chapman University

Gabriella Fratta

Student Support Manager

M.Ed., Colorado State University

Justin Wimbish

Interim Middle School Director

B.S., Management Information Systems, University of Wyoming
Staff Sergeant (E-6), US Army Reserve (2003-2011)
M.S., Education and Human Development

Elevate Blogs

Three Years of Partnership with University of Denver

Cindy Hewatt

For the past two years, the Elevate team has hosted two chosen University of Denver, first year graduate students from the Counseling program to do their practicums at Aspen Academy. This is a competitive practicum site and this year we had over 15 students interested.

Supporting Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

Jessie Skipwith

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. In raising awareness, building skills for self-care and care for others, and providing resources, Aspen Academy partners with parents and outside organizations to address this national issue of concern as we care for our students and families.

Back to School Success Strategies

Jessie Skipwith

Learn tips for a productive workspace, creating a culture of productivity, and strategies to empower the start of your year.

Beginning of the Year Elevate Message

Jessie Skipwith

Your Elevate team is here to support you and your students in so many ways. The Elevate program consists of three primary areas of service; Social Emotional Health and Wellness, Strategic Academic Success, and Cultural Competency. Through these three areas of personal development, Aspen Academy remains truly intentional in its work to meet individual students where they are on their personal growth journey.

Support Your Teens in Understanding What They're Going Through

Eric Peterson

This month, guest blogger and faculty member Eric Peterson shared how he and his wife educated themselves to support their teenage son. "As someone who reads quite a bit, my natural response to most things that I don’t understand is to read a book about it!"