A Private Middle School That Starts the Future. Let’s Build It Together.
Grades 5–8 at Aspen Academy aren’t just about getting ready for high school. These are the critical years your children start becoming leaders, thinkers, and entrepreneurs who already make a difference.
Schedule a call with admissions today
What Makes Aspen One of the Best Private Middle Schools in Colorado?
Most middle schools focus on helping kids “get through” these years.
We prepare them to lead.
As the premier private middle school in Denver, Aspen Academy’s grades 5–8 are designed to be transformational. Students grow in capability, confidence, and curiosity. While mastering the essential skills they’ll need for high school, college, and life.
From launching real businesses to learning how to read a P&L, our students graduate with more than strong academics — they leave with purpose.
They are seen, known, and coached to lead.
Here’s how Aspen’s Middle School stands apart:
Real-World Readiness
What truly sets Aspen Academy apart from other private middle schools in Colorado is our proprietary LiFE curriculum.
Every student at our private junior high school rotates through Bear's Student Enterprises (BSE) — Store, Café, and Broadcast in 7th Grade. They also learn to apply EOS (Entrepreneur Operating System) processes, pitch product ideas, and manage teams.
→ Aspen Academy has the youngest C-Suite in the country running real businesses - in the school year 2024 - 2025, they generated over $54,000 in real revenue.
In 2025 - 2026' they aim to generate $250,000.
- Students rotate through 3 unique business ventures - Store, Café, and Broadcast - gaining valuable durable skills in each business and role.
- Students are offered unparalleled leadership opportunities within BSE including running Finance, Marketing, and Operations teams.
- Every 8th grader spends at least 16 weeks developing a real business with a professional volunteer mentor.
Advanced Academics, Without the Pressure
Core academic classes run 80 minutes daily with subject-specific teachers, unique for private middle schools in Denver.
→ Each student receives 80 minutes/day of core classes (Communications & Literacy, Math, Science for 18 weeks or Social Studies for 18 weeks).
Our students will tell you that Aspen is the best Private middle school in Denver, but our i-Ready results corroborate it:
- 97% of students at Aspen Academy are at or above grade level in Math. 93% of students are at or above grade level in Reading.
- Whereas, Colorado state statistics show only 23% of students are at or above in math and 35% in reading.
- While national averages are even worse at 18% in math and 30% in reading are at or above grade level.
Aspen Academy is 2-3x above state and national benchmarks and surpasses NAIS averages (~40%/35%).
Daily Life & Leadership Block (LiFE)
Every day begins with the LiFE block. We believe teaching students the essentials of character development prepares our students to lead themselves and then others.
→ More than 90 hours/year of daily leadership instruction; every student develops leadership skills to prepare them for the ever-changing modern world.
- 100% of students develop leadership portfolios - physical portfolios in Lower School and websites in Middle School
- Leadership opportunities are available to all students: Grade Level Mayors (PK-8), Student Civic Organization (Grades 5-6), BSE C-Suite (Grade 7), Student Ambassadors, Student Marketing Team, Mentor/Mentee Program (Mentors start in 4th), National Junior Honor Society, Student Inclusion Leadership Club (SILC), Cool 2 Be Kind.
- Leadership learning integrates with entrepreneurship and community engagement, reinforcing real-world application.
Future-Proof Skills
AI literacy, finance simulations, stock market competitions, and public speaking are baked into the daily life of each student.
→ 100% of middle schoolers use artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, NotebookLM, and Gemini and compete in real-world financial simulations annually.
- Balanced approach to and acute awareness of the impact of screentime on student learning (Anxious Generation, Think First/Phone Later), as well as parent workshops to help address these issues at home.
- Students begin using AI tools of the future (ChatGPT, Gemini, Notebook LM) in middle school... 85% of teachers have adopted AI usage.
- In grades 5-8, every private middle school student participates in an experiential financial literacy learning opportunity... Young AmeriTowne (5th), International Towne (6th), Finance Park (7th), Junior Achievement Dream Accelerator (8th).
Professional Mentorship
An incredible head start to the real world where 8th graders spend 16 weeks with real entrepreneurs to build real businesses.
→ Our professional mentors are high-level business professionals: serial entrepreneurs, IPO experience, Entrepreneurs Organization (EO)/Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) members, and leaders within their fields who connect their mentees with industry contacts, manufacturers, and real opportunities.
- As a result, our students consistently win local, state, and national awards related to business and entrepreneurship. - FBLA National (Ian Liu ‘21), YouthBiz Stars Competition (Morgan Friedman ‘24 and Lara Leonard ‘24), Grandview High School Business Student of the Year (Maddie Silver ‘24).
- Every 8th grader spends at least 16 weeks developing a real business with a professional volunteer mentor.
- Curriculum is regularly researched and updated to find the best programs and opportunities available to grow student skills and successful outcomes (Uncharted Learning for Entrepreneurship, National Financial Educator's Council for Financial Literacy, Leader in Me for Leadership)
Outcomes You Can See. Proof You Can Trust.
At Aspen Academy, middle school isn’t just a bridge to high school - it’s a launchpad for life.
Our students outperform national and state benchmarks, win national entrepreneurship awards, and walk into high school years ahead of their peers -academically, socially, and emotionally.
And it’s not just data. It’s the confidence they carry, the leadership they show, and the purpose they pursue.
Prepared for High School—and for Life
Aspen Academy graduates enter high school with the vision to make meaningful contributions to their communities. Our alumni thrive in a wide range of high schools, including private, independent, and international schools, because they’ve developed skills that transcend curriculum.
At Aspen, success isn’t defined by where you go next, but by who you become along the way. That’s what makes it one of the best private middle schools in Colorado.
Here’s what Aspen community members are saying:
★★★★★
"We could not be happier with Aspen for our 5th and 6th graders. It's been a very welcoming community, the teachers are incredible and the communication fantastic. Kids are happy to go to school everyday and energized at pickup. As a parent I love the curriculum, the academics and taking on topics most schools don't like leadership, entrepreneurship and finance. We are thrilled with our choice to go to Aspen and can happily recommend it!"
- Aspen Academy Parent
★★★★★
"Our grand daughter was so well-prepared for high school. She's getting straight A's and being recruited by numerous Ivy League colleges, despite being only in her junior year. We can't thank Aspen Academy enough for helping her to be so well-positioned for her college career."
- Alumni Grandparent
★★★★★
"Thank you to Aspen Academy for being the perfect spot for our student to live his best middle school life. He has been exposed to many new experiences and had opportunities to try new things, to excel in new areas and to be challenged - in so many different ways. He gets to use his creativity, he loves the engagement in the classes and in outside activities. We have found a supporting and kind community at Aspen and are so glad he has had this experience. I wish Aspen would expand to High School."
- Trista C., Aspen Academy Parent
★★★★★
"We knew based on our research that Aspen Academy was our first choice for our son, but we had no idea just how extraordinary the school actually was until his first school year began. We have been blown away by our son’s daily experience as a part of the student body. The social emotional health of the students and administration, coupled with the continued striving for academic excellence is remarkable. The teachers are excellent, authentic, passionate educators who are teaching their favorite age. This detail makes a huge difference. ...There is always something to share about the rich curriculum or the relationships he is developing.
- Melanie Bandera-Hess, Aspen Academy Parent
★★★★★
"My elementary and middle school experience has instilled a strong foundation of values and ethics that I would have never been able to get anywhere else. It has taught the importance of leadership and kindness, which during my attendance at Aspen felt like a normal learning experience...the strong work ethic instilled by Aspen helped keep me on top academically.
...Aspen taught me to be a leader and gave me the proper tools to act on it. ...When you learn how to lead your life, you can lead others.
Aspen Academy and everything the teachers, faculty, and you have stood for and invested in each student have helped me become an amazing leader and I am forever grateful for that. The community of Aspen has always been super supportive and encouraging for me and all my endeavors.
- Class of 2019 Alum
Is Aspen the Best Private Middle School for Your Middle Child?
Not every student thrives in a one-size-fits-all system.
Aspen Academy is ideal for students who are curious, motivated, and ready to do more than just memorize. Here, kids are known deeply and challenged intentionally — whether they’re launching a business, presenting in front of a crowd, or learning to lead with empathy.
If your child needs more than worksheets and waiting, if they’re itching for purpose, voice, and real-world learning…
This might be the best private middle school for them.
We’re not for everyone. But for the right student?
There’s no better launchpad.
What’s Next?
You don’t have to make this decision today — but you should start asking the right questions.
What would it look like if your child loved school and left prepared for life?
We invite you to schedule a 30-minute call with our admissions team.
No pressure, no pitch.
Just real answers from real people who care about helping your family make the right decision.
Frequently Asked Questions About Middle School at Aspen
- How do you support students coming from other schools in grades 5‑8?
- What leadership or entrepreneurial opportunities does a 5th‑8th grader have?
- How strong are Aspen’s academics compared to other schools?
- What does “leadership and life skills” look like in middle school?
- How is Aspen preparing students for an AI‑shaped future?
- What class sizes and student‑to‑teacher ratios can we expect in middle school?
- How do you support students’ social and emotional development in these transitional years?
- What high schools do Aspen graduates attend, and how well prepared are they?
- What if my child needs extra support or thrives and needs more challenge?
- How do I explore whether Aspen’s middle school is right for our family?