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Annual Report 2016-2017

1 Message From Our Head of School

2 Developing Extraordinary Leaders

3 A Message From Our Leadership

4 Financial Report

5 Investing in Excellence, Annual Fund

6 Meet Our New Board Members

7 Leadership Giving

8 Aspen Academy Thanks

10 Building the Future, Capital Campaign

12 Reinvesting in Bear’s Student Enterprises

13 Aspen Academy Faculty & Staff

14 2016 Graduating Class

15 Ways to Give

Table of Contents

This report covers Aspen Academy’s fiscal year of July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017. The Development Office has made every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of this report. If we have made an error or omission, please accept our apologies and report it to Mallory Sussman at 303-346-3500, x114 or mallory.sussman@aspenacademy.org.

2016-2017 Annual Report 1

Dear Friends,

We founded Aspen Academy with a simple vision – to build a school that goes beyond academics, one that values students for who they are and who they will become – extraordinary leaders impacting the world around them. Today, we hold true to our mission. We continue to focus on academic rigor, character and leadership development, and community strength and service; and we fiercely adhere to our core values: be kind, do good, work hard and make the world a better place.

In the past 13 years, we have expanded our vision and created a remarkable school and community with the help of our outstanding families, teachers, staff and board members. We are deeply grateful for your extraordinary commitment and unwavering support.

It is in this spirit of gratitude that we look back at the 2016-2017 school year and celebrate the many milestones and successes we achieved together.

We welcomed 41 new families to the Aspen Academy community.

We graduated 46 outstanding 8th graders, who have gone on to do great things at 11 different high schools.

We raised $249,575 in Annual Fund support, with gifts from 95% of our community.

Embodying the true community spirit of Aspen Academy, parents also contributed an astonishing 11,680 volunteer hours to our school, running our Parent Civic Organization, volunteering in our classrooms and supporting our events.

We raised $100,000 to install a new Lower School STEAM Lab for pre-k - 4th grade students.

We redesigned Bear’s Student Enterprises and expanded the business with a mobile coffee cart thanks to the class of 2017’s Graduate Gift.

We renovated Legacy Hall thanks to the class of 2016’s Graduate Gift, and repainted and refurnished our Lower School classrooms.

We advanced the work of the Aspen Entrepreneurial Institute, delivering more than 20 hours of training for our faculty in our one-of-a-kind curriculum.

We developed MODI, our patent-pending line of school furniture built to shift students from the “sit and get” model to a “move and discover” modality of learning.

2016-2017 was certainly a remarkable year in the life of Aspen Academy. We look back with gratitude while we push forward with excitement and optimism for the many things to come. Thank you for continuing to help us develop the unique gifts of each and every one of our students – enabling them to stretch themselves and develop their passions while always remembering to support one another and our global community along the way.

Kind Regards,

Message From Our Head of School

Kristina ScalaHead of School

2 Aspen Academy

Developing Extraordinary Leaders

Aspen at a GlanceAspen Academy is the premier independent school for academic, leadership and entrepreneurial development. Located in Denver, our 400 pre-k through 8th grade students exemplify our core values: be kind, do good, work hard and make the world a better place. With a focus on academic rigor, character and leadership development, and community strength and service, our small classes are led by exceptional faculty who offer a personalized approach to instruction. Since our inception, we have remained steadfastly focused on developing passionate, lifelong learners who graduate from our school empowered to be confident, curious and innovative.

Our Difference

One of the fastest-growing independent school in the

country (according to ACIS)

reading at or above grade level

(DRA/QRI Internal Assessments)

writing at or above grade level (6 Traits

Writing Internal Assessments)

average score Singapore Math Unit

Tests

96% 95% 94%

Reading - top 17% in the nation

Writing - top 8% in the nation

Math - top 15% in the nation

Our students are performing at:

“Top Scoring School”

in 2016 by

2016-2017 Annual Report 3

A Message From Our Leadership

Dear Friends,

Wow, another fantastic year of accomplishments. Aspen Academy continues to improve our educational offerings and experience, staying true to our mission to inspire and develop excellence in academic growth and performance, character and leadership, and community strength and service. We watched extra-curricular enrollments increase 26% from the previous year, and in keeping with the board’s strategic plan and mission, portfolio and programmatic updates were completed in math, social studies, pre-k and Spanish. With the completion of the Upper School STEAM Lab and our community’s enthusiastic response to a matching challenge to build and install a new Lower School STEAM Lab, it was a busy year and our students directly benefitted. The board of trustees could not be prouder of the many accomplishments of our students and families, and our faculty and staff, highlighted throughout this report.

In the fall of 2016, we began a two-year Capital Campaign to raise funds to renovate our auditorium to include individual seating and create an authentic theater experience. This Capital Campaign is continuing through the 2017-2018 school year, and we plan to begin our renovations next summer.

Always improving the learning experience at Aspen Academy is a hallmark of what makes us a national model school. We take great pride in sharing these accomplishments with you. Every member of our advancement team, from our staff to our board of trustees, works diligently throughout the year to ensure we make prudent decisions for the health and benefit of our organization. We simply could not achieve these feats without the support of our incredible families – who have chosen to invest in their children’s future here at Aspen Academy and ensure that the Aspen community will continue to grow and thrive now and in the years to come.

With Gratitude,

Chris Good Board of Trustees, Outgoing Chair

Christina GoodChair, Executive Chair

George SparksVice Chair, Advancement Chair

Carl AlgermissenTrustee, Governance Chair

Lew KlingCompensation Chair

Darrell WattersInvestment Chair

Jack KeenanFinance and Audit Chair

Jackie Griggs

Karen Leaffer

Ernie Panasci

Suzanne Goodspeed

Lori Taylor

Kristina ScalaPresident

Thank You to the 2016-2017 Board of Trustees

* Thank you to Karen Leaffer, who concluded her service as a member of our board.

4 Aspen Academy

Financial Report

REVENUE $7,793,127 Tuition and Fees $6,598,569

Contributions and Support $670,285Rental, Interest Income & Other $311,031Extracurricular $153,419Parent Civic Organization (PCO) $43,407Bear’s Student Enterprises $16,416

EXPENSES $7,563,967 Payroll and Benefits $4,265,163

Campus and Facility Expenses $1,372,869

Loan Interest $331,262Professional Services $76,178Advancement $400,452Academic, Character and Community Service Programs $443,043Operating & Long-Term Reserves for Debt Retirement $675,000

REV

ENU

EEX

PEN

SES

Annual Fund $249,575

$420,710

Total Gifts $670,285

Capital Gifts

2016-2017 Annual Report 5

The Impact of Our 2016-2017 Annual FundA contribution to Aspen Academy’s Annual Fund is the first and most important gift we ask of our families, faculty and staff, and board of trustees. Aspen Academy continues to be the only independent school in Colorado without an operating gap between tuition revenue and expenses.

Last year 95% of our community participated in our Annual Fund, raising more than $249,575 toward Investing in Excellence. Contributions to our fund support:

Investing in Excellence, Annual Fund

Amy AndresenJohn FichterKatie FrischMelissa GelfandKelly Goering

Lara KnuettelAndy LeRoyNicole MessinaEric Peterson, Faculty Co-ChairSteve Pougnet, Co-Chair

Gabriella Polen, Faculty Co-ChairEloise ProctorMargo RamsdenSuzette Soto-GasserSarah Spencer-Workman

Scott TrainerJackie Watters, Co-ChairBrooke Wilfley

Thank you to our 2016-2017 Annual Fund Committee

Financial Assistance“By providing financial assistance for our families, the Annual Fund has created the opportunity to awaken artistry in our students they never knew existed. In my classroom, the outlet of dance allows the space for students from all backgrounds to build self-confidence, courage and creative expression necessary to flourish and thrive.” - Shawna Riggio, Dance Instructor

Academic Programs and TechnologyAspen Academy engages in a comprehensive review of each major academic domain on a four-year rolling calendar. This effort is led by a faculty-elected academic chair and team of experienced educators. Last year, under the leadership of Lauren Oakley, the science department selected Full Option Science System (FOSS) Kits, a curriculum that meets Next Generation Science Standards, and they adopted Discovery Science Techbooks that enable learners to interact with an online curriculum at their own pace and provide educators with real-time results.

Professional DevelopmentAspen Academy’s faculty and staff completed over 1,000 hours of professional development through group trainings such as Enlightened Inclusion and Cultural Competency with Laura Barr and Mark Musselman, and Traction Entrepreneurial Operating System training with Chris Halberg, and were awarded individual grants to attend conferences and take classes specific to their domains.

6 Aspen Academy

Meet Our New Board Members

Brian MeeganBrian Meegan is Founder and Managing Partner at Evergent Law, which specializes in business transactions. He is General Counsel to SBCO, a land and water development company, and he is the CEO and Founder of Watson, Ltd. a back-office administrative support company. Brian received both a Bachelor’s Degree and a law degree from the University of Colorado.

Brian is a member of IR Global, a professional services firm network. In addition, he is active in the Association for Corporate Counsel and the Leadership Denver Alumni Network. He is a previous board member of the Entrepreneur’s Organization as well as the CU Law Alumni Board, and he served on the Campaign for Colorado Law’s Future committee. In addition, he was recognized as one of Denver’s “Forty Under 40” by the Denver Business Journal.

The Meegan’s reside in Greenwood Village along with their three children, Connor (Class of 2015), Amanda (Class of 2017) and Cameron.

Arjun SenArjun Sen is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ZenMango, a marketing and branding consulting firm. Arjun received a Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology and an MBA from Brigham Young University. He worked for PepsiCo, Pizza Hut, and Einstein Brothers and was Vice President of Marketing and Operations for Papa John’s International Worldwide. In addition, he served as Vice President of Marketing for Jillian’s Entertainment in 2001. He has also taught classes in Marketing, Marketing Strategy, Marketing Research and International Marketing at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

He serves as President of Restaurant Marketing Group. He has also served on the Colorado Governor’s Small Business Advisory Board and was president of PanIIT, Inc., a global alumni organization with over 60,000 members in the United States.

Arjun also authored a book entitled Raising A Father, a father’s memoir.

Brad TuckerBrad Tucker received both a Bachelor’s degree and a law degree from the University of Tulsa. He is a shareholder at the law firm of Tucker Holmes, P.C. and practices civil litigation, specializing in general commercial liability, premises liability, auto liability and insurance law.

Brad is the founder of ColoBikeLaw.com, which is dedicated to informing and advancing the rights of all cyclists. Currently, he is Vice President of the Board of Directors for Bicycle Colorado. He served on the board of South East Area Racing, Inc. the American Cycling Association and the Bicycle Racing Association of Colorado.

Brad and Liz Tucker’s sons, William (Class of 2022) and Luke (Class of 2024) attend Aspen Academy.

Aspen Academy’s vision is to create a national model learning program. Such a vision requires experience, wisdom and strategic guidance from our board of trustees. We are proud to welcome three new members for our 2017-2018 school year.

2016-2017 Annual Report 7

Aspen Academy recognizes community members who support our mission of developing extraordinary leaders by participating in charitable giving. We are grateful for all levels of support and strive for 100% community participation in our efforts.

Leadership Circle ($50,000+)Founder’s Circle ($10,000 - $49,999)Head of School’s Circle ($2,500 - $9,999)Scholar’s Circle ($1,000 - $2,499)Family Partner ($500 - $999)Friend (up to $499)

While leadership gifts are crucial to Aspen Academy’s financial strength, every gift matters. We also acknowledge community members who have committed a planned gift to Aspen Academy as members of the Kristina Scala Legacy Society.

Thank you to Suzie and Steven Goodspeed for making the first commitment to the Kristina Scala Legacy Society.

Leadership Giving

8 Aspen Academy

Aspen Academy Thanks

Leadership Circle ($50,000-$149,999)The Chotin Foundation, Robin & Steven Chotin, Whitney Chotin Wolz & Chad Wolz

Founder’s Circle ($10,000-$49,999)Deborah & Brad Dickler*Kim & Andre DurandMelissa & Karl EngelmannJennifer & Yavor Efremov Ken GoodRebecca & Lew KlingDana & Ryan Krauser Karen & Steve LeafferMichelle & Jason LockwoodTracy & Cass McKenzieNicole & Tom MessinaDebbie & John Montford*Amanda Jackson Oriol & Mark OriolEllen & Joseph RubleCarla ShankleShandra Wilson & George SparksGabrielle & Dylan TaylorLiz & Brad TuckerJackie & Darrell WattersJess & Doc WeidknechtDeborah & David Younggren

Head of School’s Circle ($2,500 - $9,999)Jackie & Carl AlgermissenKathy & Steve BeaboutMary & Ernie Behnke*Lisa Swize & Jerrod Brown Sonia & Richard CartyErin & Jeff ChainKate & Mike Cogdall Goldie & Joel CohenNancy & Mike Connell*Lori Taylor & Shan DagliErin & David DeanJacquii & Steven FabricantJoey & Chris FanaleJohn FichterKatie & Zach FrischClaire & Sean GoodrichSuzanne & Steven GoodspeedLisa & Jason GreenKaren & Jeff HendleyVali & Nathan JeromePam & Jim JohnstonLinda & Jack Keenan*Lindsay & Michael KeoughLara & Frank KnuettelGloria Latham*Ilana & Martin LawrenceShannon & Rob MackenzieMary Pat & Richard McCormick*Susannah & Julian McManusFaith & Steven Mills

Katie & Cameron MochanKate & Mark MurphyErnie PanasciCamila & Jason PeckCindy Wilson & Kit Phillips*Christina RichardsonKristina ScalaElizabeth & Stephen ScannellAlisabeth & Colin ShearnChristine & Scott SimonKathryn & Erik SpringerBridget & Dan StarishevskyTish & Robb StoneAshley & Philip SummersAmy & John SwieringaMerri & Kevin TarrantJane & Eric TuplerLeslie Underwood & Elia WallenGoca Weis & Matthew Leavy Sylvia Wells*Pamela & David WelkerBrooke & Link WilfleyCynthia & Roy Wilson*Mimi WongSarah Spencer-Workman & Adam WorkmanTamara & John Yount

Scholar’s Circle ($1,000 - $2,499)Victoria & Keith BoughHeather & Ted BrownMarilyn & Michael Calvert*Lindsay & Matthew ChaffeeAnn Badertscher & Cliff ClevengerJennifer & Daniel CookDebbie & Mike CorderoTammy & William DamrathPat Deckle*Julie & Josh DorkinKristen & Demetri FefesJennifer Wiler & David Fintak Janise & James FisherAngela & Dan FoxMelissa & John GelfandSusan Furman & Joseph HughesKelly & Jon HardyThomas JessimanKelly & Phillip JungwirthTiffany & Colby KenyonCindy & Kurt KittlesonAmy & Michael KrzaJennifer & Eric LeavittJulie & Andy LeRoyBrooke & David LovenJodi & Dave MannChristian & Timothy MarasciulloJulie & John MarshallLucyAnn & Mike McCarthyKate McCormickTi & Francis MougneCatherine & Mark Murchison

Elizabeth & Nicholas NortonJennifer & John OsgoodSanghee Kim & James Park Debbie Schwartz & Fred PeuryeSherri & Matthew PoznanovicTracy & Wade PursellHeather & Paul RakowskiTracy & Matthew RitterJodi & Rob RollandRu & Gary Schanman Melanie & Timothy SchmiedingKim & John SchultzBobbie & Vern Schultz*Carrie West & Joe Serieno Julie & Patrick ShawTara & Jason ShofnosMary Stein*Elena & Steven StophelKaren & Andrew SoninBarbe Turner*Enid & Eric Victor

Family Partner ($500 – $999)Gargi & Rajiv AgarwalaAmy AndresenJudith & Richard BatenburgSarah & Charles BentzTiffany & CR BrintonCathy & Scott CaldwellCarly & Mark CarneyLyssa & Job ChackoCaitlyn & Daniel ClarkSandra & Gary CooperCathy Zheng & Edward DavisKara Diamond-Husmann & Brian Husmann Kelly & Eric DreyerJason FearnowAmy Gavin & Todd Fenton Katherine & Michael FergusonKelly & Blair GoeringKari & Jon HaleStacey & Peter HauhuthCate Humby-Hoff & Paul Hoff Erin & Josh JohnstonAndrea & Robert KilpatrickRebecca & Craig KinardAree Bly & Thomas LeonardJin Song Liu & Qing Di Lin Kristen & Russell LundstromRebecca & Gregg LurcottShelley & Matthew MaloneyTera & Eric ManzanaresJulie & John MarshallRuby & Herb Maruyama*Wendy Leung & Daniel McCann Meredith & Brian MeeganBecky & David MershonKathleen & Stan MohlerJoy & Chris MurphySamantha & Chris Powell

Margo & Todd RamsdenTiffany RobertsMolly & David RudnickJina SchaffRachel & Kyle SchultzKen Simon*Linda & Howard Speil*Svetlana Kolesnikova & Scott SpeilLana & Brandon StokleyLisa & Andrew TeetsStephanie & Eric TolerVirginia & Philip WaltonAmanda & Michael WhalenJulie & Ron Zwerin

Friend (up to $499)Deanne & Gordon AndringaJyothi Venugopal & Nagendra ArakaliNatallia & Maksim AvseevJana AxlineBridget AylwardMichelle BarnesJonathan Bar-OrLana AlBitar & Amer Batikhi Danielle & Eric BeckerKatie & Adam BeckerJimena & Andrew BegalOctavia BetzGary BognerNatalie & Chris BoyleKarie Ann & William BradleyTamara & Michael Breuklander*Angelita & William BrownDevon BuchananHeather Ferguson & David Buhler Lauren & Phil BurgessMichele BurnettNathan ByrneBrenda & David CalvertColleen & Mark CarlsonKimberly & Scott CaulfieldLinda Chain*Jessica ChoBeverly Gilder & Steve ColmClaire & Danny CombsLucy & Kyle ConklinChristie & John ConnorMargo Connor*Lori Marks-Connors & James ConnorsHeather & Jason CoughlinElizabeth DaileyTim DaileyAmy Dannels-McClureMelinda & Marty DavidsonDiana & Tom Davidson*Lindsey & Craig DavisMary Ann DawsonEmily & Jonathan DeckerNancy & Joe DeStadio*Genevieve Kingsford & Andrew

2016-2017 Annual Report 9

Aspen Academy Thanks

EgoroffIngibjorg Thors & Magnus Einarsson Jilla Emadipour*Kerri EspositoLindsey & John FairbairnJudy & Robert Farrell*Burce FearnowDanny Fearnow*Carol Ferguson*Magaly Ulate-Fields & Michael FieldsChuck FischerLaura & Lance FitzSimmonsChristine FordJane & Don Friedman*Tara Valgoi & Matt FryLisa & Dennis GardnerSuzie Soto-Gasser & Brandon GasserArlene & John Geiken*Diana & Michael Gelfand*Jane & Emil GjesterSondra & Edward Goldberg*Steve GosleeJennifer GravleeCourtney GrayChris Green & Steve PougnetSvetlana Tsirkin & Eli Grinfeld Marcie & Lou Gurich*Kim Haddad & Mark GalvanCorinne HancockGemma & Nic HanekomKathleen HarperSydney HarperSarah HarrisAudra & Jeff HaskinsMary Ann & Rodney HiltLara HutchisonLynda Sailor & Eric JacksonSusan & Walter JacksonKrista JohnsonSara Johnson*Rebecca & Larry JohnstonHannah & Jonathan JosephHolly & Vance JosephTatiana & Scott KannadySusan & Jerry Katz* Leisl & Danny KeefeAbby KingJanie & Orrin KirschbaumDana & Jeff KohlsMichael KoralSaba Swamy-Kragt & Mike KragtKim & Rick KrauseNicole KruseElizabeth & Albert Krza*Gretchen & Ronald LambersonChris LazarticKelley LeddenCorinne & Peter LengsfeldWendy & Eric LindbergEun Sun Chang-Liu & James LiuNatalie & Kevin LongKatherine & James Looney

Sharon LynchKristin & Dino ManiatisEdi & Mort Marks*Linda MarshallKara MarshallAllison MattiviBrooke & Robert McCallumJon McClureMegan McKnightJanise & Jeff McNallyShaina & Sean McNeillJanet & John McNuttLisa Yacuzzo-Meade & Gary Meade Cindy & Pat Mershon*Wren & James MillerJulie & Matt MoreauDiane & Michael Moreau*Sam MurrayMonica & Stu MyhillAllison & Jason NealChuck NovatkaLauren Oakley Rosemarie OppedisanoJohn OrrLeigh Ann OrsenKhadija OwinyoMaria del Pilar Pelz & Anthony Pelz Lynn Pelz*Eric PetersonGabriella PolenAngela & Jamison PrienElise & James ProctorSverrir RagnarssonSusan Marriot & Bryan Richter Shawna RiggioMadeline RohanJayme & Michael Rosner*Greg RyanAmy SabinCorey SampsonKevin SchaffTara Ames & David Schott Dana Schrock*Jessica & Eric SchulzeCathy ShematekStephanie & Craig ShineKeiko ShortKaren SkadowMindy Radke-Smith & Craig Smith Sherene & Ron SmithPatricia & Bernard Sonin*Andrea & Les SowitchJill & Thomas SpauldingSaskia & Robert StanleyBrooke SteedlyValerie & Scott SternConnie & Dean StevinsonNaomi & Oliver StokeldJill StudnickiKelsey SullivanMallory SussmanRavi Swamy

Myron & Lydia Swize*Jeffrey & Melissa TaylorStephen TaylorMark & Pam TellingerSteven & Sara TitusTimothy & Barbara Vander WallBob & Jan Veuthey*Hannah WeilJoanna WeiselJenny WhiteDavid WilsonJames & Joy Woller

Corporations and Foundations ACE ScholarshipsAlphaGraphicsAmazon Smile FoundationBouzy Wine & SpiritsCharles SchwabCINCH/Miller InternationalCity BakeryCommunity First FoundationCurious CorkCompleat Gourmet & GiftsCorner BakeryDistinctive Home LandingEM+PACT BarsEvereve, Inc.Garbanzo Mediterranean FreshGateway to Magic Great Harvest Bread Company Glory FoundationGoodspeed MerrillHogshead BreweryHotel EngineIliff Preschool, Inc.India HicksJackson Realty Colorado, LLCJen L. Harris ImagingL45 Training Highlands Ranch KismetLand’s EndLittleton Liquor MartMike Ward AutomotivePeck Realty GroupPerky JerkySazzaThe Bundt ShopThe Kula Foundation The Vanguard GroupThe Wooden TableUSA Hockey Inc

Matching Gifts3M FoundationAMGEN FoundationBank of America Matching GiftsCentury LinkJanus FoundationLiberty Gives FoundationMarathon

Microsoft Matching Gifts ProgramNordstrom’sOppenheimer Matching Gifts ProgramWells FargoWestern Union

Thank you to the Advancement Committee of the Board of TrusteesGeorge Sparks, ChairSuzanne GoodspeedJackie GriggsLori Taylor

*Aspen Academy Grandparent

10 Aspen Academy

Building the Future, Capital Campaign

Building the FutureBuilding the Future, Aspen Academy’s Capital Campaign, provides us with an opportunity to translate our goals and values into action. Over the years, the Building the Future campaign has supported interior and exterior campus renovations, including the installation of experiential learning labs such as the Lower School STEAM Lab and the Multicultural Language Labs. We are currently in year two of our auditorium renovation effort.

Auditorium Renovation 2016-2018Aspen Academy is pursuing an endeavor that will inspire our students and strengthen our community: renovating our auditorium. This space, home to Aspen Morning Program (AMP’d), where every single student has an opportunity to give voice to their thoughts, experiences, creativity and expression.

As we engage our community in supporting this two-year, $500,000 campaign, we have the opportunity to install:

Theatre seating to create an authentic theatre experience for our community

Curtains and acoustic treatments to transform the stage into a state-of-the-art performance venue where every child can be seen and heard

Grandparents and Special Friends Day 2016Funds raised at our 12th Annual Grand Day, hosted by Nancy and Mike Connell and Linda Chain, grandparents of Ryan (Class of 2020), Katelyn (Class of 2021) and Colleen (Class of 2025), will support the auditorium renovation as part of our two-year Building the Future campaign.

Gala 2017: Growing Great LeadersFunds raised at our 2017 Gala will support the auditorium renovation. A special thank you to our Gala co-chairs, Natalie Boyle and Brooke Loven, who spent tireless hours creating the ultimate farm-to-table experience for our guests at the McNichols Building in Civic Center Park.

Thank you to our Gala Committee: Jana Axline, Sonia Carty, Lindsey Davis, Kelly Dreyer, John Fichter, Kelly Hardy, Thomas Jessiman, Erin Johnston, Leslie Kinne, Shannon Mackenzie, Ellen Ruble, Ashley Summers, Andrew Teets, Stephanie Toler, Jane Tupler, Enid Victor, Sarah Workman, Tamara Yount.

2016-2017 Annual Report 11

Lower School STEAM LabIn the spring of 2017 we successfully raised $100,000 to install a new state-of-the-art Lower School Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) Lab.

This STEAM Lab is designed to nurture project-based, multi-modal learning activities that require creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking, through a holistic approach that mirrors the real world. The Lower School STEAM Lab opened to pre-k - 4th grade students in the fall of 2017.

2nd graders engaged in a design challenge to create an imaginative community for animals.

1st graders learned what coding is with the help of Bee Bots.

Kindergartners engaged in an engineering design challenge to save Humpty Dumpty.

Upper School STEAM LabIn our Upper School STEAM Lab:

All 5th - 8th grade students experienced the new STEAM Lab rotation, which featured solar car building, solar cooking, Lego Robotics, Adobe Photoshop, Vernier Lab Sensors, Stop Motion Animation, Snap Circuits, Sphero Programming and more!

Every Upper School student participated in the STEAM Lab Engineering Design Challenge: Spaghetti Bridge Construction - the winning bridge was able to hold over 30 pounds!

5th grade Innovation students used the STEAM Lab to design and code their own video game experiences on Scratch.

6th and 8th grade students used the Design Thinking Process to create projects with the 3D printer.

8th grade Innovation students researched and designed a coffee cart that they would give as their 8th grade Graduate Gift. The students visited the cart company headquarters to give input on the cart design and to learn more about the design and build process.

Multicultural Language and Ethnomusicology LabsMulticultural Language and Ethnomusicology Labs are home to our Global Language Integration through Music, Perspective, Societies and Ethnomusicology (GLIMPSE) Class, where students select one of 23 languages for independent study and engage in group language learning by examining music and culture.

Building the Future, Capital Campaign (cont’d)

12 Aspen Academy

Reinvesting in Bear’s Student Enterprises

Class of 2017 Graduate GiftThe Class of 2017 elected to reinvest in Bear’s Student Enterprises (BSE) by funding the design and installation of a coffee cart, mobilizing BSE’s food and beverage services. Our 8th grade Innovation class visited Gallery Carts, a locally owned cart manufacturing business to learn about the cart design and manufacturing process. Our 8th graders were asked to consider the customer experience, menu options and point of sale process as they selected the components of their cart. Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill generously outfitted the cart.

This gift also supported the redesign of Bear’s Store and Bear’s Café, creating a cohesive space with a boutique feel.

Class of 2016 Graduate GiftThe renovation of Legacy Hall (administrative wing), Class of 2016 Graduate Gift, was also completed.

Aspen Entrepreneurial Institute (AEI)The mission of Aspen Entrepreneurial Institute is to create a ground shift that will establish a nation of financially self-sustaining individuals and economy expanders developed through habits and practices.

The curriculum is the first of its kind in the nation for kindergarten through 8th graders (4-14-year-olds) that focuses on personal financial literacy, economics, project and organizational leadership, and management and innovation while cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset.

AEI is now in its first full year of implementation in k - 8th grades and consists of two 25-minute class periods each week - Money Monday and Finance Friday.

Bear’s Student Enterprises Program ExpansionBear’s Student Enterprises was launched in 2008 to provide middle school students with real-life experience operating, marketing and financing fully functioning businesses on campus.

During the summer of 2017, Bear’s Student Enterprises introduced two new divisions:

1. Bear’s Executive Team: BSE’s newly created division of 13-14-year-olds is the youngest Board of Directors in the country, utilizing the Traction Entrepreneurial System as C-Level executives of BSE.

2. Bear’s Publications: This newly created division will design, produce and sell Aspen Academy’s yearbook and will draft and present BSE’s annual report to the Aspen Academy Board of Trustees.

2016-2017 Annual Report 13

Aspen Academy Faculty & Staff

Bridget AylwardKatie BeckerOctavia BetzGary BognerMichele BurnettNathan ByrneJessica ChoDanny CombsDebbie CorderoMary Ann DawsonKerri EspositoChuck FischerSteve GosleeCourtney GrayJennifer GravleeCorinne HancockKathleen HarperSydney HarperSara HarrisAudra HaskinsLara HutchisonAbby KingLara KnuettelDana KohlsMichael KoralNicole KruseChris LazarticKelley LeddenLinda Marshall

Allison MattiviMaureen MullenSam MurrayBridget NoelPaul NoelLauren OakleyRose OppedisanoLeigh Ann OrsenEric PetersonGabriella PolenShawna RiggioAmy SabinLynda SailorCorey SampsonKristina ScalaCathy ShematekKeiko ShortKaren SkadowJill StudnickiKelsey SullivanMallory SussmanRoberta VallinaHannah WeilJoanna WeiselJenny White

2016-2017 Staff Aspen Academy Welcomes New Faculty, Staff & Roles for the 2017-2018 School Year

Patrick Allis, 4th Grade Math Instructor

Bridget Aylward, Health & Safety Manager

Devon Buchanan, Drama Instructor

Julie Burdick, Middle School Psychologist

Rob Cooper, 3rd Grade Science & Social Studies Instructor

Debbie Cordero, Director of Pre-K

Kate Fuge, Enrollment Manager

Chris Good, Interim Director of Advancement

Steve Goslee, Director of Enrollment

Courtney Gray, 7th & 8th Grade Algebra Instructor

Chris Holtzem, Music Instructor

Dana Kohls, Director of Lower School

Amy Krause, After Care Lead

Michael Mercer, Fitness Instructor

Maureen Mullen, 6th Grade Math Instructor

Lauren Oakley, 1st Grade Instructor

Olivia Rodriguez, 2nd Grade Instructor

Cathy Shematek, Administrative Manager

Kelsey Sullivan, Lower School STEAM Lab Coach

Lisa Teets, Strategic Initiatives Manager

Charlotte Underwood, After Care

2017-2018 Faculty & Staff

14 Aspen Academy

2016 Graduating Class

Congratulations to the Class of 2016Logan BoyleLittleton High School International Baccalaureate

Langdon BradleyValor Christian High School

Gabby BurgessArapahoe High School

Mac CaldwellMullen High School

Lyla CarlsonValor Christian High School

Bowen ColmRegis Jesuit High School

Emmy DavisValor Christian High School

Jordan DavisKent Denver School

Ilana DeckerCherry Creek High School

Hayden DreyerHeritage High School

Parker DurandMullen High School

Cecilia EgoroffArapahoe High School

Georgie FairbainMullen High School

Camille FergusonRegis Jesuit High School

Landen FordValor Christian High School

Jori GoldbergRegis Jesuit High School

Isabelle GoodrichArapahoe High School

Will HaskinsLittleton High School International Baccalaureate

Taylor HendleyValor Christian High School

Cooper JessimanArapahoe High School

Hayes KrauseHeritage High School

Kenneth LinValor Christian High School

Mimi LockwoodValor Christian High School

Reese LurcottSt. Mary’s Academy

Brady ManzanaresRegis Jesuit High School

Zachary MarshallHeritage High School

Myki McNuttArapahoe High School

Amanda MeeganCherry Creek High School

Claire MochanMullen High School

Ethan Richter Taylor High School, TX

Anja RohanSt. Mary’s Academy

Keaton RollandRegis Jesuit High School

Emily Rudnick Arapahoe High School

Elise ScannellRegis Jesuit High School

Lauren SchulzeArapahoe High School

Holly ShankleKent Denver School

Kelsey ShankleKent Denver School

Anna ShawHeritage High School

Sierra ShetterlyCherry Creek High School

Luke SmithValor Christian High School

Lindsey SowitchMullen High School

Oliver SternRegis Jesuit High School

Brooke TaylorColorado Academy

Ashley TellingerArapahoe High School

Ella WaltonCherry Creek High School

Grace YountMullen High School

2016-2017 Annual Report 15

Ways to Give

At Aspen Academy our greatest asset is our community: our enthusiastic and kind students, our imaginative and excellent faculty, and our supportive parents, families and friends. Our community is committed to living our values: being kind, doing good, working hard and making the world a better place. The development office is here to serve our community and encourage the sharing of time, talent and resources within our community.

Aspen families also commit financial resources to our community through: Aspen Academy’s Annual Fund Building the Future, our Capital Campaign Graduate Gift, selected annually by our 8th grade class Kristina Scala Legacy Fund

Each of these fundraising efforts is unique and ensures we are able to offer our students the most innovative and impactful learning opportunities throughout the year.

There are a variety of ways to make a tax-deductible contribution to Aspen Academy:

1. Gifts can be made safely and securely via credit card online by visiting: www.aspenacademy.org/support-aspen

2. Gifts of cash or check payable to Aspen Academy can be sent to: Aspen Academy Development Office 5859 South University Boulevard Greenwood Village, CO 80121

3. Gifts of stock can be transferred to the Aspen Academy Investment Fund, Charles Schwab & Co. Please contact the development office for more information.

Matching Gifts: Many corporations match their employees’ charitable contributions to non-profit organizations. To find out if a company in your family has a matching gift program please contact your human resources department.

Planned Giving: Gifts to the Kristina Scala Legacy Fund help ensure Aspen Academy continues to develop extraordinary leaders for generations to come.

For more information please contact the development office at 303-346-3500, x114.

ASPEN ACADEMY DEVELOPMENT OFFICE:Mallory Sussman303-346-3500, ext. 114 • mallory.sussman@aspenacademy.org

5859 S. University Blvd., Greenwood Village, CO 80121TM