2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT GROW LEAD LEARN TABLE OF CONTENTS Message from Leadership.............................................................2 2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT Aspen At A Glance........................................................................3 This report covers Aspen Academy’s fiscal year of July Mission Vision & Values.................................................................4 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019. We made every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of this report. If we have made an 2018-2019 Timeline........................................................................5 error or omission, please accept our apologies and report it to [email protected]. Financial Report............................................................................7 Annual Fund Impact.......................................................................9 Leadership Giving.........................................................................10 Building the Future, Capital Campaign.......................................14 Aspen Entrepreneurial Institute....................................................15 Service Learning Impact Report...................................................16 Gifts of Professional Development.................................................17 Class of 2019...............................................................................18 Alumni College and Universities..................................................19 In the News.................................................................................20 Aspen Academy 5859 S University Blvd. Greenwood Village, CO 80121 Ways to Get Involved..................................................................21 aspenacademy.org Since 2005, Aspen Academy has cultivated fertile ground A MESSAGE where our students can take root, engage in rigorous academic programs, develop their character and leadership skills, and build a sense of global citizenship through service learning. We believe education should address what FROM OUR students know but equally important, who they are. This means taking the time to know each of our 400 students individually and challenging them to be extraordinary leaders who do extraordinary things. LEADERSHIP Over the course of our 2018-2019 school year we welcomed 60 new families into our community; graduated 43 students in the Class of 2019 who continued on to 13 high schools across Denver, Tennessee, and Connecticut and increased our alumni population to 309 alumni who went on to 35 high schools and 45 institutions of higher learning. Some highlights of the 2018-2019 year: • We built more infrastructure to support faster and smoother learning with switch and fiber optic cable upgrades to more than double Internet speed and capacity; and added a new Chromebook cart in the Lower School STEAM lab. • We completed the first phase of the lobby renovation with new paint, new flooring and video “bulletin boards” that Kristina Scala, George Sparks share current events and highlight student and faculty Head of School Board Chair successes and celebrations. • We began our community center/cafeteria renovation including the addition of a commercial kitchen, outdoor seating, and installing a new sound system. • We continued our dedication to fostering leadership and financial acumen, we continued student and faculty growth We firmly believe the world belongs to in both areas through our Aspen Youth Leadership Institute those who show up and hustle. We will and Aspen Entrepreneurial Institute. We celebrated the spirit of creating with our annual Entrepreneurial Expo and never stop hustling on behalf of Aspen Shark Tank. Our students led countless academic, arts, Academy students, faculty, staff and and leadership performances, projects and events and families. engaged in 7,000 hours of service learning. Sincerely, • At the end of the year, the following faculty members were elected by their peers to lead curriculum development, create cross-disciplinary connections and model innovative teaching techniques in the following domains: Jake Lovett, Social Sciences; Kerri Esposito and Maureen Mullen, Math; Eric Peterson and Joanna Weisel, Literacy & Communications; Jessica Cho, Science; and Octavia Betz Kristina Scala, Head of School and Chris Holtzem, Arts. • We took the next steps as global citizens by embracing our own exploration of diversity, equity and inclusion, from monthly professional development with our staff to personalized IDI assessments with faculty, staff, and parents. George Sparks, Board Chair 2 Aspen Academy Annual Report | 2018-2019 ASPEN AT A GLANCE Aspen Academy is a national leader in innovative education. Through internationally acclaimed academics and the nation’s first integrated Pre-K through 8th grade leadership and entrepreneurial development program, our students are empowered to lead purposeful and extraordinary lives and focus on the character-building education essential for thriving in today’s world. Small classes are led by exceptional, award-winning faculty who provide a foundation of rich academics and a personalized approach to instruction. At Aspen Academy, these core values are true to our school, and our community: Be Kind. Do Good. Work Hard. Make The World Better. STUDENT PERFORMANCE 86% 91% 96% Reading at or above grade The average score of Math Students are at or above level (DRA/QRI Internal tests by Sinagpore Math grade level in English Assessments) assessments. OUR DIFFERENCE: TOP IN THE NATION “One of the fastest-growing independent schools in the country.” - Association of Colorado Independent Schools. DEVELOPING EXTRAORDINARY “Top Scoring School” - AdvancED LEADERS OUR MISSION We edify and inspire students and educators to grow, learn and lead. OUR VISION We are a national leader in innovation and transformative education. VALUES Be Kind. Do Good. Work Hard. Make The World Better. Thank You to the 2018-2019 Board of Trustees S u z a n n e G o o d s p e e d , Chair, Advancement-Strategic Initiatives Brian Meegan, Compensation Lori Taylor, Advancement Arjun Sen, Advancement-Branding and Reputation George Sparks, Advancement James Park, Advancement-Development Darrell Watters, Finance & Audit and Investment Wayne Guerra, Advancement-Strategic Initiatives Lew Kling, Compensation Tim Taylor, Advancement-Strategic Initiatives Jack Keenan, Finance & Audit and Investment Kristina Scala, Founder, President & Head of School Brad Tucker, Trustee & Governance 4 Aspen Academy Annual Report | 2018-2019 2018-2019 TIME LINE OF HIGHLIGHTS JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2019 JANUARY-FEBRUARY OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2018 NOVEMBER: 8th grade teachers gather to write high school FEBRUARY: Our Essentials recommendations for the class of teachers created an epic 2018. lip sync snow day video to communicate with our families that school was closed. AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2018 AUGUST: Thanks to our generous donors the remodel in the auditorium, halls, and values wall was completed to inspire NOVEMBER: Staff and Faculty made students for years to come. time to volunteer at the Food Bank of the Rockies. FEBRUARY: Middle School reenacted the some of the great battles of the civil war on our turf fields. SEPTEMBER: Kindergarten DECEMBER: PreKindergarten harvested apples from the gathered with parent volunteers campus orchard to make apple to learn about Hanukkah and play butter for a food and science traditional Hanukkah games. project. MAY 2019 MAY JUNE 2019 MARCH-APRIL 2019 MAY: Co-Founder and Director of Operations, Lynda Sailor won the National Business Officers Association Unsung Hero Award! APRIL: School wide kindness JUNE: Colorado Parent campaign encouraged Magazine awarded Aspen relationships and friendship Academy a Family Favorite for with daily challenges and 2019. gotcha stickers to empower Aspen’s #1 rule “BE KIND”. MAY: The Graduation and Alumni Reunion brought back over 130 individuals to celebrate each other and Aspen Academy. JUNE: Aspen Academy received recognition as a certified APRIL: Peter Pan JR. came Wildlife Habitat by the National to Aspen with our Junior and Wildlife Federation. Senior Theatre troupes. 6 Aspen Academy Annual Report | 2018-2019 Revenue tal OPERATING BUDGET To Year Ended Tuition & Fees 86.80% Bear’s Student Enterprises (BSE) 0.51% Parent Civic Organization (PCO) 0.54% Rental, Interest Income & Other 0.93% Extracurricular 1.55% Contribution & Support 9.68% ens Exp es Payroll & Benefits tal To 64.78% Campus & Facilities 19.93% Academic, Character, and Community Service Programs 7.79% Loan Interest 3.72% Professional Services 1.19% Advancement 2.60% Revenue tal To 2018-2019 FINANCIALS TOTAL REVENUE Tuition and Fees $7,128,174 Contribution and Support $795,257 Rental, Interest Income & Other $76,100 Extracurricular $127,144 Parent Civic Organization (PCO) $44,014 Bear’s Student Enterprises (BSE) $41,482 $8,212,171 TOTAL EXPENSES Payroll and Benefits 5,001,572 Campus and Facility Expenses 1,538,549 Academic, Character, and Community Service Programs 601,448 Loan Interest 286,823 Professional Services 91,743 Advancement 200,465 $7,720,600 RESERVES Operating & Long-Term Reserves for Debt Retirement $675,000 GIVING Annual Fund $225,351 Grants $200,000 Capital Gifts $369,906 $795,257 2018-2019 TESTIMONIALS “In this day and age where we worry so much about the ‘Whole “We have been and continue to me WOW’d by Aspen Academy Child’ and their mental health I think it’s imperative you all everyday. Our two older children attend the school. They are two know what a favor they’ve