2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT GROW LEAD LEARN TABLE OF CONTENTS Message from Leadership ............................................................2 2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT This report covers Aspen Academy’s fiscal year of July Aspen At A Glance .......................................................................3 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018. We made every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of Mission Vision & Values ................................................................4 this report. If we have made an error or omission, please accept our apologies and report it to 2017-2018 Timeline .......................................................................5 [email protected]. Financial Report ........................................................................... 7 Annual Fund Impact ......................................................................9 Leadership Giving ........................................................................10 Building the Future, Capital Campaign .......................................14 Aspen Entrepreneurial Institute ................................................... 15 Meet Our New Board Members ...................................................16 Class of 2018 ............................................................................... 17 Alumni Colleges and Universities .................................................18 Staff & Faculty ............................................................................19 In the News ................................................................................ 20 Aspen Academy 5859 S University Blvd, Greenwood Village, CO 80121 Rebranding ................................................................................. 21 aspenacademy.org Ways to Get Involved ................................................................. 22 Since 2005, Aspen Academy has cultivated fertile ground 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 LEADERSHIP leaders who do extraordinary things. Over the course of our 2017-2018 school year we welcomed 60 new families into our community; graduated 40 students in the Class of 2018 who continued on to 12 high schools across Denver, and increased our alumni population to 264 alumni at 29 high schools. We launched new learning amenities as we made an investment in iPads for our Lower School, completed our auditorium renovation with improved acoustics that allow our children to be heard and moved the sound booth to the main level to support closer and better access to the stage and coordination for productions. With our notable dedication to financial literacy, we launched weekly curriculum focus as part of “Money Kristina Scala, George Sparks, Monday” and “Finance Friday.” Our students led countless Head of School Board Chair academic, arts and leadership performances, projects and events and engaged in 7,000 hours of service learning. The implementation of our Academic Chair program brought the completed research and business case for our Language Arts academic review under the leadership of co-chairs Joanna Weisel and LeighAnn Orsen. At the end of the year, the following faculty members were We firmly believe the world belongs to elected by their peers to lead curriculum development, those who show up and hustle. We will create cross-disciplinary connections and model innovative never stop hustling on behalf of Aspen teaching techniques in the following domains: Academy students, faculty, staff and Gabriella (Polen) Fratta and Corey Sampson, Social Sciences families. Kerri Esposito and Maureen Mullen, Math LeighAnn Orsen and Joanna Weisel, Language Arts Sincerely, Rob Cooper and Sam Murray, Science. We took the next steps in evolving our brand to one that more accurately reflects the energy and innovation that takes place at Aspen Academy. These changes spanned Kristina Scala, Head of School from our website and printed materials to physical changes to our lobby. In our West Wing, we completed a refresh with new shelving and paint, MODI chairs and tables. In the Administrative Wing, we completed our interior renovation and exterior painting and replacement soffits. We completed additional outdoor maintainence on the cafeteria. George Sparks, Board Chair 2 Aspen Academy Annual Report | 2017-2018 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% Reading at or above Average score of Math grade level (DRA/QRI tests based on Singapore Internal Assessments) Math assessments OUR DIFFERENCE: TOP IN THE NATION 21% 19% 16% 75 Each year, Aspen Academy uses ACT Aspire to map student progress from grades three through eight on a vertical 50 scale, anchored to the scoring system of the ACT. These scores are also compared to other schools around the 25 nation and reveal Aspen Academy to be among the top in the nation for Reading, English and Math. READING ENGLISH MATH “One of the fastest-growing independent schools in the country.” - Association of DEVELOPING Colorado Independent Schools. 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. OUR VALUES Be Kind. Do Good. Work Hard. Make The World Better. Thank You to the 2017-2018 Board of Trustees George Sparks, Chair Ernie Panasci, Finance & Audit and Investment Suzanne Goodspeed, Advancement Jackie Griggs, Advancement Carl Algermissen, Trustee & Governance Brad Tucker, Trustee & Governance Darrell Watters, Investment and Finance & Audit Brian Meegan, Compensation Lew Kling, Compensation Arjun Sen, Advancement Jack Keenan, Finance & Audit and Investment Kristina Scala, Founder, President & Head of School Lori Taylor, Advancement Aspen Academy Annual Report | 2017-2018 4 2017-2018 TIMELINE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2017 OCTOBER 2017 OCTOBER: Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne speaks with Andrew NOVEMBER: We welcomed Wilson, Aspen Academy grandparents and special friends student as part of Mr. to our annual Grand Day. Faculty Sampson’s class. volunteered at Project Cure. AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2017 AUGUST: Assessment Day and the epic 2017 eclipse aligned to kick-off our 2017-2018 OCTOBER: Our PCO sponsors DECEMBER: The Geography Bee school year. the annual Parent Cocktail gave students an opportunity to Party, an annual event building share their brilliance. Congratulations our parent community. to winner, Anderson Toler SEPTEMBER: Our 2017 Bear OCTOBER: Parents and DECEMBER: To kick off the week Crawl & Carnival were students supported the annual before Winter Break, Aspen students, opportunities to celebrate Service Day by contributing faculty and staff celebrated Spirit together as a community! hours to our campus through Week, including the annual 8th Rake Up Aspen. Grade/Faculty Basketball Game. MARCH-APRIL 2018 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 JANUARY-FEBRUARY MAY-JUNE 2018 MAY-JUNE MARCH: Speaker Tommy Spaulding shared inspiration JANUARY: Our inaugural in a PUMP’d evening event for MAY: Faculty Appreciation Week was Entepreneurial Expo featured parents and community. followed by Adventure Week for an business acumen from each event-filled May! class. APRIL: 8th Grade Students made pitches to a “Shark FEBRUARY: Fathers and Tank.” Congratulations MAY: Special guests from the Denver daughters came together on to Nolan Cooper, whose Broncos came to the school to share the dancefloor for our annual Promposal business won the more about character and leadership Father Daughter Dance. competition. on and off the field. JANUARY: The SCO APRIL: Parents, faculty and JUNE: Field Day, Graduation and our Community Service staff celebrated during the New Alumni Reception create an Committee, along with “An Evening at the Theater” epic send-off for Summer Break. students, Ella S. and Izzy B., Gala & Silent Auction. organized Service Week. Aspen Academy Annual Report | 2017-2018 6 FINANCIAL REPORT REVENUE Tuition & Fees 89.4% Bear’s Student Enterprises 0.4% Parent Civic Organization 0.6% Rental, Interest Income & Other 1.1% Extracurricular 1.5% Contribution & Support 7% EXPENSES Payroll & Benefits 63.3% Campus & Facilities 19.7% Academic, Character, and Community Service Programs 7.3% Loan Interest 4.1% Professional Services 1.4% Advancement 4.2% 2017-2018 FINANCIALS TOTAL REVENUE Tuition and Fees 6,784,222 Contribution and Support 535,610 Rental, Interest Income & Other 80,041 Extracurricular 112,592 Parent Civic Organization (PCO) 43,600 Bear's Student Enterprises (BSE) 30,574 $7,586,639 TOTAL EXPENSES Payroll and Benefits 4,643,596 Campus