Saved Schools

Aspen Academy

Aspen Academy, nominated by an anonymous organization, is an elementary/middle school in Greenwood Village, Colorado, that describes itself as an independent (private) school serving learners from a primarily suburban area.

View Website

Location Greenwood Village, Colorado

Governance Independent (Private) School

Grades Pre-Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle

Students 479

Locale Suburban

Head of School Kristina Scala

Demographics

Percentage of students*

—

English Learners

—

Free/Reduced Lunch

20%

Students with Disabilities

African American or Black —

American Indian/Alaska Native —

Asian —

Hawaiian or Pacific Islander —

Hispanic or Latino —

White —

2+ Races —

Why Aspen Academy was nominated

Entrepreneurial curriculum; students have to have owned and operated a business before graduating in 8th grade; spends time on financial literacy, Strong entrepreneurship focus for kids K-8. Kids need to have owned and operated a business before graduation. High focus on financial literacy. Founder is an entrepreneur. Shows what's possible in education.

Student experience design

Aspen Academy’s learning environment is designed to create an enriching and engaging student experience, focusing on developing well-rounded individuals who are prepared for both academic and real-world challenges. Here are key aspects of the student experience: Personalized Learning: Small class sizes and a focus on individualized attention to ensure every student's unique strengths and needs are supported. Leadership and Entrepreneurial Focus: Through the LiFE program, students develop leadership, finance, and entrepreneurship skills, launching student-run businesses and learning real-world applications. Challenging Academics: Students are held to high academic standards across subjects like math, language arts, science, and social studies, ensuring a strong educational foundation. Holistic Development: Students engage in a wide range of activities, including arts, fitness, and technology, helping them discover passions beyond academics. Community Engagement: The school fosters a strong sense of community, with an emphasis on character development, service, and preparing students for lifelong success. This learning environment supports not just academic success, but also the development of leadership, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.

Core Practices

Core Practices Length of Use

Assessments For Social-emotional Skills
5+ years

Co-leadership
5+ years

All Courses Designed For Inclusion
5+ years

All Practices

Student Advisories

AI For Learning Materials

AI For Teacher Productivity

AI-assisted Tutoring

Assessments For Agency And Self-directed Learning

Assessments For Career Readiness

Assessments For Deeper Learning

Community And Workforce Partnerships

Family And Community Support Services

Competency/mastery-based Education

Culturally Responsive Practices

Flexible Staffing & Alternative Teaching Roles

Interoperable Data From Multiple Technologies

Individual Learner Profiles

Mental Health Services

1:1 Mentoring

Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics

Project-based Learning

Peer To Peer Support

Performance Based Assessment

High Quality Instructional Materials

SEL Curriculum

SEL Integration School-wide

Student-led Conferences

Students Access Their Own Data

Student-led Goal Setting

Students Develop Projects

Tutoring

Universal Design For Learning

key reasons for innovating

Demonstrate what’s possible for other schools

Improve academic achievement

Increase student agency

Date Updated: 4/1/2025

*Canopy profile data is self-reported or sourced from NCES data, then verified by school leaders.