Aspen Academy Review

Our daughter has attended 1st - 3rd grade so far and we are enrolling our son in PK next year and we have loved it. What stands out to us is the focus on kindness and the entrepreneurial spirit. We have seen the faculty get involved and take action whenever kids were doing things that were not that nice. Kids will make mistakes and they really went above our expectations to make sure that it was a teaching opportunity for all involved. We also love the entrepreneur expo that each grade has a business and that the 8th graders run multiple businesses for the school. We feel that learning and practicing coding, public speaking and how to start and run a business are skills that will help out kids be successful in the future. And we love the teachers and faculty - Everyone is very supportive :)

We've been at Aspen for 6 months and couldn't be happier. Our whole family fell in love with Aspen during our tour. From the thoughtfully planned curriculum, to the engaging, energetic teachers, to beautiful facilities- we were truly impressed. The school has exceeded our expectations. The teachers work hard to nurture student growth in all areas- social/emotional skills, critical thinking, organization, responsibility, etc. They invite the students to engage in mature and meaningful learning experiences (ie. city planning, programming, finance) to apply educational content to real world experiences. We have watched our children take more responsibility for their learning and develop confidence in their growing skills during the short time we've been at Aspen.

What a relief it has been to find Aspen Academy and have our 6th grader accepted and enrolled. 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 in Fall of 2020. We have been blown away be 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 amidst a pandemic is remarkable. The teachers are excellent, authentic, passionate educators who are teaching their favorite age. This detail makes a huge difference. There is a distinct personality type who works well with middle schoolers and Aspen has curated a cohort of educators that are dynamic and simply wonderful with the students they teach. My favorite part of the day has been drop off and pick up where I watch my son greeted by joyous, present adults as he begins his day and watching him bounding out of the school with a different friend at the end of each day, tired, but chatty! There is always something to share about the rich curriculum or the relationships he is developing. We feel like one of the richest families on the planet, it is incredible to have the privilege of such an abundant educational experience in 2020-2021 and beyond. We are originally from the SF Bay Area in CA and the one adjustment for our family has been a difference in diversity. The school is working to create an educational environment that feels like a fit for a more diverse community. We are hopeful for the continued growth of the school and community.

We started our 3rd grader at Aspen Academy this year, and it has been wonderful for our family. Our experience with the teachers and staff has been fantastic from the beginning. The small class sizes and loads of one-on-one attention have been game changing for him. And now with the COVID-19 situation, we have been able to experience this excellence first-hand as the transition to online learning evolved. Aspen has been incredibly proactive with the situation and was preparing for all contingencies well in advance. School was closed on a Thursday and by Monday, full school days with real-time teaching and curriculum were online for the students. The team is dedicated to providing the best educational experience possible, despite the challenging situation. We could not be happier to be an Aspen Academy family.

Our children (6th and 8th grade) have been at Aspen Academy all their scholastic careers until now. Aspen has been a great environment for both of them, and I appreciate the fact that the parents, the faculty, and the administration here at Aspen really care about the children's education. Our children have made great friendships, and we have also made many friends in the Aspen community as well. As my son graduates in a few weeks, I look forward with hope, l look back with a little sadness, and I am excited to be here at the present in this great community. Go Aspen!

We have been at Aspen for three years. We love the teachers and faculty. They creating a positive learning environment that allows our little one to thrive. She has blossomed by gaining confidence and she has learned to how advocate for herself. She has made many great friendships and loves being a part of all of the activities offered to her. The school size allows teachers and faculty to know all of the kids and it feels like home.

Where do I start? My oldest moved to Aspen Academy about a year and a half ago from a public school. Little did we know that COVID would hit a year or so later, and it would further reaffirm our decision. Firstly, Aspen is not just an amazing school that caters to each child's needs individually, but it is a community. Maybe that sounds cliche, but so be it. From the day we joined, I have felt nothing but inclusion and love. And it's personal. People care not just about the students, but also their families.

So, along comes covid. Within about 12 hours, the school completely pivoted to 100% remote learning, and my child didn't miss any education. To say I was impressed is an understatement. This was not a "substitute teaching platform" rather a full scale, 100% hands on education. My child maintained her grade level education and I think even gained amazing life skills on how to better adapt to situations and different environments.

Fast forward to this school year. Aspen Academy was one a very small % of schools NATIONALLY that has provided in person learning all year. This was no small undertaking. Leadership invested early and heavily into ensuring that in person learning was safe and available to all students - the COVID protocols put in place have been amazing from brand new air filtration systems, to sanitation, etc. But, unfortunately, I am immunocompromised, and we could not take advantage of that for most of this year. I had to keep my daughter at home until I was 2 weeks out from full vaccination.

So, what did this mean? It meant that her teachers doubled / tripled their efforts to ensure my daughter learned just like the in person students. She worked remotely, but again, not on a different platform like most other schools, rather as a full participating student in all of her classes along side the in person learners. Teachers sent us all materials needed, including packing up extra supplies we could pick up at the school. There were check in calls from teachers to ensure her learning was on track and that she felt included. There were town hall discussions with the head of the school on a regular basis for the few of us that needed to do remote. And here's the best that still makes me tear up - the head of the school reached out to me personally to ensure that I was ok. Me. The mom. "how are you doing, Amy?" Those words will forever be seared into my brain. I'm a single parent, and this year has been incredibly challenging. To have the school reach out to ensure I personally was ok was a game changer.

So where are we now? I was able to get vaccinated and my daughter went back to in person learning this week. The staff has gone above and beyond to ensure she feels included, welcomed and at as much ease as possible. As I've told others, it's like her lightbulb turned on again.

I cannot say enough about Aspen Academy. I actually get emotional about it given our experience this past year. Man, are we fortunate to have found Aspen.

My daughter has attended Aspen Academy Kindergarten through 8th grade. I have nothing but praise for the school, staff, mission, and vision! My daughter is more than prepared for High School, and on the Honors track! She is emotionally ready as well exhibiting qualities of confidence, cooperative skills, critical thinking, and kindness and care for others. I am so thankful for all the love and support she has recieved from Aspen Academy. She always felt safe, accepted, and valued as a member of this community, and excited for her next chapter. Thank you, thank you, Aspen Academy!!

Aspen Academy has been the perfect fit for our family. My daughter was struggling in her local Kindergarten and was getting bullied, so she had started turning inward and was at a really low confidence level. We decided to look at our options. We chose Aspen Academy because they were inline with our beliefs. Do Good . Be Kind. Work hard! Not to mention they also inspired entrepreneurship in children. We decided to give it a try and couldn t be happier. Within the first two weeks our daughters self esteem was apparently growing. She no longer tried to hide at the back of class. The teachers were encouraging and so amazing. Two years later we are still extremely happy with the decision to switch schools. Our daughter is such a leader now and runs a lemonade stand during the summer all for the benefit of Children s Hospital! She understands all of the ideals of the school. She works hard, does good, and is the kindest person. I am beyond happy with this school. I highly recommend it to anyone that thinks their kiddo just isn t getting enough from the school they are at.

My children attended Aspen Academy from 2nd - 8th grade. We have had a wonderful experience which was capped off by a great 2020-2021 8th grade year for my son. (That is saying a lot in a year dominated by COVID.). The academics, leadership, teachers & families all make this school AWESOME. Thank you Aspen, we will miss you!!