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EDUCATION ARTISTIC We Are... CREATIVE DENVER ACADEMY TALENTED D STUDENTS TEACHERS CITIZENS
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Dear Community
DEAR DENVER ACADEMY COMMUNITY,
We are so pleased in this Annual Report to share the many successes of our students and Denver Academy, and thank you for your support of our fine school. Because of your generosity, nearly 400 students attended and benefitted from the student-centered culture of achievement and individual expression that is DA. On campus we come together as one, with our focus on being a center of excellence for the education of students with learning differences. As such, our school community embraces the uniqueness of each student, celebrates the many ways that each is brilliant and provides programs that support high levels of achievement. Our faculty and staff create experiences for our students unlike those found in traditional school cultures. Because of the support of our many benefactors, DA has risen to be among the vanguard institutions nationally embracing students with learning differences. We continue to serve the greater educational community as partners through professional development and by our innovative example. Denver Academy is now in the second year of our iPad program, third year of our unified high school model and soon will open our newly renovated arts and technology building. Your generous support funds our continued excellence and innovation on campus and in particular for each student. It is in the compilation of many small things and many fine people that DA is defined. Our donors, Denver Academy Parents Association, Boosters, Board of Trustees, Alumni, Faculty and Staff and especially our students all make DA what it is, a school as schools should be. We are Denver Academy. Thank you again for your support for DA and for making a difference in the lives of our students. Best Wishes,
[ Kevin M. Smith ] Headmaster and CEO
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Peter O’Neil, Vice-President
EX-OFFICIO TRUSTEES
Owner, Blue Moon Works
President & CEO Colorado Outward Bound School
Kevin M. Smith
Lorraine Alcott
COMMUNITY
Volunteer Manager at The Action Center
Kristin Richardson
Maureen Cain
Nancy Rhyme, Secretary
Headmaster, Denver Academy
DENVER
Kim Pankratz
Community Volunteer
Attorney
Director National Conference of State Legislatures
Ed Callahan
Business Consultant
Mary Ross
Freelance Writer
Director, Mergers and Acquisitions Services Sirius Solutions
R.D. Sewald
Director of Government and Community Affairs, Governor John Hickenlooper’s Office
Cyle Feingold
Paul Pressler UNITED Faculty Representative
STATES OF
AMERICA Jill Singer
AMBITIOUS President, Results Learning, LLC
Tina Vessels
WE ARE Nicky Gittelman
Community Volunteer
Managing Partner, Tundra Resources
Bryan Hassler
Bruce Wagner
Managing Director Freepoint Commodities, LLC
President & COO, Wagner Equipment Company
Craig Knippenberg
Laura Waldron
Licensed Social Worker & Counselor Craig A. Knippenberg & Associates
Missy Warner
Community Volunteer
Sr. Business Development Manager Weston Solutions, Inc.
Karen Lawton
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Jim Dierker Attorney
Dr. Nancy Gary
Clinical Psychologist Neuro-Developmental Center
Steve Mooney
Manager of Mooney Enterprises, LLC Mooney Ventures, LLC
Tim O’Connor
Community Volunteer
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President, DAPA
STUDENTSTAA TEACHERS SUCCESSFULL
ACADEMY Gregg Cooper
President, DA Alumni Association
YOUN ADULT
HIGHSCHOOL
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Cindy Brown, President
POSITIVE
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2011-2012 Board of Trustees
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EDUCATION We Are... FRIENDS
Dear Community
DEAR DENVER ACADEMY COMMUNITY,
We are Denver Academy, a center of excellence for educating bright, capable students who learn in diverse and innovative ways. DA is about the many people that make it unique and as the President of the Board of Trustees, a former member of the Parents’ Association and particularly, as a very proud parent of a DA alumnus, I want to personally thank you for your support of our wonderful school. Denver Academy’s reputation has grown locally and nationally as a thought-leading institution. Over the past three years our Board and Administration partnered to lead an innovative strategic planning process that has transformed DA. Our Board focuses its energies to advance the fiscal and programmatic priorities of the school to thereby sustain its mission and culture. A culture that embraces each individual student and appreciates the cognitive, cultural and personal differences that each contribute to building our community. The past year has included some very significant achievements for DA and I would like to acknowledge our Headmaster, Kevin Smith, and his team for their innovative and energetic leadership of our school. Because of our fine faculty and staff, our students come to campus eager to learn and matriculate to fine institutions of higher learning. Our students now utilize the cutting edge technology in an environment that stresses authentic learning and the building of the personal characteristics of respect, responsibility and appreciating differences. DA simply transforms lives and every member of our community is essential in supporting its mission. Your generous support makes possible the continued and sustained excellence that is DA and our continued innovation and leadership in the educational community. On behalf of our Board of Trustees, thank you. Best Wishes,
[ Cindy Brown ] President | Denver Academy Board of Trustees
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S Y B I L R O B E R T S | Seventh Grade
Sybil Roberts attended a lot of schools before she landed at Denver Academy. She and her parents, Peter and Shannon Roberts, tried public schools, parochial schools and even schools for gifted and special needs students, but nothing seemed to work. Even with extensive tutoring before and after school, Sybil’s skill gap grew and worse, she was miserable. “At other schools, Sybil got lost in the large classrooms and received very little personal attention,” said Peter. “Because she’s very social and engaging, she was able to mask the confusion and frustration she felt.” Entering the 7th grade with severe skill gaps due to her dyslexia, it might have appeared to the lay person that Sybil was most in need of academic remediation. But, DA veteran teacher, Matt Dastin, knew better. After learning about Sybil’s past school experiences and reading over her learning profile, Mr. Dastin set a goal to boost Sybil’s confidence. He knew that once that goal was accomplished, the academic growth would follow more easily. Throughout the year, Mr. Dastin gave Sybil special projects or assignments that he knew would help increase her self-assurance. He arranged for Sybil to visit the Lakota Indian Reservation for her Experiential trip—something normally reserved for high school students. Mr. Dastin, Mr. Beckwith and Sybil also created their own book club and read a novel separate from the rest of the class. Finally, at the end of the school year Sybil was asked to speak at the Elementary graduation. The results have truly been amazing. Not only is Sybil’s self-confidence buoyed, but her academic skills have grown two-fold as well. “One year ago I never thought it would be possible to see this transformation—this dedication to do well academically and in life, this spirit and independence about her, an awareness of the world around her and this attitude of wanting to take the world on by storm and conquer it—but only by putting her own unique stamp on it,” said Shannon. “It truly is a night and day transformation,” agrees Peter. Sybil has made her parents promise her that she can stay at DA until she graduates. “At Denver Academy, the teachers know how we learn,” said Sybil. Outside of school, Sybil is a budding equestrian. She frequently visits the stables where her parents recently bought her a horse, appropriately named Fortune. It appears that Sybil is very “fortunate” indeed!
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F I O N A H A R R I S | Fourth Grade Homework was difficult for Fiona Harris before Denver Academy. Her mother, Leanna Harris, said “she came home worn out because she had to fight so hard all day.” But since arriving at DA, “she comes home happier and more energetic. We appreciate that the homework is meant to be done at an independent level. It took a lot of battling off the table and improved the quality of Fiona’s life inside and outside of school and our home life.” Fiona is dyslexic and had a tough time learning to read at her previous school. Her DA teacher, Jennifer Perry, said Fiona was a very reluctant reader and did not read for fun when she first came to DA. The books she was being asked to read were above her ability level and caused her frustration. Once at DA, her reading improved immensely. “Education is very important to Fiona,” said Jennifer. “She understands her struggles, but is also able to embrace them. She’s very resilient and doesn’t let her challenges hold her back.” In Fiona’s words, “Before DA, it was hard…At my old school the least in a class was 24—that was a lot. I like how DA has small classes. If you need help with something, it’s a lot easier—you can raise your hand and it won’t be that long. You get a lot more attention. Being here made me read better because we’re reading every day and after school. Last year, in 4th grade, I was a year above my reading level because every day I would read 25 minutes.” There’s more that Fiona likes about DA. “I like how we have PE every day, that’s fun. I also like how we have specials each quarter; like now we’re in drama and then there’s art, music and digital art, which I really like.” She also likes the teachers at DA, “The teachers are special; they each have their own unique way.”
N A T H A N B E S S E N | Graduate Nathan Bessen is a typical DA student, in that he is not typical at all. Nathan lives, breathes and practices science every day. He credits his early interest in this field to his grandfather who was a metallurgist. Both Nathan and his parents are thankful for Denver Academy science teacher Alan Price, for his role in mentoring and encouraging Nathan’s appetite for science at DA. Nathan’s specific science passion is nuclear physics, i.e. radioactive isotopes, their properties and uses. Mostly self-taught, he builds laboratory apparatuses and uses them for his experiments. For the 2012 DA Science Fair, Nathan built a sub-critical thorium fuel cell (a type of low-grade nuclear reactor). Meticulous in his work, Nathan has applied for patents for his experiments and the US government has shown some interest in his ideas. Yet Nathan is also an artisan. He is a “turner,” someone who works woods and metals on a lathe. In fact, Nathan has made and marketed his own line of handmade pens and writing instruments. He also enjoyed welding with art teacher Bev Ball. Humble and kind, Nathan loves nature and enjoys hiking. His favorite Experiential lesson was a trip to Chaco Canyon led by Mr. Price, which combined many of Nathan’s interests. Nathan graduated in the 2011-2012 school year and now attends the Colorado School of Mines were he plans to major in physics. Now do you see how Nathan Bessen is a typical DA student, in that he is not typical at all?
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ACTIVE ALL YEAR
AFTER PROM
The quintessential high school experience is Prom. Providing our high school students with a safe, fun-filled, memorable evening after the dance is now a Denver Academy tradition. Prom and After Prom took place on May 5, making the After Prom theme of “Cinco de Mayo” a natural one. The event was held on campus in the Gym and Richardson Hall. Activities included henna tattoos, caricatures, black jack, a photo booth, video game room, haunted DA tours, dancing and movies. The gym was a busy place with sumo wrestling and an obstacle course (which was a hit with students and chaperones). There was also a strolling magician who was very popular. The evening would not have been complete without food: nachos, cereal and pancakes! This event was planned, implemented and staffed by the Mustang Connection, a committee of the Denver Academy Parents’ Association (DAPA). Thank you to all the members of the DA community who donated time, money or merchandise for After Prom.
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS Thanks to a generous grant from the Cushman-Neal Family, Middle Division and High School students enjoyed robust options of after school clubs in the 2011-2012 school year. Teachers submitted proposals for clubs, based on student interests. The result ranged from the more traditional (Drama Club, Art Club) to the wild and wacky (Harry Potter Club, Disk Golf). The purpose of offering additional student clubs was to provide students a myriad of after school activities that would facilitate peer interaction, stimulate creativity and reward teacher involvement. The selection of after school clubs changed every quarter to allow flexibility for teachers, students and families. Among the wide range of offerings in the 2011-2012 school year: • • • •
Art Club Book Club Chess Club Cultural Inclusivity Club
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Disk Golf Drama Club Hands-On Science Club Harry Potter Film Club
• Rock Band • Star Wars Film Club • Yoga Club
“The highlight was getting to spend more informal time with students,” said teacher Vanessa Fritzsche, who led Harry Potter and Star Wars Film Clubs. “The students made new social connections, and I marveled at the depth of their knowledge, interest and passion for the films.” The after school clubs have been such a great success that the grant was extended for the next school year.
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DA GAINS OUTDOOR SPORT COURT Thanks to a team effort and generous donors, the DA campus now boasts an outdoor sports court. The court is located on the north side of the gymnasium parking area. In effect, this sport court creates an additional P.E. classroom. The court has a synthetic surface over asphalt, two basketball goals and an eight-foot galvanized chain link fence around its perimeter. The court is “weather-friendly” and can be used year-round. The surface is designed to drain and dry easily. With Colorado’s sunny climate, snow melts from its surface quickly. “Many of the students have commented about ‘how cool’ the sports court is, and how fun it is to play basketball, tennis and other sports outside,” said P.E. teacher Kyra Ruscio. “We used the court for a shooting competition during Field Day and plan to use it again next year. We are thankful to have another space to teach with, as our space for P.E. is limited. It has been a very positive and meaningful addition that has benefited our P.E. curriculum and delivery.” We are grateful to the Cushman-Neal Family and Brian Deevy who made this project possible.
E X T R E M E R E A D I N G R E L AY On May 9, 2012, Denver Academy partnered with The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) and more than 25 other schools across the country in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most people reading a single book in a reading relay in one day. The event, called the Extreme Reading Relay, brought students together to raise awareness and funds for dyslexia by doing what they struggle with most: reading. Streamed live on the Internet, each student read a pre-determined portion of a book and “passed the baton” on to the next reader. The Relay set a new world record of 470 persons in a reading relay, 46 of which were Denver Academy students. “I decided to participate because I have dyslexia and want to support the International Dyslexia Association,” said Denver Academy 9th grader Ben Ranson. Participants read from The Sword of Darrow, a middle grade fantasy novel co-authored by Hal Malchow and his son, Alex. When they began writing the novel in 2002, Alex, then eight years old, was struggling with a serious learning disability and could not read at all. Now, ten years later, the family has decided to contribute all royalties from the book to IDA. Fifty percent of all the money raised by DA students came back to DA directly. The other 50 percent will be used by IDA to provide continued outreach to parents and support for teachers and their schools. “This whole event really benefitted everyone involved,” said Tammy Curran, DA Literacy Specialist and Relay team leader. “IDA and DA received funding. Students got to take part in a fun, record-breaking event. And, we raised awareness about dyslexia.”
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D A PA M A K E S A D I F F E R E N C E F O R D A S T U D E N T S The first parent association was established at Denver Academy in 1979, and through the years thousands of DA students have benefitted from the efforts of dedicated parent volunteers. The Denver Academy Parents’ Association (DAPA) strengthens the entire DA community—whether it’s through events such as After Prom or the First Day Coffee for parents, or providing vital funds for the library or Student Senate—the generosity of these parent volunteers is unwavering. To encourage faculty and staff to apply for funding to DAPA for projects or resources that enrich the social or academic experience for students, a “grants program” was introduced in early 2012. Applicants were asked to describe the resources they needed, along with goals, objectives and expected impact for students. This process allowed DAPA to understand the needs of teachers and staff for resources not covered by operating funds, and to make a broad impact on the school. More than $14,000 in grant money was awarded to teachers and staff in Spring 2012 for a broad array of projects.
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Arts/Tech
E-Textiles Course & Kits
$ 1,678.20
Arts/Tech
Headphones for Film and Digital Arts Program
$ 600.00
Arts/Tech
Man of La Mancha - Performance Rights
$ 795.00
Arts/Tech
New mallets for drums
$ 500.00
Counseling
Group workshops for social skills
$ 810.00
Development
Multi-media tools to enhance donor stewardship communications
$ 850.00
Elementary & 6th Grade
Kitchen Upgrade
$ 2,750.00
12th Grade Division
UCLA Extension: College Counselor Certification
$ 1,383.33
Maintenance
Snowblower (partial award)
$ 2,000.00
P.E./Health
Field Day Support
$ 1,508.35
Science
Robotics and Applied Mathematics
$ 760.00
Science 12th Grade Division
Anatomy Lab at the Spine Education and Research Institute
$ 300.00
10th Grade Division
Division Field Trip
$ 400.00
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EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING:
The Process of Making Meaning from Direct Experience Since 1981, DA students have had annual opportunities to learn about special topics in small group settings. One such experience, a trip to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, has been life changing for students and teachers for over eight years. Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is located in the southwest corner of South Dakota and was established in 1889. It is the 8th largest reservation in the United States, larger than the states of Delaware and Rhode Island combined. By meeting and working side by side with the Oglala Lakota people, students gained a first-hand knowledge and understanding of an honorable and beautiful culture. This year’s activities included a daily culture and history lesson, nightly “Wisdom of the Elders” speakers and community service work—building and delivering bunk beds and outhouses and doing critical home repairs. There was also time spent touring “The Rez,” Wounded Knee, Oglala Lakota College, Kili Radio Station, Suzie’s Trading Post and more. Students returned home with a keen understanding of ‘mitkuhe oyasin’, which means we are all related.
FA C U LT Y C O N F E R E N C E P R E S E N TAT I O N S D U R I N G T H E 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR [ Gayle Bell ] Parent Education Night, GAP Year Fair Day for Counselors, Counselor Presentations
[ Connie Boeding ] Parent Education Night [ Barrie Bodden ] CEC, ADDventure DU, DU Share Fair [ Ramsey Brookhart ] Parent Transition Conference [ Tammy Curran ] CEC, ADDventure DU [ Philippe Ernewein ] CLAS, CEC, K.H. Kempen International Days (Belgium), Western Nebraska Special Needs Conference, Published in The Statement: Journal of CO Language Arts Society, Denver Parent Transition Conference
[ Mike Eskesen ] Colorado Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (COAPHERD)
[ Kris Fritzsche ] Denver Art Museum (Photography class for educators)
[ Emily Garbus ] CEC, ADDventure DU [ Jolene Gutierrez ] High School classes in NE, CO [ Jon Hill ] COAPHERD [ Steve Holz-Russell ] Parent Education Night [ Monica Johnson ] COAPHERD [ Leah Koliha ] DU Share Fair [ Amy Macy ] Gap Year Fair, Day for Counselors, Cherry Creek College Fair, Colorado Council for High School and College Relations Annual Collegiate Fair, Colorado Springs District Counselor Education
[ Kyra Ruscio ] COAPHERD [ Anthony Slaughter ] DU Share Fair [ Kevin Smith ] NAIS, Morgridge International Reading Center Grand Opening at the University of Central Florida, Kiwanis Club of Denver, University of Dayton Education and Networking Event on Educational Reform
[ Amy Thomson ] DU Share Fair [ Mark Twarogowski ] LDA, Boulder Valley Public Schools, Jefferson County Public Schools, Morgridge Foundation Share Fair
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ANNUAL REPORT [ 2011-2012 ]
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DA
EDUCATIONARTISTIC CREATIVE DENVER ACADEMY TALENTED D STUDENTS TEACHERS CITIZENS
LIFE
ACHIEVME
LEARNING
INSPIRED
HER
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WE ARE AMBITIOUS
ELEMENTARY LESSONS
STATES OF
OSITIVE
VALEDICTORIAN | ALEX EDWARDS SALUTATORIAN | MICHAEL LEE
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OUTSTANDING SENIOR | NEIL TOOLEY
COLLEGE COMPASSIONATE
SMART T
PHIL JOHNSON AND LOU RADERS COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD | WILL STULTS
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MESSINGER AWARD | NICK CARPENTER
LEADERS
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AMERICA
DREAMERS
UNITED
SUCCESSFUL
CHILDREN
FACULTY
COMMUNITY
We Are...
G R A D U AT E S
Philip Aldrete
Community College of Denver
Sean Laughlin
Eckerd College
Cody Andrew
Colorado Mountain College
Michael Lee
East Tennessee State University
David Arnot
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Anne Levy
Coe College
Garrett Lucangioli
Arapahoe Community College
David Lurie
University of Northern Colorado
John “Jack� May
University of Arizona
Josh Auerbach Metropolitan State College, Denver Nathan Bessen
Colorado School of Mines
Hunter Bradford NHS Colorado School of Mines Brittany Brothers
University of Northern Colorado
Samuel Brown
Arapahoe Community College
Alex Bruce
University of Colorado, Denver
Daniel Bulow Metropolitan State College, Denver Aaron Clark
Beloit College
Margaret Coviello
Colorado State University
AJ Dambly
Western State College
Austin Decker
Colorado Mesa University
Killian Eck
Community College of Denver
Alexander Edwards NHS University of Colorado, Colorado Springs David Engel University of Colorado, Denver Elizabeth Evans
Community College of Denver
Nicholas Evans
Pursuing Musical Career
Samuel Exner
Colorado Mesa University
Greg Farlow
Gap Year
Colin Farnsworth NHS Berklee College of Music Timothy Foley
Gap Year: Carpe Diem, Africa
Peter Goudy
University of Colorado, Boulder
Jackson Haimes NHS Metropolitan State College, Denver Joseph Heikoff
Rachael McDaniel
University of Arizona
Riley McGiboney
Hastings College
Daniel Moore
NHS Community College of Denver
William Zach Morris
Bel-Rea Institute
Alexander Paris
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Andrew Pochepan
Norwich University
Ethan Rooney
Fort Hays State University
Harris Rosenblum
Lewis and Clark College
Drew Rudolph
University of Colorado, Denver
Oliver Sadowski
Colorado Mountain College
Carl Schwecke
Colorado Mesa University
Corey Simpson
Gap Semester: NOLS, Patagonia
Luke Stanley NHS University of Colorado, Colorado Springs William Stults
Gap Year
Isaiah Sullivan
University of Northern Colorado
Eli Tessler NHS Gap Year: Israel; Brandeis University Neil Tooley
Gap Year: Rustic Pathways,
Izaak Vanderbrug
Colorado School of Mines
Matthew Wooldridge
Fort Lewis College
John Znerold
Hastings College
NHS Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Madeline Heistand
Red Rocks Community College
Christopher James
St. Lawrence University
NHS = National Honor Society
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M O N I C A J O H N S O N | Teacher of the Year Award The Teacher of the Year Award recognizes a year of outstanding success in the classroom through commitment, competence, and professionalism with nominations submitted by peers, supervisors, parents, teachers and students. Monica is originally from Ohio and chose Colorado “because it is out west” and she had many friends in the state. Her teaching certification is in Elementary Education, which is where her teaching career began. As she started picking up sports to coach, she was quickly snapped up by the Physical Education Department. Monica has taught at DA for five years. Monica teaches Physical Education and Health to all grade levels. She is the Varsity Coach for Cross Country and Track. In fact, she started the Track Program at DA. She also coaches the Middle Division Cross Country team. Monica is a teacher for the winter session of ESPm (Elementary Sports Program) and runs the Day Camp at the Denver Academy Summer School. She loves the challenges and rewards of working with DA students and the opportunity to teach and coach students at all levels of athletic ability. Her peers admire her ability to find new, fun and exciting ways to keep DA students active. Monica’s ability to promote athletics, a healthy lifestyle, teamwork and collaborative success at Denver Academy made her the best choice for Teacher of the Year 2011-2012. Congratulations Monica!
L I S A B R A D F O R D | Volunteer of the Year Award The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has made a significant difference at Denver Academy through the donation of their time and talents on an ongoing basis. Lisa Bradford and her family found DA through a neighbor in Maine. Before their moving boxes were unpacked in Colorado, her son Hunter was starting his 8th grade year at Denver Academy. They were looking for a school that understood his learning needs and had small class sizes. The Bradfords found amazing teachers who clearly gave all their time and energy to teaching students. As Lisa connected with other moms with students in the same grade, she found a need for more social opportunities for students on campus. Lisa created Mustang Connection, a parent-run project to expand social options on campus, enhancing the school experience for all high school students. As the Lower School saw how successful their efforts were, additional programs were instituted: Herd for the Middle Division and Ponies for Elementary. Not only did Lisa make campus a more fun and interactive place for current students, she convinced a family back in Maine to send their son 2,000 miles away to live with her family and attend Denver Academy. Both Hunter Bradford and Andrew Pochepan graduated in June 2012.
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J O S É A N C H O N D O | Staff Member of the Year Award The Staff Member of the Year Award recognizes an individual whose hard work, dedication and commitment have made a difference at Denver Academy. “No job was too large or small for José. He took great care and pride in his work and contributed so much to Denver Academy. I know we will all miss him—not only for the work he did, but for his friendliness and sense of humor,” said Jim Levinson, Physical Plant Director. “José’s job did not put him in the limelight. He made his contribution to Denver Academy behind the scenes, but his work certainly deserves recognition, and I am thrilled that he was chosen as Staff Member of the Year.” Many of the accents you see on campus at Denver Academy are due, in no small part, to the effort and skill of DA’s Head of Buildings and Grounds, José Anchondo. At the end of the 2011-2012 school year, José retired and bid a fond farewell to Denver Academy. After 18 years with our organization, he has much to reflect upon. He remembers DA’s earlier home located at the corner of S. Race St. and Mississippi Ave. and is proud of his part in developing, maintaining and improving upon the property and grounds at our current campus. The gate and brick walkway at the corner of S. Birch St. and E. Iliff Ave., the miniature library model in front of our library and the beautifully manicured lawns on the campus quad are a few examples of José’s hard work and care of Denver Academy. José’s work is deeply appreciated and he will be remembered for his infectiously upbeat personality and his skill in maintaining and improving upon Denver Academy’s building and grounds.
L E I G H A N N E J E N S E N | Wings of the Future Award The Wings of the Future Award acknowledges a faculty member who has achieved a higher level of accomplishment in classroom teaching or curriculum development and manifests an extraordinary dedication to the students of Denver Academy. Leigh Anne Jensen loves her work, marvels at the amazing artistic talent Denver Academy students possess and finds it “most exciting to watch kids take ownership.” Whether she is building sets with her students, directing plays, working with young actors to direct their own works or doing improvisation, Leigh Anne expects the best from her students and is rarely disappointed. In 1994, Leigh Anne started working as a teaching assistant at Denver Academy. She felt that her students would benefit from additional music in the classroom and requested that she play music with the children. Due to the students’ enthusiastic response and positive results, she was asked to fill the slot of Elementary Music Teacher. Thus began her work in Denver Academy’s Arts Department. Today, you will find Leigh Anne immersed in DA’s cultural fabric as the High School drama teacher. Each school year, a very busy Leigh Anne Jensen directs two plays, a musical, a Shakespeare performance and oversees numerous senior projects. “Leigh Anne has been a major force in our excellent arts program at Denver Academy. I am impressed by her ability to inspire and motivate her students to take ownership of their learning experience. She has the gift of making every student—no matter their role—feel important and appreciated. The plays produced under Leigh Anne’s direction are quality productions and have infused our students with a love for drama,” said Kris Fritzsche, Head of Arts and Technology Department.
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G R AT E F U L
MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR EVERY STUDENT Giving takes many forms. The committed efforts of hundreds of volunteers who give donations of time and talent, knowledge and resources, are gifts to all of us. Our community is enriched by the energy and generosity of our volunteers. You also give financially, realizing that investing in the education of DA students is investing in their future. The remarkable generosity of the DA community has helped grow the endowment, enriched the Tuition Assistance Program and benefitted every student through the Annual Fund appeal. DA’s programs are not funded by tuition income alone. In fact, fundraising makes up 10 percent of the school’s operating budget. The Annual Fund, DA Gala, DA Golf Tournament and grants from foundations, help DA achieve a diverse student population that reflects the broader community. In 2011-2012, a total of $1,094,450 was provided in tuition assistance to one-third of our student population.
ANNUAL FUND APPEAL The most critical fundraising accomplished each year at Denver Academy is the Annual Fund appeal. It helps to pay for essentials our school needs every day to ensure the quality of our programs remains outstanding. It provides important funds for the Tuition Assistance Program, reinforcing our commitment to a socio-economically diverse community. It provides professional development and growth opportunities every year for faculty and staff. It helps pay for classroom resources and materials for our library. It helps to ensure that new computers and assistive technology tools are available to our students. It supports the arts, from new lighting in the theater to the latest in tools for use in welding/industrial arts. The impact for our students is profound.
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ANNUAL REPORT [ 2011-2012 ]
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G R AT E F U L
GRANTS
We are extremely grateful to the foundations that generously supported the students of Denver Academy with grants in 2011-2012, spanning a broad array of purposes. This support makes a key difference for our school.
TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Every year, gifts from individuals and foundations are instrumental in helping students with learning differences with the financial assistance they need to receive a transformative education at Denver Academy. We thank the following foundations for their support of the Tuition Assistance Program. Anschutz Foundation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Galena Foundation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation . . . The Hill Foundation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$25,000 $24,125 $10,000 $15,000
READING LITERACY A grant for F.A.S.T. Learning (Fundamental Applications for Successful Teaching) helped us to implement the F.A.S.T. First Steps Reading Program in ten schools across Colorado. Through a one-day training program, teachers are coached in methods to build their students’ pre-reading and pre-writing skills in kindergarten and first grade. Morgridge Family Foundation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50,000 Support was received for our literacy specialists to obtain Dragan Dictation for two Macintosh laptop computers and Bluetooth headset and microphone to help students in 7th through 12th grades who need audio access to textbooks and class novels. Also, a Livescribe Pen was acquired to help students learn to take notes in reading enhancement classes.
HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE AND MATH PROGRAMS We also received a grant to help us acquire needed resources to expand and improve the literacy of high school students in both mathematics and science. The Benedict Foundation for Independent Schools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15,000
OTHER GRANTS The following grants provided important support for our school: Galena Foundation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,000 To underwrite the Wings of the Future Award for faculty enrichment Google Grants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $40,698 Value of annual in-kind grant for Google Adwords advertising Hewit Family Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,000 For general operating support Morgridge Family Foundation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,000 For experiential learning collaboration
Listening to Learn Guild. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $560
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ANNUAL REPORT [ 2011-2012 ]
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E VENT: 11TH ANNUAL DA GOLF TOURNAMENT There was much to celebrate at the 2011 Denver Academy Golf tournament: beautiful weather, happy golfers and a record net revenue of $41,458. Pinehurst Country Club continued as the location for the 4th year, and the challenge provided by the course did not disappoint! Golfers included Tom and Leigh Kahn who started the tournament 10 years ago. We thank our volunteers and golfers for making it such a fun and successful day! Leadership was provided by the tournament Co-Chairs Keith Lawton and Nicky Gittelman* and their committee members Bo Squire, Lisa Bailey and Pam Hassler. Thanks also goes out to our sponsors for their generous support of our school, the DA Golf Team and the DA Tuition Assistance Fund. Presenting Sponsors: Keith and Karen* Lawton Eagle Sponsors: 1st Bank Lockton Companies, LLC
Hole Sponsors: Precious Metal Processing Headmaster Kevin Smith & the Faculty and Staff of DA Chris A. Weatherman, Weatherman Insurance Agency
Medical Business Resources In Kind Sponsors: Birdie Sponsors:
Comedy Club
HUB International
Deep Rock Water Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
Putting Green Sponsors:
Elements Massage – Castle Rock
Bellaire Oil Company
GolfTec/Gart Co.
Ranch Oil Company
Keith and Karen Lawton Doug Meier
Hole in One:
Brian Rodeno
Mercedes Benz of Littleton
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage
*Denotes DA Trustee
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E VENT: GALA 2012 The Sherman Street Event Center, with its lush architectural details, was the perfect location for the 2012 Gala. The event included a VIP reception for corporate sponsors and sponsorlevel ticket purchasers and they packed the room with enthusiasm! The cocktail hour and silent auction on the mezzanine was over flowing with eager shoppers supporting Denver Academy. A highlight this year was the presentation of the Reach for the Stars Award to Avi, a nationally known, award-winning author of children’s books. We are thankful to our community for helping to raise over $189,991 to benefit the Tuition Assistance Program. The need for these funds continues to grow.
Gala Committee:
Corporate Sponsors:
Deb Woodward, Event Chair Valerie Alford Fiona Baldwin Bev Ball Katie Davis-Crawford Lisa Bailey Elizabeth Barry Denise Bellucci Jody Charmatz Joan Eckrich Yvonne Haag Leslie Hammer-Palen
Pam Hassler Tim Healy Jan Hubert Diane Lowry Shirley McClain Jenny McCulloch Betsy McGiboney-Miller Joseph McGrail Cris Norin Cia Perlman-Gere Connie Robertson Maria Pace Smith
Gold
Lockton Companies, LLC Ralph Schomp Automotive
Silver
Bill Barrett Corporation J.K. Mullen Foundation Offen Petroleum, Inc. Wagner Equipment Company
Bronze
B2 Energy, LLC iTransition, Inc. Michael’s of Denver Catering Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage
2 0 1 2 R E A C H F O R T H E S TA R S AWA R D Author Avi
Avi is the author of over 70 books, including the Newbery award-winning book, Crispin, and two Newbery-honored books, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle and Nothing But the Truth. He struggled in school with dysgraphia, a disorder of written expression, and he achieved his dream of becoming a published author after much hard work. Avi has been a great friend to Denver Academy for over 15 years, encouraging reluctant readers to become inspired writers. At the 2012 Gala, Headmaster Smith presented Avi with the Reach for the Stars Award statue which was handcrafted in the DA Saipe Family Metal Arts Shop by senior Carl Schwecke.
Reach for the Stars Award Recipients 2012 Avi 2011 John & Carrie Morgridge 2010 The Honorable John W. Hickenlooper
2009 Debbie Phelps 2008 Dr. Nancy Gary 2007 Henry Winkler
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ANNUAL REPORT [ 2011-2012 ]
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G R AT E F U L
DENVER ACADEMY LEGACY SOCIETY Giving Hope to Future Generations Over our lifetime, there are many people and institutions that have significant impacts on our families. Members of the Denver Academy Legacy Society have expressed the importance of DA in their lives by making a commitment to the school through their will, a trust, a gift annuity, life insurance policy or other deferred gift. Although these gifts may not come to fruition for many years, the Legacy Society is a wonderful way to provide a solid foundation for the School’s fiscal health, while at the same time ensuring that future generations of students with learning differences will benefit from a Denver Academy education.
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” ~Nelson Henderson MEMBERS Jane Anderson
Jerry and Ginny Hutcheson
Peter O’Neil
Eddie and Judy Black
Don and Sharon Jacobs
Kurt Reinecke and Lorraine Alcott
Lyle and Connie Blessman
Phil Johnson and Lou Raders
David and Louise Santomarco
Cindy and Greg Brown
Tom and Leigh Kahn
Nedree Simpson
Darwin and Debbie Campbell
Craig Knippenberg
Kevin Smith and Maria Pace Smith
Bob and Liane Clasen
David and Barbara Knize
Dale and Marty Wagner
Robert M. Cole Trust*
Mark and Ruth Lampert
Neil and Laura Waldron
Shelley Devitt
Jim Loan
John and Missy Warner
Jim and Lynn Dierker
Karen Lozow
Steve and Nicky Gittelman
Anne Marie Messinger
Michael and Wendy Handler
Paul and Theresa Messinger
Jan Hubert
Tim and Sallie O’Connor
* Deceased
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ANNUAL REPORT [ 2011-2012 ]
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DENVER ACADEMY LEGACY SOCIETY New members tell their stories… Jan Hubert | Parent of Jack | Class of 2016 I decided to make a gift to DA through my estate because I want other students to receive the same lifechanging opportunities DA is giving Jack—to learn, to succeed and to feel good about himself again. Those may seem like small things but for us they’re making a profound difference that I see every day. As a single parent, I’m not able to contribute at the level I want to give while I’m paying tuition. My plan is to make a gift equal to the scholarship support Jack receives, at a time when I’m able to do more, so that DA can continue to provide life-changing education to children like Jack.
Karen Lozow | Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations | Parent of Jake | Class of 2010 As a proud alumni parent of Jake, Class of 2010, I think back to his nine years as a DA student. He had exceptional teachers, enriching experiences and made life-long friends. I too, have been changed by my time as a parent and employee at Denver Academy. Because of this, I have chosen to make DA one of the beneficiaries of my life insurance policy. This was easy to do—adding Denver Academy to my already established policy—but allows me to make a difference at DA even when I have passed on. I will be forever grateful for Jake’s time at Denver Academy.
Shelley Devitt | Director of Grants and Stewardship After I left the corporate world in 2002, I was lucky enough to have friends who connected me with Denver Academy. After working here on a temporary basis for a few months, I realized it was a very special organization and decided to stay. Like many who come to work for DA, I fell in love with the mission, the students and teachers. And as a member of the Development Office staff, I also fell in love with the parents who volunteer and give so selflessly to this school. I am reminded every day that what I do makes a difference for our students. I found a home at DA and that’s why I named DA as one of the beneficiaries of my retirement plan.
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ANNUAL REPORT [ 2011-2012 ]
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E N D O W M E N T – C R E AT I N G A S U S TA I N A B L E F U T U R E Gifts to our endowment link past, present and future generations by providing resources that strengthen Denver Academy’s financial foundation for years to come. Endowment is a pool of invested funds that are permanently invested and the original principal is preserved in perpetuity. The money held in our endowment generates interest and dividend income that may be used to support general operating expenses or to support programs such as tuition assistance and faculty enrichment. As a permanent, ongoing source of revenue, endowment funds improve our ability to plan for the long-term financial health of the school. We salute those families, staff, foundations and friends who recognize that a gift to our endowment is an investment in the students of Denver Academy’s past, present and future.
ENDOWMENT FUNDS (through June 30, 2012): $2,918,767 QUASI ENDOWMENT FUND: $16,518
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Tuition/Fees
Contributions
Unrestricted
COMMUNITY
Temporarily Restricted
DENVER Permanently Restricted
Total
UNITED
Student Activities
Operations/Maintenance
General Administration/Operations Interest Expense Total
Change in Net Assets from Operations Revenues from Other Activities
LIFE
DA
ACHIEVMENT
INSPIRED
CREATIVE *Unaudited
LEARNING
Change in Net Assets
$ 269,927 $ 737,532 $
53,984
$
32,165
STRON
$ 5,247,864 $ 170,380 $ 742,314 $ 610,072 $ 1,653,432
WE ARE Development, Alumni Relations and Publications
AMERICA
AMBITIOUS Depreciation/Amortization
$ 8,502,667
STUDENTSTAA TEACHERS SUCCESSFULL
Educational
YOUN ADULT
$ 9,596,275
STATES OF
ACADEMY Expenses
Amount
HIGHSCHOOL
Revenues
POSITIVE
CONTRIBUTERS
*
Interest/Investment/Other Income
NVENTIVERESPONSIB
DREAMERS
YOUTH
FRIENDS
FINANCIALS
WORLDLY
COURAGEOUS
LEADERS
STAFF
COLLEGE COMPASSIONATE
RY NS
ORADO
EDUCATION
$ 318,798
$ 409,813
$ 9,152,673
$ 443,602
$ (186,141)
$ 257,461
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ANNUAL REPORT [ 2011-2012 ]
FA
HERE
CITIZENS
DA
EDUCATIONARTISTIC CREATIVE DENVER ACADEMY TALENTED D STUDENTS TEACHERS CITIZENS
CARING
DREAMERS
EOPLE
IGHSCHOOL
YOUNG ADULTS
FRIENDS
YOUTH
OSITIVE
COLLEGE COMPASSIONATE
LEADERS
ESPONSIBLE
WE ARE AMBITIOUS WORLDLY
HER AMERICA
SMART T
NTRIBUTERS
LIFE
ACHIEVMEN STATES OF
SUCCESSFUL
ELEMENTARY LESSONS
UNITED
LEARNING
INSPIRED
CHILDREN
FACULTY
4400 East Iliff Avenue • Denver, CO 80222 • (303) 777-5870 • www.denveracademy.org
COMMUNITY