Dear CA Community:
T
his past year marked my 13th as Head of School at Colorado Academy. Many people see the number 13 as unlucky or superstitious. Few may know that it also signifies renewed passion and motivation, hard work, and organization. I saw these traits everywhere I looked this past year, as our school found its way through the pandemic. The pandemic certainly brought change, but so did CA’s commitment to simultaneously address strengthening and growing our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. I am profoundly grateful to the faculty and staff, who put their passion for teaching and connecting with students and parents at the core of their work. Our students motivated each of us to bring all we could to meet the challenges of remote learning, quarantines, daily curve balls, and interrupted traditions. Everyone worked hard to ensure the CA experience held true to our commitments to our families and our values as a community. We had to be organized and thoughtful, as we navigated the additional decisions that this school year, in particular, required us to make. It was a year full of moments that often had me reflecting on the power of contrasts. Too often, a deafening
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Colorado Academy Journal
silence filled a campus with all too few students in class; we were alone together, with so many of us secluded in our homes, while trying to Zoom into class; and we found ourselves trying to act naturally, as we looked upon each other fully masked. Week after week, our students provided a question or laugh at just the right moment, our parents showed faculty and staff appreciation—not just one week, but all year long—and our alumni and families continued to add new ways to engage. This issue of the CA Journal captures the highlights of the year and showcases the strength and resilience of this very special place. It also highlights new ways to remain connected with CA and reunites us with some of our amazing alumni. Year 14 promises to be just as powerful. If there is one thing I will take away from year 13, it is that CA is ready for anything. Most importantly, we are ready to come together again—in person and all on-campus—excited about a year that brings the new Leach Center for the Performing Arts, new Lower School Playgrounds, and the opportunity to make stronger connections. Sincerely,
Mike Davis, PhD Head of School
