2021-2022 DA Gratitude Report

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2021-2022

Gratitude Report

Letter from the Head of School

In 2022, Denver Academy celebrated its fifty-year anniversary! Thank you for helping us reach this important milestone and allowing us to envision the next 50 years!

Please accept my sincerest gratitude for your contributions to DA. Thank you donors for providing the means for a transformative educational experience and the security of long-term sustainability. Thank you volunteers, faculty, and staff for actively building vibrant learning communities. Thank you families for trusting us with your children and supporting their educational journeys. Thank you students and alumni for bravely engaging and showing the world your great achievements.

We are grateful to donors like you as we are close to completing our $25,000,000 Building on Excellence Campaign. Your support has allowed us to build the James E. Loan Athletic Center, renovate the Elementary Building, grow our endowment, and break ground on our Performing Arts Center. The future for our students is bright!

As you read through our 50th anniversary gratitude report, I hope you see the many positive outcomes of your involvement. None of it would be possible without the support of people like you. Gratefully,

Amazing Learning in Every Division

Generous donors helped support students pursue academic and extra-curricular excellence.

Elementary and 6th Grade

• Students promoted inclusivity on “Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.”

• Young thespians entertained audiences with class plays.

• Students read their poetry to their families at “Poetry and Pastries.”

• 5th graders enjoyed their trip to the capital, especially the Q and A session with Speaker of the House Representative Alec Garnett.

• Authors K. Ibura, Brian Yanish, and Jolene Gutiérrez (our own librarian!) inspired young writers.

• Spelling bee contestants impressed everyone with their spelling capabilities.

Middle School

• Students released fish into the pond housed in our Geodesic Dome Greenhouse.

• Mrs. Wheat’s drawing class drew their own eyes using charcoal.

• Video production students reported on DA events and community interest stories.

• Students watched chicks hatch after caring for the eggs in their classrooms.

• Contestants in The Middle School Knowledge Bowl tournament battled for first place.

• The mountain biking team experimented with trail design and building.

High School

• College representatives taught 10th and 11th grade students college application strategies.

• Students wrote and performed their own Beowulf-inspired scripts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

• Athletes competed in soccer, volleyball, mountain biking, and more!

• The DECA club raised funds for the World Health Organization’s efforts in Ukraine.

• Artists displayed their work at the Denver Academy Juried Art Exhibition hosted by the National Art Honor Society.

• Welding students in the Saipe Metal Arts Studio made tools, manipulated soft metal through scrollwork, and practiced forging.

2021-2022 Academic Highlights

Graduates

Congratulations to the Class of 2022

John Alexander, Nicholas Allen, Seth Anderson, Hayes Bissette, Palmer Bond, Trinity Bueche, John Dunn, Ethan Dwyer, Sam Frisina, Tyler Fry, Luke Gentry, Patrick Gilman, Luke Griffith, Sailor Harris, Chase Hartman, Seth Honnigford, Quinn Johnson, Owen Karshmer, Flynn Largan, Gavin Less, Brandt Lieb, Stevie Lockton, Maya Luttenegger, MayaLuna McCrum, Alex Mohr, Evelyn Murphy, Owen Nehler, Duke Parsons, Carl Pellegrino, Zoe Petrie, William Rinehart, Alexander Rizzo, Alexa Romero, Nicolas Roy, Aiden Serratoni, Dylan Thompson, Michael Triolo, Benjamin Turner, Nico Verrengia, Alexander Wales, Logan Webb, Noah Wilger, Luke Wogsland

Plans for graduates include: Arapahoe Community College, Arizona State University, Chapman University, Colorado School of Mines, Community College of Denver, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Endicott College, Fort Lewis College, Gannon University, Gap Year, Grand Canyon University, High Point University, Montana State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Red Rocks Community College, Siena College, Southern Methodist University, University of Arizona, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, University of Colorado Denver, University of Denver, University of Glasgow, University of Puget Sound, University of Redlands, University of San Francisco, University of Wyoming, Vancouver Film School, Western Colorado University, Whitman College, Workforce

• Experiential Education program began

• 1st Student Council was formed

Dr. Paul Knott started a tutoring service for the diagnosis and remediation of children with learning disabilities called Denver Educational Clinic. It later changed to a school with the name Denver Academy.

1972

DA purchased the Race Street campus.

DA received accreditation from the Association of Colorado Independent Schools, National Association of Independent Schools and The Colorado Department of Education.

DA added 40 computers and 20 printers and entered the computer age.

Jeff Weinstock and Chuck Moore were Denver Academy’s first graduates.
1981
1989 1990 1983 1974

Students

• “Multiple Intelligences” Program began

• The Alumni Association formed

DA sold the Race Street campus and purchased the historic Bethesda Hospital property on Iliff Avenue.

• Richardson Hall completed, first high school built in the US specifically for teaching children with learning differences.

• The Legacy Society started, an opportunity for donors to make arrangements to remember Denver Academy in their estate planning.

2004 2002 2001 1998 1994 1996 1992

The counseling and mental health program began.

• Celebrated 25th Anniversary

• The endowment was created

• Sandy Righter was awarded 1st Wings of the Future.

received the first tuition assistance awards. The Colorado Rockies Mike Hampton Baseball field was installed.

• Clasen Courtyard was established, the patio on the west side of the theater

• Senior Hall renovated

• Every classroom was equipped with SMART Board technology thanks to the Morgridge Family Foundation

• The Saipe Family Metal Arts studio opened on campus

Jim Loan retired after 26 years as Headmaster. DA celebrated the success of DA alums with the Alumni Walk. The 1:1 iPad initiative was launched and wireless infrastructure was completed on campus.
2013 2011 2009 2008 2006
Mark Twarogowski became the 4th Headmaster of Denver Academy.
2016
DA received the Rozelle Founders Award from the National Center for Learning Disabilities.

• Grand Opening of the Campos EPC Elementary SmartLab

• The Library Chapel was renovated thanks to a grant from the History Colorado State Historical Fund.

• In response to the COVID pandemic, DA pivoted to distance learning.

• The Campos EPC Middle School Smart Lab opened.

• 50th reunion and other celebrations of Denver Academy’s 50th Anniversary

• Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Performing Arts Center

• 1,724 graduates now call DA their alma mater.

Grand opening of the Elementary Building after a complete interior renovation

• Grand Opening of the James E. Loan Athletic Center

• Kristy Taddonio Mullins, 1994, became the first alum to serve as the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

The Geodesic Dome Greenhouse was completed, a component of DA’s Learning Landscape project.
2017 2018 2019 2020 2022 2021

Award Recipients

These outstanding seniors exemplified Denver Academy values.

Co-Valedictorian and Alumni Senior of the Year

Luke Wogsland graduated with a 4.0 GPA. He was president of the National Honor Society and served as a DA student ambassador.

Phil Johnson & Lou Raders Community Service Award

Evelyn Murphy embodied the DA value of community with her volunteering at Adam’s Camp, a family camp for families with children with special needs.

Co-Valedictorian

Patrick Gilman graduated with a 4.0 GPA. He was vice president of the National Honor Society and president of the International Thespian Honor Society. Patrick was a cast member in 11 DA theater productions.

Salutatorian

Logan Webb graduated with a 3.97. She was the publicity officer in the National Honor Society. She also held leadership positions in the National Arts Honor Society.

Denver Academy’s dedicated faculty and staff members are instrumental in transforming students’ lives. They encourage, nurture and inspire, guiding students along their path to academic success and personal well-being. The commitment and capabilities of faculty and staff are recognized and celebrated within our walls and beyond.

Wings of the Future Jennifer Perry

Jennifer developed and implemented engaging and creative programs for the elementary division. Students are having fun while learning, and it shows! She has taught at DA for 15 years.

Staff Person of the Year

Jacob Theis

Departmental leaders at Denver Academy recognized Jacob for his willingness to help everywhere and his positive energy. Jacob is a DA alum.

Teacher of the Year Kacie Wulf

Students nominated Kacie because she is a kind, gentle, caring, organized, and an all-around awesome human being. This was her fourth year at DA.

The generous DA community impacts students Financial Report Foundation Award Purpose The Morgridge Family Foundation $300,000 The Performing Arts Center Building Project The Anschutz Foundation $35,000 Tuition Assistance Program Virginia W. Hill Foundation $30,000 Tuition Assistance Program Galena Foundation $5,000 Faculty Professional Development $322,107 The Fund for Denver Academy These unrestricted gifts help enrich the education of our students. $630,052 Net revenue from DA’s 50th Anniversary Gala on April 23, 2022 $736,049* Restricted funds to areas of need Restricted funds go to tuition assistance, programs, and special projects. *Includes Gala Proceeds We are grateful to our foundation partners for these grants received in 2021-2022. Tuition 90.3% Contributions 7.9% Other 1.8% Total Revenue: $14,334,308 Total Expenses: $12,994,184 Educational Programs 61.4% General and Administrative 16.2% Other 10.4% Facilities and Maintenance 8.9% Fundraising and Marketing 3.1% Participation in Annual Giving Board of Trustees 90% Faculty and Staff 95% Current Parents 36% Tuition Assistance Program Thanks to contributions from the 2022 50th Anniversary Spring Gala, individual donations, foundation grants, Endowment Fund disbursements, and funds from the operating budget, DA was able to award $1.7 million in need-based tuition assistance to 125 students for the 2022-2023 school year.

2021-2022 Board of Trustees

Voting Members

Kristy Taddonio Mullins ‘94 –Chair, Board of Trustees

Lisa Patterson – Vice Chair, Board of Trustees

Kent Berke

Polly Breit

Carrie Burns

Dylan Geller ‘92

Adam Goldsmith

Aliya Hasan

Bryan Hassler

Tim Healy ‘06

Vanecia Kerr

Deb Knobelman

Mary Lester Karen McNeil-Miller

Amy Messenger

Kim Pankratz ‘89

Sheryl Stefaniak

Reed Stilwell

Barney Wilson

Ex-Officio Trustees

Mark Twarogowski –

Head of School

Amy Stettner –

Alumni Association President

Barrie Bodden –

Faculty Representative

Rachel Petrie –

Parent Association President

Emeritus Trustees

Dr. Ed Callahan

Jim Dierker

Dr. Nancy Gary Phil Johnson

Steve Mooney

Tim O’Connor*

*deceased

Our mission is to inspire and empower diverse learners through student-centered, differentiated and transformative education. At our core, we value individual differences, respect & responsibility, community & nurturing relationships and the transformative power of education. OUR

MISSION

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Location: Carson Pond at Denver Academy Publication Photo Credits: Marlo Butler, Our Family Clicks Photography; Carol McKay Photography

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