GIVING & GIVING BACK AT DENVER ACADEMY
The Way You Learn Best
TUITION
REPRESENTS JUST
ONE LAYER OF WHAT IT TAKES TO OPERATE A SCHOOL LIKE DENVER ACADEMY.
In this community, gratitude abounds, and we live the success of our mission every day. Here, we strive to be the very best at providing unparalleled instruction and opportunities for neurodiverse learners. We ensure that the only focus for our teachers is teaching. That is why we make sure to secure the resources necessary for them to offer limitless experiences and continue to develop the skills that allow us to reach every mind. Each day, the journey is to go well beyond the status quo, and beyond even what tuition covers.
Giving beyond tuition to Denver Academy is a long tradition – and it’s what makes it all happen.
495 donors made a gift to DA last year for gifts totaling $1,181,186 !!
Let’s do it again!
CAKE
DAPA “THE ICING” provides ongoing support and resources to make DA even better!
ENDOWMENT
DRAW - 1.5% annual interest drawn from savings
GALA - 2% ($315,000) community event to support tuition assistance
ANNUAL
GIVING - 2.5% ($400,000) unrestricted / restricted funds complete the difference between tuition and the cost per student
TUITION
& FEES - 94%
TOTAL COST TO MAKE THE WHOLE CAKE $16,846,000
WHAT COSTS MORE?
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
DA teachers have 100 hours of training each year, and it shows! Not only are they specializing their knowledge to help our students discover the joy of learning, they are also encouraged to hone their own skills, seek out what’s new and remain lifelong learners.
TECHNOLOGY
We aim to meet all of our students’ needs with the best possible tools. Access to online learning platforms and stateof-the art equipment provides our teachers and students different pathways to understanding “the way they learn best.”
TUITION ASSISTANCE
Part of our annual fundraising efforts help current families better bear the cost of tuition. In an ideal world, we would never have to say “no” to any family wanting (or needing) to come to DA. Tuition assistance gifts and grants help us help others!
SO, WHY DON’T WE JUST RAISE TUITION EACH YEAR TO COVER OUR FULL OPERATIONAL COST?
To reach our operating budget through a tuition increase would require an additional cost per student of $2,000. Together with annual cost of living increases, this would make DA even further out of reach for so many. And, there is great power in numbers. As a 501(c)3, we can accept tax-deductible donations to make up the difference – not just from current families. Each year parents, trustees, alumni, alumni parents, foundations, corporations, and our very own faculty and staff give what they can to make up the difference. And…we have fun doing it!
ATHLETICS
DA is proud to offer athletics and ways to grow sound minds in sound bodies. Sports often require additional fees and equipment that fundraising can help offset. Teamwork really does make our dream work at DA, so supporting student athletics is essential.
ARTS AND MEDIA
Our student art and theater programs are thriving. Few schools can talk of a metal art program on campus! If you have ever been to an art show, concert, or theater production on campus, you know that student creativity is thriving here.
“Tuition assistance is the only reason that our daughter can come here. The teachers at DA have the ‘secret sauce’ that opened and grew her mind and made her happy to come to school each day. We understand that giving is how it all happened and we are honored to give back.”
— 4th Grade Parent
Each year, parent volunteers put the icing on the cake by providing resources for guest speakers, student and faculty hospitality events, social events for parents and families, After Prom, and so much more. In addition, “passive fundraising” such as supermarket rewards programs helps to support the DAPA budget.
“I think of it as giving the equivalent of a cup of coffee each week. I know that I couldn’t be where I am today without my DA education.”
— DA Alumna
