Allow students to pick a topic of their choice and delve into the existing literature on that topic to develop a novel research focus.

Blend different fields of study to reach a new understanding of how disciplines interplay.

Orient around projects that attempt to advance the current state of knowledge in a particular field and require students to engage with real-world experts or academic endeavors.

Engage students with material often covered in college courses, with expectations around mastery, not merely assessed through culminating exams.

Kindergarten Buddy gatherings offered Seniors the opportunity to revisit the value of our PreK-12 campus and offered Seniors a poignant reminder that, while their journey is coming to an end, a new group of students is just embarking on adventures. 

Seniors have spent a lot of time benefiting from the good care of the College Counseling Office and Grade 12 Dean Gabe Bernstein—both as individuals and as a grade—to ensure that these final stages of the college process are positive and productive. This team has given special care to ensure that our Seniors have the right perspective and tools to honor each classmate’s individual journey in a way that helps bolster the unity of the grade overall.   

Seniors have spent advisory and class meetings reflecting on what they want to accomplish before the end of the year as they near these final chapters at CA.

Dr. Jessica Dolgan spoke to Senior parents and guardians about preparing their children for the end of high school and the start of college, addressing topics such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse. (Dr. Dolgan will speak to the Seniors on  February 27).

She shared this college checklist with parents. 

Through a series of carefully crafted self-reflection activities, Seniors have spent time identifying those people who have impacted them in a positive way; Seniors have also been asked to reflect on their high school experience by identifying a few key moments that helped shape their trajectory.

Dr. Sarah Burgamy spoke to the Seniors about identity, gender, and sexuality.

Our annual call for yearbook quotes and questionnaires offered Seniors the opportunity to shape their Senior pages, which will hopefully leave a lasting legacy for our community to remember them by. 

Seniors have served beautifully as the cultural leaders of the school.

Our Grade 11 Dean, Ali Kittle, organized numerous class meetings, which emphasized how students can maintain strong relationships with their peers; how, when, and why to show kindness to each other; and how to manage the expectations of higher-level electives.

Juniors participated in *a lot* of outdoor games and team-building exercises this fall to set the tone for the year.

During class meetings, students explored what kind of classmates they want to be, and how they want to start creating their legacy as the class of 2024. Additionally, as newly minted upperclassmen, students talked about what it means to be a role model to younger students.

During October, there were a number of fall and Halloween-themed events, including a pumpkin physics experiment and pumpkin tossing.

A group of students worked together to brainstorm ways to surprise their classmates with Boo gifts—candy, pumpkins and a note encouraging their gratitude challenge for November.

Dr. Sarah Burgamy spoke to the Juniors about identity, gender, and sexuality.

Juniors kicked off the start of the college process, which is carefully crafted and masterfully paced to ensure Juniors are prepared for the college journey while still focusing (appropriately!) on how to be the best high school Junior they can be.

Juniors participated in a “gratitude challenge,” where they designed various expressions of appreciation to members of the community.

Juniors talked about how corrosive blame can be in relationships and practiced how to hold each other accountable and have tricky conversations.

In the spring, Juniors will begin taking up the mantle of culture leaders as our Seniors engage in leave-taking.

As part of our ongoing Health and Wellness programming, Alex Yannacone (from the CU Depression Center) will speak to the Grade 10 class about suicide prevention in February. 

Riley Cochran, a local substance abuse therapist and head of Resolute Youth Services, spoke to the Tenth Grade about substance abuse prevention.

Educational Technology Specialist Laura Farmer offered Tenth Graders a workshop on social media and mental health with US counselor Liza Skipwith.

Sophomores engaged in off-campus service at local nonprofits with their advisory groups in an event organized by our Upper School Service Learning Coordinator, Lisa Dean, and our Grade 10 Dean, Emily Pérez.

Tenth Graders attended the first of three combined American Studies seminars on Arts in America, which were organized and hosted by the Social Studies and English Departments.

Our new interim Director of Inclusivity, Collinus Newsome, offered Sophomores a workshop on the "cycle of isms” to support a more inclusive student culture.

Tenth Graders participated in a “gratitude event,” where they sent thank-you notes to members of the community.

The College Counseling Office engaged the grade in a Kahoot game with topics related to how students can maximize their Sophomore year.

Our newest students benefited from the ongoing support of our Senior Community Leadership Team (CLT) and Grade 9 Dean Camille James. Mentorship and class meeting topics included the adjustment to high school, making friends, staying true to yourself, navigating social dynamics, and ally training, where students were given tools for interrupting or redirecting harmful behaviors that could lead to someone’s identity being marginalized. 

Academic Counselor Gabe Bernstein met with each Grade 9 study hall group to review study skills and tips for balancing school and life.

Our new interim Director of Inclusivity, Collinus Newsome, offered Ninth Graders a workshop on the "cycle of isms” to support a more inclusive student culture.

Educational Technology Specialist Laura Farmer offered students two sessions on Social Media and Mental Health with US counselor Kate O’Donnell.

As part of our ongoing Health and Wellness programming, Cate Rothenberg, MPH, Prevention Educator and Outreach Coordinator of Adolescent Medicine at Children’s Hospital Colorado, offered a workshop to Grade 9 students on sexual health, prevention, and consent.

Ninth Graders participated in a “gratitude event,” where they sent thank-you notes to members of the community.