Following a record number of applications last year to the Upper School, we are proud to welcome a select group of 45 new ninth graders, 5 new tenth graders and 3 new eleventh graders, hailing from numerous public and private schools through the Denver metro area, as well as from schools in Chicago, Atlanta, and the UK.  In addition to stellar academic records and significant breadth and depth in both the arts and sports, these new students embody the CA cultural values of courage, grit, kindness and responsibility.  The infusion of these students into the talented group of returning CA Upper School students will produce a student body of 397 amazing individuals.

All our returning students are also ready, willing, and eager to get back to school (well, we hope so, anyway!).  Among them, we have hundreds of athletes who returned weeks ago to begin pre-season sports practices in field hockey, soccer (boys), tennis (boys), volleyball, cross country (co-ed), ultimate Frisbee (co-ed), and the boys golf team, which has already competed in three tournaments.  I was also lucky to be part of a faculty group that took 23 seniors to the High Mountain Institute in Leadville last weekend.  These students received intensive leadership training that will allow them play a major role in the school community, especially in helping 9th graders adjust to high school.  Their first big opportunity to assist freshmen will occur on Orientation Day, Monday, August 25.

Some new faces will grace our Upper School faculty and staff ranks this year. We have more than the usual number this year because of last year's retirements and some expanision of staffing, including our new grade-level dean system.  Their full biographies have appeared elsewhere (and will be featured in the next CA Highlights), so for now I will just present the basic information.  See also the picture above. I hope you will have an opportunity to meet these energetic, talented new teachers and staff members.
Gabe Bernstein, 12th grade dean, 12th grade advisor, Academic Support, soccer coach
Elliot Chase, math
Adrian Green, Director of Inclusivity (also teaching and advising in Middle School)
Dana Kilcoyne, studio art (also teaching in Middle School)
Daniel Lopez, AP Spanish, Advanced Seminar Spanish, global travel coordinator
Amy Myles, French, 11th grade advisor
Maeve O'Hara, Geometry, AP Statistics, 9th grade advisor
Miten Patel, 9th grade history, upper-level history electives, 9th grade advisor
Emily Perez, 10th grade dean, English
Sara Purviance, Assistant Director of College Counseling
Jennifer Suarez, AP Spanish, Spanish IV
Cyd Tully, college counseling administrative assistant

Also new to the CA campus are two large, beautiful pieces of outdoor sculpture, courtesy of Bob Benson, a former CA parent and longtime CA benefactor.  In addition to a new kinetic sculpture on the south side of Smith Center, there is a striking new piece entitled "Phoenix"on the southeast side of the Upper School.  Already we have one of the finest outdoor sculpture parks in the region, so these two new additions will fit right in.  Inside the Upper School, photo teacher Jesse Myers has hung a beautiful new display of Interim pictures.  These images help tell the tale of the excitement and outdoor beauty that has been synonymous with our Interim program for years.

Amidst all this newness, many things remain constant, including the fact that CA is and always has been a dynamic, welcoming community.  Personally, I can't wait to welcome the students back to classes next week!