Academics

Upper School

CA’s program for Grades 9 through 12 features an innovative and dynamic liberal arts and sciences curriculum full of stimulating electives, special programs, independent studies, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses to prepare students for lifelong intellectual engagement and success as global citizens.
Small classes and an exceptional Upper School faculty—80 percent of whom hold master's and/or doctoral degrees—produce a learning environment that values and rewards intellectual curiosity, originality and authenticity, critical thinking, problem solving, self-advocacy, and collaboration. We place a premium on the development of resilience and resourcefulness—21st century skills that help prepare our students for an ever-changing world—and we are intentional about those practices that encourage integrity and responsibility in students.

The breadth and depth of Upper School course offerings are enriched by an innovative, real-world Academic Intensive for Freshmen, and the REDI Lab program for Juniors and Seniors. CA also has a dedicated Computer Science/Engineering & Design department with an array of courses that engage students in hands-on problem solving and design thinking projects. Raether Library is a a hub for reading, research, and curiosity.

Exceptional opportunities in arts, athletics, and experiential education enhance the rigorous academic curriculum. Theater and dance productions, art shows, and music recitals all provide creative outlets that encourage our students to cultivate their own sense of artistic expression. A wide range of athletic options helps students build stamina, skill, and confidence while learning teamwork and sportsmanship. Experiential education offers students greater insight into themselves and others, as they venture into the outdoors, engage in service projects, and travel and connect with others around the country and the world.

Our well-rounded program is one of the key reasons our students are highly successful in the college application process. CA guides 100% of graduates to four-year colleges and universities, covering the U.S. and some of the best institutions abroad. Additionally, the school’s emphasis on mental health and wellness means that our students are prepared for success in their lives beyond education. Upper School students build critical thinking skills and empathy, as they mature to see themselves as well-prepared individuals with defined values and purpose.

Max Delgado

Upper School Principal

Upper School Principal Max Delgado joins CA having most recently served in the same capacity at Saint Paul Academy and Summit School, an independent school in St. Paul, Minn., where he had the pleasure of working on the design and opening of a new science and math wing and a renovated humanities wing, along with the more recent challenge of coordinating and implementing his division’s response to COVID-19. Prior to that, he had served as Dean of Students at SPA, and was the Executive Director of LearningWorks, a breakthrough program at The Blake School, for high-potential Minneapolis middle school students, that also served as a professional development program for aspiring student teachers. At Blake, he also served as a Dean and was active in organizing and supporting various affinity groups for students and families of color. Delgado holds a BA from Fordham University in New York and an MFA from the California College of the Arts in San Francisco.

Upper School News

CA Mission Statement: Creating Curious, Kind, and Courageous Learners and Leaders

3800 South Pierce Street, Denver, Colorado 80235
303-986-1501 | info@coloradoacademy.org
© 2021 Colorado Academy