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The CA Experience Starts Here

Just as you may want to get to know our school, our admission process helps us get to know you and your child. Our process is carefully designed to engage you in the same kind of interaction you and your family would have with our faculty and staff if you decide to enroll at Colorado Academy. We welcome your interest! Find out more by exploring our website, reading our admission magazine (located on the right side of this page), and visiting our campus.

Our campus is full of energy and excitement over the summer—with students composing music, programming robots, juggling and unicycling, rock climbing, swimming, throwing clay, learning lacrosse skills, writing poetry, problem solving, performing, making friends, and having fun.

The Admission Office is open every week day over the summer. We invite you to drop by our office in Welborn House. We will also be offering tours on a drop-in basis at 9:00 a.m. on the following days:

Tuesday, July 18
Tuesday, July 25

No RSVP is necessary. Simply look for us at the CA Tent near the summer programs registration table! Please do not hesitate to contact any of us at 303-914-2513 with questions.

If these dates do not work for your schedule, please call us to arrange your campus tour for another day. Alternatively, tour our 94-acre campus online or take advantage of one of the many events open to the community including our SPEAK lecture events, music recitals, theater productions, or athletic competitions. We look forward to getting to know you.

Meet the Admission Team

List of 6 members.

Ms. Catherine Laskey

Director of Admission & Financial Aid

(303) 914-2571

Duke University - B.A.

catherine.laskey@coloradoacademy.org

At CA Since: 1995
Bio
Catherine Laskey has been at CA since 1995 and has served as Director of Admission & Financial Aid since 1997. Catherine oversees student recruitment and marketing initiatives for the school. During her first two years at CA, Catherine also taught French and history in the Upper and Lower Schools. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Catherine graduated from Duke University as an Angier B. Duke Scholar, with majors in French and Political Science. Prior to CA, Catherine worked in admission at The Madeira School in McLean, VA. When she is not leading admission tours, Catherine enjoys camping and other activities with her family.
Ms. Heidi Chesley

Director of Upper School Admission & Financial Aid

(303) 914-2572

University of Colorado - Boulder - B.S.
Trinity College - M.A.
Harvard Law School - J.D.

heidi.chesley@coloradoacademy.org

At CA Since: 2013
Bio
At CA since 2013, Heidi Chesley is the Director of Upper School Admission and Financial Aid at Colorado Academy. Before joining the CA community, she served as a Partner in the Boston office of the international law firm, McDermott, Will & Emery LLP, and as a Partner in Gordon & Rees LLP in Denver. She has also worked as the Director of Admissions at The Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, CT, and as a Director and Teacher for Citizen Schools Program, an after-school apprenticeship and mock-trial program for inner-city students in Boston, MA. She received her B.S. in Finance and Marketing from the University of Colorado at Boulder, her M.A. in American Studies from Trinity College in Hartford, CT, and her J.D. from Harvard Law School in Cambridge, MA. Chesley is also a Boettcher Scholar.
Caren Salzer

Director of Lower School Admission & Financial Aid

(303) 914-2549

Indiana University - B.S.

caren.salzer@coloradoacademy.org

At CA Since: 2011
Bio
Returning to CA in 2011, Caren Salzer brought 24 years of experience working in an independent school setting to her position as Director of Lower School Admission and Financial Aid. Salzer, who holds a B.S. degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN, previously worked for CA as a Middle School math and Core teacher, as well as an advisor. She has also worked as the Development Director and the Director of Admission for the Montessori School of Evergreen. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, camping, skiing, mountain biking, photography, knitting, and Ultimate Frisbee.
Mr. Jessie Skipwith

Admission Associate & Horizons Educational Director

303-914-2573

American University - B.A.
University of New Orleans - M.Ed.

jessie.skipwith@coloradoacademy.org

At CA Since: 2014
Bio
Jessie Skipwith, prior to becoming an Admissions Associate, was Executive Director of the Horizons Program at Colorado Academy for two years, in addition to having 17 years of experience in educational leadership and completing eight years as the Principal and President of Bishop Machebeuf High School in Denver. Skipwith earned his B.A. from American University in Justice/Pre-Law and his M. Ed., with an emphasis on School Counseling, from the University of New Orleans. He earned his National Board Certified Counselor certificate and became a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice. He served as a high school counselor for eight years and as the Director of Counseling Services at Jesuit High School New Orleans for five of those years, prior to becoming the Principal of St. Matthew the Apostle Elementary and Middle School in River Ridge, LA.
Ms. Lisa Dean

Admission Office Coordinator

(303) 914-2516

University of Colorado - Boulder - B.A.
Regis University - Master of Non-Profit Management

lisa.dean@coloradoacademy.org

At CA Since: 2005
Bio
Lisa Dean, Admission Office Coordinator, began in 2005 in the admission office. She manages the office and supports prospective families through the application process. Lisa earned her B.A. in Communication from the University of Colorado-Boulder and graduated with a Master’s in Nonprofit Management from Regis University. Prior to CA, Lisa worked as a volunteer and special events coordinator for several area nonprofit organizations.
Ms. Paige Siemers

Admission Administrative Assistant

(303) 914-2512

University of Kansas - B.F.A.

paige.siemers@coloradoacademy.org

At CA Since: 2014
Bio
Paige Siemers joined CA in the fall of 2014 as the Administrative Assistant in the office of Admission and Financial Aid. Siemers has worked in a similar capacity at Mullen High School and also has worked as the Assistant to the Director of Summer Programs at CA. She was a professional marathoner for nearly five years and worked as a cross-country track and field coach and also in retail and sales in fitness and running. Siemers holds a B.F.A. in Printmaking from the University of Kansas and is a graduate of Mullen High School.

Catherine Laskey, Director of Admission & Financial Aid

The central ingredient to success at CA is a child’s insatiable desire to learn. With support from their family and the expertise of our faculty, CA students take advantage of the abundant opportunities for personal growth on our campus. Students also learn from each other, which is why we carefully craft the composition of each class to provide an eclectic mix of talents, backgrounds, and perspectives.