Denver Academy

Denver Academy
Denver Academy Historic Library from the Quad
Location
Denver, Colorado United States
Information
Type	Independent
Established	1972
Dean	Mark Wood and Lori Hull
Head of school	Kevin Smith
Grades	1-12
Enrollment	400
Campus type	Urban
Color(s)
Mascot	Mustang
Affiliation	Association of Colorado Independent Schools / National Association of Independent Schools
Website	http://www.denveracademy.org/

Denver Academy is an independent, private day school serving grades 1-12 in Denver, Colorado. The school specializes in educating students with learning differences and unique learning profiles, meaning that students have average or above aptitudes but have not reached their academic potential in traditional academic settings.

Denver Academy's mission is to be a center of excellence for students with learning differences and unique learning profiles, developing their intellectual, social, physical and moral potentials. Some students have identifiable learning profiles such as dyslexia or attention deficits, while others have strengths in non-traditional learning styles.

Denver Academy is a registered 501(c)(3).

History

Denver Academy was founded in 1972, and occupied a schoolhouse in the Washington Park area of Denver until relocating to a 20-acre (81,000 m²) historic property in southeast Denver in 2001.

Divisions

The school is organized into three different divisions, each according to grade level

• Lower School (grades 1-6)
• Middle School (grades 7-8)
• High School (grades 9-12)

Reach for the Stars Award

Each year, Denver Academy gives the "Reach for the Stars" award to an individual or organization that through example, philanthropic endeavor, advocacy or a professional body of work, has raised awareness of the educational needs of children with learning differences.

Honorees:

Henry Winkler, 2007 Growing up with dyslexia, Henry Winkler struggled academically, but overcame his learning difference and earned degrees from Yale and Emerson College—including a Ph.D. With numerous television and film credits to his name, Winkler is also an accomplished author having written a series of children’s books based on his dyslexic struggles called, “Hank Zipzer-The Mostly True Confessions of the World’s Best Under-Achiever.” He visited Denver Academy in November 2008.

Dr. Nancy Gary, 2008 Renowned child psychologist Dr. Nancy Gary has devoted her professional career to the well being of children, especially those who have experienced difficulties that interfere with their school and peer relationships. She has made invaluable contributions in the world of mental health, child advocacy and education, and has made a difference in the lives of countless children with learning differences.

Debbie Phelps, 2009 Debbie Phelps is well-known as an advocate for people with attention hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and is the mother of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. In addition to her work on behalf of ADHD, she has been an educator for more than thirty years and serves as the principal of Windsor Mill Middle School in Baltimore, Maryland.

Mayor John Hickenlooper, 2010 Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper is well-known for his work to improve the education of students throughout the community. From his weekly school visits after he was elected Mayor in 2003 to forming citywide partnerships to sustain and expand quality school-based after-school programs, Hickenlooper has committed a great deal of energy and resources on educational issues. He is a champion for future generations and ensuring children of all ages and abilities receive the best education possible.

External links

• Official school site