Aspens
What's in a Name
An Aspen tree is an individual component of the larger, collective living organism of the grove. Although Aspen trees can each find their own unique paths to the surface and can grow in isolation, they are most well-known for the way they flourish in groves. The flourishing is fueled by the strength and resilience each individual tree derives from the powerful root system. It is this root system that provides the strength and stability necessary for reaching for the stars. The stronger the roots, the stronger the tree.
Strong Roots
Strong roots are the foundation of any successful person. At Aspens, these roots will be developed through the study of philosophies and dispositions that will support success in any post-secondary path students choose to pursue. Through critical thinking and introspection, students will learn to break down their own challenges, assess the effectiveness of their own dispositions, and move forward with a sense of purpose and possibility. Throughout their entire lives, students will be able to ‘return to these roots’ for guidance in how to approach and overcome life’s challenges.
Nourishment
Strong roots provide strength and sure-footedness, but in order for individuals to have the energy to enthusiastically pursue the unique gifts and talents that reside within them, those roots must be nourished. Aspens Charter Academy has an intentionally designed environment that supports students in the acquisition of developmental assets by tending to students’ overall well-being; fostering deep connections between students and their families, their peers, their staff, and their community; providing experiences intended to surface and support student purpose(s); and creating opportunities for students to use their unique gifts to make positive and meaningful contributions to the world at large.
Flourishing
Flourishing is the result of interacting with an environment that intentionally promotes the potential of the individual and makes it possible for him/her to lead a purposeful life of joy, energy, and hope. The intentional interaction between strong roots and proper nourishment creates an environment in which flourishing is inevitable.
Our Promise
At Aspens Charter Academy, we believe every young adult possesses strengths and talents that are uniquely theirs. Clear communication, transparency of purpose and practice, and frequent interactions contribute to healthy relationships and positive academic and personal growth. We dedicate ourselves to helping our youth navigate the journey to uncover and tap into those treasures and then celebrate alongside them as they flourish. We promise to support your child’s life-long success and happiness by:
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challenging them academically with rigorous and experiential learning opportunities;
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mentoring them in the development and maintenance of their individual well-being;
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inspiring them to strengthen and utilize the very best aspects of their character;
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revealing to them the innate and unique power they have to positively impact the greater good.
Family and Community Involvement
We believe in the synergistic trinity of academics, family, and community. Our educational approach emphasizes the foundational contribution of family, the mutually beneficial relationship of student-community engagement, and the opportunities inherent in an academic space that privileges this unity.
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Family Involvement
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Community Mentor Program**
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Student Contribution to School, Family, and Community
Student-Centered Learning
We believe in providing a rich and relevant education that is coherently designed to place the well-being of the whole student at the center of the learning process. When experiential learning is designed to deepen core knowledge even as it expands student engagement in critical, creative, and cognitive endeavors, it has the potential to foster great learning and greater human development.
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Core Knowledge Benchmarks
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Project-Based Learning
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Student Mentor Program
Contribution and Purpose
We believe that every student is vital to this world, both individually and as a part of a greater community. When students pursue a purpose-driven life, discover their inner spark, and serve a greater good, they begin the life-long journey of becoming the contributing citizen, the connected community member, the fulfilled family member, and the thriving individual.
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Developmental Assets
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Philosophy and Mental Models
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Personal Development Projects
Connection and
Belonging
Devel
We believe that deep, meaningful connection is essential for human well-being. Clear communication, transparency of purpose and practice, and frequent interactions contribute to healthy relationships and positive results. Aspens Charter Academy approaches education holistically, considering the growth and development of the individual within the broader context.opmental Ass