A Private Coeducational Day School for Students with Learning Differences
4400 East Iliff Avenue  Denver, CO 80222  303-777-5870  www.denveracademy.org
C.E.E.B. Code: 060396
Headmaster: Kevin Smith
Registrar: Karen Perry
High School Head: Mark Wood
Director of College and Transition Counseling: Amy Macy
Mission Statement
Denver Academy leads as a center of excellence for the education of students with learning differences. We help our
students develop their intellectual, social, creative, physical, and ethical potentials within a nurturing environment so they
may acquire the skills and confidence to be successful in life.
Our Students
Our students are best described as having average or above aptitudes but have not reached their academic potential in
traditional educational settings. Some have identifiable learning differences such as dyslexia or attention deficits
(ADD/ADHD), while others have strengths in non-traditional learning styles.
Curriculum
The curriculum is a college preparatory program, emphasizing the basic disciplines in the liberal arts and sciences, while
providing opportunity for advanced work in the areas of a student’s interest and special competence. Denver Academy
requires that each student take four years of reading/literature and writing; this requirement stems from the school’s
commitment to language development. AP and honors courses are not offered at Denver Academy.
Subject Area
DA Graduation Requirements
(Minimum Requirements)
English
Math
4 years
3 years
Natural/Physical
Sciences
Social Sciences
3 years (2 Lab Sciences)
Foreign Language
Physical Education
Academic Electives
3 years (Must include U.S.
History)
0 years
1 year
2 years
DA’s Recommendations for
College-Bound Students
(Based on CCHE Pre-Collegiate Recommendations)
4 years
4 years (Must include Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II or
equivalents)
3 years (2 Lab Sciences)
3 Years (At least one year of U.S. History or World History)
1-3 years
0 years
2 years
Post-Secondary Preparation
After enrollment, our students show a significant increase in self-confidence and an improvement in study habits. Ninety
percent of our students continue their education in a variety of post-secondary institutions. Each student develops an
understanding of his or her own strengths and learning styles, resulting in lifelong self-advocacy skills.
Faculty
The total number of teaching faculty is 55, with three learning specialists and one librarian. Our student to teacher ratio is
1:7. Denver Academy is fully accredited by the Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS), which is
recognized by the Colorado State Board of Education. The school is a member of NAIS (National Association of
Independent Schools).
Community Service
Denver Academy encourages a culture of philanthropy, and community service and service-learning are at the heart of our
curriculum. All students are required to complete 20 hours of community service each year, and seniors are required to
complete 50 hours. Additionally, our students participate in “Spring Experiential Programs” in which every activity that
is offered must also combine meaningful service-learning work.
Grading System:
Denver Academy does not rank students. If a student enters Denver Academy with a weighted GPA, our registrar will
unweight a student’s grades to reflect our grading system.
A = 93%
A- = 90%
B+ = 87%
B = 83%
B- = 80%
C+ = 77%
C = 73%
C- = 70%
D+ = 67%
D = 63%
D- = 60%
F=0
Denver Academy Students from the Classes of 2008-2011 attended the following post-secondary programs:
Aims Community College
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
Arapahoe Community College
Art Institute of Colorado
Aveda Institute
Azusa Pacific University
Baylor University
Beacon College
Bel Rea Institute of Animal Technology
Berklee College of Music
Boise State University
Brigham Young University
California School of Art
College of Wooster
Colorado Christian University
Colorado College
Colorado College of Art and Design
Colorado Film School
Colorado Mountain College
Colorado Northwestern Community College
Colorado School of Mines
Colorado State University
Community College of Denver
Cornish College
Curry College
DePaul University
DeVry University
Emily Griffith Opportunity School
Eureka College
Evergreen State College
Flagler College
Florida School of Art and Design
Fort Lewis College
Hampshire College
Hastings College
Hobart Institute of Welding Technology
Johnson and Wales University
Knox College
Lynn University
Mesa State College
Metropolitan State College of Denver
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Montana State University
Muskingum College
Northeastern Junior College
Northeastern University
Northland Community and Technical College
Northwestern Junior College
Ohlone Community College
Parson's New School of Design
Red Rocks Community College
Regis University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
Roosevelt University
Saint Andrew's Presbyterian College
San Diego State University
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Clara University
Savannah College of Art and Design
School of Visual Arts
Syracuse University
United States Army
University of Alberta
University of Arizona
University of Colorado, Boulder
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
University of Colorado, Denver
University of Denver
University of Hawaii, Hilo
University of Kansas
University of Northern Colorado
University of Oregon
University of Wyoming
Warren Wilson College
Western State College
Westmont College
Westwood College
Woodbury University
Wyoming Technical Institute