Page 8 - FEB 2019 proof 1 - The Castle Pines Connection

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CastlePinesConnection.com
Then
... AND NOW:
American Academy and Elk Ridge Park
By Patte Smith, photo by Tim Gamble
View of American Academy Charter School taken from atop a hill in Elk Ridge Park (in the foreground).
“Congratulations to the Castle Pines Connection for ten amazing years! American Academy is so grateful to be a part of the Castle Pines family as just one of the many amazing school options in a community of active and engaged families. We are so proud to
be part of the community and look forward to sharing more wonderful years in Castle Pines.”
– Erin Kane, founder of American Academy and current Executive Director of Schools
The front page story and barren photo from the inaugural issue of The Castle Pines Connection featured the excavation of a parcel of land that would later become American Academy Charter School and Elk Ridge Park.
From its humble beginnings as a strip mall in Lone Tree to thriving campus in Castle Pines, American Academy (AA) has experienced growth and stability over the past ten years. When the Castle Pines campus opened in 2009, the enrollment of students doubled as was planned, and has stayed at approximately 800 students. In 2013 and 2017 AA opened two additional campuses in Parker.
A new and innovative program of next-level STEM challenges for middle school students was launched in 2015. The program teaches speci c, real-world engineering skills using actual engineering tools to solve actual engineering problems.
American Academy’s mission recently expanded from a STEM emphasis to include a
STEAM emphasis that recognized the need of a visual performing arts program. The STEAM program has grown immensely in size and success.
Almost 40 on-site special education and mental health professionals have been hired directly by American Academy and serve mild to moderate needs students across three AA campuses.
Sports team at AA, volleyball, basketball, soccer and cross-county have grown over the years and Elk Ridge Park is the home eld for soccer and cross-country.
Not only for sports, Elk Ridge Park is a roaring success for Castle Pines. “Since the park opened in 2011, has been a keystone in our community and is the location
of many community events and special community-wide gatherings,” emphasized
a city o cial. “This includes thousands
of residents who attend the Run Wild and Party in the Park events.”
In 2018 alone, 19 di erent sporting groups/ teams rented the eld for practices, games, tournaments and camps. There were 25 pavilion rentals for birthday parties, sports team events, family picnics, Scout events and school eld trips. The park has grown in popularity over the years and families, kids, people walking their dogs and sports teams can always be found enjoying the park and playground.
With the opening of AA, the city has had some signi cant roadway improvements that have had a very positive impact
not only to the school, but the park and surrounding community. And, of special note, the sta and parents of AA would like to thank the City of Castle Pines for the roundabout on Lagae – “it is great!”