Page 6 - FEB 2019 proof 4 - 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 10 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.
American Academy
From its humble beginnings at a strip
mall in Lone Tree to a thriving campus in Castle Pines, American Academy (AA) has experienced growth and stability over the past 10 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.
AA’s mission recently expanded from a STEM emphasis to include a STEAM emphasis that recognized the need for
a visual performing arts program. The STEAM program has grown immensely in size and success.
Following the opening of AA, the city
has made some signi cant roadway improvements that have had a very positive impact not only on 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!”
Sports teams at AA like volleyball, basketball, soccer and cross-county have grown over the years, and Elk Ridge Park is the school’s home eld for soccer and cross-country.
Elk Ridge Park
Not only for sports, Elk Ridge Park is a roaring success for the City of Castle
Pines. “Since the park opened in 2011, it 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 eld space at Elk Ridge Park 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.