Aspen Academy
Aspen Academy is a nonprofit PreK-8 private school in Greenwood Village, Colorado, serving 400+ students with a proprietary LiFE (Leadership, Finance, Entrepreneurship) curriculum and student-run businesses, now operating as an ISP International LabSchool.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersGreenwood Village, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Aspen Academy does
Aspen Academy is a private, nonprofit PreK-8 independent school in Greenwood Village, Colorado, founded in 2005 by Kristina Scala, Lynda Sailor, and a third educator. The school serves 400+ students across three divisions — Preschool/Pre-K (ages 2-5), Lower School (K-4), and Middle School (5-8) — with 89 specialized educators and staff and an 8:1-9:1 student-teacher ratio capped at 18 students per class. Its core academic differentiator is the proprietary LiFE (Leadership, Finance, Entrepreneurship) curriculum, the nation's first fully integrated daily program of its kind, which delivers more than 200 hours of financial literacy instruction per student and is reinforced by Bear's Student Enterprises, where middle schoolers operate real businesses generating over $76,000 in annual revenue. The school uses Singapore Math, subject-specific teachers from Kindergarten onward, and patented MODI Move + Discover educational furniture (U.S. Patent 10,390,629 B2). Revenue is generated primarily through published tuition of $16,460-$29,928 depending on program tier (with K-8 at $25,938/year) plus optional Extended Care, Lunch, and Athletics add-ons. Additional revenue flows through charitable giving, the Annual Fund, capital campaigns, and the recently created Aspen Endowment (~$38M in assets). A 2025 partnership with International Schools Partnership (ISP) transferred ownership while preserving mission, leadership, and curriculum, and earned Aspen the ISP International LabSchool designation. The school uses a sales-led admissions funnel combined with community-driven referral marketing, supported by a 32-hour annual volunteer requirement per family and active Parent and Grandparent Civic Organizations.
Aspen Academy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aspen Academy
- Legal name
- Aspen Academy
- Website
- https://aspenacademy.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Aspen Academy is a nonprofit PreK-8 private school in Greenwood Village, Colorado, serving 400+ students with a proprietary LiFE (Leadership, Finance, Entrepreneurship) curriculum and student-run businesses, now operating as an ISP International LabSchool.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aspen Academy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Private K-8 Independent Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- STEAM-Focused Early Learning Academies (EDACADAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Play-Based Early Learning Academies (EDACADAE)
Keywords
Where Aspen Academy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Greenwood Village
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Aspen Academy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Preschool Tuition: Tuition-based revenue model. Preschool I (ages 2+) ranges from $17,957 (2 days/week) to $29,928 (5 days/week); Preschool II (ages 3+) ranges from $16,460 to $27,434; Pre-K (ages 4+) is $24,940. Rates for 2026-2027 academic year. Financial aid of up to 50% of tuition available for qualifying families in K-8.
- Kindergarten-8th Grade Tuition: Annual tuition of $25,938 for grades K-8. Payment options include annual plan (1% discount if paid in full by June 1), biannual plan (50/50 split), or monthly plan (June through May). A 10% non-refundable deposit secures enrollment and is applied toward tuition.
- Optional Programs and Add-Ons: Extended Care Program, Lunch Program, and select extracurriculars and athletics are offered as optional add-ons beyond base tuition. Parent Civic and Student Civic Organization Fee of $150 per family.
- The Aspen Endowment: A nonprofit entity (501(c)(3)) created as part of the ISP transition, with approximately $38 million in assets dedicated to scholarships, educational innovation, and charitable initiatives. The endowment retains proceeds from the ISP transaction and provides long-term charitable support for education. Aspen Academy is expected to be among its principal beneficiaries.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Preschool I (2 days/week) |
| Subscription | Annual | Preschool I (3 days/week) |
| Subscription | Annual | Preschool I (5 days/week) |
| Subscription | Annual | Preschool II (2 days/week) |
| Subscription | Annual | Preschool II (3 days/week) |
| Subscription | Annual | Preschool II (5 days/week) |
| Subscription | Annual | Pre-Kindergarten (5 days/week) |
| Subscription | Annual | Kindergarten through 8th Grade |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Aspen Academy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aspen Academy is a private nonprofit PreK-8th grade independent school in Greenwood Village, Colorado, selling tuition-based educational services to families across the Denver metro area. The core offering bundles three academic divisions (Early Learning Campus ages 2-5, Lower School K-4, Middle School 5-8) under a proprietary integrated LiFE (Leadership, Finance, and Entrepreneurship) Curriculum, supported by daily Essentials enrichment, Bear's Student Enterprises student-run businesses, AI-powered campus safety, and supplementary Athletics, Extended Care, and Summer Programs.
Product overview
Aspen Academy is a Preschool-8th grade private school offering a unified educational platform centered on its proprietary LiFE (Leadership, Finance, and Entrepreneurship) Curriculum — the nation's first fully integrated daily program of its kind. The school operates three academic divisions (Early Learning Campus for ages 2-5, Lower School K-4, and Middle School 5-8) supported by the Essentials Program for enrichment. A distinctive differentiator is Bear's Student Enterprises, where middle school students operate real businesses generating over $76,000 in annual revenue. The school also commercializes its educational innovation through the MODI Educational Furniture line (U.S. Patent holder). Summer Programs, Athletics, and Extended Care serve as supplementary offerings. The product architecture is a unified K-8 educational experience with a vertically integrated leadership and entrepreneurship curriculum that differentiates from traditional private school offerings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LiFE (Leadership, Finance, Entrepreneurship): The nation's first PreK-8 fully integrated Leadership, Finance, and Entrepreneurship curriculum
- Bear's Student Enterprises (BSE)
- MODI Educational Furniture
Products and services
- Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten Program (Early Learning Campus) Early Learning program for children ages 2-5 (Preschool I ages 2+, Preschool II ages 3+, Pre-K ages 4+) blending Montessori and Reggio Emilia models with nature-based exploration and early leadership principles; tuition ranges $16,460-$29,928 per year depending on schedule (2-, 3-, or 5-day), with student-teacher ratios of 1:7 to 1:12.
- Lower School (Kindergarten - 4th Grade) Lower School academic program for grades K-4 with subject-specific teachers starting in Kindergarten, Singapore Math methodology, 80-minute daily instruction blocks, and integration of leadership, STEAM, arts, and entrepreneurship through the daily LiFE curriculum; annual tuition $25,938.
- Middle School (5th - 8th Grade) Middle School program for grades 5-8 featuring project-based challenges, Bear's Student Enterprises where students operate real businesses, 8th-grade capstone projects with professional mentors (serial entrepreneurs, IPO veterans, EO/YPO members), and high school preparation workshops starting in 7th grade; students in BSE have generated over $76,000 in annual revenue; annual tuition $25,938.
- LiFE Curriculum (Leadership, Finance, and Entrepreneurship) Nation's first fully integrated daily Leadership, Finance, and Entrepreneurship curriculum delivered to every student from Pre-K through 8th grade; includes 200+ hours of financial literacy instruction before graduation and an annual business-development cycle in which each student develops and presents an original business idea.
- Bear's Student Enterprises (BSE) Student-run business program for middle schoolers where students operate real businesses on campus (e.g., Bear's Store, Bear's Cafe), handling accounting, marketing, customer service, and operations; program has generated over $76,000 in revenue and hosted 19 businesses at one Entrepreneurs Expo (most in school history).
- Essentials Program Daily enrichment program providing 80 minutes per day of high-quality enrichment classes across world languages (Spanish), arts, technology/STEAM, and fitness; bundled with K-8 tuition.
- MODI Move + Discover Educational Furniture Patented (U.S. Patent 10,390,629 B2) Move and Discover educational furniture line designed to let children sit in multiple configurations and move while learning; available in three sizes for Pre-K through 3rd Grade; licensed to other Colorado schools beyond Aspen Academy.
- Summer Programs Summer camps and classes offering academic enrichment during summer break, including a comprehensive summer academics packet with recommended reading and parenting courses.
- Athletics Program Comprehensive athletics program covering basketball, volleyball, tennis, soccer, lacrosse, and fitness activities, with an emphasis on character development and leadership through sports participation.
- Extended Care Program Before- and after-school care program providing flexible coverage for working families beyond regular school hours.
Quantifiable outcome
- 97% of students at or above grade level in Math; 93% at or above grade level in Reading. Students perform 2-3x above state benchmarks (Colorado: 23% math, 35% reading; National: 18% math, 30% reading at/above grade level).
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Aspen Academy
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Aspen Academy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature4 records
Aspen Academy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- International Schools Partnership (ISP)coreAspen Academy joined ISP, one of the world's leading educational organizations, following extensive due diligence by the independent Board of Trustees. The partnership preserves Aspen Academy's mission, values, founders, leadership, faculty, LiFE curriculum, and culture while expanding opportunities through global collaboration, international exchanges, competitions, and leadership experiences. Aspen Academy was selected as an ISP International LabSchool, positioning it to help shape the future of education alongside educators worldwide. The school gains access to learning science, AI-supported educational tools, and innovations from 119+ schools worldwide.
- Moonshot edVenturesminorSince 2016, Aspen Academy has mentored public schools and administrators through Moonshot edVentures, supporting 130+ Fellows who have generated $6M in annual economic impact and created 165+ jobs through alumni-led organizations. This extends the school's transformational education model beyond its own campus to reach children regardless of their school.
- National Financial Literacy CouncilminorIn 2013, Aspen Academy developed its Financial Literacy curriculum in partnership with the National Financial Literacy Council, ensuring age-appropriate, comprehensive financial education integrated into the LiFE program from Pre-K through 8th grade.
- America Succeeds (Pathsmith Initiative)minorAspen Academy participates in America Succeeds' Pathsmith initiative for durable skills and future-ready skills development, contributing to the broader movement for education reform beyond its own campus.
- Volt AIcoreAI-powered safety system that proactively identifies at-risk behaviors among students. Part of Aspen Academy's comprehensive safety infrastructure with over $1M invested in security systems. Works alongside GoGuardian for complete campus safety coverage.
- GoGuardiancoreAI-powered safety and monitoring system for student digital safety and physical campus security. Integrated with Volt AI as part of Aspen Academy's advanced safety ecosystem protecting students and identifying at-risk behaviors.
- Curtis ParkminorAspen Academy's nearly ten-acre campus is located adjacent to Curtis Park in Greenwood Village. The proximity to this public amenity enhances the outdoor learning environment and is referenced as a campus feature.
- MODI Furniture LicenseesminorThe MODI Move + Discover educational furniture, patented by Kristina Scala and developed with Aspen Academy 1st graders, is licensed for use in other Colorado schools beyond Aspen Academy. This represents an outbound licensing model for Aspen's educational innovation.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Aspen Academy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Peck School: Independent PreK-8 school in Morristown/Glenview, NJ with comparable grade span, premium tuition tier, and similar emphasis on character and leadership. Comparable model in a different regional market.
- University School of Nashville: Independent K-12 school in Nashville, TN with similar emphasis on project-based learning, leadership development, and rigorous academics. Comparable model in a different regional market.
- Graland Country Day School: Independent PreK-8 school in Denver, CO with similar grade span, premium tuition, and emphasis on character development. Most direct Denver-area peer by grade configuration.
- Colorado Academy: Independent PreK-12 school in Denver, CO with comparable tuition, emphasis on character and leadership, and similar Denver metro catchment. A direct competitor for families evaluating Aspen Academy.
- Kent Denver School: Independent PreK-12 school in Englewood, CO serving Denver metro families. Directly comparable in mission (rigorous college-prep academics), premium tuition tier, and target demographic of values-driven Colorado families.
- Wildwood School: Independent K-12 school in Los Angeles, CA emphasizing progressive education, entrepreneurial thinking, and real-world learning. Most closely comparable to Aspen's LiFE curriculum philosophy and pedagogical orientation.
- St. Anne's Episcopal School: Independent PreK-8 school in Denver metro area with similar tuition tier, mission emphasis, and family demographic. Competes for the same Denver-area independent school families.
Others
- National Association of Independent Schools: Industry association of which Aspen Academy is a member. Not a competitor but provides benchmark data and standards (NAIS averages) used to contextualize Aspen's academic outcomes.
- Challenge Success: Stanford-based research and school partnership organization focused on student wellbeing, engagement, and balanced approaches to achievement. Adjacent to Aspen's "whole child" and leadership philosophy, though not a direct competitor.
Broad incumbents
- BASIS Charter Schools: National network of college-prep schools (including BASIS Colorado Springs and BASIS Denver) known for academic rigor and STEM focus. Comparable to Aspen in academic intensity but operates as a broader charter network at lower price points.
Market position
Strengths2 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Aspen Academy social profiles
Digital presenceAspen Academy compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance9 records
Aspen Academy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aspen Academy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Aspen Academy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aspen Academy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aspen Academy
What does Aspen Academy do?
Aspen Academy is a private nonprofit PreK-8th grade independent school in Greenwood Village, Colorado, selling tuition-based educational services to families across the Denver metro area. The core offering bundles three academic divisions (Early Learning Campus ages 2-5, Lower School K-4, Middle School 5-8) under a proprietary integrated LiFE (Leadership, Finance, and Entrepreneurship) Curriculum, supported by daily Essentials enrichment, Bear's Student Enterprises student-run businesses, AI-powered campus safety, and supplementary Athletics, Extended Care, and Summer Programs.
Is Aspen Academy a public or private company?
Aspen Academy is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Aspen Academy founded?
Aspen Academy was founded in 2005. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Aspen Academy based?
Aspen Academy is headquartered in Greenwood Village, United States, in the North America region.
How does Aspen Academy make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Preschool Tuition is the primary driver. The others are kindergarten-8th Grade Tuition, optional Programs and Add-Ons and the Aspen Endowment.
Who are Aspen Academy's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Peck School, University School of Nashville, Graland Country Day School, Colorado Academy, Kent Denver School, Wildwood School and St. Anne's Episcopal School. Others are National Association of Independent Schools and Challenge Success. BASIS Charter Schools is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Aspen Academy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aspen Academy.
What industry is Aspen Academy in?
Aspen Academy's product category is Private K-8 Independent Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDACADAJ, STEAM-Focused Early Learning Academies, with a secondary code of EDACADAE, Play-Based Early Learning Academies. Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.