Dear JA & Summit families, staff, and community,

It is hard to believe we have officially entered the Spring season and will soon start gearing up for all the end-of-year events and activities. This time of year, we have many opportunities to celebrate the results of our “learning through growth” focus. Recently, Jeffco recognized JA for our on-time four-year graduation rate of 95% or higher. This past year, 98.9% of seniors graduated on time, a true reflection of the amazing effort by our Kindergarten through 12th grade teachers and support staff to ensure the success of all of our students.  

Our Secondary students have been busy preparing for and participating in academic competitions. JA came away as the 2025 3A regional champs in the High School Knowledge Bowl. Our 7th and 8th grade students earned 8th place in the State Tournament for the Optimist Brain Bowl. JA’s Mock Trial team took first place in the regional High School program, held at the Adam’s County Courthouse. National Honor Society (NHS) hosted the first ever Excellence Games where teams competed in Hunger Game type scenarios. We are so proud of these students and so appreciate the coaches and sponsors who offer their time and are …”vested in educational partnerships and intellectual curiosity.”

JA Coal Creek Canyon, now 69 students strong (63 full time and 12 homeschooled), continues to hear positive feedback from the community regarding the Super Monday Program. We are so fortunate to have the support of the Summit Westminster administration and staff to bolster this one of a kind program. On February 28th, 33 students received recognition for exhibiting outstanding SOAR traits, some earning multiple awards. Additionally, one of our 7th grade students was selected to move on to the second round of the Daniel’s Fund Civics Bee.

Please see the Campus Highlights section of the newsletter where we highlight more students, assemblies, and other accomplishments this past quarter. 

Looking forward, we have some exciting facilities work on the horizon for each of our JA campuses: 

We are elated to report we closed on the purchase of Mountain View Christian Church adjacent to the Elementary school. JA’s Pre-K and Jag Care programs will be moving into the lower level of the church, optimistically, by the start of the 25-26 school year. 

Summit South is continuing the pursuit of a potential new single site which would host all of their students in one location. Summit’s requests for enrollment continue to rise and we hope this endeavor will allow additional students to participate in this unique program serving the south area.

Summit Westminster replaced their cameras and security system over Spring Break, providing a more secure and well-monitored environment. 

The Secondary contract for the grandstands has been approved and work will begin to move forward. We are working with multiple vendors and CCOBroomfield to develop a process that will allow the track replacement project to also move forward this summer.  

JA CCC has new Promethean boards in every classroom, including at the new PreK program.  They also continue working with Coal Creek Canyon Park & Recreation to ensure the campus is available to serve the mountain community.     

I encourage you to join the beginning of our board meetings each month where principals, along with staff and/or students, showcase their campuses. In January, Mr. Stadler highlighted student work to enrich the campus along with the Secondary’s academic focus this year. In February,  Mr. Feddema (Elementary) was joined by teachers to celebrate substantial improvements in reading intervention/outcomes and the new Elementary PreK program. March showcased Summit Westminster, April is Summit South, May is the Secondary, and June will be a year-end wrap up of the first year for Coal Creek Canyon.

Recent news articles have focused on the reduction in staff and services at the Department of Education as well as how the State of Colorado’s $1.2 billion budget deficit might impact schools. Please see the Did You Know section below for information on these topics. 

Thank you for your continued support of the staff in each building, as well as your children at home. It truly takes a strong parent-school partnership as we head into the homestretch of this school year, and we are fortunate to have the amazing community surrounding us at each campus.

Currently, there is a lot going on related to education at the State and Federal levels. JA continues to monitor the situation closely, gauging the impact that proposed or actual changes may have on JA and Summit. Any parent/caregivers that have an interest in staying informed or getting involved with the legislative process should join the CLCS Act Network.

At the State level, the $1.2 B shortfall will most likely affect all state funded organizations, including schools. Currently the conversation is around not increasing student funding next year rather than reducing current levels of funding.  However, until the proposed budget is released in the coming weeks we will not know if we are looking at “flat funding” or a “cut” in funding. For many years now, JA & Summit have functioned under budgets prioritizing increased compensation for staff and supporting our educational programing. Also, each campus annually sets aside at least 2% for reserves as mandated by board policy. These practices do not insulate JA/Summit from any impact on student funding year, but we are positioned to absorb a flat funding year without significant impact to our programs. 

The bad news is that a memo was introduced to Colorado's Joint Budget Committee recently, suggesting that funding for homeschool programs (Summits) be cut in half. If this position gathers steam, it would have a significantly negative impact for our Summit programs. We are working with the Colorado League of Charter Schools and other schools with part-time/homeschool programs to address the issue quickly.  

At the Federal level, we do not see that reducing staffing and cutting programs at the Department of Education (DOEd) would have an immediate impact on schools. Federal funding is most often tied to statutory mandates such as Title I funds to support low income students or special education funding being intertwined with the FAPE (Free and Appropriate Public Education) regulations. As far as we know, even if the DOEd were to close, those funds would remain, with the statutory duty to serve the students shifting to other federal agencies. The biggest challenge for JA is another potential delay in securing year 3 grant funds that have been approved for JA Coal Creek Canyon.  

JA is implementing outreach to local, state, and federal representatives in order to help them better understand charter schools and the specific need for amazing and diverse choice opportunities for kids. If you personally know a state legislator or their office staff and would like JA to connect with them, we are happy to offer a tour, even if they do not currently represent our specific area. Reach out to Tiffany Blakley, our Community Engagement Specialist, to coordinate this further. 

• This spring, with amazing collaboration, the administrative teams worked diligently to align the JA calendars, despite major changes created by both Jeffco and CHSAA. We appreciate the time and effort put forth in this area to meet the requests of our JA community. You can easily find the approved calendars here. 

• JA is looking at ways to increase support for our ELL (English Language Learner) students across all campuses. This year we started serving ELL with our own staff instead of district assigned staff. We look forward to developing this program by increasing effectiveness while also reducing costs.

• Multiple staff members across the JA organization are working methodically to align all JA websites for consistency and ease of use for our JA community. Thank you to parent volunteers that are providing feedback on the sites, to ensure the parent experience is positive.

• Over the last several years JA’s Human Resources has developed valuable relationships with teacher training programs at local universities. This has allowed us to hire exceptional young teachers and grow them into the “JA Way”. This is the season where JA staff is out at university recruiting fairs meeting potential candidates and their professors. We are incredibly grateful for their hard work!

Celebrating Student Success at JA Elementary

JA Elementary recently held its Quarter 3 Awards Ceremony, honoring the hard work and achievements of our students. A total of 143 students were recognized for their outstanding efforts, demonstrating perseverance, dedication, and a commitment to excellence. From academic success to positive character traits, these students exemplify what it means to be a leader in our school community.

It was heartwarming to see the strong support from families, with 179 individual parents and caregivers attending to cheer on their students. The presence of so many loved ones highlights the incredible community spirit that makes JA Elementary such a special place. The ceremony was filled with smiles, applause, and moments of pride as students walked across the stage to receive their well-earned recognition.

We extend our gratitude to the teachers and staff who continuously support and encourage our students, helping them reach their full potential. Their dedication plays a vital role in shaping a positive and enriching learning environment.

Congratulations to all our award recipients! We are proud of you and look forward to celebrating more successes in the future. Keep up the amazing work!

JA Secondary Celebrates Academic Excellence at Spring Honor Roll Assembly

JA Secondary recently honored the hard work and dedication of its students at the Spring Honor Roll Assembly, held alongside parent-teacher conferences. Over 200 students were recognized during the event, with nearly 550 of JA Secondary’s 691 students earning Silver, Gold, or Platinum Honor Roll distinctions—a remarkable achievement.

Ms. Leoni led the ceremony, welcoming over 500 attendees who gathered to celebrate these outstanding students. The event was filled with excitement and pride as students were acknowledged for their academic excellence, perseverance, and commitment to their studies. Families, teachers, and peers cheered as each honoree was recognized, creating an atmosphere of encouragement and support.

Beyond celebrating achievements, the evening also provided families of 7th-12th graders the opportunity to meet with teachers and discuss student progress as the school year enters its final stretch. These valuable conversations helped reinforce the strong partnership between educators and families in fostering student success.

The dedication and determination displayed by these students are truly inspiring, and we are incredibly proud of their accomplishments. Congratulations to all the honorees for their hard work, and we look forward to seeing their continued success in the future!

Eagle’s Nest PreK Enrollment Now Open!

We’re excited to announce that JA CCC’s Eagle’s Nest PreK program is opening soon and now enrolling for the 2025-26 school year! This high-quality early learning program offers both full-day and half-day options, with classes running from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM for full-day students and 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM for half-day students. Our curriculum focuses on fostering curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning through hands-on activities and structured play.

Eagle’s Nest PreK will welcome up to 20 children with a 1:10 teacher-to-student ratio, ensuring a nurturing and engaging learning environment. Our experienced educators are dedicated to helping children build foundational academic, social, and emotional skills that will prepare them for kindergarten and beyond.

To enroll, children must be four years old by October 1, 2025, and fully potty trained. The program also includes a designated naptime for full-day students, and Universal Preschool Colorado (UPK) funding will be accepted, making quality early education accessible to more families.

Spots are limited, so don’t wait to secure your child’s place in this exceptional PreK program! For more information or to enroll, please contact our PreK Director, Carol Wilson. Learn more by visiting https://tinyurl.com/JACCCPreK. We look forward to welcoming your family to Eagle’s Nest PreK!

Young Entrepreneurs at Summit Academy

At Summit Academy Westminster, students in grades 4-7 are gaining hands-on experience in business through the Young Entrepreneurs program. This dynamic class teaches students the fundamentals of running their own businesses, from understanding customer needs and supply and demand to pricing strategies, marketing, and profit analysis.

One of the most exciting aspects of the program is Selling Day, where students set up their own shops and sell the products they have been creating. With over 100 parents, grandparents, teachers, and fellow students attending each Selling Day, the young business owners were thrilled to see their hard work appreciated and their products purchased. The event provided invaluable real-world experience in sales, marketing, and customer service.

Now, these budding entrepreneurs are preparing for their Final Selling Day. After assessing their initial business performance, they are making strategic adjustments to maximize their success. They are focusing on the 4 P’s of Marketing—Product, Price, Promotion, and Place—with an additional emphasis on Presentation. Some students are redesigning their products, others are expanding their offerings with new colors or styles, and some are reevaluating their shop locations and advertising strategies to attract more customers.

The energy and enthusiasm in the Young Entrepreneurs program are contagious! These students are not only learning valuable business skills but also developing creativity, problem-solving abilities, and confidence. We can't wait to see what they accomplish on their Final Selling Day!

Summit Academy South Students Shine in Art Exhibit

Summit Academy South is thrilled to celebrate the artistic achievements of two exceptionally talented 10th-grade students whose ceramic pieces were selected for display in the 2025 Jeffco Schools Foundation's Equity and Excellence Art Exhibit. This prestigious event showcases the creativity and perspectives of Jefferson County students from grades K-12, highlighting the richness of cultural and ethnic diversity through art.

The exhibit is a testament to the power of artistic expression, providing a platform for young artists to share their unique voices and visions with the community. It is open for public viewing through Tuesday, April 1st in the lobby of the Jefferson County Education Center, located at 1829 Denver West Drive, Building #27, Golden, CO. Visitors are welcome Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM.

We are incredibly proud of our students for their dedication, creativity, and hard work. Their accomplishments inspire our entire school community, and we encourage everyone to visit the exhibit and celebrate their outstanding artistry!

Ongoing Needs Support Program: We're Here for Our Community

We are excited to continue working to get the Ongoing Needs Support Program off the ground, and we are currently looking for support for two JA families in need. As we work to build this program, we are seeking donors or company sponsors to help make a difference. The list of needs is updated regularly, so you can check it at any time to see how you can contribute.

To see the current list of needs for our Ongoing Needs Program, visit: https://tinyurl.com/OngoingNeeds

Interested in Supporting a Family Directly?
If you’re interested in donating or supporting one of the families listed, please follow the instructions on the first tab of the list or reach out to Tiffany Blakley, Community Engagement Specialist, at tblakley@jajags.com to coordinate how you can help.

For Families in Need:
If your family could use assistance, please submit a request form here: https://tinyurl.com/NeedsRequest. Please note that since this program is still new and funding is limited, we cannot guarantee support, but we will work with you to connect you with available resources.

Thank you for supporting Community Cares! Together, we can make a lasting impact and create a stronger, more supportive community for all our Jefferson Academy families.

Are you interested in being a part of the JA or Summit team? We are in search of teachers, administrators, and support staff who can help us further our mission: to help students attain their highest academic and character potential through an academically rigorous, content-rich educational program.

Take a moment to search our current openings, and send job applications and questions to: jobs@jajags.com.

Did you attend Jefferson Academy for at least one full school year?

Please take a moment to complete our JA Alumni Survey so that we can add you to our database and update your communication preferences!

Visit the Alumni page on our website for any updates that may be posted, and be sure to share the link with other alumni!