Denver School of the Arts
June 7 – July 3, 2024
Monday-Friday, 8:30 – 1:30 p.m.

The Achieving Excellence Academy (AEA) is a cultural summer program that highlights the experiences of Black/African-American, Latinx, Asian-American/Pacific Islander, & Native American/Indigenous families, students, and educators. The program serves as one district initiative especially for the support, encouragement, and development of students of marginalized identities, and all rising 9th, 10th, and 11th graders are welcome to apply.

The AEA envisions a future where students of marginalized identities and resilience are regularly celebrated and experience JOY! The AEA serves as one district initiative to interrupt and co-create improved Student, Adult, and System Experiences that promote student voice, belonging, connection, and change-making. AEA students are encouraged to learn who they are (self-identity and the excellence that resides within), what they are passionate about (and the power in community and coalition-building), and who they want to be (for themselves and in-service of others). It is our greatest hope for students to return each summer of the AEA program through their high school graduation year. 

• AEA Dates: June 7 – July 3, 2024, at Denver School of the Arts

• June 7: AEA Student/Parent Orientation at Denver School of the Arts

• July 3: AEA Commencement at the University of Denver

• 2024-25 School Year: quarterly remote AEA student/teacher check-ins 

• Cultural Learning & Leadership: with a desire to return to the AEA each Summer.

Pre-Program: 

• MARCH – MAY 2024: In-person PLC planning sessions (held at The Emily Griffith Campus).

• Summer – August 2024: rolling, remote AEA staff/student/parent program enrollment & relationship-building conversations

During Program: 

• June 7, 2024: All staff AEA in-building set-up/prep day

• June 7, 2024: All staff AEA students/families orientation

• Daily: 8:05 AM morning team huddles

• Daily: EOD PM afternoon team huddles

  • June 10 – July 3, 2024 (Program)

    • Monday – Friday (8:00 am – 2:00 pm)

    • Cultural Excursions/Field Trips (8:00 – 4:30 pm)

    • July 3, 2024: Commencement at the University of Denver (10:00 – 3:30 pm)

• **Community partners will lead/facilitate 120-minutes/daily instruction throughout the AEA (4-weeks). PLUS lead their excursion/field trip.

Post- Program: 

• Sept 2024: Inform AEA leadership team of 2024-25 AEA return plans.

• Oct 2024 – May 2025: Maintain/build relationships with AEA students/families

• Sept 2024 – May 2025: Bi-Monthly – collaborative planning session with AEA Leadership team.