Everything I am now I think is because of ISDenver. Being caring, curiosity about science - asking the why!

-Allie

Allie and Ava are ISDenver graduates of the Class of 2020.  With the heightened precaution COVID-19 necessitated everywhere, Allie and Ava completed their time at ISDenver without the usual fanfare of the Sports Banquet, Dragon House Games, Graduation Ceremony, and other events 8th graders enjoy in a “normal” school year. Thankfully 2024 represents a new milestone for them as they have both graduated from their high schools in May and are heading to university. Allie is a graduate of Colorado Academy, heading to Tulane in the fall. She plans to enter into a biology concentration that will set her up as a pre-med student. Ava is a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy and will be attending Chapman University studying Psychology.

Both Allie and Ava attended ISDenver for Middle School before being accepted into their first choice high school. Every year, approximately one third of our incoming sixth graders are new to ISDenver. Middle School is a perfect entry point for new students to ISDenver with:

• Novice French and Spanish programs designed for students with little or no language background
• Intentional team building, including a sixth grade mountain trip the first week of school to coalesce as a cohort
• Established programs like Advisory and Dragon Houses that immediately foster a sense of purpose and belonging among all Middle School students

Middle School at ISDenver deepened my love of learning and built my confidence.

-Ava

The two recently visited ISDenver and took time to share their experiences with us.  

What is the best advice you can share with someone considering whether studying language is important?

Allie: Two things: 

1. First, it opens opportunities. I got a job over the summer as a camp counselor to bilingual students.
2.  It created such a community for me.  My Spanish class was very close and that is what I miss the most

Ava: It forms diverse communities when people connect across languages. 

How has learning Spanish at ISDenver changed your life?

Allie: It gave me a jump start on an accelerated track at Colorado Academy. It has been really rewarding and makes me think about studying Spanish in college. 

Ava: I am considering traveling abroad to either a French or Spanish speaking country when at university. I'm not nervous about that because of my time at ISDenver.  Learning Spanish has given me a more global perspective.

How has an international perspective aided you in compassion and curiosity?

Allie: It was more than just learning Spanish. Our teachers from Spain taught us their culture and ways of life, too.

Ava: I’m much more open-minded, it gave me a curiosity and interest to learn language and culture.