This spring, Colorado Academy will launch a completely redesigned website for the CA community, prospective families, and the public. The revamped destination, at www.coloradoacademy.org, updates the look and feel of CA’s web presence for the first time in five years, incorporating all-new videos, photos, stories, and ideas, as well as up-to-the-minute technologies designed to communicate the school’s inspiring identity and mission more effectively than ever.
“After months of thoughtful design and collaboration, we are eagerly anticipating the launch of our brand-new website—a digital space that we believe reflects the heart of CA,” says CA’s Director of Communications and Marketing, Phil Smith.
He explains, “Designed with our community and culture in mind, the new site is meant to be clean, fast, and creative, making it simple for current families to stay connected while providing an inviting first impression for prospective families. But more than just a refresh, this project was a deep dive into who we are and what makes CA unique.”
Prominent new messages such as “Boundless Possibility” and “You don’t know what you will fall in love with” give fresh expression to the expansive, future-focused vision of education the school has represented throughout its 119-year history, and featured videos offer a new look at the core elements of the CA education: academic experience, personalized growth, intentional community, and forward-thinking ideals. These new narratives give depth to the promises underlying CA’s mission statement, which remains unchanged: “Creating curious, kind, courageous, and adventurous learners and leaders.”
“You will see kindness, curiosity, courage, and adventure woven throughout the experience,” states Smith. “Our mission will be further defined by the differentiators that set us apart in the Denver marketplace.”
The site’s bold calls to action make reference to CA’s core mission and aim to inspire students, families, and newcomers alike:
- The world is interdisciplinary. Be curious.
- Your journey is yet to be written. Be adventurous.
- Community connects us. Be kind.
- Powerful change often starts with challenge. Be courageous.
Explains Director of Admission and Financial Aid Catherine Laskey, “CA’s website is our front door to the world. It’s how prospective families discover all that we have to offer. Whether families are considering CA because of our reputation for transformative teaching and learning, the array of arts offerings that allow students the opportunity to explore and go deep, the lessons learned about teamwork and grit through our many athletics programs—or all of the above—the new website makes it clear just how many pathways there are for students on their educational journey at CA.”
Head of School Dr. Mike Davis, who, like Laskey, was involved in the redesign process from the start, acknowledges, “Building a new website is no small task, and our Communications team has dedicated significant energy, creativity, and vision over many months to get it right. But this isn’t just a fresh coat of paint—it’s a meaningful investment in the future of CA. For many prospective families, our website is their first glimpse into who we are, what we stand for, and what makes our school special. We wanted to make sure that experience is welcoming, clear, concise, and reflective of our values. At the same time, this new site will be a vital resource for our current families, making it easier to stay connected and engaged. This is a tool that will help us grow, strengthen our community, and share the CA story.”
Scheduled to launch in the spring, CA’s new home on the internet integrates key messages about the school’s identity and mission with new opportunities to learn about CA’s history and traditions, such as Giant Relay Day, a beloved race across campus inaugurated in 1959 by former Head of School (and early Outward Bound advocate) Charles Froelicher. A unified brand “story” and an enhanced suite of email and communication tools mean that both current CA families and those just encountering the school for the first time will receive timely messages that are relevant and clearly speak to CA’s place in the Denver education landscape.
Just as important are the new website’s accessibility and translation features, which make the site easy to use for Spanish-speakers, vision-impaired users, and other visitors with unique needs. These additions ensure stories about the innovations and success for which CA is known reach a wider audience than ever.
The new features and more point to the fact that the new website represents a major shift to a new education technology platform, Finalsite, which puts CA on par with other nationally-recognized schools, including the Pingry School (NJ), the Nueva School (Calif.), and Choate Rosemary Hall (Conn.). Finalsite allows CA to seamlessly integrate the school’s web presence with regular email communications, alumni and donor information, and the Admission process.
Finalsite’s Advantage Marketing Consultant, Emma Quigley, advised the CA Communications team throughout the yearlong design process. The road to launch began as she helped to lead candid discussions with groups of faculty and staff members, students, parents, and others, and continued while she shepherded a rich library of new content through the build and launch phases. According to Quigley, “Bringing the new Colorado Academy website to life has been a collaborative and energizing process. Every step of the way, the team has worked hard to create a beautiful, story-driven, and user-friendly site—one that speaks to a range of audiences and captures the true spirit and energy of the CA experience.”
The new coloradoacademy.org makes clearer than ever that CA is no ordinary independent school. Free-roaming mustangs in the website “footer” as well as design details across the site, such as the inspiring flame motif from the CA logo, nod to CA’s history and identity, reminding visitors of the adventurous spirit of possibility that is at the core of Colorado Academy.
“It’s been both inspiring and humbling to shape the digital expression of the CA experience—a place where students grow, explore, and discover their unique passions,” underscores Smith. “We can’t wait to share it with this community! Stay tuned for the official launch this spring, and a huge thank you to the CA Communications team and everyone who contributed to making this vision a reality.”