What we learned from the neon dance
Last week we wrapped up Homecoming festivities here at Colorado Academy, a week punctuated by athletic competitions, alumni...
Upper School Principal
Still in the woods but feeling new joy
When it comes to the pandemic, we know we’re still in the woods. Colorado Academy, like many schools...
After 18 years, one chapter ends and a new one begins
Editor’s note: This is Upper School Principal Dr. Jon Vogels’ 2021 Commencement speech, delivered on June 3, 2021,...
The roller coaster year
I’ve never been a big fan of roller coasters. Because I get motion sickness easily—even turning around in...
Launching Speech and Debate program during a pandemic
What does it take to launch a new program during a pandemic? In the case of Speech and...
Advice to live by: ‘Get a dog’ and ‘cultivate our lilies’
“What can we do to manage our children’s crazy busy lives?” That is one of the many questions...
Why teaching world literature matters
Many years ago, while teaching an AP English class at another independent school, I realized that my knowledge...
Appreciating the great outdoors
In my last article for On CAmpus, I mentioned that adversity brings out some unexpected opportunities. I noted...
How we’re responding to unprecedented times
Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year at Colorado Academy, one that will undoubtedly live on in our memories...
Dr. Jon Vogels’ parting words to the Class of 2020
Editor’s Note: This is the Commencement speech for the Colorado Academy Class of 2020 by Upper...
The more things change…
We all know how the rest of that saying goes, and I’m pleased to say it is proving...
Finding the perfect schedule
The COVID-19 crisis has hit all of us at Colorado Academy hard in the past few weeks. Amidst...
How College Admission has changed in the past 20 years
More than twenty years ago I transitioned from a history department chair position to a job in college...
Breadth vs. depth: What’s the best way to learn?
An inch deep and a mile wide? Or a mile deep and an inch wide? One of the...
The Mastery Transcript Consortium
You may have already heard about the Mastery Transcript Consortium (MTC). With recent media coverage in the Chronicle...
Helping students remember more
“Now class, this novel refers to a famous event in American history from the 1930s. Can you tell...
How can we best handle VUCA?
Volatility, Uncertainty. Complexity. Ambiguity. Collectively gathered into the acronym VUCA, these four words have come to define our...
Senior leaders bond at 10,000 feet
Over the mid-summer weekend of August 9-11, 23 eager soon-to-be Colorado Academy Seniors went to the High Mountain...
Fostering student agency
Student agency is an oft-used phrase in educational circles these days. More and more educational leaders are promoting...
The value of extracurricular activities
Most of us recall fondly our participation in high school extracurriculars. We may even think about our involvement...
This is why I like Admission season
Now that the calendar has turned to 2019, I am happy to find myself deeply involved in the...