At Colorado Academy, traditions are the heart of our community, creating lasting memories for students and families alike. One cherished tradition in the college office is the “Senior Star,” a decorated keepsake Seniors create each spring once they’ve committed to their college or university. These stars, adorned with the colors and symbols of their new college homes, are pinned to the sprawling college map in the college office, symbolizing the beginning of an exciting new chapter. To celebrate this transition, we’ve traditionally mailed the stars and a care package courtesy of the Alumni Office to our graduates during their first semester of college.
This year, we have expanded on this tradition by introducing Sophomore Star Day. With the shift to assigning college counselors to students earlier in their journey—beginning in the second trimester of Sophomore year—we saw an opportunity to break down barriers and build connections earlier in the college process.
On Sophomore Star Day, our Tenth Grade students are invited to visit the College Office, enjoy a donut or snack, and meet their college counselor in an informal, welcoming setting. During their visit, they sign their future “Senior Star,” which will stay with them throughout their journey, reminding them of the exciting road ahead and the support system behind them.
This new tradition reflects our commitment to fostering meaningful relationships between students and counselors.
In addition to our new tradition, we also celebrate new faces. We are pleased to introduce our newest Associate Director of College Counseling, Alex Castro. Alex joins us after working on the college side at the University of Southern California. After only four months on the job at CA, Alex is already an impactful member of our community. By bridging the gap between younger students and the college process, we hope to create a supportive environment that helps our students feel seen, inspired, and prepared. (Learn more: Meet Alex Castro!)
We look forward to welcoming the Class of 2027 into the college office and watching their stars take shape over the next few years. Together, we’ll continue to build traditions that celebrate the unique paths of each student in our community.