News Archive

As part of their final year at Graland, eighth graders have spent the year engaged in Capstone projects tied to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. After months of research, writing, and service learning, students had the opportunity to take action through an individual Day of Service connected to their project topic.

In 2019, David Epstein wrote a book, “Range,” that I can’t forget. Maybe it is because it opens with the origin story of one of my favorite athletes, Roger Federer, and questions the whole premise of youth sports. Or maybe it is because it celebrates the powerful partnership between human ingenuity and technological tools. Those elements are captivating, but if I had to choose, it is because it introduced the idea of the wicked problem, a concept that has helped determine my vision of what attributes students need in the future.

Graland has been awarded the 2025 Jeffrey Shields Innovation in School Business Operations Award for its faculty Sphere Compensation Model, a unique system designed to reward teachers based on professional growth and impact rather than tenure. The prestigious recognition was presented on February 26 at the 2025 NBOA Meeting in New York City, where Head of School Josh Cobb and Director of Finance and Operations Juan Botello accepted the award on behalf of Graland.

For over two decades, Kathy Riley has been a steady and compassionate presence in the Graland community. As the Lower School counselor and a Graland Master Teacher, she has guided young learners with wisdom, warmth, and a listening ear. Whether helping students navigate friendships, manage emotions, or develop coping strategies, she is a trusted mentor. In this edition of “Cup of Conversation,” we sat down with Mrs. Riley to reflect on her journey, the lessons she’s learned, and the joy of working with Lower School students.

On April 17, Grade 6 students, families, and educators gathered for the Empty Bowls event—a culmination of the students’ year-long work exploring poverty, homelessness, and food insecurity. This was the first year the event was held during the school day and presented in a new format, giving guests a more immersive look at the sixth graders' learning journeys.

A lush, leafy aroma fills the halls of the Gates Middle School building—an unmistakable sign that it is harvest day for Graland’s fifth-grade students. Through the Tower Garden program, fifth graders cultivate more than just fresh produce. They grow knowledge, responsibility, and an understanding of sustainability and food equity.

The Freyer Family Climbing Wall at Graland has undergone exciting upgrades, enhancing its role as a core part of the Lower School PE experience. Thanks to the generous support of the Freyer Family and the Pam Bent Fund, the redesigned wall now offers students of all skill levels the opportunity to take on new challenges and grow both physically and mentally.

As part of their social studies unit on Denver, second graders got a firsthand look at how cities grow and change over time—and had a great time doing it! This month, students participated in "LEGO City: Denver," a program presented by the Molly Brown House Museum. Held in the Graland’s Library, this 60-minute experience was the perfect way to bring Denver’s past and present to life.

As part of their social studies unit, “Who Comes to Colorado and Why,” third graders have been exploring the many reasons people move to new places. This month, that learning came to life during the Grade 3 Human Library Event—an opportunity for students to hear firsthand stories from members of the Graland community who immigrated to the United States from other countries.

This April, Graland’s Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) joined schools across the country in recognizing the Week of the Young Child—an annual celebration of early learning, young children, and the educators who support them. Throughout the week, ECLC students participated in special activities designed to spark creativity, curiosity, and connection.

In a recent science lesson, fourth graders had the chance to examine the world through the eyes of another animal—literally! As part of their unit on animal senses and adaptations, students participated in a sheep eye dissection to better understand how vision helps animals survive in their environments.

Set sail with our Grade 4 students in their thrilling performances of Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon! Watch the recap video to relive the adventure as Jack and Annie embark on a journey filled with pirates, hidden treasure, and high-seas excitement.

On Wednesday, March 19, Kindergarten students took the stage for a vibrant and creative performance that showcased a special collaboration between Music and Movement, Tinker Time, and Library. Under the direction of Artistic Director Mrs. Tara Neeley, the concert was a joyful culmination of their learning, weaving together storytelling, invention, and artistic expression.

Grade 1 students recently brought their neighborhood study to life by designing and constructing a collaborative model. Led by their teachers and Lower School Innovation Specialist Elizabeth Leddy, students explored the key elements of a community, planned their own layouts, and worked together to build a vibrant, large-scale neighborhood.

Preschoolers recently explored the water cycle in the classroom with a cloud experiment led by Ms. Sara Flansburg. Using a heat source to represent the sun and a pan of ice water to mimic cooler temperatures in the atmosphere, students watched as water vapor formed, turned into droplets, and fell as “rain.” This engaging activity helped them understand evaporation, condensation, and precipitation in action.

Fifth graders in Mr. Mike Willis' history class recently put their knowledge to the test in a spirited Athens vs. Sparta debate. Divided into two teams, students represented the rival city-states, crafting detailed PowerPoint presentations that explored societal norms, warfare tactics, education systems, and familial beliefs.

This March, eighth-grade scientists in Mrs. Chen’s class explored the fascinating world of chemical reactions through a Reactions Lab. Students investigated five different types of reactions—single displacement, combustion, decomposition, synthesis, and double displacement—each demonstrating the transformative power of chemistry.

Community Day 2025 was filled with fun, connection, and meaningful moments! From Buddy Field Day and a special all-school drone photo to a masked singer competition featuring educators, the day was one to remember. Yoni Buckman, our keynote speaker, led a powerful discussion on courageous conversations, exploring how we can build understanding and foster responsible dialogue in our community. Check out the video to relive the excitement and inspiration of Community Day 2025!

As part of their social studies exploration of Colorado’s past and present, third graders recently stepped into the role of historians, researchers, and designers as they embarked on the Grade 3 Monument Project. Tasked with exploring the lives of important historical figures from Colorado’s past, students carefully selected individuals they believed deserved to be remembered.

Campus was alive with creativity and ingenuity on March 6 as more than 100 student inventors proudly showcased their original ideas at the 25th Anniversary Gates Invention and Innovation Expo. From problem-solving prototypes to imaginative new tools, students demonstrated their ability to identify real-world challenges and create solutions that make a difference. Judges, educators, families, alumni, and special guests engaged with the student innovators, celebrating their achievements and the spirit of invention that has been at the heart of this program for a quarter-century.

Horizons at Graland, part of the national Horizons program, provides valuable summer opportunities for public school students in the Denver Metro area. The program offers academic skill-building, engaging activities, swimming lessons, and field trips over a six-week summer session, with continued support throughout the year.

In Ms. Sarah Baldwin’s art class, first graders dove into the world of printmaking, starting by creating original drawings and tracing them onto foam boards. They then used ink rollers to apply ink to the boards and carefully pressed them onto fresh paper to transfer their designs.

A young inventor’s life is filled with many firsts: learning to walk, trying a handstand, going down the big slide on the playground. As parents and educators in charge of the growth of these children, we celebrate these successes. They are great moments, and if you were to ask anyone with a child born after the year 2009 (when the iPhone 3GS came out), they probably have a video recording on their phone of many of those “firsts.”

“What’s your problem?” It’s a bold question that sparks big ideas and even bigger solutions. For 25 years, this tagline has been at the heart of the Gates Invention and Innovation Program, guiding students as they turn challenges into groundbreaking inventions. Through this process, students develop innovative products, culminating in the annual Gates Invention and Innovation Expo, where creativity takes center stage.

In honor of the 25th anniversary of the Gates Innovation and Invention Program, we caught up with two of its thriving alumni—Matthew Crowley ’05 and Madison Rifkin ’12. Both have gone on to become leaders in their respective fields, each crediting the Gates program with helping to spark their passion for innovation and design. From entrepreneurial ventures to cutting-edge product development at Apple, their journeys reflect the transformative power of creativity, curiosity, and perseverance.

Giving birth to a new idea is difficult. Spawned from the depths of a young inventor’s imagination, a new idea is fragile, uncertain, and vulnerable to the peril of death by rejection: the natural demise of an idea that isn’t actually new, nor feasible. For an inventor in the Gates Invention and Innovation Program, this precarious condition is heightened through the crucible of a “green-light meeting.” 

At Graland Country Day School, we are committed to fostering a culture of creativity and curiosity that extends well beyond the traditional classroom. Through our dynamic innovation program, we ignite students’ passions, cultivate problem-solving skills, and instill a sense of purpose in their learning journey. This commitment to innovation is not confined to school hours but permeates our entire school community—engaging students, families, and even the larger community in hands-on, imaginative exploration. From collaborative design challenges to interactive family events, Graland’s innovation initiatives encourage every learner to think boldly, take creative risks, and apply their ideas to real-world problems.

It is hard to believe that only five years ago, we were celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Charles C. Gates Invention and Innovation Program. At the time, it felt like such an incredible accomplishment. Mr. Gates’ ambitious vision to inspire Graland Middle School students to become inventors, entrepreneurs, and innovators through a dedicated program was ahead of its time.

Graland’s third graders are taking on a beloved literary tradition: the Newbery Challenge. Beginning in January, students are introduced to the program, which encourages them to explore Newbery Honor books across various genres while deepening their love for reading and strengthening their comprehension skills.

In Mrs. Dodge's class, fifth graders used their math skills and creativity to design custom pillows for their first-grade buddies. They began by calculating the dimensions of the fabric needed and applying their knowledge of geometry to ensure everything was measured accurately.

In Ms. Sara Flansburg’s Preschool class, students had a blast learning about graphs during their math unit.

Sixth graders in Mr. Aaron Murray’s science class recently had the exciting opportunity to explore the energy stored in food through a calorimetry lab. With goggles on and alcohol burners in hand, students burned a variety of snack items, including chips, crackers, and more, to better understand how food contains and releases energy.

This month, third graders headed to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science with Ms. Elise de Geus and their classroom teachers as part of their Mars Rover and space exploration unit.

Graland eighth graders are gearing up for their class trip to the American South in early February, where they will explore key Civil Rights Movement sites. In preparation, students in Mrs. Katy Cooper's English class have been studying a series of impactful texts by James Baldwin, Martin Luther King Jr., and W.E.B. Du Bois.

Grade 1 students kicked off their neighborhood unit this month by exploring two key questions: "What makes a neighborhood?" and "How are people's needs and wants met in a neighborhood?" In class, students shared what they already knew and what they were curious to learn more about.

Each year, Graland seventh graders participate in a meaningful service learning unit focused on building intergenerational connections. As part of this initiative, students partner with A Little Help, an organization that connects volunteers with senior citizens to help them thrive and age well in their homes.

Watch this video to hear from Lower School Science Teacher Sarah Jackson about Grade 1's innovative Biomimicry Invention Expo! Discover how students were inspired by nature to create their own inventions.

Watch this video and check out the cool creations from the Grades 7/8 ICE (Innovation, Creativity, and Expression) Showcase this December!