8300 West 94th Ave. Westminster, CO 80021 | Tel: 303-431-3694 | Fax: 303-423-4388
25 Year Anniversary
More than twenty-five years ago, Woodrow Wilson Academy didn’t begin with bricks and mortar, but with a dream shared around a kitchen table. In 1999, a group of parents decided to take what they called a "responsible risk." They wanted a school that felt like home but challenged their children like a peak to be climbed—a place where the Core Knowledge Sequence could offer children a map for the world they were about to inherit.
When they finally submitted their charter application, it was described as "flawless," a description that still serves as a proud reminder of the excellence we aim for every single day.
Those founding parents poured their hopes into a Mission and Vision that continue to guide us twenty-five years later and now reaches further than ever: while we started with just 182 students,
we now support a combined community of 932—with almost 500 students in the traditional WWA program and nearly 500 more in our Home School Connection. Our founders envisioned a place where students would thrive both academically and socially, supported by a structured curriculum and a community built on mutual respect. Today, that vision remains unchanged: to join students, parents, and educators in an environment that nurtures, excites, and motivates children to learn, empowering them to become independent thinkers and responsible, productive citizens.
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If you walk through our doors today, you will see that while the world has changed, we have stayed true to those original goals. There is a quiet, rhythmic magic in the fundamentals, like the scratch of
a pencil as a student masters cursive, or the teacher-centered classroom that ensures that every child is truly known, heard, and supported as they grow. From the excitement of the second-grade Bug Play to the muddy, joyful boots of the sixth-graders returning from Outdoor Lab, and the wide-eyed wonder of our eighth-graders on the streets of Washington D.C., our traditions are the milestones of a childhood well-spent.
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While our academic foundation is strong, the true soul of WWA is the sense of belonging that nurtures a child’s confidence from the inside out. We treat technology as a tool, not a replacement for the spark of discovery, ensuring our students are ready for the future without losing the fundamental skills of the past. It is this balance that creates a space where students feel safe enough to explore who they are. We saw this clearly in a "techy" student who never imagined himself on a stage. Because he felt the safety found in the encouragement of a mentor like Mrs. Linton—whose belief in a student can bridge the gap between "I can't" and "I did"—he found the courage to audition for the middle school musical. By eighth grade, he wasn’t just a "tech kid"; he was a performer, discovering a voice he didn't know he had. At Woodrow Wilson Academy, we aren't just teaching subjects; we are nurturing the courage to grow.
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The heartbeat of our school has always been the way we show up for one another during the moments that matter most. In 2010, when our school family was hit hard by cancer, we asked ourselves, "What can we do to help?" That question led to the start of the Wright Cause Walk. For over a decade, this event has allowed us to walk beside our staff and families during their hardest moments. It is a living promise that if you need something, we are here. We walk beside you on your hardest days, celebrate you as you achieve, and support you when the lessons are demanding or life feels overwhelming. At WWA, we take care of each other and ensure that no one has to face a challenge alone.
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This quarter-century milestone belongs not just to the institution, but to the people who have grown alongside us. Jen Unruh has been a cornerstone of our community since our doors first opened in 2000, and this year, Heather Westman joins her in the 25-year circle. They lead a dedicated group of 'Decades of Service' veterans—staff members reaching 10, 15, and 20-year milestones who have made WWA their professional home. At WWA, we don't just hire teachers; we build a community that stays. This longevity is the ultimate reflection of our culture, as these familiar faces now welcome back former students who are returning to enroll their own children or even joining our staff to teach the next generation!
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As we turn our eyes to the next generation of Wildcats, we remain committed to the trail blazed by our founders. We continue to live by our key beliefs, keeping students our first priority and focusing on character just as much as academics. We believe that meaningful relationships are the foundation for learning and that parents are our essential partners in this journey. At WWA, no student makes the ascent alone. We are honored to walk beside our families every step of the way, helping every child become the best version of themselves.
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Happy 25th Anniversary, Woodrow Wilson Academy—we can’t wait to see where the next climb takes us!