Prospect Ridge Academy

Earlier this month, Adam Wilk '19, a senior at the US Military Academy, returned to PRA to talk to students about his experiences at West Point. He was accompanied by his fiancée, Lauren Paredes '19, who will graduate from CU this spring. #AlwaysAMiner #PRAAlumni Read more about Wilk's experience at West Point and the couple's plans for the future on our blog at: https://pra-miners.org/2023/03/29/west-point-cadet-adam-wilk-19-ready-for-future-with-lauren-paredes-19/

Can crêpes be part of healthy eating? Of course! That was the lesson that PRA's 10th grade health class learned as they looked at the dietary guideline "balance meals with exercise." Working in teams, the students researched the calories contained in one crêpe and each possible topping, discovered why many calories one would need to be burn to equal those calories, cooked the crêpes, enjoyed the fruits of their labor, and then burned the calories with a preferred exercise. PE teacher Dr. Flo said it was a fun learning moment for the class who left with the skills of making crêpe batter from scratch, cooking, and even flipping the crêpes! #PRATeachingTuesday #PRAMiners

PRA middle schoolers celebrate their Pi Day successes at their annual Pi Day Assembly on Thursday. Seven students were recognized for reciting 100 or more digits of pi and will have their names added to the plaque displayed in the middle school. Sixth grader Ilakkia G. named 200 digits, which was the most this year. Rounding out the top digit winners were: Isaac F., 7th, with 105 digits; Ian S., 8th, with 101 digits; and with 100 digits, Nicholas D., 8th; AJ S., 8th; Itai S., 7th; Brayden E., 6th. The assembly also included teachers and administrators receiving pies in the face, a pie eating contest (won by Ms. Slocum), and more. #PRAMiners #PRAMiddleSchool

On Wednesday, PRA High School hosted its first High School Transition Night to introduce new high schoolers to the academic and extracurricular offerings of PRA. Thanks to all who participated and to our staff and students who helped make the evening a success! #PRAMiners

Congratulations to the PRA sophomores who competed at the Colorado National History Day Regional competition on March 4! The following students will move on and compete in the state competition on April 29 at CU Denver: Historical Paper: Alexander M., 1st place; Kyla E., 3rd place Group Documentary: Saige S. and Evelyn A. Individual Exhibit: Payton S., 1st place; Mae J., 2nd place; Maddie S., 3rd place Group Exhibit: Korinna C., 1st place; Emily J., 2nd place; Madysen J. and Brie S., 3rd place; Samara G. and Sierra B. Congratuations, Miners!

Earlier this month PRA hosted its inaugural PRA College Day. College admissions representatives from across the country and abroad gathered on the PRA campus to do presentations and meet with our students. The goal of this event was to help high school students learn about the variety of colleges and universities available to them. The representatives did classroom presentations and set up for the college fair.  It was an amazing afternoon for our students! #PRAHighSchool #PRAMiners

Curious black eyes peer out from the large aquatic tank in the classroom of Melanie Lostroh, the 5th grade reading teacher at Prospect Ridge Academy. Opal and Onyx, Lostroh’s pet axolotls, seem to smile at the classroom activity, inviting connection with the students. “Axolotls are often called water puppies,” Lostroh said. “They are kind of silly creatures and can be very engaging." Read more about 5th grade's experience with Opal and Onyx on our blog at https://pra-miners.org/. #PRAMinerMonday #PRAElementary

PRA's Ellie Kempfe, assistant principal/athletic director/HS girls head basketball coach, was recently named the Colorado Athletics Directors Association's Athletic Director of the Year for the 3A Classification. This recognition is given for outstanding contributions to Colorado Athletics and school communities. Congratulations, Ellie! #PRAMiners #PRAAthletics

The PRA Concert Band recently performed at the Colorado Bandmaster's Regional Concert Band Festival. It was their first performance at the festival. Congratulations to Mr. Galerstein and the Concert Band on their fantastic performance! #PRAMiners #PRAPerformingArts

In our Wednesday feature #AlwaysAMiner, we catch up with Tyson Anderson '18. Tyson is currently serving as a firefighter EMT for the city of Lafayette. He will graduate this spring with his degree. Congratulations, Tyson! #PRAAlumni ---- Class of 2018, we're excited to welcome you back on May 15 for your 5-year reunion! Sign-up now for the afternoon reception and an evening at Topgolf. https://my.cheddarup.com/c/class-of-2018-five-year-reunion?cart=538c7632-1da9-4c26-85ce-d17ef26fa52b%21%2147721990

PRA's middle school Science Olympiad team had a great weekend at northern regionals at Fossil Ridge High School. One of PRA's teams qualified for the state tournament at UCCS on April 1. Out of 30 teams, PRA had a second place finish, a third place finish, six more top 10 finishes, and four finishes just out of the top 10! Ethan and Jerod placed 2nd in Wheeled Vehicle for an AMAZING car they built. Dean and Nicolas finished 3rd in Bio Process Lab category. Our other top ten finishes include: Dean and Nicolas in Codebusters, Experimental Design, and Fast Facts; AJ and Luke in Bridge (which the organizers asked to keep the plans for because "that bridge is interesting") and Fact Facts; and Niha and Ilakkia in Can't Judge a Powder. Barely out of top ten were Ben and Chase, Roller Coaster; Dean, Storm the Castle; Luana and Lianna, Green Generation; and Niha and Ilakkia, Experimental Design. Congratulations, Miners! #PRAMiners #PRAMiddleSchool #MinerMonday

It's Staff Appreciation Week at PRA! The halls are decorated with staff construction-themed photos. Lunch this week is just one way staff will be celebrated! Thanks to our staff for all you do! And thanks to our volunteers who have made this week happen! #MinerMonday #PRAMiners

Congratulations to Isaac Felix '24 for having his photo selected for the Denver Month of Photography Teen Art Show! Isaac's photo was one of 63 images accepted into the juried exhibition out of more than 220 entries from across the state of Colorado. The show is on display at Red Rocks Community College today through April 1. #PRAMiners #MinerMonday #PRAHighSchool

Shout out to our students, Big Tony (a junior), Nicholas, C.J. and Z-Mo (all freshmen), who pitched in to help after a schedule change occurred last Wednesday (Feb. 22). When seventh hour PE class was moved to the Commons, Tony helped the custodian finish cleaning after lunch so the space would be ready for the students. Then Nicholas, C.J, and Z-Mo offered to help by taking the trash bins to the dumpsters. Dr. Flo and the custodian were impressed by the kindness and spirit of community these students showed. "I'm proud to be their teacher," Dr. Flo said. #PRAWay #PRAMiners #PRATeachingTuesday

Class of 2018, do you remember the first day of your senior year? It was the beginning of a year of memories. PRA is excited to welcome you all back on May 12 for your 5-year reunion. It will be a time to reminisce, catch up with each other, and play some Topgolf! Sign up today at https://my.cheddarup.com/c/class-of-2018-five-year-reunion?cart=407e8078-6379-4f92-9e56-91f454fad43f%21%2147069464&fbclid=IwAR2ADVtvdYIs0pNu1VNMwA8jB2EkWhJm87HQdM_HL7Bz2vUr-Ddz_CXdnmA And to all of our alumni, we would love to hear from you! Let us know about the exciting things that are happening in your lives by fulfilling out this form: https://form.asana.com/?k=ci-0jIwhmKVf26hOe6QDbA&d=9274223319534 #AlwaysAMiner #PRAAlumni

Congratulations to PRA's girls and boys basketball teams for qualifying for the 3A state tournament! The girls travel to Peyton HS on Friday, March 3, to play Peyton in the first round (regionals) at 3 pm. Winner advances to the Sweet 16 on Saturday, March 4, at 12 pm. The boys travel to Centauri HS on Friday, March 3, to play Banning Lewis Academy in the first round at 8 pm. Winner advances to the Sweet 16 on Saturday, March 4, at 1:30 pm. Both games can we watched on the NFHS network. Good Luck and Go Miners!

Last night Vidhura Kumar '23 was recognized as a Charter Champ and is representing PRA at the Colorado League of Charter Schools Conference this week. Vidhura is one of 30 high school students from across Colorado chosen to attend the conference and participate in the league's 2023 Advocacy Day. Students were nominated by school leaders and those chosen "both exemplify and promote the valuable role of charters in public education." The Charter Champs will have advocacy opportunities that include meeting with Colorado legislators, taking action for charter schools and participating in Advocacy Day. Congratulations, Vidhura! #PRAMiners #PRAHighSchool #ColoradoCharterSchools

Shout out to both the middle school A and B girls basketball teams! Both advanced to their final tournaments and finished second. Nice job, Miners! #PRAMiners #MinerMonday #PRAMiddleSchool

Today is the day that our 2nd through 5th graders have been looking forward to all year! It is the soft opening of the new playground with the area fully opening next week. The Executive Team of Elementary Student Council—with the help of April Wilkin, executive director, and Mr. Andrew, our project foreman from Taylor Kors—filmed a training video, demonstrating proper use of the equipment. #PRAMiners #PRAElementary

Madison Wicklein, an 8th grader at PRA, earned a spot in the 2023 University of Colorado Middle School Honor Band, which will perform Saturday, Feb. 25, at Macky Auditorium. Congratulations, Madison! #PRAMiners #PRAMiddleSchool Read more on our blog at https://pra-miners.org/.