By Karrie Meyers — Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Small groups were welcomed back to the Mile High Academy campus in July as their administrative and teaching team hosted a series of Math Lab sessions and athletic conditioning programs.

Math Lab sessions were broken down into four, one-hour sessions for fourth and fifth grade and also for sixth and seventh grade. Class size was limited to ten students to allow for social distancing requirements. The class structure was built around playing games, discussing patterns in concepts and learning math tricks, with attendees thinking like mathematicians and learning to overcome challenges frequently expressed when learning math. Students also had the opportunity to meet and welcome MHA’s VP of Academics, Michael Armstrong, who led the Math Lab sessions.

“Not only was the goal of Math Lab to get kids back in the classroom, but my personal goal was to make math fun and spark critical thinking,” said Armstrong. “I loved meeting some of the Mile High Academy students and seeing their smiling eyes, even though their smiling faces were wearing masks.”

The Summer Sports Conditioning and Skills Training sessions were offered for middle and upper school MHA Mustang enthusiasts. Volunteer coaches, under the direction of MHA Athletic Director Brady Tull, joined to give student athletes an opportunity to refine their skills and learn new ones in preparation for the Mustang’s volleyball, basketball and soccer seasons.

“Mile High Academy is pleased to announce that, although modified, we will be able to offer our student athletes a 2020-2021 sports season,” said Tull. “I’m thankful for the dedicated volunteer coaches who helped run the summer conditioning programs. It’s inspiring to see first-hand their passion for the Mustang athletic program. Together, it’s our desire as coaches to give the student athletes every opportunity possible to grow not only as athletes, but to also demonstrate Christian values through sport and play.”

The Academy is a member of the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA), which recently submitted a proposal to the Governor’s office outlining what sports could look like for the 2020-2021 school year. The Governor approved the proposal, which includes a shortened calendar, along with moving some fall sports to the spring. More communication regarding the start of the athletic season will be shared with the MHA community once plans are finalized.

–Karrie Meyers is communication director of Mile High Academy; photos supplied