Denver Academy Middle School Styles Templates arrow The DA Difference: How We Teach & Learn From the Head of School Administration & Faculty Board of Trustees Employment Press Room Strategic Plan Campus Map Admissions arrow Why Denver Academy Apply to DA Tuition & Tuition Assistance Inquire About DA Visit Denver Academy FAQs Connect with DA Parents Academics arrow Elementary School Sixth Grade Middle School - Grades 7-8 High School - Grades 9-12 Physical Education Arts & Media Meet the Teachers Denver Academy Curriculum Athletics arrow DA Athletics Athletics Calendar Community arrow Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging Clubs & Organizations Counseling & Wellness DA Parent Association Online DA Spirit Store Distinctive Programs arrow Summer Program College & Transition Counseling Tutoring Library Elementary After-school Activities Experiential Education Denver Academy Symposium 2026 Give to DA arrow The Fund for Denver Academy Performing Arts Center Ways to Give Giving FAQs Denver Academy Gala 2026 Alumni News Calendar Non-Discrimination Policy Academics Middle School - Grades 7-8 Visit Inquire Give Middle School is for Metamorphosis Denver Academy’s middle school experience (grades 7-8) is different. We recognize that students are at a crossroads between their elementary and adult years and we are trained (and thrilled!) to help guide them successfully through this transition. When students graduate from DA’s middle school, they will have an increased sense of self and confidence, an enhanced range of academic abilities, improved social skills, and a readiness for high school and beyond as lifelong learners. Academics We anchor each child in a homeroom that meets their specific educational development needs. Students begin and end their day with a devoted homeroom teacher who engages them in literature, English, and character development, and also helps students hone executive functioning skills. Middle school students continue instruction in math and science and choose electives each quarter. Elective Classes DA Middle School students have the option to pick two elective courses per quarter. These cover a range of options, including classes provided by DA’s Arts & Media Program like art, music, theater, and photography; Physical Education Department offerings, including outdoor games, pickleball, and others; and students can also participate in competitive team and individual sports as electives through our Athletics Department . The exciting Campos EPC SmartLab (Science, Math, Art, Robotics, and Technology) elective course provides important STEM programs exploring software engineering, mechanics, computer graphics, and more. View the elective courses offered for the current quarter below. Elective Classes Learning Outside the Classroom Experiential Education — the act of learning through doing and then reflecting — is an integral part of Denver Academy's curriculum throughout the school year. Learning opportunities for DA Middle School students exist outside the classroom as well. Students engage in special studies weeks where they take a break from the regular school day and participate in a multiple-intelligence -based courses and enjoy our Experiential Education Immersives with cool options from international trips to local educational excursions like a foodies tour or a photography field trip the week before Spring Break. Middle school students get to enjoy several longstanding DA traditions like the Chili Cookoff, Washington Park Cleanup, the National Western Stock Show, and more. These participatory learning events further engage the minds of developing, active, and social middle school learners. Diversity Groups After School Clubs Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Meet the Middle School Team List of 12 members. Lori Hull Head of Lower School Read Bio Lori Hull has been at Denver Academy since 1984 and has served as the Lower School Head since 2004. During her tenure, she has taught high school and elementary school, worked as Director of Admissions, and coordinated the Elementary Division. Ms. Hull received her degree in Elementary Education/Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado. She thinks the best part of her job is getting to know our awesome students. Matt Dastin Dean of Middle School East Read Bio Mr. Dastin became part of the DA family in 1998. He first worked at the high school in what was then the Progressive Division and proudly helped create a much-needed jobs program. Matt was appointed Middle School Dean in 2004. In his tenure, he has shared a classroom with many interns and trained numerous well-qualified teachers. He sees the potential in each student and strives to make them all lifelong learners. Mr. Dastin earned his B.A. in English from St. Michael's College. Izzy Anderson Middle School Teacher Read Bio Ms. Anderson comes to Denver Academy after working previously as a middle school teacher at the Montessori School of Evergreen. She also served as the Critical Literacy/Ethnic Studies Teacher for Denver Public Schools’ PREP Academy. Ms. Anderson received her Master of Education in Language & Literacy from Harvard Graduate School of Education and is currently working on her Secondary 1-2 Certification from Houston Montessori Center. Charles Beckwith Middle School Teacher Read Bio Charles G. Beckwith is an avid fly fisher, chess player, and three-time winner of the venerable Denver Academy Chili Cook-Off. He should have won this prestigious award five times, had it not been for the furtive meddling of his good friend, and fellow middle school teacher, Mr. Green. He enjoys infusing civics, logic, critical thinking, and philosophy into his curricula. He graduated from the University of Colorado, Denver. Charles was the 2014 Denver Academy Teacher of the Year. Hannah Crawford Middle School Teacher Read Bio Ms. Crawford was a Denver Academy Teacher's Assistant for three years and is also a DA alumna. Ms. Crawford likes walking around her neighborhood and investigating some of the hidden gems Denver has to offer. She is excited for the return of football season but really can't wait for college basketball to start! She received her undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University of Arizona and is in the process of finishing a Master of Teaching in Special Education from Metropolitan State University of Denver. Ms. Crawford is excited to teach at DA and couldn't imagine a better place to work! Cece Duhamel Middle School Teacher Read Bio Ms. Duhamel aims to use her English background to instill confidence in her students and excitement into the classroom. Dancing and writing extremely deep poetry takes up most of her free time as she continues to explore the beauty of colorful Colorado. Ms. Duhamel graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a BA in Secondary English Education and a minor in Dance. Vanessa Fritzsche Middle School Teacher Read Bio In her career, Ms. Fritzsche has worked in a small, local Catholic school as well as large, urban, public high schools. She enjoys the smaller school setting that DA provides so she can work more effectively with each of her students. Ms. Fritzsche also co-chairs DA's Experiential Education Immersives program with her colleague Ashley Kelemen. Ms. Fritzsche graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a B.A. in Language Arts. She earned her M.A. in Secondary Teacher Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado, Denver. Andrew Green Middle School Teacher Read Bio Mr. Green has nearly a decade of teaching experience. He has also served as the Dean of Students and Director of Admissions at another Denver private school. During the summers, you can find him on the tennis courts at Hiwan Country Club Evergreen, where he works as the head tennis pro. Mr. Green earned his M.S. in English Education from Syracuse University. Mikaela Martinez Middle School Teacher Read Bio Ms. Martinez joined Denver Academy in 2019. Born and raised in Colorado, she loves to ski as well as play volleyball. Ms. Martinez has an affinity for photography and filmmaking. She is constantly inspired by her colleagues and students at DA and cannot imagine a more incredible place to work! She has a passion for making everyone around her feel seen and hopes to create a classroom where students can feel safe and excited to learn. Ms. Martinez earned her B.A. in Psychology and Public Relations from Coe College in Iowa. Lindsay Rogers Middle School Teacher Read Bio Ms. Rogers joined Denver Academy after teaching English in Madrid, Spain, for three years. She is passionate about creating a classroom environment where students feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. Ms. Rogers believes that learning should be meaningful and fun, and she is incredibly grateful to be part of the DA community. Her high school experience in Carbondale, Colo., ignited a deep love for the outdoors. She enjoys skiing, camping, running, yoga, and hiking whenever she gets the chance. Ms. Rogers earned her B.A. in Anthropology & Sociology and Spanish from Denison University in Granville, Ohio. She later received her M.A. in Bilingual Education from the Universidad de Alcalá in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. Joe Senne Middle School Teacher Read Bio Since 2005, students have loved having Mr. Senne as their teacher. Joe was lauded as the Denver Academy Teacher of the Year in the 2008-2009 school year. In addition to molding young minds, Joe coaches DA High School baseball and spends many of his summer days supervising—and having fun with—DA day campers. Mr. Senne earned his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado. Max Twarogowski Middle School Teacher Read Bio As a part of the team at Denver Academy, Max is excited and grateful to be working alongside and learning from the best, kindest, and caring educators in the country. Prior to working at DA, he was a kindergarten and third-grade teaching assistant at Graland Country Day School in Denver. Max is passionate about filming videos and capturing photos with his cameras, and loves being around his family. Find Us 4400 E. Iliff Ave. Denver, CO 80222 Main/Attendance: 303.777.5870 Admissions: 303.777.5161 General: info@denveracademy.org About Denver Academy is an independent private school for grades 2-12 located in Denver, CO. DA inspires and empowers a diverse group of learners through student-centered, differentiated, and transformative education. Sign Up for DA Dateline Monthly Newsletter Member