GVGA's Alignment with the Colorado Academic Standards

At Grand Valley Global Academy (GVGA), the mission to empower every student through whole-child education, creativity, and authentic self-expression aligns deeply with the Colorado Academic Standards for Dance.

Dance, as outlined in the Colorado standards, is defined as creative self-expression through human movement—a process that mirrors GVGA’s commitment to nurturing individual identity, emotional regulation, social connection, and critical thinking. Through dance education, students develop essential skills such as communication, determination, self-direction, perseverance, creativity, and teamwork—all of which are core to GVGA’s educational philosophy.

GVGA’s belief that learning should be experiential, exploratory, and centered around student discovery directly supports the four foundational standards of Dance. By embedding dance education into its whole-child model, GVGA not only meets but enhances the expectations of the Colorado Academic Standards, ensuring that students develop artistically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually in an environment where creativity, connection, and self-expression are celebrated.

Grand Valley Global Academy (GVGA) is deeply aligned with the Colorado Academic Standards for Drama and Theatre Arts through its commitment to whole-child education, experiential learning, creativity, and student empowerment.

Theatre arts are recognized as a universal force that connects generations, teaches life lessons, cultivates intuition and imagination, and builds personal responsibility—principles that directly reflect GVGA’s belief that students thrive when education nurtures their intellectual, social, emotional, and creative development.

At GVGA, students are encouraged to express themselves, connect with others, and explore complex ideas through multiple forms of communication, embodying the values emphasized in the theatre arts standards.  In short, GVGA’s educational philosophy transforms students into the very thoughtful, curious, expressive, and resilient individuals that the Colorado Drama and Theatre Arts Standards aim to cultivate—preparing them not only for academic achievement but for meaningful participation in society and culture 

By implementing a structured and standards-based music education, students continue the generational conversation and become fluent in the language of music as a manner of artistic, intellectual, and cultural expression. The acts of performing, creating, and responding to music provide a means for development and growth in the ability to express the otherwise inexpressible and to facilitate growth in many areas of academic development. 

Learning to read and notate music opens for students the limitless body of musical styles, forms, and repertoire, and allows them to see what they hear and hear what they see. The interconnections in music bring together the understanding of contemporary and historical cultures, as well as self-knowledge. Participation in music provides students with experiences and skills essential for success in the 21st-century workforce. 

Music nurtures creativity, innovation, and cornerstone life skills that will be the key to opening doors for a more diverse and competitive workforce. In learning music, students use critical thinking, self-assessment, reasoning, problem solving, and collaboration, and make connections in new and imaginative ways as they progress through their musical education. All of these skills prepare our students for higher education and the 21st-century workforce. These standards outline the knowledge and skills needed by all Colorado citizens to participate productively in an increasingly creative economy and innovative society. 

Through its student-centered, experiential learning model, GVGA ensures that music is not only an art form but also a powerful tool for personal growth, intellectual engagement, cultural appreciation, and future success—perfectly embodying the vision of the Colorado Music Standards 

Grand Valley Global Academy (GVGA) fully aligns with the Colorado Academic Standards for Reading, Writing, and Communicating through its commitment to building essential literacy skills, fostering critical thinking, and preparing students for real-world success.

A strong command of language—through reading, writing, speaking, and listening—is fundamental to academic achievement, social connection, and professional success. GVGA’s whole-child educational approach emphasizes language mastery as the gateway to higher-order thinking, creativity, collaboration, and self-expression, which are vital for navigating the complexities of the 21st-century global society.

GVGA’s philosophy naturally supports the key objectives of the Reading, Writing, and Communicating standards. By embedding literacy into every aspect of its learning environment, GVGA ensures that students are not only academically proficient, but also articulate, informed, creative, and resilient thinkers prepared to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

Grand Valley Global Academy (GVGA) aligns strongly with the Colorado Academic Standards for Mathematics through its emphasis on critical thinking, creativity, real-world problem-solving, and interdisciplinary learning.

Mathematics is framed not just as a technical discipline, but as a human activity of reasoning, interpreting, and creating—an understanding that mirrors GVGA’s educational philosophy of engaging the whole child intellectually, creatively, and socially. At GVGA, mathematics is not taught in isolation, but connected to meaningful, experiential contexts that prepare students to think critically, reason logically, and appreciate the patterns and structures of the world.

GVGA’s approach fully supports the three primary purposes of mathematics education.   

GVGA’s instructional practices encourage students to see mathematics as both practical and profoundly human—a bridge between logic and creativity, individual reasoning and societal understanding. This alignment ensures that GVGA graduates are competent, confident, and inspired mathematical thinkers, capable of thriving in academic, professional, and personal realms.

Grand Valley Global Academy (GVGA) aligns powerfully with the Colorado Academic Standards for Science through its commitment to critical thinking, inquiry-based learning, collaboration, and real-world application.

In today’s information-driven global society, students must possess the ability to analyze information, think critically, evaluate evidence, and apply scientific reasoning to solve complex problems. GVGA’s educational model prepares students to do just that, emphasizing scientific literacy, collaborative learning, and experiential discovery—ensuring students are prepared for postsecondary education, the workforce, and active citizenship.

GVGA’s approach fully supports the foundational goals of the Colorado science standards.   

Through interdisciplinary, experiential instruction, GVGA ensures students become scientifically literate, critically engaged citizens who are capable of solving real-world problems, leading innovation, and contributing meaningfully to society. 

Grand Valley Global Academy (GVGA) aligns strongly with the Colorado Academic Standards for Social Studies by promoting critical thinking, civic engagement, global awareness, and interdisciplinary inquiry—all vital for preparing responsible citizens and lifelong learners in a 21st-century democracy.

Rooted in the vision set forth by Thomas Jefferson and the founders of public education, social studies education is essential to developing informed, participatory citizens. GVGA embraces this foundational purpose by embedding history, geography, economics, and civics into an integrative, inquiry-based curriculum that fosters understanding of the human experience and prepares students to actively contribute to democratic society.

GVGA’s educational model fully supports the goals outlined in the Colorado standards.   

By providing meaningful, integrative, and challenging social studies education, GVGA cultivates thoughtful, informed, and empowered citizens who are ready to contribute to their communities and navigate the complexities of modern life. 

Grand Valley Global Academy (GVGA) fully aligns with the Colorado Academic Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education by promoting whole-child wellness, personal responsibility, social-emotional learning, and lifelong healthy habits.

Preparing students for the 21st century requires more than academic achievement; it requires cultivating physical literacy, health literacy, and emotional resilience. GVGA embraces this charge by integrating health and wellness education into its daily practices, helping students become healthy, self-aware, and engaged citizens who are prepared for success in school, work, and life.

GVGA’s approach directly supports the key objectives outlined in the Colorado standards.  By treating health and physical education as essential, interdisciplinary priorities, GVGA ensures that students graduate with the knowledge, skills, and habits necessary to lead healthy, balanced, and fulfilling lives—both for their personal growth and for the health of their communities  

Grand Valley Global Academy (GVGA) is strongly aligned with the Colorado Academic Standards for Physical Education through its commitment to whole-child development, health literacy, physical literacy, and lifelong wellness.

In preparing students for 21st-century success, GVGA recognizes that education must extend beyond academics to include physical, mental, and social well-being. Physical education at GVGA is integrated into daily practice, ensuring that students not only learn the skills for immediate health but also develop habits and attitudes that foster lifelong fitness, personal responsibility, and holistic growth.

GVGA’s approach directly supports the key objectives outlined in the Colorado standards.   

Through this intentional integration of physical education into the broader educational experience, GVGA ensures that students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and habits necessary to lead active, healthy, and socially responsible lives. 

Grand Valley Global Academy (GVGA) aligns naturally with the Colorado Academic Standards for Visual Arts by emphasizing creativity, personal expression, critical thinking, cultural awareness, and interdisciplinary learning.

The visual arts are recognized as an academic discipline rooted in critical inquiry, personal reflection, cultural history, and iterative learning—an understanding that mirrors GVGA’s commitment to empowering students to express themselves, engage deeply in learning, and develop a strong sense of self and community.

GVGA’s approach directly supports the core goals of the Colorado visual arts standards.   

By valuing both the personal and the collective power of artistic expression, GVGA ensures that students not only master artistic techniques but also develop critical, reflective, and empathetic perspectives—equipping them to shape and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the world. 

Grand Valley Global Academy (GVGA) aligns seamlessly with the Colorado Academic Standards for World Languages through its commitment to global competence, cultural understanding, multilingual communication, and interdisciplinary learning.

Language acquisition is not only a practical tool but a gateway to building respect, critical thinking, and cultural empathy—values central to GVGA’s whole-child, whole-world educational philosophy. GVGA recognizes that preparing students for success in the 21st century demands linguistic and cultural fluency that fosters global citizenship and personal growth.

GVGA’s educational model supports the major goals of the Colorado World Languages Standards. By empowering students to communicate across cultures and critically engage with the global community, GVGA ensures that learners are prepared to lead, connect, and thrive in a diverse and interconnected world.

Grand Valley Global Academy (GVGA) aligns closely with the Colorado Academic Standards for Computer Science by fostering critical thinking, innovation, ethical technology use, and digital fluency—all essential competencies for thriving in today’s interconnected and technology-driven world.

Recognizing the vital role that computer science plays in economic vitality, workforce readiness, and civic life, GVGA ensures that students are prepared not merely to use technology, but to create, understand, and responsibly shape it. This approach mirrors GVGA’s broader mission to empower students with the skills, creativity, and ethical grounding necessary to lead and adapt in an evolving global society.

GVGA’s educational model supports the major goals of the Colorado Computer Science Standards.  By integrating computer science into a broader, whole-child education framework, GVGA equips students not only with technical expertise but also with the creativity, ethical insight, and interdisciplinary skills necessary to lead in the 21st-century global economy