Weekly Parent Update

Dear Williamsburg Academy of Colorado Parents,

This week, I’m excited to share one of the most impactful opportunities we offer Williamsburg Academy of Colorado (WAC) high school students—our Fall Teen Leadership Retreat hosted by Learning Brave. At Williamsburg, our mission is to prepare promising students for meaningful lives as principled leaders, and this retreat is a powerful way for them to live that mission.

Through in-person connection, students will practice our Elevated Ethics—building others up, serving, going first, and showing respect—while developing leadership skills and forming friendships and memories that last a lifetime. Many students have described Williamsburg leadership camps as transformational. But don’t just take my word for it, see for yourself in this USA Summer Teen Retreat recap video!

Spots are limited, so if your student is interested, I encourage you to learn more on Learning Brave’s WAC Teen Retreat web page and submit an application today!

Warmly,

Heidi Mitchell

Executive Director, Williamsburg Academy of Colorado

Announcements

Parent Mentor Conferences: Parent Mentor Conferences begin Monday, September 15, and run until Friday, September 19. Stay tuned for an email with instructions on how and when to sign up!

No Live Classes September 18: To accommodate Parent Mentor Conferences, there will be no live classes on Thursday, September 18. Please encourage your student to take this day to study and work on assignments.

WAC Fall In-Person Events: WAC is hosting a series of fall events for families across the state. Bring the whole family for food, fun, and connection! See details for each event below, along with links to RSVP:

Durango
Date: Friday, October 3
Highlights: Games, activities, and time to hang out with friends, plus food for everyone to enjoy!

Grand Junction
Date: Saturday, October 4
Highlights: Games, activities, and time to hang out with friends, plus food for everyone to enjoy!

Denver
Date: Saturday, October 11
Highlights: Bowling, arcade games, and more, with time to connect with friends, plus pizza and soft drinks for everyone!

Thursday Night Activities: Each Thursday, students can connect with peers and get inspired through our alternating events—Thursday Night Live and Inspiration Hour. These weekly gatherings are a fun way to engage with the Williamsburg community while fueling personal growth. The Zoom link can be found on the front page of your student’s Homeroom Canvas course. Encourage your student to join each week and make the most of these events!

Upcoming Events

Weekly (Monday through Friday): Pomodoro and Tutoring Study Lab (Check the WAC Hub for the Zoom link)

Monday through Thursday—1:30-3:30 PM MT

Friday—9:00-11:00 AM MT

September 15-19: Parent Mentor Conferences—No Live Classes Sept. 18

October 3: In-Person Event - Durango–4:00-6:00 PM MT

October 4: In-Person Event - Grand Junction–2:00-4:00 PM MT

October 11: In-Person Event - Denver–11:00 AM-1:00 PM MT

Please check the Parent Resource Center for links to view past Weekly Parent Updates, our Parent Video Library, and more!

Adventures course photos are available to view anytime in our  Google Drive folder—take a look!

Dear WAC Parents,

We’re so happy to have your students with us this year—it’s been a wonderful start to the semester! As we wrap up Week Two, I wanted to share a quick reflection:

With Labor Day ahead, I’m reminded of the importance of recognizing the value of hard work and perseverance, as well as the need to pause and recharge. At Williamsburg Academy of Colorado, our mission is to prepare promising students for meaningful lives as principled leaders. Part of leadership is learning when to lean into hard work and when to step back, reflect, and restore energy.

This long weekend is a great opportunity to do just that. I hope your family enjoys time together and that your students return refreshed and ready to continue building strong habits and growing as leaders.

Warmly,

Heidi Mitchell

Executive Director, Williamsburg Academy of Colorado

Announcements

Join us on the Fall Teen Retreat! There’s still time to apply for WAC’s free four-day Teen Retreat in Colorado, led by Leadership Mentor Ross Gilbert. Hosted alongside Learning Brave, a youth touring company, this retreat combines outdoor adventure, leadership growth, and meaningful connections for high school students. Space is limited, so be sure to review the details and submit your student’s Fall Teen Retreat Application today.

Safe2Tell Student Ambassador Opportunity: Safe2Tell Colorado—a statewide program that empowers students to be leaders in creating safe, supportive school communities—is now accepting applications for its Student Ambassador Program. This opportunity is open to current sophomores, juniors, and seniors who want to grow as leaders while promoting empathy, compassion, mental health awareness, and school safety.

The application window is open August 27-September 24. Encourage your student to learn more and apply through the Student Ambassador Application page.

Tutoring & Study Support: If your student needs help with math or language arts, has questions about another course, or would benefit from extra support, they can join our drop-in tutoring sessions offered every weekday:

Monday through Thursday - 1:30-3:30 PM MT

Friday - 9:00-11:00 AM MT

No sign-up is required. Students can access the sessions directly through the link in the WAC Hub.

Upcoming Events

Weekly (Monday through Friday): Pomodoro and Tutoring Study Lab (Check the WAC Hub for the Zoom link)

Monday through Thursday—1:30-3:30 PM MT

Friday—9:00-11:00 AM MT

August 29: Course Add/Drop Deadline

September 1: Labor Day—No Live Classes, Offices Closed

September 15-19: Parent Mentor Conferences—No Live Classes Sept. 18

Dear WAC Parents,

Our classes are officially underway, and we’re so excited to begin another school year with you!

At Williamsburg Academy of Colorado (WAC), our mission is to prepare promising students for meaningful lives as principled leaders. We do this by helping students take ownership of their learning, strengthen their character, and step into leadership opportunities both in and out of the classroom.

To help every student succeed, we follow our Rules of Engagement, which are showing up to class, participating respectfully, supporting others, and completing assignments with integrity. These are grounded in our Williamsburg Elevated Ethics:

Build: I build others because I want them to succeed. I build myself by doing hard things.

Serve: I use my time and energy for the benefit of others.

Go First: I am a leader. Leadership is making and keeping commitments.

Respect: I treat others with humility and humanity.

This week, please encourage your student to lean into these principles. Whether it’s contributing in class, helping a peer, or sticking to a commitment, every small action builds the habits and character of a principled leader.

We’re so glad you’re part of the WAC community. Here’s to a great year ahead!

Warmly,

Heidi Mitchell
Executive Director, Williamsburg Academy of Colorado

Action Items

Student Orientation and Benchmark Assessments: To gain access to their Canvas courses, all WAC students must complete Orientation coursework and Benchmark Assessments in Canvas. Orientation helps students get familiar with their classes, while Benchmarks allow us to personalize learning and improve our course curriculum.

If you or your student has any questions, please contact our Student & Family Engagement Coordinator.

Note: Your student will need an SIS login to complete these items. If they haven’t created one yet, setup instructions are on page 5 of the WAC Welcome Packet.

Announcements

August 29 is the WAC Add/Drop Deadline! Students have 14 days from the start of the semester to determine if they want to continue with, drop, or change a class. Please take note of this date as finalized schedules help students stay focused and on track in their classes.

Fall Teen Retreat Opportunity: There’s still time to apply for WAC’s free four-day Teen Retreat in Colorado, hosted in partnership with the international youth travel company Learning Brave. This unique experience blends outdoor adventure, leadership growth, and meaningful connection for high school students. Space is limited—see all the details and apply through our Fall Teen Retreat Application today.

Upcoming Events

August 29: Course Add/Drop Deadline

September 1: Labor Day—No Live Classes, Offices Closed

Dear WAC Parents,

The 2025–26 school year is officially underway! We’re excited to see new and returning faces in our Zoom rooms and look forward to joining your student on their educational journey.

As Mentors and support staff, our greatest desire is to support you in educating your students. Our mentors are licensed, well-trained, highly qualified, and they genuinely care. We focus on teaching students how to think, not just what to think, and know that working with you leads to the best outcomes.

We ask for your help in setting your student up for success this year. Research shows that students are more successful when parents are actively involved in their education. Below are four focus areas that can greatly boost your student’s success:

FOCUS #1: Help Students Create a Quiet Area for Class and Homework

A quiet, distraction-free area helps students focus during class and while completing homework in Canvas. Each live class is only 50 minutes long, so a dedicated space allows them to be fully present and get the most out of their learning time.

FOCUS #2: Encourage Note-Taking

Note-taking improves learning, concentration, and memory. Active note-taking during class and while reading deepens understanding and helps students recall material for out-of-class assignments. Encourage note-taking to become a habit by providing adequate notebooks and offering praise during your weekly check-ins with your student.

FOCUS #3: Establish a Regular Reading Routine

Our educational model centers on interactive classes, engaging discussions, meaningful projects, and the original works of history’s greatest thinkers—making reading essential. While not all students love to read, what they read forms the foundation for learning. Students are best prepared when they read in advance and take their own notes on the material. Spreading reading throughout the week, rather than cramming into long sessions, improves engagement and preparation.

FOCUS #4: Implement the 3-Step Parent Support Plan

We have seen great success from parents who implement the 3-Step Parent Support Plan with their student. Following this plan can positively impact your student’s learning and often turns parents into co-mentors in the process. When parents, mentors, and support staff work together, we can better ensure student success.

Thank you for partnering with us in your student’s education. Please reach out to your student’s mentors with any information that can help them better support your student’s success this year.

Sincerely,

The Williamsburg Learning Academics Team

Action Items

Student Orientation and Benchmark Assessments: To gain access to their Canvas courses, all WAC students must complete Orientation coursework and Benchmark Assessments in Canvas. Orientation helps students get familiar with their classes, while Benchmarks allow us to personalize learning and improve our course curriculum.

If you or your student has any questions, please contact our Student & Family Engagement Coordinator.

Note: Your student will need an SIS login to complete these items. If they haven’t created one yet, setup instructions are on page 5 of the WAC Welcome Packet.

Fall Teen Retreat Opportunity: WAC is excited to partner with Ross Gilbert, our highly rated Leadership Mentor from Australia, and his youth travel adventure company, Learning Brave, to host a free four-day Teen Retreat in Colorado for high school students! This one-of-a-kind experience blends outdoor adventure, leadership growth, and connection. Space is limited—see all the details and apply through our Fall Teen Retreat Application today. 

Announcements

Securly Reports for Parents: WAC is introducing Securly, a system that sends parents summaries of their student’s school computer use and flags any concerning activity. These reports help you stay informed and support your student’s online safety. If you receive a concerning report, our counselors have prepared a guide with the next steps and tips for supporting your student.

Tutoring & Study Support: Starting this Monday, August 18, all WAC students are invited to attend any drop-in Math and Language Arts Tutoring sessions, available every weekday afternoon. Students are also welcome to attend weekly “Burger” Catch-Up Days on Friday mornings. More details and Zoom links will be available soon in the WAC Hub.

Upcoming Events

August 29: Course Add/Drop Deadline

September 1: Labor Day—No Live Classes, Offices Closed

August 8, 2025

Dear WAC Families,

Welcome to a brand-new school year at Williamsburg Academy of Colorado! I’m so excited to welcome our new and returning families as we launch another amazing year together.

Our mission at WAC is to prepare students for meaningful lives as principled leaders. That starts by helping them take ownership of their own learning and supporting you in helping them do just that.

To start strong, please make sure your student completes their Orientation coursework in Canvas. These assignments are designed to help them understand WAC’s culture, learning expectations, and weekly rhythms.

Shifting to online learning can be a steep learning curve, but our caring staff and mentors are here to support you and your student every step of the way. If you need to connect with a staff member anytime this school year, please visit our Contact Us web page.

We also know how important parent involvement is to student success. That’s why we created helpful videos on our Three-Step Parent Support Plan to help you support your student in their learning. You can find those videos on our Parent Resource Center web page, along with a Parent Video Library full of short how-to videos and other helpful resources.

Thank you for choosing WAC. We’re honored to partner with you as your student builds character, confidence, and purpose this year.

Warmly,

Heidi Mitchell
Executive Director, Williamsburg Academy of Colorado

Action Items

Student Orientation and Benchmark Assessments: To gain access to their Canvas courses, all WAC students must complete Orientation coursework and Benchmark Assessments in Canvas. Benchmarks are used internally to help personalize your student’s learning experience and improve our course curriculum.

If you or your student have any questions, please contact our Student & Family Engagement Coordinator.

Note: Your student will need an SIS login to complete these items. If they haven’t created one yet, setup instructions are on page 5 of the WAC Welcome Packet.

Announcements

Parent & Student Back-to-School Night Recording: Our Parent Back-to-School Night was held on Thursday, August 7. If you missed this fun and informative event, you can watch the recording here. It’s a great way to get oriented, hear from WAC team members, and feel confident heading into the school year.

Tutoring & Study Support: Starting Monday, August 18, all WAC students are invited to attend any drop-in Math and Language Arts Tutoring sessions, available every weekday afternoon. Students are also welcome to attend weekly “Burger” Catch-Up Days on Friday mornings. More details and Zoom links will be available soon in the WAC Hub.

WAC In-Person Events: Starting in September, WAC will host in-person events at locations across Colorado. Stay tuned for more exciting details coming soon!

Upcoming Events

August 11: Special Education Parent Information Session–6:30 PM MT

August 11-12: Fall Semester Begins (Orientation Coursework Days/Study Days)

August 13: Live Classes Begin

August 29: Course Add/Drop Deadline

September 1: Labor Day—No Live Classes, Offices Closed