About Us

Welcome to Highlands Academy, where we are dedicated to providing a high-quality early childhood education experience for children in Downtown Denver and the surrounding areas.

Our Company

At Highlands Academy, we are dedicated to providing a nurturing and enriching environment for children to grow, learn, and develop. Our commitment to excellence in early childhood education is evident in every aspect of our program. From our progressive curriculum to our experienced leadership team, we strive to create the best possible learning experience for each child.

Our progressive childcare curriculum is designed to foster exploration, discovery, and critical thinking skills in children. We have implemented Experience Curriculum, a comprehensive research-based program that ensures children receive a well-rounded education. With a focus on confidence, creativity, and lifelong learning, our curriculum provides a solid foundation for academic and personal growth. This curriculum and your child’s journey is visible each day in your reports from the classroom.

 

Professional Educators

We are proud to have a team of experienced and passionate professionals leading our school. Our owner, Holli Martin, has been involved in early childhood education since 2004 and has a deep understanding of the needs of children and working parents. Holli’s dedication to providing top-quality preschools led to the establishment of Highlands Academy as well as Centennial Montessori, and Mountain View Academy, ensuring busy parents have access to exceptional educational programs and childcare in Denver.

 

In The Classroom

Our classrooms are designed to provide a safe, stimulating, and inclusive learning environment. Our school features 16 classrooms, catering to a total of 225 students. Each classroom is thoughtfully set up and equipped with age-appropriate materials and resources to promote learning and engagement. If it is our infant care classrooms, toddler classrooms, early preschool, preschool, or pre-K classrooms, we prioritize the holistic development of each child.

 

All-Inclusive Childcare

In addition to our exceptional childcare curriculum and classrooms, we offer ancillary programming that adds value to your child’s learning experience. Our all-inclusive program ensures that snacks and additional activities are included in your monthly tuition. We believe in providing a well-rounded education, and our ancillary programming includes enriching activities such as art, music, physical education, and more. These activities enhance creativity, fine and gross motor skills, socialization, and overall development.

 

Experience the Highlands Academy Difference

At Highlands Academy, we are dedicated to creating a supportive and welcoming community where children don’t just attend school—they truly thrive. Our commitment goes beyond academics; we focus on nurturing the whole child through a play-based, child-led curriculum that fosters creativity, confidence, and crucial social-emotional skills. This philosophy is brought to life by our passionate team of educators who partner with you, the parents, to create a consistent and enriching environment. We believe this strong partnership is the cornerstone of a successful early childhood education, building a foundation for a lifelong love of learning.

We invite you to schedule a tour and see this vibrant community for yourself. Witness firsthand how we offer exceptional education and childcare in Denver, from our gentle, responsive infant care to our dynamic, kindergarten-ready Pre-K programs. During your visit, you can explore our 16 modern classrooms, meet our leadership team, and learn more about our all-inclusive approach. Taking this next step is the best way to understand the unique, nurturing atmosphere we have cultivated. Come see why so many families have chosen Highlands Academy as the place for their child’s journey to begin.

Leadership Team

Meet our dedicated and compassionate leadership team, guiding your child’s educational journey with warmth and expertise.

Hannah Miller

Executive Director
Hello! My name is Hannah, and I’m beyond excited to be joining the Highlands Academy team! I’ve been working in Early Childhood Education for over seven years, bringing a deep passion for supporting the growth and development of young learners, along with a strong commitment to fostering a collaborative and positive school environment. I’m originally from Omaha (Go Big Red!) and attended Indiana University in Bloomington, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in media advertising. After graduating, I moved to Chicago and quickly rediscovered my passion for working with children. I decided to leave the marketing field to pursue a teaching opportunity, and once I realized early childhood education was my true calling, I returned to school and earned a master’s degree in early childhood education leadership. Since then, I’ve moved into administrative roles, serving as both Assistant Director and Executive School Director. I’m excited to help create an environment where staff, children, and families can truly thrive—a place where everyone is eager to be. My goal is to ensure that every family who walks through our doors feels confident that their child is not only cared for but genuinely known and loved. When I’m not at school, I love spending time outdoors and soaking up all that Colorado has to offer. You can often find me hiking in the mountains, skiing during the winter months or watching football. I also enjoy cooking and baking and am always on the lookout for new recipes—feel free to share your favorites with me; I’d love to hear them! I’m eager to connect with every member of the Highlands Academy community—students, families, and staff—and work together to create a nurturing, engaging, and inspiring place for children to learn and grow.

Trisha VanWagenen

Assistant Director
My name is Trisha Van Wagenen. I started at Highlands Academy in 2017 as an assistant in the Sea Lions room, in 2018 I was happy to be a lead teacher in the Giraffes. and my current role in 2022 on the administration team! I moved to Colorado the summer of 2014 from Chicago, where I lived for over 20 years. While in Chicago, I studied at Northern Illinois University and graduated with a Bachelors in Sociology with a minor in Family and Child Studies. Working with children has always been my passion. I have been in the field working with children of varying ages and abilities for 15 years. Teaching children is a very rewarding experience and brings me a lot of fulfillment. I am happy to be a part of the Highlands team and be a part of the shared passion of caring for our wonderful kiddos! In my free time, my husband, 2 chow chows, and I enjoy camping, hiking, and catching live music any chance we get!
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