Graland

Graland Country Day School, or simply "Graland", is an independent, co-educational day school in Denver, Colorado for grades Pre-K through 8 (as of 2012).^[1]

History

Graland was started by parents and teachers in 1924, and moved three times in three years to accommodate the growing number of children. The last move, in 1928, was to a location east of Denver, just beyond a dusty country lane known today as Colorado Boulevard.

The land upon which it is built was donated by Denver philanthropist Mary Dean Reed. The 7-acre (28,000 m²) tract was turned over to her friends and Graland founders, Dr. James J. and Ruth Porter Waring. Parent and noted architect Jacques Benedict designed the original French provincial style school building.

Miss Georgia Nelson became the school’s headmistress, and remained so for several decades. Her name graces the main building on campus.^[2]

Photo facing east of Georgia Nelson Building at Graland Country Day School in Denver, Colorado

Mission

From its earliest days, Graland’s approach to teaching has been influenced by the philosophy of educator John Dewey, who believed in “progressive education”, and an educational system adapted to the needs of children. Graland’s focus is on the whole child, and on development of a well-integrated, socially conscious individual who excels academically.^[3]

Location

In 2013, the campus was issued a new physical address by the City of Denver. While the location didn't change, the address was changed to 55 Clermont Street, Denver CO 80220. (The previous mailing address was 30 Birch Street, Denver CO 80220 -- now an obsolete address). Graland is in the Denver neighborhood of Hilltop, four miles (6 km) southeast of downtown Denver and ten miles (16 km) north of the Denver Tech Center.

Seven-acre campus of nine buildings; including a full-service dining hall, kitchen and servery; 32,000-square-foot fieldhouse; performing arts theater; three science labs, three computer labs, three art studios, four music rooms, three drama rooms; library with 32,000 volumes and 50 periodical subscriptions.

School song

Hail to Graland, day and night. Hail to the colors, green and white. Hail to the eagles in the sky. Keep our spirits flying high! This is Graland, here we are filled with honor and might. Determination takes us far Together side by side.^{[citation needed]}

Notable alumni

• T. J. Miller, ’96 - film and television actor and stand-up comedian.
• Margaret Hoover, ’93 - political commentator and strategist
• Rebecca Love Koulis, ’67 - former justice of the Supreme Court
• Scott Horsley, ’81 - member of the White House press corps
• Charles_Gates, Jr. ’34 - businessman and philanthropist
• Zach Heckendorf, ’08 - musician
• Dan Grossman, ’83 - attorney and a former member of the Colorado General Assembly
• Chris Romer, ’75 - Colorado politician
• Cary Kennedy, ’83 - Colorado politician
• James Galvin, ’66 - poet

References

External links

• Graland Country Day School, official website