Stories
A leader in learning
July 12, 2025
ACDS welcomes NEW Director of Curriculum & Instruction Bo Adams
Aspen Country Day School always looks forward—toward a future where joyful, confident learners are prepared not only for high school and college, but for lives of meaning and purpose. As we deepen our commitment to academic excellence, we are thrilled to welcome Bo Adams to a new role at our school: director of curriculum & instruction.
Bo is not just an educator—he is also a learner, an innovator, and a builder of future-ready schools. With a career spanning 34 years in education, he brings a rich blend of classroom experience, school leadership, and national thought leadership.
“What compelled me to start a career in education was a deep love of learning and working with children,” says new Director of Curriculum & Instruction Bo Adams. “What keeps me in education is a strong desire to inspire schools to be the learning leaders in society.”
— Photo from the summit of LaPlata Peak, July 2, his 20th 14er
This appointment comes at a pivotal moment as ACDS embarks upon a comprehensive curriculum initiative. The school always strives for continuous improvement, but readiness for a deeper dive into curriculum and instruction surfaced in the recent strategic planning process, in the self study that teachers drafted as part of our re-accreditation by the Association of Colorado Independent Schools, and with insights from visiting educators. In Bo Adams, Aspen Country Day School has an experienced academic leader to guide this important curriculum initiative.
A career rooted in innovation and impact
Bo’s educational journey began in independent schools and evolved through leadership roles at some of the most forward-thinking institutions in the country.
Photo with Third Graders at Mount Vernon School in Atlanta, talking about literal and metaphorical summits (hence the ice axe).
At The Westminster Schools in Atlanta, Bo served as Middle School Head for nearly a decade and co-founded the Center for Teaching. He later joined Mount Vernon Presbyterian School, where as Chief Learning and Innovation Officer, he led transformative curriculum development and launched the nationally recognized Innovation Diploma program.
Bo also directed the Mount Vernon Institute for Innovation and consulted with over 200 schools globally on reimagining teaching and learning.
His first inspiration came not in a school setting, but during summers spent as a counselor at Camp Sea Gull in North Carolina—an experience that sparked his passion for nurturing young people and embracing learning beyond the classroom walls.
A learner at heart
His core question is one that resonates deeply with the ACDS mission: “If school is meant to prepare kids for real life, then why doesn’t school look more like real life?”
Bo sees learning as a lifelong adventure. He reads widely, writes prolifically, and regularly shares his insights. He believes that the boundary between school and life should be porous — that school should feel real, dynamic, and purpose-driven.
Adventurer, educator, dad
Outside the classroom, Bo is an outdoor enthusiast who feels right at home in the mountains. “Moving to Colorado has been a dream for over 30 years,” he says. “Moving to Aspen has exceeded my wildest imagination. What a paradise to work in and live in.” He’s a passionate hiker, rock climber, mountain biker, kayaker, and skier. Since 2016, he has been on a mission to summit all 54 of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks—and he’s already checked off 20. He is also a devoted father to two college-age sons.
Thanks to philanthropy, a jump start on elevating the program
At most independent schools, new administrators begin work July 1. Thanks to support from donors who funded an early start for this important new role, Bo was able to arrive on campus in April 2025. He began work right away, getting to know students, teachers, and parents, and creating a work plan for the curriculum initiative.
Photo from the journey to Aspen, April 2025
With Bo’s leadership, the school is focused on honing a vigorous academic curriculum across all grades and equipping our faculty with the resources and professional development they need to continue delivering exceptional instruction. His role as Director of Curriculum and Instruction is central to shaping the future of the ACDS academic program and ensuring students are inspired, challenged, and prepared for what lies ahead.