2018 Call for New Quality Schools
For New Schools Intending to Open in Fall 2019 or Thereafter

Portfolio Management Team
1860 Lincoln St.
12th Floor
Denver, CO 80203
portfolio.dpsk12.org

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 Contents
An Important Message from the Superintendent ........................................................................................ 3
Quality Authorizing Process for New Schools ............................................................................................... 5
2018 Quality Authorizing Process Timeline .......................................................................................... 6
Equity across the DPS Family of Schools ....................................................................................................... 7
Considerations for School Developers .......................................................................................................... 7
Far Northeast Denver Considerations .................................................................................................. 8
Near Northeast Denver Considerations ................................................................................................ 8
Central Denver Considerations ............................................................................................................. 9
Southeast Denver Considerations....................................................................................................... 10
Southwest Denver Considerations...................................................................................................... 10
Northwest Denver Considerations...................................................................................................... 11
Districtwide Consideration.................................................................................................................. 12
Appendix A: Frequently Asked School Developer Questions about the Quality Authorizing Process ....... 13
Appendix B: The DPS Board of Education ................................................................................................... 16
Appendix C: New Schools Opened Since 2008-2009 and Approved Schools Not Yet Open ...................... 17

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 An Important Message from the Superintendent
December 2017
Dear Community Members and School Developers,
Just as the Denver Public Schools (DPS) is committed to strengthening our existing schools, we also
believe new schools play critical roles for students and families in DPS. Over the past 10 years, new
District-run and charter schools have helped us serve an increasing number of school-aged children in
our city, provide opportunities that encourage families to choose our public schools over private
options, and offer diverse models – from personalized learning to International Baccalaureate, from
college prep to Montessori, from STEM to athletic-themed programs – that support families in finding a
school that best meets their children’s needs and interests.
Importantly, new schools also have played a critical role in ensuring families have access to high quality
schools. Several years ago, for example, DPS made the difficult choice to replace Kepner Middle School
in Southwest Denver, after significant improvement efforts there did not result in the gains we needed
to see for our students. Through a community-based process, Kepner Beacon Middle School and STRIVE
Prep Kepner were selected to serve as new programs on the Kepner campus, and both now offer highquality schools for students and families.
New schools have and will continue to play an important role for families in Denver. And, we must be
honest that some things are changing in our city.
First, although Denver has been for many years the fastest growing urban school district in the nation,
we are now experiencing and will continue to experience significant decreases in the number of schoolaged children in numerous parts of our city. As detailed in this year’s Strategic Regional Analysis (SRA),
these shifts are being driven by numerous factors, most notably demographic changes, declining birth
rates and skyrocketing housing costs that are driving many families with school aged children out of the
urban core. Thanks to the hard work of community members who participated in the Strengthening
Neighborhoods Initiative, our family of schools now has a set of recommendations to help guide us in
this shifting landscape -- and build on important, new opportunities to create more integrated schools
for families and students.
Second, the Denver Public Schools – like all school districts in Colorado – works within a resourceconstrained environment. Colorado ranks near the bottom of all states – 47th in the nation – for public
funding of its public schools. Thanks to Denver’s taxpayers, who overwhelmingly approved and
supported new bond funding, we will have a finite set of resources to construct new facilities in the few
pockets of our city where the number of school aged children may increase in future years. We do not,
however, forecast a need for any new schools in those areas in the 2019-2020 school year; existing
schools will meet those enrollment needs.
Finally, and most importantly, our schools are serving students better; our students are growing more
than their peers across the State, and, in 2016-2017, we saw a single-year improvement of 4.7% in the
percentage of elementary students who met or exceeded expectations on CMAS English Language Arts
(ELA). DPS is committed to taking action when schools, despite our best efforts to improve them, remain
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 persistently low performing. And, under the Board of Education policy that guides these decisions, DPS
has not identified any schools for restart and replacement this year due to performance concerns.
This is not to say that all is well and good. As our community-designed strategic plan, Denver Plan 2020,
establishes, our fundamental goal is: “By 2020, 80% of DPS students will attend a high-performing
school, measured by region using the district’s school performance framework.” On that measure, we
have a very long way to go. Thirty-five thousand students in Denver still attend schools that are not yet
meeting expectations for performance. The Denver Plan also reminds us that, to meet our goal, we must
“expand high-quality school choices in all communities through differentiated supports for existing
schools, new school strategies, turnaround efforts and strong accountability systems.”
Historically, DPS has used the Call for New Quality Schools to identify specific needs for new schools in
our city, for which the District would provide facilities to schools that best met those needs. Because
DPS has a responsibility to target our limited public resources to the most acute needs of students in our
city, we define needs for new schools on the basis of enrollment growth and restart conditions. Given
current conditions, DPS is not making the promise of facility support in this year’s Call for New Quality
Schools.
We simultaneously recognize the important roles new schools have played and can continue to play for
our students and families, as well as our responsibility under Colorado law to consider new school
applications annually. The 2018 Call for New Quality Schools introduces the rigorous Quality Authorizing
Process DPS offers for developers of new District-run and charter schools and provides important
contextual information that we encourage school developers and community partners to consider as
they design new programs.
I thank you for your commitment to Denver’s students and families.

Sincerely,

Tom Boasberg
Superintendent, Denver Public Schools

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 Quality Authorizing Process for New Schools
The DPS Quality Authorizing Process follows best practice and guidance established by the DPS Board of
Education, State Board of Education, and National Association of Charter School Authorizers. DPS utilizes
“a comprehensive application process that includes clear application questions and guidance; follows
fair, transparent procedures and rigorous criteria; engages parents and external experts in the review of
applications;” and only approves “applicants who demonstrate a strong capacity to establish and
operate a quality [] school.”
Importantly, the DPS Quality Authorizing Process is open to all school developers, District-run and
charter, in alignment with our commitment to equity across school types.




A District-run school is a public school with a governance structure directly connected to DPS.
Its employees are employees of the District. A District-run school may seek flexibilities around
its mission, curriculum staffing terms, schedule and other fundamental aspects of their school
design. Depending on the type of flexibilities that the school requires in order to implement its
program, the school may later seek Innovation Status under the terms of the Innovation Schools
Act.
A charter school is a public school that is incorporated as a non-profit organization and that is
overseen by the governing board of the non-profit organization. The governing board of the
nonprofit organization holds a contract with the DPS Board of Education to operate the school.
Charter schools are publicly funded, do not charge tuition and are open to the public without
discrimination or selective criteria.

The Quality Authorizing Process includes:
1) Review of a written application against a public rubric that defines quality standards
All school developers seeking to open a new school in Denver must submit a letter of intent and a
written application on the timelines established by DPS. An Application Review Team (ART), comprised
of internal and external experts, including parents/guardians, then evaluate applications against a
publicly available rubric. The DPS rubric emphasizes excellence in School Culture, Teaching, Leadership,
Education Program, and Governance/Finance and seeks to ensure a proposed new school has strong
plans in place in each area, the capacity to execute with excellence and is thus likely to serve students
well from Day One. The work of the ART is confidential and deliberative, as it supports deliberations of
the Superintendent in delivering a recommendation and body of evidence to the DPS Board of
Education.
In the case of charter schools, applications also are reviewed by the District Accountability Committee
(DAC), as is required by State law. The DAC makes an independent recommendation to approve or deny
an application directly to the DPS Board of Education. Learn more about the DAC here.
The ART and, in the case of charters, the DAC will schedule an interview with each applicant. The
purposes of this interview are to ensure applicants can speak fully to their applications and answer
clarifying questions reviewers may have. The interview is not an opportunity to introduce new evidence
or make “verbal changes” to the written application.
School developers and community members can find DPS’s new school application and rubric online.

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 2) Feedback from community members
The new school application and rubric include important criteria related to community engagement in
the development of an application and opportunities to present evidence of family support for the
proposed new school. Applicants are responsible for engaging community and families and for
meeting or exceeding the related standards defined in the application and rubric.
To support the DPS Board of Education in making the ultimate determination to approve or deny a new
school application, however:
1. DPS staff will host open meetings in each region of the city for which new schools are being
proposed. Applicants will be asked to present at these meetings. DPS will promote these
meetings broadly and collect feedback from community members on applicants. The
Superintendent will include this community feedback as part of the body of evidence put
forward to the DPS Board of Education with the recommendation.
2. The DPS Board of Education will host a Public Comment session as part of its normal meeting
schedule, during which stakeholders may provide testimony regarding new school applicants
directly to Board members.
3) A public vote by the DPS Board of Education
Before casting votes to approve or deny a new school, the DPS Board of Education will consider the
quality recommendation and body of evidence from the Superintendent, the recommendation of the
DAC (in the case of charter schools), and public testimony. Applicants also will have the opportunity to
present directly to the DPS Board of Education before votes are cast.

2018 Quality Authorizing Process Timeline
This timeline is subject to change, based on the number of applications received and any unanticipated
events that might require adjustments. To stay informed of any changes to the timeline or to request
more information, please contact Jack Becker, DPS’s Manager of School Development.
Item
Call Document Released
Application and Rubric Released
Supplemental Application and Rubric Materials
Released for TNLI programming
Letters of Intent Due
New School Applications Due
Application Reviews & Applicant Interviews
District Sponsored Community Events
Superintendent Recommendations to DPS Board
of Education
DAC Recommendations to DPS Board of Education
Applicant Presentations to DPS Board of Education
Public Comment with DPS Board of Education
DPS Board of Education Vote

Dates
December 21, 2017
December 21, 2017
No later than January 19, 2018
February 9, 2018
April 2, 2018
April 16-May 2, 2018
April 16-27, 2018
May 10, 2018
May 10, 2018
May 10, 2018
May 14, 2018
May 17, 2018

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 Equity across the DPS Family of Schools
All DPS schools, regardless of governance type, have the same responsibility to serve all students and
are held accountable in equitable ways. Denver refers to this commitment to equity across our family of
schools as the “Three Equities”:
1. Equity of Opportunity means that the schools have access to equitable resources, most notably
funding, support services from DPS and available facilities. (As Superintendent Boasberg
established in his opening letter, no facilities are designated as available through the 2018 Call
for New Quality Schools.)
2. Equity of Responsibility and Access means that all schools must offer equitable and open access
to all students--regardless of socio-economic status, disability, home language or other status -and share an equal obligation in District-wide responsibilities, such as:
 Access for students with more severe disabilities. Although these students historically
lacked access to charter schools, numerous DPS charter schools now operate center
programs to serve students with more significant disabilities, and such service is an
expectation for all new schools.
 Enrollment practices. All DPS schools use a common enrollment system, SchoolChoice,
which helps to ensure families have equitable access to all schools in the city. In
addition, charter contracts document shared expectations around other enrollment
issues, most notable serving students who do not participate in the Choice process (i.e.,
those who move in mid-year.)
3. Equity of Accountability refers to the shared accountability system that applies to all schools
through the School Performance Framework and the School Performance Compact. This system
ensures a common set of expectations for academic performance across our family of schools.
DPS especially encourages first-time charter school developers or charter school developers from
outside Denver to review recent DPS charter contracts, available on BoardDocs, to better understand
what it means to be a charter school in Denver.

Considerations for School Developers
As Superintendent Boasberg established in his opening letter, no facilities are designated as available
through the 2018 Call for New Quality Schools, although facilities may become available in future Call
cycles to support enrollment growth or restart needs that may emerge.
In alignment with State law and DPS Board of Education policy, the Superintendent will recommend
approval of new school applications that meet quality standards established in DPS’s Quality Authorizing
Process to the DPS Board of Education. All applicants, District-run and charter, that are approved by the
DPS Board of Education through the Quality Authorizing Process may participate in future community
matching processes to be placed in an available District facility through future Call processes and under
the terms of the Board’s Facility Allocation Policy. (See Appendix C for a listing of previously approved
schools that have not yet opened.) Under State law, an approved charter school may open in a private
facility that is appropriate for a public school.

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 As school developers work with community to design proposed programs, we encourage all parties to
consider the full findings of the Strategic Regional Analysis, summarized and amended below.

Far Northeast Denver Considerations
Overall Enrollment: Far Northeast (“FNE”) Denver has been home to among the fastest growing
populations of school-aged children in our city since 2012, yet growth is forecasted to stall going
forward. Gateway will experience growth, but projected declines in Montbello and Green Valley Ranch
will offset those gains at the regional level. When comparing the total number of forecasted resident
students to the existing school capacity in the Far Northeast, there is a surplus of roughly 1800 seats;
most of this excess capacity is at the high school level.
Performance Analysis: The percent of FNE students attending a school that meets or exceeds
expectations on the School Performance Framework (SPF) increased considerably in 2017, yet still falls
short of the Denver Plan goal of 80%. In 2017, 48% of students in the region attended a blue or green
school, compared to 31% in 2016. This rate is higher (50%) at elementary and middle school levels,
compared to 46% of students at the high school level.
Other Notes:








Academic Gaps: 74% of FNE students are attending a school that met or exceeded expectations
on the 2017 SPF’s academic gaps indicator, which measures performance and growth of
historically underserved student groups, including English language learners, students with
disabilities, students in poverty and students of color.
Choice Opportunity: FNE has numerous options at each grade level and is moving towards
increased choice with the introduction of two new enrollment zones at the elementary level
beginning in 2018-19, as well as the opening of a new DSST Middle School at the Noel campus.
The region has generally high match rates; in 2017, 91% of students at transition grades were
matched with their first or second choice of schools. This was lower at middle school, due
largely to an imbalance in popularity of area programs.
Feeder Patterns: Many of the most popular secondary programs in FNE offer services from 6th
through 12th grades, which has limited students matriculating into standalone high schools in
the region. The addition of a middle school program at McGlone Academy, however, is
expected to help address this problem moving forward.
Integration & Inclusion: FNE currently has transportation and enrollment conditions that may
support applicants pursuing an integrated and inclusive school model. FNE currently has a
middle school and high school enrollment zone, and DPS plans to form two new elementary
school enrollment zones for the Gateway and Green Valley Ranch neighborhoods, effective for
2018-19. In addition, DPS operates the Success Express Shuttle in FNE. Success Express features
a fleet of DPS buses that circulate through Far Northeast neighborhoods and offer students
across grade levels three opportunities before and after school to catch a ride to schools and
other trusted locations located along the route.

Near Northeast Denver Considerations
Overall Enrollment: Near Northeast (“NNE”) Denver is forecasted to have the most growth in the
number of school-aged children in coming years, particularly at the elementary level. This growth is
driven largely by the Stapleton community, while growth is slowing in Park Hill and surrounding
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 neighborhoods. In fact, there is currently significant excess elementary capacity in North Park Hill, and
growth at the middle and high school levels is expected to slow due. Planned openings, most notably of
Inspire Elementary and a new DSST High School at the Sandoval campus, are expected to be sufficient to
meet enrollment needs in the near future.
Performance Analysis: The percent of NNE students attending a school that meets or exceeds
expectations on the School Performance Framework (“SPF”) increased considerably in 2017 and almost
met the Denver Plan goal of 80%. In 2017, 77% of students in the region attended a blue or green
school, compared to 66% in 2016. This rate was highest, 86%, at elementary school compared to 76% at
middle and 58% at high school.
Other Notes:







Academic Gaps: 77% of NNE students are attending a school that met or exceeded expectations
on the 2017 SPF’s academic gaps indicator, which measures performance and growth of
historically underserved student groups, including English language learners, students with
disabilities, students in poverty and students of color.
Choice Opportunity: NNE has numerous options at each grade level, with enrollment zones in
much of the region at the elementary and middle school levels. The region generally has had
match rates amongst the highest in the city; in 2017 92% of students at transition grades were
matched with their 1st or second choice. This is largely due to the variety of high performing
options and the rapid expansion of McAuliffe to meet interest.
Feeder Patterns: No issues identified.
Integration & Inclusion: NNE currently has enrollment conditions that may support applicants
pursuing an integrated and inclusive school model. NNE currently has an elementary school and
middle school enrollment zone.

Central Denver Considerations
Overall Enrollment: Central Denver is forecasted to experience considerable declines in the number of
school aged children in coming years. This region already has the largest surplus of available seats in the
city, most notably at the elementary level.
Performance Analysis: The percent of students in Central Denver attending a blue or green school
remained relatively constant from 2016 to 2017 and far off the Denver Plan goal of 80%. In 2017, 53%
of students in the region attended a blue or green school, compared to 52% in 2016.
Other Notes:






Academic Gaps: 53% of Central Denver students are attending a school that met or exceeded
expectations on the 2017 SPF’s academic gaps indicator, which measures performance and
growth of historically underserved student groups, including English language learners, students
with disabilities, students in poverty and students of color.
Choice Opportunity: Match rates are high in this region due to the excess of seats. The
addition of an elementary enrollment zone will likely increase choice participation. There are
also multiple options available at all grade levels.
Feeder Patterns: No issues identified.
Integration & Inclusion: Central Denver currently has transportation and enrollment conditions
that may support applicants pursuing an integrated and inclusive school model. Central Denver
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 currently has a middle school enrollment zone, and DPS plans to form a new elementary school
enrollment zone to include Five Points, Cole, Whittier and City Park West, effective for 2018-19.
In addition, DPS operates the Success Express Shuttle in Central Denver. Success Express
features a fleet of DPS buses that circulate through Central Denver neighborhoods and offer
students across grade levels three opportunities before and after school to catch a ride to
schools and other trusted locations located along the route.

Southeast Denver Considerations
Overall Enrollment: Southeast Denver (“SE”) is expected to have an increasing number of school aged
children in coming years, and current capacity should be sufficient to meet these needs. Enrollment
growth is forecasted due to the turnover of single family homes to younger families and the affordability
of rental units in some areas of the region.
Performance Analysis: The percent of SE students attending a school that meets or exceeds
expectations on the School Performance Framework (“SPF”) increased in 2017 and was close to Denver
Plan goal of 80%. In 2017, 71% of students in the region attended a blue or green school, compared to
67% in 2016. Much of this strong performance is driven by high quality elementary schools; 92% of
elementary students attend a blue or green schools, compared to only 50% at middle school and 45% at
high school.
Other Notes:







Academic Gaps: 71% of SE students are attending a school that met or exceeded expectations
on the 2017 SPF’s academic gaps indicator, which measures performance and growth of
historically underserved student groups, including English language learners, students with
disabilities, students in poverty and students of color.
Choice Opportunity: There are high match rates in the region, particularly at the elementary
and high school levels. However, there are low Choice participation rates at middle and high
school levels, due to the limited choice options. There are only four middle schools and three
high schools in the region with no enrollment zones at these grade levels.
Feeder Patterns: No issues identified.
Integration & Inclusion: SE currently has enrollment conditions that may support applicants
pursuing an integrated and inclusive school model. SE currently has an elementary enrollment
zone in a small geographic portion of the region.

Southwest Denver Considerations
Overall Enrollment: In Southwest Denver (“SW”), current capacity is generally aligned with enrollment;
however, the number of school-aged children is expected to decline, as the cost of living rises in the
region. This will create excess capacity. These declines are expected to be largest at the elementary
level, which already has some excess capacity.
Performance Analysis: SW Denver schools saw the largest increases in SPF performance from 2016 to
2017 and are now close to the Denver Plan Goal of 80% of students in blue or green seats. In 2017, 70%
of students in the region attended a blue or green school, compared to 44% in 2016. This rate was
highest at elementary, 89%, and large strides remain to be made at the middle and high school levels,
where 64% and 36% of students attend a blue or green school, respectively.
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 Other Notes:








Academic Gaps: 78% of SW students are attending a school that met or exceeded expectations
on the 2017 SPF’s academic gaps indicator, which measures performance and growth of
historically underserved student groups, including English language learners, students with
disabilities, students in poverty and students of color.
Choice Opportunity: There are multiple choice options in SW Denver, and zone structures at the
middle school level to support this. Match rates were high at 95%, although participation is low
at the high school level given that options are largely either 6-12 programs or two boundary
high schools.
Feeder Patterns: Many of the most popular secondary programs in SW are 6-12s, which has
limited students matriculating into standalone high schools in the region. In addition, there are
two middle schools designed to be 6-12 programs ultimately without facilities for their high
school programs currently.
Integration & Inclusion: Southwest currently has enrollment conditions that may support
applicants pursuing an integrated and inclusive school model. Southwest currently has access to
two middle school enrollment zones, with portions of the region also accessing a high school
enrollment zone.

Northwest Denver Considerations
Overall Enrollment: Northwest Denver (“NW”) currently has significant excess capacity, which is
forecasted to worsen as the number of school aged children continues to decline, although more slowly
than in recent years. Surpluses are most concentrated at the elementary level.
Performance Analysis: The percent of NW students attending a school that meets or exceeds
expectations on the School Performance Framework (“SPF”) declined in 2017 and is the lowest in the
city, far from the Denver Plan goal of 80%. In 2017, 36% of students in the region attended a blue or
green school, compared to 41% in 2016. This rate was highest at elementary schools, but still only at
44%, compared to less than 30% at the secondary level.
Other Notes:







Academic Gaps: 29% of NW students are attending a school that met or exceeded expectations
on the 2017 SPF’s academic gaps indicator, which measures performance and growth of
historically underserved student groups, including English language learners, students with
disabilities, students in poverty and students of color.
Choice Opportunity: NW has the highest SchoolChoice match rates in the city (95%), but also
has low participation rates due to the popularity of default schools. This is most evidenced at
the high school level, where North High School is the boundary high school for much of the
region and the likely option for students in this portion of the region not attending the STRIVE
Middle Schools.
Feeder Patterns: No issues identified
Integration: NW currently has enrollment conditions that may support applicants pursuing an
integrated and inclusive school model. NW currently has access to three middle school
enrollment zones, with portions of the region also accessing a high school enrollment zone.

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 Districtwide Consideration
DPS is currently examining the continuum of services it offers for students with significant social and
emotional disabilities and possible steps DPS may need to take to improve and expand our offerings to
better support these students across our city. Although that analysis is not yet complete, we know that,
should the final analysis indicate that a new program is needed, authorizing such a program would
necessarily include specialized factors not embedded in DPS’s standard Quality Authorizing Process.
Educators, school developers and community partners who want to get involved are encouraged to
contact Eldridge Greer, DPS’s Associate Chief of Student Equity and Opportunity.

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 Appendix A: Frequently Asked School Developer Questions about the
Quality Authorizing Process
Where do I find the new school applications and rubrics?
Right here. Please note that if you are seeking to operate a Native Language Instruction/Transitional
Native Language Instruction program, there will be supplemental materials released no later than
January 19th, 2018; this supplement will also be ported on our website.

Wow. The new school applications and rubrics cover a lot. Do you really need all of this?
Yes, we really do -- per statute and/or DPS Board policy. Most importantly, we must ensure your
proposed school will serve students well on day one.

Wow. The application and standards of quality cover a lot. Does DPS provide any support?
We do! We offer a series of workshops, webinars, screencasts and office hours for prospective
applicants, designed to:
●
●

provide relevant information and ensure all applicants have equitable access to information
regarding the Call for New Quality Schools (CNQS) process
improve the overall quality of applications received by clarifying expectations

Applicant supports and additional resources for prospective applicants can be found on our website.
We also strongly encourage charter applicants to connect with the Colorado League of Charter Schools
for application development supports.

What are some common missteps in applications?
We cover a lot of this in the workshops, and, generally speaking, the best proposals are designed around
student needs, demonstrate strong demand and community involvement, and offer exemplary
approaches to teaching, leadership, educational program, school culture, and governance.

Why do you want a letter of intent? Is it binding?
Knowing how many applications we may receive helps us plan and coordinate each step in the quality
review process. The letter of intent is not binding; if your team later decides not to submit a proposal
after submitting a letter of intent, that’s OK.

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 What is an “Application Review Team”? How do they assess a proposal’s quality?
Teams of 10-12 internal and external experts vet all new school proposals. We call these teams
“Application Review Teams” (ARTs). ARTs generally include a parent/guardian from the region the
proposed school aims to serve, an external consultant, and experts in English Language Acquisition,
Special Education, curriculum and instruction, as well as legal, finance, governance, human resources
and other areas. In making assessments about an application’s quality, all members of ARTs use the
standards of quality embedded in each section of the publically available application materials.

What can we expect in the applicant interview?
A smaller group from the ART will ask a standard set of questions, along with any clarifying questions
about your proposal. (Applicants may not introduce new evidence during the interview.) We
recommend several experts from your founding team attend the interview, including the proposed
leader(s). For charter applicants, the founding board’s president and treasurer also should be present.
Representatives from the District Accountability Committee (DAC) will participate in interviews with
charter applicants and will ask a series of interview questions.

Why is the DPS hosting community engagement events? What can we expect?
DPS wants to hear directly from families and community members about schools being proposed in their
neighborhoods. Your team will be invited to present at these events, and DPS will invite families and
community members on its contact lists. We’ll know more about the specific format, date, time and
location as the event draws closer. Typically, however, your team would give a short presentation and
answer any immediate questions from community members. Community members would complete a
questionnaire providing feedback to the DPS Board of Education regarding your presentation.

What other kinds of community outreach are we expected to do?
As defined in the application and standards of quality, community involvement in the development of
your school’s plan is critical, as is producing sufficient evidence of demand for the program. How you
undertake community engagement and document evidence of demand is up to your team, and you
must meet the quality standards established in the rubric.

What will our presentation to the DPS Board of Education entail?
We’ll know more once the meeting draws closer. Typically, however, your team would make a short
presentation to the DPS Board of Education and answer any questions board members may have.

What is Public Comment?

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 Public Comment is a time for families and community members to speak directly to the DPS Board of
Education about their support for your proposed school. We’ll know more once the meeting draws
closer. However, typically, your team will be asked to organize your supporters into a single group,
which will have a few minutes to speak to the DPS Board of Education.

Who makes the decision about an application’s approval?
The DPS Board of Education makes the decision through a public vote. The Application Review Team
provides its opinion about an application’s quality to the Superintendent and the senior leadership
team. They consider the ART’s opinion, community input, and other factors and will deliver a public
recommendation, with evidence, to the Board. The Board can agree or disagree with the staff’s
recommendation in voting to approve or deny an application. The DAC will also make an independent
recommendation directly to the DPS Board of Education.

15

 Appendix B: The DPS Board of Education
Anne Rowe
District 1
Board President
Anne_Rowe@dpsk12.org

Barbara O’Brien
At Large
Vice President
Barbara_Obrien@dpsk12.org

Allegra “Happy” Haynes
At-Large
Happy_Haynes@dpsk12.org

Angela Cobián
District 2
Angela_Cobian@dpsk12.org

Carrie A. Olson, PhD
District 3
Secretary
Carrie_Olson@dpsk12.org
Jennifer Bacon
District 4
Jennifer_Bacon@dpsk12.org

Lisa Flores
District 5
Treasurer
Lisa_Flores@dpsk12.org

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 Appendix C: New Schools Opened Since 2008-2009 and Approved
Schools Not Yet Open
The District has approved 46 District-run school applications and opened 38 District-run schools,
including a number of Innovation schools. The District has approved 74 charter school applications, and
opened 51 charter schools; schools in italics have not yet opened.
School Name

School Type

Grades

Region

School Focus

2008-2009
Cole Arts and Sciences
Academy

District-run
(Innovation)1

ECE-8

NE

Emphasizes learning through the arts and sciences

Place Bridge Academy

District-run
(Innovation)2

ECE-8

SE

Serves newcomers to our country, with over 30
languages and 40 countries represented among Place
students

Trevista

District-run
(Innovation)3

ECE-8

NW

Focuses on rigorous instruction and helping all students
succeed

2009-2010
Cesar Chavez Academy

Charter

K-8

NW

Focuses on scholarship, leadership, and community
involvement

Denver Justice
Academy

Charter

6-12

NW

Intensive pathway school with a focus on students who
are involved with the criminal justice system or have not
been successful in a traditional school setting

KIPP Denver Collegiate
High School

Charter

9-12

SW

Provides a rigorous curriculum, more time in school, and
a strong culture of achievement

Kunsmiller Creative
Arts Academy

District-run

K-8

SW

Focuses on the integration of the arts

Math and Sciences
Leadership Academy

District-run

K-5

SW

Emphasizes science, math and technology

STRIVE Prep Westwood

Charter

6-8

SW

College preparatory school that replicates a highperforming middle school

Venture Prep

Charter

6-12

NE

Provides interactive student projects with an emphasis
on arts and technology

2010-2011
Denver Green School

District-run
(Innovation)4

ECE-8

SE

Offers a hands-on learning experience focused around
issues of sustainability within the community

1

Cole Arts and Sciences Academy received Innovation Status in August 2009.
Place Bridge Academy received Innovation Status in June 2015.
3
Trevista received Innovation Status in September 2012.
4
Denver Green School received Innovation Status in April 2010.
2

17

 Denver Language
School

Charter

K-8

SE

Offers full language immersion in Mandarin Chinese and
Spanish

DSST: Green Valley
Ranch MS and HS

Charter

6-12

FNE

Emphasizes science and technology and replicates one of
Denver’s highest performing high schools

Girls Athletic
Leadership Schools
(GALS) Denver

Charter

6-8

NW

Single-gender, college-preparatory school with a focus on
movement

Lake International

District-run

6-8

NW

Authorized International Baccalaureate Middle Years
Program that prepares students for success in high
school, college, and beyond

SOAR Green Valley
Ranch

Charter

K-5

FNE

Offers holistic approach to education using the workshop
model of instruction, extended learning time and added
enrichment opportunities

STRIVE Prep Sunnyside

Charter

6-8

NW

College preparatory school that replicates a highperforming middle school

STRIVE Prep - Lake

Charter

6-8

NW

College preparatory school that replicates a highperforming middle school

Summit Academy

District-run
(Innovation)5

6-12

SW

Multiple Pathways Center targeted for students who are
at-risk, over-aged, under-credited, and/or who have
dropped out of school

2011-2012
Collegiate Preparatory
Academy

District-run
(Innovation)6

9-12

FNE

Offers students academically rigorous programming
aimed at meeting their individual needs and providing
them with the skills and abilities to succeed at top
colleges and universities

DCIS Elementary at
Ford

District-run
(Innovation)7

ECE-5

FNE

Replicates Denver’s world-class magnet program focused
on international and cross-cultural affairs

DCIS Secondary at
Montbello

District-run
(Innovation)8

6-12

FNE

Replicates Denver’s world-class magnet program focused
on international and cross-cultural affairs

Denver Center for 21st
Century Learning
(DC21)

District-run
(Innovation)9

6-12

NE

Multiple Pathways Center offering accelerated and
rigorous education for students seeking a relationshiporiented education

DSST: Cole MS and HS

Charter

6-12

NE

Emphasizes science and technology and replicates one of
Denver’s highest performing high schools

5

Summit Academy received Innovation Status in August 2011.
Collegiate Prep Academy received Innovation Status in June 2011.
7
DCIS at Ford received Innovation Status in May 2011.
8
DCIS at Montbello received Innovation Status in May 2011.
9
DC21 received Innovation Status in June 2011.
6

18

 High Tech Early College

District-run
(Innovation)

9-12

FNE

Centers on applied rigorous learning and connections
with industry professionals, and offers a 5th year of high
school leading to an Associate degree

10

KIPP Northeast Denver
Middle School
(formeraly KIPP
Montbello College
Prep)

Charter

5-8

FNE

Offers students a rigorous curriculum, more time in
school, and a strong culture of achievement

Kunsmiller Creative
Arts Academy High

District-run

9-12

SW

Expands the existing successful K-8 arts-integrated
magnet program

Noel Community Arts
School

District-run
(Innovation)

6-12

FNE

Offers academically rigorous programming complimented
by a robust integrated arts focus

11

SOAR @ Oakland
Elementary

Charter

ECE-5

FNE

Offers holistic approach to education using the workshop
model of instruction, extended learning time and added
enrichment opportunities

Swigert International
School

District-run
(Innovation)

ECE-5

NE

Focuses on international affairs and is shaped through a
community engagement process with the Stapleton
community

12

University Prep –
Arapahoe St.

Charter

K-5

NE

Offers an academically rigorous, results-driven program,
particularly focused on literacy

Vista Academy

District-run
(Innovation)

6-12

FNE

Multiple Pathways Center targeted for students who are
at-risk, over-aged, under-credited, and/or who have
dropped out of school

13

2012-2013
Creativity Challenge
Community (C3)

District-run
(Innovation)

K-5

SE

Focuses on thinking creatively to solve problems, learning
through partnerships with community organizations, and
challenging each other

14

DSST: College View MS

Charter

6-8

SW

Emphasizes science and technology and replicates one of
Denver’s highest performing high schools

McAuliffe International
School

District-run
(Innovation)

6-8

NE

Focuses on international affairs and is shaped through a
community engagement process with the Stapleton
community

15

Monarch Montessori

Charter

E-5

FNE

Offers a public Montessori educational program

Rocky Mountain Prep Creekside

Charter

ECE-8

SE

Emphasizes rigorous academic preparation, character
development, and individualized support

10

High Tech Early College received Innovation Status in June 2011
Noel Community Arts received Innovation Status in May 2011
12
Swigert International School received Innovation Status in August 2011.
13
Vista Academy received Innovation Status in August 2011.
14
C3 received Innovation Status in April 2012.
15
McAuliffe International School received Innovation Status in March 2012.
11

19

 Sims-Fayola
International Academy

Charter

6-12

FNE

Provides a college preparatory, international studies
program with daily character and leadership education

STRIVE Prep - Green
Valley Ranch

Charter

6-8

FNE

College preparatory school that replicates one of
Denver’s highest performing middle schools

STRIVE Prep Montbello

Charter

6-8

FNE

College preparatory school that replicates one of
Denver’s highest performing middle schools

STRIVE Prep - SMART

Charter

9-12

SW

College preparatory school that provides a challenging
and relevant liberal arts education of high standards,
structure, and accountability

West Generation (Now
West Early College)

District-run
(Innovation)

6-12

NW

Nationally recognized Generation Schools model with a
rigorous college- and career-readiness academic program

6-12

NW

A rigorous, college- and career-focused education

16

West Leadership
Academy

District-run
(Innovation)
17

2013-2014
Academy 360

Charter

ECE-5

FNE

Expeditionary Learning with an emphasis on health and
wellness

Downtown Denver
Expeditionary School

Charter

K-5

NE
(CBD)

Offers students a downtown Expeditionary Learning
experience

STRIVE Prep – Excel

Charter

9-12

NW

College preparatory school that provides a challenging
and relevant liberal arts education of high standards,
structure, and accountability

DSST: Byers MS

Charter

6-8

SE

Emphasizes science and technology and replicates
Denver’s highest performing 6-12

DCIS- Fairmont

District-run
(Innovation)

ECE-5

NW

Replicates Denver’s world-class magnet program focused
on international and cross-cultural affairs

6-12

NE

Offers a public Montessori educational program at the
secondary level

9-12

NE

Multiple Pathways Center targeted for students who are
at-risk, over-aged, under-credited, and/or who have
dropped out of school with an emphasis on supporting
students who transition out of the Gilliam Detention
Center

18

Denver Public
Montessori Jr./ Sr. High
School

District-run
(Innovation)

Compassion Road
Academy

District-run
(Innovation)

19

20

16

West Generations Academy received Innovation Status in March 2012.
West Leadership Academy received Innovation Status in March 2012.
18
DCIS-Fairmont in currently received Innovation Status in March 2013.
19
Denver Public Montessori Jr./Sr. High School received Innovation Status in March 2013.
20
Compassion Road Academy received Innovation Status in March 2013
17

20

 Excel Academy

District-run
(Innovation)

9-12

SW

21

Multiple Pathways Center targeted for students who are
at-risk, over-aged, under-credited, and/or who have
dropped out of school

2014-2015
Denver Discovery
Middle School

District-run
(Innovation)

6-8

NE

Offers a project-based learning environment with a
rigorous 21st century curriculum

22

DSST: Cole High School

Charter

9-12

NE

Emphasizes science and technology and replicates one of
Denver’s highest performing high schools

Girls Athletic
Leadership Schools
(GALS) Denver

Charter

9-12

NE

Single-gender, college-preparatory school with a focus on
movement

Highline Academy
Northeast

Charter

K-8

FNE

A charter replication school of the successful Highline
Academy in SE Denver offering students a rigorous
curriculum that incorporates Core Knowledge and
character development

High Tech Elementary
School

District-run
(Innovation)

ECE-5

NE

Offers a project-based learning environment with a
rigorous 21st century curriculum and high standards

ECE-5

FNE

Focus on college prep, reading, habits of discussion and
critical thinking.

K-5

SW

Offers high academic expectations, instructional rigor,
character development and cultural enrichment in
elementary environment in STRIVE Prep network

23

Oakland Elementary

District-run
(Innovation)
24

STRIVE Prep - Ruby Hill

Charter

2015-2016
Northfield High School

District-run
(Innovation)

9-12

NE

Comprehensive High School with an International
Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program.

9-12

FNE

Multiple Pathways Center targeted for students who are
at-risk, over-aged, under-credited, and/or who have
dropped out of school

9-12

FNE

College prep high school program focused on blended
learning

25

Legacy Options High
School

District-run
(Innovation)
26

KIPP Northeast Denver
Leadership Academy
(Formerly Montbello
Collegiate High School)

Charter

21

Excel Academy received Innovation Status in August 2013.
Denver Discover Middle School received Innovation Status in March 2015.
23
High Tech Elementary School received Innovation Status in February 2015.
24
Oakland Elementary School received Innovation Status in June 2014.
25
Northfield High School received Innovation Status in September 2015.
26
Legacy Options High School received Innovation Status in September 2015
22

21

 KIPP Northeast
Elementary (Formerly
Montbello Elementary
School)

Charter

E-4

FNE

College prep elementary school program focused on
blended learning

High Tech Early College
Middle School

District-run

6-8

FNE/NE

The District has since opted to not pursue the opening of
this school.

REACH Charter School

Charter

E-5

NE

A full inclusion elementary program with wraparound
services and differentiated instruction

ROOTS Elementary

Charter

K-5

NE

A personalized learning elementary with mixed grade
levels

Rise Up Community
School (Formerly
YouthBuild)

Charter

9-12

SW

A drop out recovery school serving as an Intensive
Pathway program

Joe Shoemaker
Expeditionary School
(Formerly Hampden
Heights Expeditionary
School)

District-run
(Innovation)

E-5

SE

An expeditionary learning school integrating
environmental sciences

Denver School of
Innovation and
Sustainable Design
(DSISD)

District-run
(Innovation)

9-12

SE

A competency-based approach to a small school

Compass Academy
(Formerly SWDCS)

Charter

6-12

SW

A partnership with City Year and JHU to serve students
with wrap around services and 21st century learning
opportunities

DSST: College View HS

Charter

9-12

SW

Emphasizes science and technology and replicates one of
Denver’s highest performing high schools

Rocky Mountain Prep Southwest

Charter

E-5

SW

Emphasizes rigorous academic preparation, character
development, and individualized support

Uhuru School for
Authentic Learning

Charter

ECE-5

FNE

This applicant has since surrendered its approval and did
not open.

27

28

2016-2017
Academia Lincoln

District-run

6-8

NA

The District has since opted to not pursue the opening of
this school.

Banneker Jemison
STEM Academy

Charter

K-5

NE

This applicant has since surrendered its approval and did
not open.

27
28

Joe Shoemaker Expeditionary School received Innovation Status in September 2015.
Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design School received Innovation Status in September 2015.

22

 Bear Valley
International School

District-run
(Innovation)

6-8

SW

Focused on personalized learning and International
Baccalaureate/ Middle Years Program

29

DSST: Byers HS

Charter

9-12

SE

Emphasizes science and technology and replicates one of
Denver’s highest performing high schools

DSST: Henry MS

Charter

6-8

SW

Emphasizes science and technology and replicates one of
Denver’s highest performing middle schools

Kepner Beacon MS

District-run
(Innovation)

6-8

SW

A blended learning approach that focuses on student
leadership

6-8

NE

College preparatory curriculum guided by the
International Baccalaureate/ Middle Years Program

30

McAuliffe Manual MS

District-run
(Innovation)
31

Sandra Todd-Williams
Academy

District-run

ECE
Center

FNE

A three and four year old ECE program aimed at providing
a foundation for students to ensure they are socially,
emotionally, and academically ready for Kindergarten.

STRIVE Prep – RISE

Charter

9-12

FNE

College preparatory school that provides a challenging
and relevant liberal arts education of high standards,
structure, and accountability

STRIVE Prep – Kepner

Charter

6-8

SW

College preparatory school that provides a challenging
and relevant liberal arts education of high standards,
structure, and accountability

University Prep Steele St.

Charter

K-5

NE

College preparatory model focused on rigorous
academics and strong school culture

2017-2018
Colorado High School
Charter GES

Charter

9-12

NNE

A replication of Colorado High School Charter Osage,
which is an Alternative Education Campus with a focus on
small, hands-on, project-based learning environments.

DSST: Conservatory
Green HS

Charter

9-12

NE

Emphasizes science and technology and replicates one of
Denver’s highest performing high schools

Inspire Elementary
School

District-run
(Innovation)

K-5

NE

Focused on building 21st Century Skills and creative
thinking through design and personalization

6-8

FNE

Expansion of McGlone Elementary School’s educational
program that focuses on strong culture, high
expectations, diverse communities, collaboration, critical
thinking and problem solving. McGlone Academy serves
ECE-8th grade.

32

McGlone Academy (6-8
Expansion)

District-run
(Innovation)

29

Bear Valley International School received Innovation Status in August 2016.
Kepner Beacon received Innovation Status November in 2016.
31 McAuliffe Manual MS received Innovation Status in November 2016.
32 Inspire Elementary School received Innovation Status in August 2017.
30

23

 Near Northeast
Community
Engagement School

Charter

6-8

NE

This applicant has since surrendered its charter contract
and did not open.

The Boys School of
Denver (BOYS)

Charter

6-8

NW

A single-gender movement based program focused
health and wellness to promote academic success and
self-development.

Approved to Open 2018 – 2019
5280 High School

Charter

9-12

Central

A high school program focused on project based learning
and holistic wellness.

Center for Talent
Development at
Greenlee

District-run

ECE-5

NW

Emphasizes the identification and development of
student talents through academics, enrichment and
student pillars.

DSST MS at the Noel
Campus (Formerly
DSST IX MS)

Charter

6-8

FNE

Emphasizes humanities and replicates one of Denver’s
highest performing high schools

KIPP Sunshine Peak
Elementary

Charter

PK-4

SW

A college prep and blending learning model with TNLI
elements.

Montbello Children’s
Network at John
Amesse

District-run

ECE-5

FNE

A community-driven school partnership focused on
academic outcomes and the arts through TNLI and
personalized learning.

Rocky Mountain Prep 4

Charter

K-5

NW

A replication of Rocky Mountain Prep’s rigorous
personalized learning and character development model.

The CUBE

Charter

9-12

NNE

A high school program focused on student centered,
personalized learning, and interdisciplinary courses called
“mash-ups.”

Approved to Open 2019 or Beyond*
Denver Elementary
Community School 1

District-run

K-5

NW/SW

An application to serve a future TNLI elementary restart
need that focuses on improving student outcomes
through joyful, rigorous, and personalized instruction.

Denver Elementary
Community School 2

District-run

K-5

NW/SW

An application to serve a future TNLI elementary restart
need that focuses on improving student outcomes
through joyful, rigorous, and personalized instruction

Denver Elementary
Community School 3

District-run

K-5

NW/SW

An application to serve a future TNLI elementary restart
need that focuses on improving student outcomes
through joyful, rigorous, and personalized instruction

Denver Elementary
Community School 4

District-run

K-5

NW/SW

An application to serve a future TNLI elementary restart
need that focuses on improving student outcomes
through joyful, rigorous, and personalized instruction

Downtown Denver
Expeditionary Middle
School

Charter

6-8

NE

Expeditionary Learning middle school features projectbased learning and field experiences

24

 DSST VIII MS

Charter

6-8

TBD

Emphasizes science and technology and replicates one of
Denver’s highest performing middle schools

DSST X MS

Charter

6-8

TBD

Emphasizes science and technology and replicates one of
Denver’s highest performing middle schools

DSST XI MS

Charter

6-8

TBD

Emphasizes Humanities programing with DSST’s proven
model.

DSST VII HS

Charter

9-12

SW

Emphasizes science and technology and replicates one of
Denver’s highest performing high schools

DSST VIII HS

Charter

9-12

TBD

Emphasizes science and technology and replicates one of
Denver’s highest performing high schools

DSST IX HS

Charter

9-12

TBD

Emphasizes Humanities

DSST X HS

Charter

9-12

TBD

Emphasizes science and technology and replicates one of
Denver’s highest performing high schools

DSST XI HS

Charter

9-12

TBD

Emphasizes Humanities

Rocky Mountain Prep 5

Charter

ECE-5

TBD

A replication of Rocky Mountain Prep’s rigorous
personalized learning and character development model.

Rocky Mountain Prep 6

Charter

ECE-5

TBD

A replication of Rocky Mountain Prep’s rigorous
personalized learning and character development model.

STRIVE Prep
Elementary School 4

Charter

K-5

TBD

Offers high academic expectations, instructional rigor,
character development and cultural enrichment in
elementary environment in STRIVE Prep network

STRIVE Prep
Elementary School 5

Charter

K-5

TBD

Offers high academic expectations, instructional rigor,
character development and cultural enrichment in
elementary environment in STRIVE Prep network

STRIVE Prep
Elementary School 6

Charter

K-5

TBD

Offers high academic expectations, instructional rigor,
character development and cultural enrichment in
elementary environment in STRIVE Prep network

STRIVE Southwest
Elementary School

Charter

K-5

SW

Offers high academic expectations, instructional rigor,
character development and cultural enrichment in
elementary environment in STRIVE Prep network

STRIVE Prep Far
Northeast Elementary
School

Charter

K-5

FNE

Offers high academic expectations, instructional rigor,
character development and cultural enrichment in
elementary environment in STRIVE Prep network

University Prep III

Charter

K-5

TBD

A replication of University Prep’s college preparatory
model, which focuses on rigorous academics and strong
school culture.

University Prep IV

Charter

K-5

TBD

A replication of University Prep’s college preparatory
model, which focuses on rigorous academics and strong
school culture.

25

 University Prep V

Charter

K-5

TBD

A replication of University Prep’s college preparatory
model, which focuses on rigorous academics and strong
school culture.

University Prep VI

Charter

K-5

TBD

A replication of University Prep’s college preparatory
model, which focuses on rigorous academics and strong
school culture.

*Note: Approved schools not yet open or not placed in a District facility are eligible to participate in
community matching processes in the future.

26