Spring | Issue 45 | Date: May 16, 2024

Above: Students at French American School of Denver, RiseUp Community School,

Wyatt Academy and DSST: Cedar

Funding Great Schools. Rooted in Community.

National Charter Schools Week

Here at RootED, we’re proud to partner with charter, district-run and innovation schools as part of our commitment to ensuring every child in Denver has the opportunity and support to succeed in the school that works best for them. In recognition of National Charter Schools Week, here’s a few facts about Denver’s public charter schools:

53 of 200+ schools in DPS are public charter schools
20,110 students are enrolled in Denver charter schools
All charter schools are authorized and approved to operate by the DPS Board of Education
Denver’s charter schools are tuition-free, public and open to all students

View our Partner Highlights page to see just a few of the recent celebrations of our partner schools, many of them DPS charter schools!

Teachers, we appreciate you!

As Denver’s teachers bring their students across the finish line of another school year, we took a moment to recognize the incredible work of Denver’s educators during Teacher Appreciation Week. From igniting the spark of curiosity in young minds to fostering a nurturing environment for growth, our teachers play an invaluable role in shaping the future of our community.

We recognize the unprecedented challenges educators have faced in recent years, and we salute your resilience, creativity and compassion as you go above and beyond to ensure that your students receive the support they need.

See the RootED Team's Teacher Shout-outs

Cool Schools at the KIPP Walden Campus

"I think our key to success is belief in our kids." - Stephani Olson, Principal

On a campus with 29 different languages represented in the student body, utilizing creative means of communication is necessary to reach all family members. Staff and students at KIPP Northeast Denver Middle School (KNDMS) came up with the idea of a weekly news show - hosted by students - that would help serve as a connection between the school and family.

The news show is just one of many innovative ways that KNDMS and KIPP Northeast Elementary School (the two schools on the KIPP Walden campus) provide welcoming and engaging environments for their students. See more about why this special campus was named a 9News Cool School in the full feature with photojournalist Byron Reed and reporter Courtney Yuen.

Watch the 9News Story

Update: DPS Board of Education District Boundaries

The DPS Board of Education has adopted a new district map, a required step due to population changes in the 2020 census. DPS sent out surveys and held community meetings to discuss proposed boundary change options. After much debate among board members, they voted 5-2 in favor of Map C, which shrinks the growing District 4 in northeast Denver and expands District 2 in southwest Denver.

Partner Spotlight: Denver Families for Public Schools

Our partners at Denver Families are working to reposition the community as power brokers in public education in Denver. Families, parents, students, graduates, teachers, schools, and partners are at the heart of that work. The Advocacy Awards honor a few of the incredible leaders who have gone above and beyond in their advocacy journeys and dedicated countless hours to advocating on behalf of the Denver Public Schools community.