By Nella Garcia Urban, CEO of DSST Public Schools
As I reflect on my first year as CEO of DSST, I’m filled with deep gratitude — for the opportunity to serve this extraordinary community, and for the clarity of vision that has emerged through a year of listening, learning, and leading.
Our people are our power. From day one, I’ve been inspired by the incredible talent, dedication, and heart of our teachers, staff, and leaders. Across every level of DSST, I see mission-aligned, values-driven individuals showing up each day with courage and commitment. Even as we’ve navigated change, our people have remained steadfast — stretching, evolving, and always striving to do better for our students and families. That resilience is our foundation.
Our vision is bold and urgent. DSST was founded to prepare the next generation of STEM leaders, and that mission is more vital than ever. Our students, many of whom are underrepresented in STEM fields, are stepping into futures filled with possibility. Through a human-centered, empathetic approach to STEM education, we are not only opening doors to college and career success, we are empowering students to transform their lives, their families, and the world. They may be the first or the only in certain spaces, but they are ready. Their curiosity, brilliance, and drive are unmatched.
Our alignment fuels equity and excellence. This year, we took bold steps to reverse declining academic trends in our middle schools. Through tighter alignment in curriculum, coaching, and goals, we saw historic gains — ELA growth, the highest math gains since 2016, and significant progress for our multilingual learners. Alignment doesn’t mean uniformity; it means shared purpose. And when we align around what matters most — student success — we create space for every school to thrive while honoring its unique identity.
Our roots run deep, and our future is expansive. At our 20th anniversary gala, I was struck by the voices of community leaders reflecting on DSST’s impact. We are a proof point for what’s possible, regardless of ZIP code. Our diversity is our strength. Our belief in the dignity and potential of every student is unwavering. And our mission is not about status or power. It’s about transforming lives through the most powerful tool we have: a great education.
Looking ahead to 2025–26, we are setting ambitious goals:
Continued academic growth in middle and high school
Launching our Quantum Five talent strategy to retain transformational educators
Building joyful, thriving school communities
Filling every seat with students who deserve access to excellence
Operating 16 top-rated schools across Denver and Aurora
Growing to serve 10,000 students by 2030, because our communities need us
We’ve proven that when we are aligned, we thrive. And when we thrive, our students do too. Let’s keep building — together.