Helix Feed

Ariel Berryman memorial scholarship recipient, Katalina Lopez, and the power of belonging

There is a moment Katalina Lopez carries with her. It is not from a graduation stage or a college acceptance letter, but from a living room floor, when she was 6 years old, teaching her 8-year-old brother how to tie his shoes.

Four Years Strong: DSST Celebrates Its Leaders at the 4th Annual Leadership Pipeline Symposium

There's something that happens when a room fills with people who have spent a year doing the hard, intentional work of becoming better leaders. The energy is different. The conversations run deeper. The pride is palpable. That's exactly what filled the air at DSST's 4th Annual Leadership Pipeline Symposium, a meaningful evening of celebration, reflection and recognition for our incredible leaders growing across the network.

Every day, in every hallway: Meet DSST's 2026 Core Value Award winners

Six people. Six values. One remarkable year.

Checkmate: DSST students build something bigger than a tournament

Quantum 5 in Action: what we heard and what's next

Spring 2026 · 931 responses · 87.7% completion

Celebrating Autism acceptance month

 A personal reflection on Autism Acceptance Month and the power of inclusive, student‑centered practices at DSST from Senior Manager of Exceptional Learner Services Carlitha Wilson. 

Beyond Colorado: DSST Students Take Their College Search Across the Country

This spring, a group of DSST juniors packed their bags, boarded planes, and did something that changed the way they see their futures. Through DSST's Early Exposure Program (DEEP), students traveled to Boston, Atlanta, and Los Angeles over Spring Break to visit some of the most celebrated college campuses in the country — and came back with a whole new sense of what's possible. 

At DSST Public Schools, we believe that college is more than a destination — it's a doorway. Since our founding, 100% of DSST graduates have been admitted to college or a postsecondary program, and our college counseling work begins as early as 9th grade. DEEP is one of the most powerful expressions of that commitment: a program that puts students physically on the campuses they've only ever seen in brochures, and asks them to imagine themselves there.

Participants are selected based on academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and fit for the schools they visited. Based on their preferences, students traveled to one of three cities: Boston, Atlanta, or Los Angeles. What they brought back was far more than souvenirs.

Aurora Science & Tech Founding Class Member Earns Full Ride: How Alexa Rodriguez Helped Build a School — and a Future

When Aurora Science & Tech High School opened its doors, it didn't have a long history, a legacy of alumni, or decades of tradition. What it had was a group of students willing to help build something from the ground up.

Ashlee's Story of Family Legacy, Love, and a Future in Pediatric Nursing

"It's pushed me to try and do something better for myself and for my family." — Ashlee, DSST: Cedar High School Senior

100% Admission: Celebrating the Class of 2026

The Class of 2026 has done it. Every DSST senior has been admitted to college or a postsecondary program. It’s a milestone that reflects not only academic achievement, but years of resilience, mentorship, and community support. From first‑generation college goers to students pursuing skilled trades and service pathways, this class is stepping into the world with purpose and possibility.