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DSST's Year in Review

It’s hard to believe that we’ll be wrapping up yet another fantastic school year at the end of this week.  Filled with both momentous achievements and serious challenges, there was no shortage of authentic moments. As we send our students off to enjoy the (hopefully!) warmer weather and head out ourselves for a well-deserved and relaxing summer break, we’re also reflecting on the ups and downs we’ve experienced along the way.  What was your greatest success of the year? Your toughest challenge? We’d love to hear your thoughts - drop us a note through the comment box below!

Four tips to make your first year at college as successful as mine

When I started at Claremont McKenna College (CMC) this past fall as a first-generation college student from Denver, I knew I was in for a big transition. While many of my fellow classmates had parents to help them adjust to the unfamiliar world of college, I was essentially alone when I got to campus. 

Reminder: Transition Out of Engrade

At Our Core: Education reform, and charter schools, in the crosshairs

A special and important edition of At Our Core this week.  You have likely heard some increasing rhetoric both in Denver, and across the nation about charter schools.  Lines are being drawn for the 2020 presidential election, with the announcement by Bernie Sanders supporting a ban on for-profit charter schools, as well as a “call for a moratorium on the funding of all public charter school expansion until a national audit on the schools has been completed.”  This will quickly trickle down to local Board elections here in Denver and Aurora. Despite the fact that charters in Colorado are prohibited by law from being for profit, and despite our results and our mission, charter networks like DSST will be thrown into the fray. Below we’ve captured some of the stories from the last few weeks that bring the divisions to light. Whether you’re a teacher, a Dean or a Home Office employee, we’re all going to be asked questions on these topics in coming months, and in some cases asked to defend our work.  The following articles will help give some context.

Q&A with DSST Alum, Jehovana

Ben Lindquist, President of the Colorado League of Charter Schools had the opportunity to meet with Jehovana Flores, an alumna of DSST Stapleton. In this Q&A, you will learn more about the powerful impact that a charter school, DSST, had and is continuing to have on Jehovana's life opportunity and trajectory. This testimonial is one that Denver school board candidates and voters should consider as they determine whether or not Denver Public Schools continues to support education reform beyond 2019. 

Bernie Sanders Wants to Destroy the Best Schools Poor Urban Kids Have

Bernie Sanders today is announcing the foundation of his K-12 education plan, which is to crack down on public charter schools. If enacted, the Sanders plan would snuff out one of the most successful social policy innovations in decades, and close off a lifeline of opportunity for hundreds of thousands of poor urban children.

DSST: Cole Leadership Announcement

We are excited to announce incoming leadership at DSST Cole. Grant Erwin will be joining the DSST team as School Director for Cole Middle School and Lia Brunner has been named School Director for Cole High School.

Business "Variety Show" at DSST: GVR

What do lava lamps, chocolate, and key chains all have in common? You could find all of these hand-crafted products (and much more!) at the 2019 DSST: Green Valley Ranch “Elective Showcase!”

Do charter schools replicate?

One critique of charter schools is that while a few energetic principals show success, it’s impossible to replicate. Not so, says a new study of Boston’s charters, which doubled from 16 schools to 32 in four years, even as they maintained their effectiveness.

Call for Infusion 2019 Performers

We are busy planning for this year’s Infusion 2019, which will be happening at the Denver Convention center on August 2nd. As you likely know, Infusion brings together our entire staff of nearly 800 educators and leaders to re-engage with our mission and our network, all while getting excited for the new school year.