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Feature Friday: Sandra Ross turns her reading struggle into her superpower, and a children's book

Sandra Ross remembers sixth grade clearly. Sitting with her advisor at DSST: Green Valley Ranch Middle School, on the verge of tears, working so hard yet still building her reading skills. It was frustrating. It was vulnerable. And it shaped everything that came after.

'Our job is to make students’ dreams come true': GVR Counselors share glimpse into how DSST is shaping futures

When you ask the DSST: Green Valley Ranch High School College Success Team what they’re most proud of, their answers reveal a deep commitment to students, families and the power of opportunity through college access. They are one team out of many across our network, all working towards ambitious goals.  

Celebrating Student Success 

Karla Garcia-Vanderhorst, Campus Coordinator of College Success, beams with pride when she talks about students’ applications and the incredible opportunities they’re pursuing. 

She also highlights the role families play in this journey, and how years of partnership are now bearing fruit.  

Garcia-Vanderhorst shared a story that has stood out to her over her time at DSST. A student who had her heart set on a single opportunity, but Garcia-Vanderhorst encouraged her to keep multiple doors open. When the first application fell through, the second became the lifeline that would have never made it to application. That persistence and guidance changed the course of that student’s future. 

 “Thank you so much,” the student shared when the second letter award arrived, “I can’t imagine what would have happened had you not coached me to keep my options open.”  

Making Dreams Come True 

For Tyler Shanahan, a former higher education professional, the work with students reminds him of his own journey to find college.  

“Our job as counselor is to make students’ dreams come true,” he said with conviction. 

The team invests time in understanding each student, their story, hopes, and ambitions. They start early, building a college-going culture from ninth grade with constant, clear communication with families and students. The majority of GVR HS students were GVR middle school students and have been on a seven-year journey with DSST. 

Shanahan also challenges the myths that college doesn’t have to mirror K–12 experience. He uses his own journey to show students that success is possible and having the agency to choose your future matters.  

A dancer. A woman in STEM. A person defining success on her own terms.

There are two stages in Adamaris Gutierrez's life right now. One is lit by spotlights, where she moves with precision and grace as a professional dancer with ArtistiCO Dance Company. The other is quieter, with lecture halls, lab tables and textbooks stacked high, where she's building the foundation for a career in medicine.

A bowl of pho and a business plan: A journey rooted in Vietnamese-Laotian heritage

For Jadyn Nguyen, a 2019 graduate of DSST: Green Valley Ranch High School, identity isn’t just about where you come from—it’s about how you grow, who supports you and what you give back.

5 facts that show the power of multilingualism

Research shows that multilingual brains don’t just juggle words—they're wired differently. From boosting memory to enhancing creativity, here are five fascinating ways speaking multiple languages changes your brain for the better.

Congrats to our 24-25 Core Value Award winners! Check out these highlights from TOAST

On Thursday, April 17, DSST staff gathered at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science for TOAST, our annual staff celebration event honoring your hard work and celebrating the close of another school year. 

DSST changed the trajectory of her life. Now she is on a mission to reshape dermatology.

Written by: Fortunate Madueke, DSST: Green Valley Ranch - Class of 2025

To my community, DSST is more than just a school—it is a safe place for survival. It is considered by many to be the “Harvard” of public schools, not because it is exclusive but because it sets the highest standards and provides pathways to the best colleges. My family thought that DSST would lead to a better future. Coming from a Nigerian household where education is a core value, my mom would always remind me in Igbo, “akwụkwọ na-emepe ọtụtụ ụzọ”—education opens many doors—and she was right.

Juniors go coast to coast with DSST’s DEEP college trips

Over Spring Break, a group of DSST juniors had the exciting opportunity to visit college campuses across the country through DSST’s Early Exposure Program (DEEP). Based on their college preferences, students traveled to Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Participants were selected for their academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and fit for the schools they visited.

DSST students shine as QuestBridge Scholars

We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our 2025 QuestBridge Match Scholars. Ten seniors from across the DSST network have been recognized for their hard work, dedication and academic excellence by being awarded full-ride scholarships to some of the nation’s most prestigious universities.

DSST: Elevate seniors explore Colorado College, get a glimpse into the future

On Nov. 5, seniors from DSST: Elevate took a memorable trip to Colorado College in Colorado Springs. For many, this was more than just a campus tour—it was a chance to envision their next chapter.