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DSST First Day of School 2025 - 26 in photos

By Nella Garcia Urban, CEO of DSST Public Schools

It has been an absolute dream to have our students back in school the past two days. These photos illuminate the joy, readiness and opportunity in a very strong start to the school year. 

1. The Doors Open: Welcome to a Year of Possibility

DSST’s Infusion 2025 celebrates milestones, student voice and unstoppable school spirit

On Tuesday, August 5, DSST Public Schools staff came together for our annual Infusion event, and let’s just say, the energy was off the charts! From heartfelt moments to school cheer battles, it was the perfect way to kick off the 2025–26 school year. 🍎

🎉 We celebrated our people, including dozens of staff members marking 5, 10, 15, and even 20 years at DSST. And yes, we gave a big shoutout to our amazing alumni who’ve come full circle to serve the next generation.

🌸Flower Person Awards stole the show, honoring staff who bring joy, light, and DSST’s core values to life every single day. Each school created a video tribute to their awardee. You can watch the middle school videos here and the high school videos here.

📣 And in true DSST fashion, the school cheer competition brought the heat, with the DSST: College View Wolves claiming their third straight win! 🐺💥 The crowd (and social media) went wild.

💬 From student poetry to STEM dreams, the day was packed with moments that reminded us why we do this work, and how we thrive together.

Stretch your grocery dollars with a new DSST–Safeway discount

We know the cost of living in Colorado keeps climbing, and we want to help your dollar go a little further. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce a new partnership with Safeway: all DSST team members can now save 5% on groceries at any Colorado Safeway location! 🛒

A Year of Purpose, Progress, and Possibility

By Nella Garcia Urban, CEO of DSST Public Schools

A Championship Year: Celebrating DSST Athletics 2024–2025

From record-breaking participation to historic championship wins, the 2024–2025 school year was a landmark season for DSST Athletics. Across our campuses, student-athletes, coaches, and communities came together to build something truly special—one game, one practice, and one moment at a time.

More Than a Path: A Journey of Dreams, Drive, and Determination

The college journey can feel overwhelming at first—but it’s also an opportunity to discover your passions, your purpose, and your potential. For Javier Martinez, a member of DSST: Elevate's founding Class of 2025, it’s been a chance to reflect, grow, and dream big.

"The college process is really about exploring your options. There are so many different colleges and universities out there, and you have to consider the academic factors you're looking for, financial aid opportunities, and the kind of college community you want to be part of.”

Javier saw the impact firsthand when he applied to Colorado Mesa University. "With financial aid through the FAFSA, it made a huge difference in the overall cost," he said. "It just makes things more manageable and helps you feel more comfortable and secure about the money you’ll be spending."

Celebrating our front‑office all‑stars on Administrative Professionals Day

April 23 is Administrative Professionals Day, and we want to take a moment to celebrate and express our gratitude for the incredible front office admins at DSST. These unsung heroes are the heart of our schools, always ready to help, support, and keep things running smoothly. We love and appreciate everything they do to make our community thrive. To show our appreciation, we’re excited to share some of the wonderful things people have said about them!

Six years, one journey: DSST student’s story of transformation

For Leonard Aragon, a senior at DSST: College View High School, the path from middle school to graduation has been full of growth, discovery and purpose.

“I've been going to DSST since sixth grade, and it flew by,” he said. “Honestly, I can remember like it was yesterday, walking through the middle school doors. And now, the next thing you know, you're getting ready to graduate."

In the early years, Aragon’s passion was acting. “For the first years of my life, I was really into acting. I even went as far as doing an NBC commercial,” he recalled. But over time, his interests shifted. “In the past year, my focus has shifted to business.”

From Passion to Purpose: One Student’s Mission to Create Change

At DSST: Montview High School, opportunity meets purpose — and for senior Sarah Hourani, that intersection has sparked something extraordinary.

“I feel like I've been exposed to a lot of great opportunities, and it's been really awesome to just be a part of the community. I think that's really what makes DSST special,” Hourani said.

Now, she’s preparing to take that sense of belonging and possibility with her to her dream school: MIT.

Where words rise: GVR students find voice and victory through poetry

The room is quiet. A single voice rises—clear, unshaken, or maybe it’s trembling just slightly. And then, another. One by one, they speak their truths aloud. In a world that often asks students to keep their heads down, three students at DSST: Green Valley Ranch High School are standing up, speaking out, and learning what it means to be heard.