HELIX FEED

New Year, New Team: Introducing Student Affairs Service Team at DSST

Welcome to the 25-26 school year. This year brings a welcome update to both the DEI and the Culture and Student Experience team. We have combined to become the Student Affairs Service Team. Our Student Affairs team is now 14 members, which includes Mental Health and Social Work, Athletics, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Culture and Student Experiences. Our members include:

DSST High Schools Rank among top 10 high schools in Denver Public Schools

DSST Public Schools continue to set the bar for academic excellence, with all six eligible high schools landing in the top 8% of schools nationwide, according to the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings. Zooming in on Colorado, every DSST high school is ranked among the top 10 public schools in Denver.

Transformational Teacher Working Group: What to know and how to join

Highlights from our Welcome Back Bash 2025 celebration!

On Saturday, Aug. 9, DSST Public Schools welcomed the beginning of a new school year with a joyful afternoon full of music, fun, connection, and celebration. Our second annual Welcome Back Bash brought together families, students, and staff from across DSST for a day that reminded us what makes our community so special.

Here’s a look at some of the highlights:

Rich and energetic performances:
Cheer teams from Aurora Science & Tech High School and DSST: Cole Middle School brought the crowd to their feet with routines that showed off school pride and plenty of DSST spirit. Attendees also got a front row seat to watch, Grupo Tlaloc, an Indigenous dance that showcased their incredible talent. The group shared a moving performance that honored tradition and brought a beautiful sense of culture and connection to the event.

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."