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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.

RSVP Now for TOAST: A Night to Celebrate you, Our Incredible Team

TOAST is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to celebrate YOU! 🎉 On April 17, we’ll gather at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science for an evening of connection, appreciation and joy as we honor our incredible staff and recognize this year’s 6 Core Value Award winners.

Threads of Tradition: DSST senior connects to her roots through art

At DSST, creativity comes in many forms. For Afomya Eshete (DSST: Green Valley Ranch ‘25), art is more than just a hobby—it’s a connection to her heritage, a way to stay rooted in her culture, and a source of pride.

Afomya has been part of the DSST: Green Valley Ranch community since seventh grade, and she describes her experience as “pretty positive with the teachers and the students.” One teacher, in particular, made a lasting impact: Mr. Sawyer, her digital art teacher.

STEM brilliance on display at DSST's third annual showcase

On Saturday, March 15, STEM genius was surely showcased! Our third annual DSST STEM and Creative Core Showcase at CSU Spur brought together students, industry partners, educators, and families to ignite curiosity and deep learning in STEM.

Empowering women in STEM through conservation internship

Internships provide more than just a resume boost—they shape futures, build confidence, and inspire change. For Jacqueline Choate, a student at DSST: Montview High School, her internship at Bluff Lake Nature Center was an opportunity to step into the world of wildlife conservation, take on real responsibilities, and connect with a mentor who has had a lasting impact on her career aspirations.

Eid al-Fitr (EID): A Celebration of spiritual growth, gratitude and unity

As a network dedicated to ensuring our experiences are valued and appreciated, we reached out to several of our students to gain some insight about Eid al-Fitr (EID). This year, EID takes place on March 29 and 30. Below is what was shared and ways to support students during EID. 

'Carrying the legacy': DSST women share what it means to be a woman in leadership

March is Women’s History Month, a time to reflect on the incredible contributions women have made throughout history and continue to make today. What began as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California, in 1978 as Women’s History Week soon gained national recognition, expanding to a month-long observance in 1987. In just the past 50 years, landmark legal changes—such as outlawing housing and credit discrimination against women in 1974—have helped pave the way for greater equity. Of course, the fight for women’s rights stretches back much further, from the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, securing women’s right to vote, to the many achievements women continue to lead today.

At DSST, we celebrate Women’s History Month by recognizing the women who shape our community as they share what it means to be a woman in leadership.

Sixth grade to college applications: How DSST fosters growth

Sienna Gaal started thinking about college earlier than most—back in eighth grade at DSST: Cedar Middle School. But even she didn’t expect to apply to 31 schools. Now, as a high school senior, the hardest part is waiting for responses.

Her journey has been shaped by the tight-knit community she found at DSST, where students grow and support each other. "Having created such a great community since sixth grade has allowed me to see how we grew up together," Gaal said.

'I came back': A senior’s journey to achieving a triumphant home run

One hundred percent college acceptance. For many, those words represent a dream come true, but for Jesus Marquez Estrada (DSST: Cole ‘25), they became the spark that ignited a fierce determination to succeed.

DSST: Cole has been more than just a school for Marquez Estrada, it’s been a place where he’s built the confidence to pursue college.