Bruce Randolph 2025 graduates pose in their caps and gowns following their ceremony.

The new School Transformation Policy (STP), effective in the 2025–26 school year, is rooted in a straightforward goal: we need to support improving schools so that no school has 4 or more years of red or orange performance ratings. This policy emphasizes support, collaboration and shared responsibility for improving outcomes in our most persistently low performing schools. In doing so, it empowers DPS to take earlier, locally driven action when schools experience multiple years of low performance, before state intervention is required.

What the Policy Does

The policy applies to both district-run and charter schools and is tied to sustained low performance on the SPF:

• One to three years of Red or Orange SPF ratings - Schools will receive targeted support. This may include additional resources, changes to staffing or leadership, academic program adjustments or entry into a turnaround network.

• Four or more years of Red or Orange SPF ratings - The district may consider school replacement or closure. These decisions will follow a process grounded in community engagement and require Board of Education approval.

What to Expect Over the Next Three Years

• 2025–26 (Next Year):

  • This will be a district planning year. No schools will be identified for closure or replacement. DPS will continue to support schools on the state accountability clock with additional resources and interventions as outlined in the policy.

• 2026-27 School Year:

  • Fall 2026: DPS will review the 2026 SPF results. Any school in year fou or beyond on the state clock will enter a Community Matching Process to identify a district-approved replacement provider. Final recommendations will be made by the Superintendent with input from the affected school community and submitted for a final vote by the Board.

  • Winter through Spring 2027: Approved replacement schools will use this time to plan for a strong launch.

• Fall 2027: Replacement schools would open and current schools identified for closure would begin to phase out.

Looking Ahead

Over the coming months, we will work closely with all schools on the state accountability clock to ensure that school leaders, staff and families understand the policy and are informed of the available options as schools move forward. If your school is currently on the clock, you can expect clear communication and direct support.

Director Quattlebaum invites you to a community engagement session focused on revising the Board of Education’s Ends policies. Your voice matters in shaping the vision of Board policy. All community members are welcome. Come share your perspectives and help guide the future Ends policies on Monday, June 16 from 6-8 p.m. at Columbine Elementary School.

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) is releasing preliminary online CMAS and CoAlt (science and social studies) online score reports for families in CDE’s new Family Portal starting June 11. These reports are available to families and include the student’s score, performance level and a performance level description. Please view the Family Portal guidance document for instructions on how to look up your student’s score report. Score reports with more detailed information, such as score breakdowns that indicate strengths and areas for growth, peer comparisons and tips for home support, will be released later in June. Paper score reports will be sent home in the fall along with handouts for families. 

In the final feature of our DPS Senior Spotlight series, we proudly shine the spotlight on Esther, an extraordinary student from Manual High School whose journey is as inspiring as it is powerful. 

Esther moved to Denver from Uganda in 2023, arriving in a brand-new country without knowing anyone. Despite challenges, she wasted no time getting involved at Manual. In a short time, she's become a role model and vital part of the school community. From academic excellence to active involvement in student life, Esther has embraced every opportunity with passion and resilience. Esther will study business healthcare at Colorado State University. 

Congratulations, Esther! We can’t wait to see what you accomplish next. Watch her story.

In this week’s episode of the EDUCA DPS Podcast, we’re joined by Leah Raffa, DPS Substance Prevention Specialist, and Vannessa Media Padilla, a dedicated school counselor from DC-21. Together they dive into the importance of substance use prevention and how our schools, families and communities can work together to support healthy, informed choices for our young people. 

Leah shares insights on key risk factors, the critical role of mental health and the effectiveness of school-based prevention programs and what signs to watch for when it comes to substance misuse. You'll also hear practical strategies for families to help teens navigate peer pressure, media influences and emotional challenges. 

Listen now on your favorite platform or watch the episode in English and Spanish.

There’s a lot happening in the garden at Denver Green School Northfield – where students are collecting worms for compost bins, reinforcing a chicken coop roof or wheeling barrels of soil into freshly dug beds. While the space itself has been part of the school since it opened six years ago, the transformation it’s undergone is rooted in students’ hands, and often starts in the classroom, where most of the plants begin as seeds. So far, the garden has grown around 6,000 pounds of food, which have been distributed to “pay-what-you-can” markets and food banks.

The garden itself already features rows of garden beds, a robust tool shed, a barn stocked with hay and enclosures for a pregnant goat named Marshmallow and several chickens–including Miss Frizzle and Barb–resources the students help maintain as part of their rotating tasks during their gardening elective. 

Their latest project, the creation of a new agroforest, was made possible through a student-written grant that secured funding for fencing around the new area of land. This area will grow into a self-sustaining system where fruit trees, low water plants and grazing animals work together to restore soil health, conserve water and provide fresh food for the community. 

Read more about the agroforest and the students behind the magic .

DPS Summer Food Service Program

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally-funded, state-administered program that provides nutritious meals to children 18 years and younger at no charge. More information about food sites and schedules is available on the DPS Food and Nutrition Services website.

Tasty Food Program

The City and County of Denver's Tasty Food Summer Meal Program runs Monday, June 9 through ​A​ug. 15. The program is open to all Denver youth ages 3–18, with no registration or ID required. More information about food sites and schedules is available on the Tasty Food website.

The Mayor’s YouthWorks Initiative rewards eligible youth for their employment over the summer with a $500 retention bonus in the fall! Applications are open now through July 1. Join the virtual job fair on June 26 to learn about available opportunities through this program. Access flyers in English and Spanish for more information.

Beginning in Fall 2025, DPS will change when students are automatically tested for gifted identification. Instead of kindergarten, second, and sixth grade, all students in first and fifth grade will now be tested. This change helps make access to gifted programs more fair and inclusive across the district. Students will take the Naglieri General Ability Test (NGAT)—an assessment shown to better reflect the strengths of our amazing DPS student population. If your child is not in the first or fifth grade, you can still nominate them for gifted testing. Learn more about the changes and testing nomination process.

We’re excited to share that starting in Fall 2026, four DPS schools will offer new gifted magnet programs: Beach Court Elementary, Carson Elementary, Isabella Bird Community School and Florida Pitt-Waller. During the 2025-26 school year, each school will work closely with the DPS Gifted and Talented (GT) team to plan high-quality programs designed to support advanced learners. Families of magnet eligible students will have the opportunity to choose one of these new programs during the SchoolChoice process in January 2026. Click here for more information about GT magnet school expansion and student eligibility.

Last week, the International Educator Institute hosted the Inaugural International Educator Celebration: A Night of Honors! It was an amazing event dedicated to recognizing the incredible journey and significant contributions of DPS’ international educators. The event celebrated their paths to the U.S. and their dedication to becoming highly effective teachers who enrich students' lives.

Exceptional educators were honored with awards in several key areas, including Excellence in Growth, Global Competence and Professionalism, among other distinguished recognitions for Excellence in Education. It was a truly inspiring showcase of their talent, resilience and impact on our DPS community. Check out the event photo gallery.

The ProComp Trust Board is seeking a new community member to join the Trust Board. This position will hold a three-year term, starting in the 2025-26 fiscal year. Those interested should complete this form. 

The ProComp Trust Board ensures the financial stability of the funds raised by the ProComp Mill Levy. The ProComp Trust Board is responsible for monitoring how DPS spends the funds derived from the Trust, ensuring they are spent only on ProComp-related expenses and are consistent with the ProComp Agreement.

Please note that the ProComp Trust Board will only consider applicants not employed by the district for this role on the Board.

Join us this summer for “Cirque du Soleil ECHO – Under the Big Top” at Ball Arena from July 12-Aug. 3! A spectacular performance combining poetry, stagecraft, daring acrobatics and technology explores the delicate balance between people, animal and the world we all share.

Use this link to save up to 25% off select seats and dates. For every ticket purchased, a $3 donation will go to the Denver Public Schools Foundation. Secure your tickets in your preferred language: English | Spanish.