Denver Public Schools is facing a significant shift in its educational landscape as the district prepares to close seven schools and restructure three others after the 2024-2025 academic year. The announcement, made on Thursday by DPS Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero, lays out a response to declining enrollment and its impact on the district’s state funding.
According to
The Denver Post
, the planned closures would shutter five elementary schools, Castro, Columbian, Palmer, Schmitt, and International Academy of Denver at Harrington as well as two secondary schools, West Middle and Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design. The restructuring will affect DCIS Baker 6-12, Dora Moore ECE-8 School, and Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy, scaling them to serve fewer grades and, consequently fewer children. These measures are a direct consequence of a consolidation policy passed by the board earlier in the year, enabling the superintendent to recommend closures due to the fiscal strains of falling enrollment.
The district asserts that students from the affected schools will be given prioritized enrollment choices throughout the district. “All students attending closing schools will have priority in enrolling in another school of their choice in any school in the district,” district officials confirmed, securing particular provisions for those receiving English language support and students with disabilities, ensuring that they will be guaranteed enrollment at nearby schools equipped to accommodate their needs, as detailed by
The Colorado Sun
.
Board members, while acknowledging the necessity of the closures, have not hidden their emotional toll. “This is also a difficult time for us,” Board President Carrie Olson said, as per
The Colorado Sun
, “None of us want to close schools and we recognize how difficult this is.” These sentiments reflect the overarching mood around what Superintendent Marrero and board members consider a “difficult and painful time.” The final decision on the proposed actions is slated for a board vote on November 21, following visits to the recommended schools by board members and Marrero to engage with students, parents, and staff, as reported by
KDVR
.
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