Denver Public Schools (DPS) is addressing a significant challenge by recommending the closure and restructuring of several schools.
These changes come after years of declining student enrollment, which has put pressure on the district.
In response, DPS has started a series of public comment sessions to hear from the communities affected by these proposed changes.
Background on Denver Public Schools Closures
DPS has been facing a number of challenges in recent years.
Declining enrollment, combined with high housing costs and a lower birth rate, has made it difficult to keep all of the district's schools open.
To address these issues, Superintendent Alex Marrero has recommended closing seven schools and restructuring three others.
These recommendations were made public on November 7, just two weeks ahead of a final vote by the DPS Board of Education.
Board President Carrie Olson has expressed concern about the emotional toll these closures might have on students, teachers, and communities.
While the board understands the necessity of these closures due to financial pressures, Olson has emphasized the importance of maintaining strong teacher-student relationships.
The district must balance its financial challenges with its role in supporting educational communities.
List of Schools Affected
The proposed closures include seven schools: Columbian Elementary, Castro Elementary, Schmitt Elementary, the International Academy of Denver at Harrington, Palmer Elementary, West Middle School, and the Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design.
These schools will no longer operate after the 2024-25 school year.
In addition to these closures, three schools will undergo restructuring.
Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy will remove grades 1st through 5th, focusing only on grades 6-12.
Dora Moore ECE-8 School will stop offering grades 6th through 8th and will serve only younger students.
Lastly, the Denver Center for International Studies at Baker will remove grades 9-12 and become a middle school serving grades 6-8.
These changes are meant to adapt to the district’s shifting enrollment numbers and better serve the remaining students.
Public Comment Opportunities and Schedule
From November 11-15, DPS will hold school-specific public comment sessions for each of the affected schools.
These sessions will allow students, families, and staff to voice their opinions and concerns directly to the board.
The district is focused on gathering feedback from those who will be most impacted by the changes.
For those unable to attend the individual sessions, a general public comment session will take place on November 18 at the Emily Griffith Campus.
This meeting will give the broader community a chance to share their thoughts.
Only those directly connected to the affected schools can comment at the school-specific sessions, but the November 18 meeting will be open to everyone, including the general public.
Next Steps and Decision-Making Process
After the public comment sessions, the DPS Board of Education will vote on the closure and restructuring plan on November 21.
While Superintendent Marrero has stated that his recommendations are final, he remains open to hearing feedback on how the closures and restructures should be carried out.
The board’s vote will determine the next steps.
If the plan is approved, closures and restructuring will likely take place at the end of the 2024-25 school year.
The district is preparing for changes that will reshape the educational landscape for students, families, and staff across Denver.
