DSST Public Schools explained

DSST Public Schools
Established:2004
District:Denver Public Schools
Grades:6-7, Aurora Science & Tech
6-12, Montview
6-12, Green Valley Ranch
6-12, Cole
6-12, College View
6-12, Cedar
6-12, Conservatory Green
6-8, Henry
6, Noel[1]
Founder:David Ethan Greenberg
Enrollment:5,300
Campus Type:Urban
Free Label:Admissions
Free:Lottery
State:Colorado
Country:United States
Coordinates:39.7478°N -104.8908°W
Website:School website

DSST Public Schools (DSST), formerly known as the Denver School of Science and Technology, is a public charterSTEM network comprising 16 schools on eight campuses in Denver and Aurora, Colorado, United States, in partnership with Denver Public Schools. DSST is ranked among the top 200 public high schools in the US.[2]

Overview

Metropolitan area students are selected for admission entirely by a lottery.[3] As students follow a science, mathematics, and technology focused liberal arts education, more than half of the graduates declare a STEM major in college. Students of color comprise 80 percent of the student body and 68 percent qualify for free or reduced lunch. All DSST students follow a prospectus that includes seven years of natural sciences, seven years of mathematics, three years of Spanish, a trimester internship, and a two-trimester senior project.[4] [5]

History

DSST was founded in 2004 at Park Hill in northeast Denver by David Ethan Greenberg, who also served as the first board chair of its successor organization, DSST Public Schools.[6] Bill Kurtz, a former investment banker at JP Morgan, is founding principal.[7]

Recognition

According to the 2015 U.S. News & World Report ranking of American public high schools, the Stapleton campus was nationally ranked 192nd, 158th in STEM education, 55th among charter schools, and 5th in Colorado. In the same year, the school was ranked 5th in mathematics proficiency, tied for 15th in reading proficiency, and was ranked 5th in college readiness, in the state.[8] In a 2014 Denver School Performance report, five of the top six schools in Denver were part of DSST.[9]

Since graduating its first class in 2008, 100 percent of DSST: Montview and DSST: Green Valley Ranch seniors have been accepted to a four-year university.[10]

DSST is recognized for its values-centered culture, daily emphasizing respect and responsibility,[11] and has been regarded as one of the top mid-size workplaces in Colorado.[12]

Demographics

Statistics, 2017 school year (all in %)[13]
Male Female Free/reduced
lunch 2015-16[14]
Black/African
American
AsianHispanic/
Latino
White
DSST: Cedar (middle)5347451253048
DSST: Cedar (high)6139451143047
DSST: Cole (middle)544691161784
DSST: Cole (high)534779183699
DSST: College View (middle)52489315915
DSST: College View (high)53478915874
DSST: Conservatory Green (middle)5545642754617
DSST: Conservatory Green (high)5545592534815
DSST: Green Valley Ranch (middle)505079238605
DSST: Green Valley Ranch (high)5248732111568
DSST: Montview (middle)5149693134116
DSST: Montview (high)5446522553528
DSST: Henry (middle)574386367413
Notes

No available data for DSST Elevate @ Noel Campus (opened 2018-2019)

No available data for DSST: Elevate (Opened 2021-22)

Support

Donors have played a significant role in the establishment and expansion of DSST. Notable contributions include a $7 million gift by Liberty Media chairman John C. Malone,[15] a $3 million grant by the Daniels Fund,[16] $1 million gift by media mogul Oprah Winfrey,[17] [18] a $1 million donation by the Anna and John Sie Foundation,[19] [20] a $500,000 grant by the Thiry-O'Leary Foundation,[21] and a $50,000 grant by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.[22]

References

  1. Web site: DSST Campuses . DSSTPublicSchools.org . Denver School for Science and Technology Public Schools . September 25, 2023.
  2. Web site: Dsst: Stapleton Overview . usnews.com . U.S. News & World Report . September 19, 2015.
  3. Web site: A Learning Community: Dynamic and adaptable spaces serve hands-on education at a charter school with a science, math, and technology focus . Gonchar . Joann . archrecord.construction.com . Architecture Record . November 28, 2014.
  4. Web site: DSST Public Schools: Course Overview . DSSTpublicschools.org . Denver School of Science and Technology . November 13, 2015 .
  5. Web site: Denver board approves dramatic expansion for charter network DSST: DPS board approves new school plans, 2015-16 budget at June meeting . Zubrzycki . Jaclyn . Gonzalez . Susan . June 18, 2015 . co.chalkbeat.org . Chalkbeat Colorado . June 19, 2015.
  6. Web site: 29th Annual Bonfils-Stanton Awards Honors Three Renowned Leaders for Significant Contributions to Colorado . May 8, 2014 . businesswire.com . Business Wire . November 28, 2014.
  7. Web site: A Growing Charter School Planted in Rocky Soil . Haanen . Jeff . August 2, 2013 . christianitytoday.com . . November 28, 2014.
  8. Web site: U.S. News & World Report Education: Colorado High Schools . 2015 . usnews.com . . September 21, 2015.
  9. Web site: The Denver School of Science and Technology is spreading its success to multiple campuses around the city. . https://archive.today/20141130081511/http://www.9news.com/story/news/education/2014/10/04/charter-school-duplicates-success-across-city/16753615/ . dead . November 30, 2014 . Garcia . Nelson . October 4, 2014 . 9news.com . . November 27, 2014 .
  10. Web site: The Dean's List . Outcalt . Chris . Larusso . Jessica . September 2013 . 5280.com . 5280 Magazine . https://web.archive.org/web/20141202210352/http://www.5280.com/magazine/2013/09/deans-list?page=full . 2014-12-02 . dead .
  11. Web site: Communities of Character . Brooks . David . November 27, 2015 . . January 14, 2016 . The Denver School of Science and Technology has an intense values-centered culture, emphasizing values like respect and responsibility. Four days a week everybody gathers for a morning meeting. Those who contribute to the community are affirmed. When students have strained the community, by being rude to cafeteria workers, for example, the rift is recognized, discussed and healed..
  12. Web site: TOP WORKPLACES 2014 . denverpost.com . The Denver Post . November 27, 2014.
  13. Web site: DSST By The Numbers. dsstpublicschools.org. Denver Public Schools. November 27, 2014.
  14. Web site: School Data - K-12 Free and Reduced. Pupil Membership - School Data. Colorado Department of Education. April 19, 2016.
  15. Web site: Mogul John Malone to donate $7 million to Denver School of Science and Technology . Robles . Yesenia . July 13, 2011 . denverpost.com . The Denver Post . November 27, 2014.
  16. Web site: Daniels Fund grants $3M to Denver School of Science and Technology . November 15, 2010 . bizjournals.com . Denver Business Journal . November 28, 2014.
  17. Web site: Oprah gives $1 million to Denver School of Science & Technology . Meyer . Jeremy P. . September 20, 2010 . denverpost.com . The Denver Post . November 27, 2014.
  18. Web site: Groundbreaking Charter Schools: Denver School of Science and Technology . oprah.com . November 27, 2014.
  19. Web site: ANNA AND JOHN J. SIE FOUNDATION DONATES $1 MILLION TO DSST PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Gift Supports Groundbreaking Teacher Effectiveness Model Helps to Close Challenge Grant from John C. Malone, PhD . Nelson . Christine . Call . Anna . June 5, 2012 . dsstpublicschools.org . DSST Public Schools . November 28, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140209103452/http://dsstpublicschools.org/uploads/pdf/Sie_Gift_Press_Release_FINAL.pdf . February 9, 2014 . dead .
  20. Web site: Sie Foundation's $1 million gift completes $7 million pledge to Denver School of Science and Technology . Davidson . Joanne . June 7, 2012 . blog.denverpost.com . The Denver Post . November 28, 2014.
  21. Web site: DSST Public Schools Receives $500,000 Grant from Thiry-O'Leary Foundation to Expand Opportunities for Denver Students and Bolster Leadership Development . April 27, 2015 . dsstpublicschools.org . DSST . June 11, 2015 .
  22. Web site: How We Work: Denver School of Science and Technology Inc . November 2011 . gatesfoundation.org . Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation . November 27, 2014.