As described in detail in the 2022 Strategic Regional Analysis, an accumulation of changes over the past decade has influenced the landscape of Denver Public Schools. The overall adult population and demographics of Denver residents have changed. An inflow of young working adults, mostly without children, along with a gap between the demand and supply of housing has led to increased housing costs across the city. This, accompanied by lower birth rates, has resulted in a smaller student-age population in the city. This is not unique to Denver as urban areas across the country are experiencing similar trends but these changes have multiple implications for urban school districts. The strongest recent declines in DPS have been at the elementary level which are starting to cross into reductions at the middle school level, which will eventually lead to drops in enrollment at the high school level in the next five years. This makes for a very uncertain environment for new and existing schools in the district.
Based on the forecasts of the Strategic Regional Analysis, DPS has determined that existing and planned schools have more than enough capacity to meet enrollment needs at least through the 2024-2025 school year in all areas of our city. Under the policies of DPS, the district only makes facilities available on the basis of enrollment or restart/turnaround needs. For this reason, DPS does not plan to make any district facilities available to new school applicants that may choose to apply in spring 2023.
Even in this uncertain environment, DPS honors its responsibility under Colorado law to consider new school applications annually. Below are key dates for the 2023 New Quality Schools process. This webpage will be updated periodically with additional information.
The 2023 application introduces the rigorous Quality Authorizing Process that DPS will implement for developers of new charter schools. It also provides important contextual information that we encourage school developers and community partners to consider.
To learn more about the process or to apply, read the application materials below. Letters of Intent are due February 3, 2023 by 12PM to CNQS@dpsk12.org.
See below for supports available to applicants.
The Authorizing & Accountability team is available to coordinate direct supports, conducted virtually this year, with applicants who request it. Supports provided in the past have focused on areas such as the overall application process, Multilingual Education, special education, enrollment, and budgeting. Contact CNQS@dpsk12.org for more information about requesting direct supports.
The application includes various links to resources for school developers to consult in the development of their applications. The following resources may also be helpful:
Additional online resources may also be available. Email CNQS@dpsk12.org if you would like to request these resources.
Individuals or teams interested in applying through the New Quality Schools process should contact CNQS@dpsk12.org for more information and to ensure they’re included in all communications and updates about the new schools process.
Published May 5, 2022
New Quality Schools Process – Answers to Frequently Asked QuestionsOn April 12, 13, and 14, DPS hosted virtual community meetings to gather feedback for the DPS Board on three applicants for new charter schools seeking to open in fall 2023. These meetings included a short presentation from DPS on how applications for new schools are evaluated and how this relates to the district’s ongoing
Read More »Published April 13, 2022
Watch and Provide Feedback on New School Applicant Community MeetingsLee en español/đọc bằng tiếng việt/af soomaali ku akhri/soma muri Kinyarwanda/Rimajol/اقرأ باللغة العربية On April 12, 13, and 14, DPS hosted virtual community meetings to gather feedback for the DPS Board on three applicants for new charter schools seeking to open in fall 2023. These meetings included a short presentation from DPS on how applications
Read More »Published March 21, 2022
DPS Virtual Community Meetings to Learn About New School Applicants – April 12, 13, and 14Lee en español/đọc bằng tiếng việt/af soomaali ku akhri/soma muri Kinyarwanda/Marshallese/اقرأ باللغة العربية DPS has received three applications for proposed new charter schools seeking to open in fall 2023. While the district has not identified a need for new schools in 2023 due in part to declining enrollment, DPS will review all applications as required
Read More »