More Articles

• Denver Apartments
• Denver Attractions
• Denver Economy
• Denver Neighborhoods
• Denver Real Estate
• Denver Schools
• Denver Annual Events
• Decorating on a Budget
• Finding the Right Roommate
• Getting Out of Debt
• Loading a Rental Truck

Denver School System

The Denver Public Schools operates the school system in Denver, Colorado. Currently the system has an enrollment of approximately 73,000 students across 73 elementary schools, 15 K-18 schools, 17 middle schools, 14 high schools and 19 charter schools. Interestingly, the first school that formed the beginning of the Denver Public School system was a log cabin that was initially opened in 1859.

The system is recognized today as one of the best urban systems in the nation. This is certainly not by accident as the school district has made it their goal to become one of the best urban schools in the country and has made decided efforts to meet that goal. As a result, the district serves as an example for many other schools throughout the country.

Officially, the district was not created until 1902 at which time a constitutional amendment was approved by voters that simultaneously created both the City and County of Denver. Five school districts were consolidated at the time into what is now School District No. 1.

Across the nation, the Denver Public School system has received attention for the Professional Compensation System that was approved by voters to provide a teacher pay plan that has become quite revolutionary. Teachers are rewarded by linking their pay to instructional goals within the district as well as their professional accomplishments.

The district employs more than 13,000 total employs, 4500+ of which are teachers. New teachers begin with an average salary of $34,000 while most teachers in the district earn an average of $47,000. By far, this is one of the best compensation plans for teachers within the state as well as the country.

As the city has continued to grow and expand the district has been forced to expand as well. Today, the district extends into neighborhoods in far northeast Denver as well as Stapleton. As a direct result of the large development in Stapleton, the district has found the need to construct new schools to keep up with the rapid development.

Single family home prices have actually edged up by almost one percent in the last few months. Condos have not fared as well, with the median price dropping nearly 3.5%. Overall prices on homes in Denver neighborhoods which tend to be higher priced have not been as negatively impacted as in lower priced neighborhoods by the tightening national mortgage market.

Seven of the schools in the district are rated excellent by the state. The district is also proud to include a state basketball championship among its accomplishments.

The drop out rate in the district hovers around the 4.5% mark while the graduation rate reaches approximately 76%.

In addition to these schools, the Denver Public School System also operates the Denver School of the Arts, the Emily Griffith Opportunity School, the Center for International Studies, a DPS Online High School, an International Baccalaureate Program and a Highly Gifted and Talented Program. These programs offer a wide variety of instructional and educational opportunities for students within the district, allowing them to choose programs which will enable them later in life.