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Student Progress: Denver Public Schools
WHO DOES DPS SERVE?
92,985 STUDENTS IN DPS
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English Language Learners: 36.8%
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Students with Disabilities: 11.3%
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Gifted and Talented Students: 11.26%
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Students on Free/Reduced Lunch: 67.3%
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​207 SCHOOLS IN DPS
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ECE-K: 4
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Elementar​y: 92
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ECE-8 Schools: 18
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ECE-12 Schools: 4
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Middle: 34
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6-12: 12
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High Schools: 44
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HOW WELL ARE DPS STUDENTS BEING SERVED?
GAPS PERSIST
​Denver Public Schools (DPS) has the third largest achievement gap in the country. The gaps in student achievement between race income, language, and ability are due to the unequal and inequitable access to high-quality schools across the district. We know that all students are brilliant and can learn when given the opportunity. It is time we ensure all students are given that opportunity.
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DPS has taken steps toward equity and has started moving in the right direction with things like the Equity Indicator in the School Performance Framework, which measures whether or not all kids are being served. DPS has also begun to engage in what it means to support students in a changing housing market and how that affects schools, led by the Strengthening Neighborhoods Initiative. As the data shows, we have not done enough. Our opportunity gaps persist. To know where we're going, it's important to know where we are today. This data is not intended to discourage, but to empower you with the information and urgency to take action so that all children in DPS have access to an education that will allow them to reach their full potential.
UNEQUAL ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY SCHOOLS​
In Denver, 5 out of 10 students attend a school that is rated "blue" or "green" on the DPS School Performance Framework (SPF). All children are deserving of that opportunity. This is the second year that DPS has established the Academic Gaps rating, which highlights the district's commitment to serving all kids and closing opportunity gaps. DPS now requires that a school must also be green (meets expectations) on the Academic Gaps rating in order to receive an overall rating of green. This year, 22 schools did not meet expectations on the Academic Gaps indicator, and therefore did not receive an overall rating of green.
Check out how well your school is working to close the gaps and engage families by looking up the 2018 SPF rating here.
Learn more about these efforts via DPS's brief animated videos explaining the SPF and the Academic Gaps Indicator. Engaging parents about school quality will bring a new level of accountability in our city that is led by parents and community members. Together, we can build power to create better schools for all our children.
Percent of DPS Students Attending High Performing Schools (rated Blue or Green) by Region
NNE Overall: 62%
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Elementary: 55%
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Middle: 88%
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High School: 43%
FNE Overall: 42%
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Elementary: 54%
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Middle: 24%
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High School: 33%
SW Overall: 55%
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Elementary: 75%
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Middle: 45%
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High School: 17%
CEN Overall: 34%
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Elementary: 52%
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Middle: 53%
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High School: 8%
NW Overall: 13%
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Elementary: 22%
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Middle: 6%
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High School: 8%
SE Overall: 45%
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Elementary: 59%
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Middle: 49%
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High School: 13%
DISTRICT OVERALL: 44%
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Elementary: 55%
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Middle: 46%
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High School: 20%
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