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]
DSST Public Schools | |
---|---|
Location | |
, Colorado United States | |
Coordinates | 39°44′52″N 104°53′27″W / 39.74778°N 104.89083°W |
Information | |
Type | Charter |
Established | 2004 (20 years ago) |
Founder | David Ethan Greenberg |
School 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] |
Enrollment | 5,300 |
Campus type | Urban |
Admissions | Lottery |
Website | School website |
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.[2] 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]
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]
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.[2] 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.[9][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]
Statistics, 2017 school year (all in %)[13] | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Male | Female | Free/reduced lunch 2015-16[14] |
Black/African American |
Asian | Hispanic/ Latino |
White | |
DSST: Cedar (middle) | 53 | 47 | 45 | 12 | 5 | 30 | 48 |
DSST: Cedar (high) | 61 | 39 | 45 | 11 | 4 | 30 | 47 |
DSST: Cole (middle) | 54 | 46 | 91 | 16 | 1 | 78 | 4 |
DSST: Cole (high) | 53 | 47 | 79 | 18 | 3 | 69 | 9 |
DSST: College View (middle) | 52 | 48 | 93 | 1 | 5 | 91 | 5 |
DSST: College View (high) | 53 | 47 | 89 | 1 | 5 | 87 | 4 |
DSST: Conservatory Green (middle) | 55 | 45 | 64 | 27 | 5 | 46 | 17 |
DSST: Conservatory Green (high) | 55 | 45 | 59 | 25 | 3 | 48 | 15 |
DSST: Green Valley Ranch (middle) | 50 | 50 | 79 | 23 | 8 | 60 | 5 |
DSST: Green Valley Ranch (high) | 52 | 48 | 73 | 21 | 11 | 56 | 8 |
DSST: Montview (middle) | 51 | 49 | 69 | 31 | 3 | 41 | 16 |
DSST: Montview (high) | 54 | 46 | 52 | 25 | 5 | 35 | 28 |
DSST: Henry (middle) | 57 | 43 | 86 | 3 | 6 | 74 | 13 |
Notes
No available data for DSST Middle School @ Noel Campus (opens 2018-2019) |
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]
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.