Facts & Figures

Denver Public Schools is thriving.

Reforms abound. Recent voter approval of ProComp, the voter-approved Professional Compensation System, establishes a revolutionary teacher pay plan that is drawing national attention for rewarding teachers for their professional accomplishments and linking their compensation to the district's instructional goals. Schools are being revitalized through community-based discussions about needed change and improvements. And the district is enjoying a renaissance of art, music, dance and theater instruction in all elementary schools. The district is keeping up with growth of new neighborhoods in far northeast Denver and in one of country's largest redevelopment efforts at Stapleton, already home to 5,000 residents. The number of families at Stapleton is growing rapidly each year and schools are being built to meet the need. The district is home to seven schools that are rated excellent by the state of Colorado, proudly possesses a state basketball championship, and enjoys a close working relationship with Mayor John Hickenlooper. In addition, new Superintendent Michael F. Bennet - formerly Mayor Hickenlooper's Chief of Staff - has immediately set his sights on transforming the district into "the best big city school district in the country." With that goal in mind, Superintendent Bennet has spelled out three goals.

The district's mission is clear:

"...to provide all students the opportunity to achieve the knowledge and skills necessary to become contributing citizens in our society." Keep watching as Denver Public Schools continues to challenge itself, reform and grow.

 

Schools: 151

Elementary: 73
K-8 Schools: 15
Middle: 17
High: 14

Charter: 23

Charter schools receive public funding but may receive waivers from the local board of education's policies and procedures. Each charter school has its own governing body and determines its own enrollment. Access www.dpsk12.org/dps_today for descriptions.

Other: 6

Other schools are those into which students may enroll at any time. Access www.dpsk12.org/dps_today for descriptions.

Alternative: 7

Schools into which students may enroll or be placed based on special circumstances.

Student Enrollment: 73,399 (based on October 1, 2006)

Languages

English Language Learners: 14,450 (20%)
Spanish speaking students: 13,337 (1,113 student speak one of 86 other languages)
Foreign languages taught - Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Lakota, Latin, Russian and Spanish.

Employees

Total employees: 13,087
Full-time: 6,713
Part-time: 6,374
Teachers: 4,555

Starting Teacher Salary: $34,200
Average Teacher Salary: $47,829

2005 Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP)

(% Proficient and Advanced)

Reading

Writing

Mathematics

Science

Escritura (Spanish-language writing test)

Lectura (Spanish-language reading test)

2004 ACT

Denver Public Schools: 17.8
Colorado: 20.3
United States: 20.9

2004 SAT

Denver Public Schools: 1,072
Colorado: 1:107
United States: 1,026

Graduation/Dropout Rate

Graduation rate: 76.9%

The graduation rate is determined by following one group of students (a cohort) over a four-year period from grades 9 through 12.

Dropout rate: 4.6%

The dropout rate is a one-year snapshot of all students who drop out of school during one school year. This rate considers all students in grades 7 through 12.

Food Services

Breakfasts: 12,900 per day
Lunches: 38,700 per day
Snacks: 4,000 per day
Students qualifying for Free/Reduced lunches all grades (includes grade levels M3, M4 and ECE): 47,536 (64.76%)