A petite, demure looking woman sits at a desk in the hallway of a cast off elementary school. Adults speak with her about their desire to learn. It is September 9, 1916. The woman is Emily Griffith, and the place is 12th and Welton Street. Emily’s eyes sparkle as she listens to each person. She asks what they want to learn. By the end of the first week, 1,400 adults have enrolled in the free courses that will change their lives. After years of planning and hard work, Emily's vision is turning in to reality and Opportunity School is born.
Emily nurtures the school. She prepares gigantic pots of soup at home and hauls them to the school. She feeds hungry students who have no time or money for dinner. She solicits food donations from the community and uses them as ingredients for her soup.
Over the years, Emily’s school grows. More academics and practical courses are added to the telegraphy, millinery, typing, and English courses. During World War I, soldiers learn radio communications and civilians take classes in specialized mathematics, drafting, tractor and ambulance driving, and gas engine work. More than 24,000 people train for defense work under the War Production Board set up during World War II. Opportunity School operates 24 hours a day. Food conservation and victory gardening are added to the class list. Always, hands-on training provides individuals with skills that assist them in securing a more desirable job and improved lifestyle. They become better citizens and more actively participate in their community.
The school currently bears Emily Griffith’s name along with the Opportunity School name she gave it. It occupies an entire block in the heart of Denver. Students can enroll in 52 different programs with over 350 classes. They may choose from the technical, business, health, manufacturing, and trade fields. Classes are offered year-round during day, evening, and Saturday hours. Many classes are open-entry/exit, meaning a student can start when they are ready, work at their own speed, and finish the course when they have master the required competencies. A staff of over 350 qualified instructors empowers students with confidence and competencies for their success in the workplace. Credits can be transferred to any community college where an AAS degree can be completed.
Opportunity School was one of the first adult vocational schools in the United States and it continues to be one of the most successful. Almost 15,000 adults participate in one or more classes per year. Since Emily swung open the doors, over 1,500,000 students have benefited from the school’s training.
Kari Gomez-Smith