Mayor John Hickenlooper and Superintendent Jerry Wartgow will welcome students back to school at the new home of Denver School of the Arts on Monday, August 18 beginning at 7:15 a.m.

The school day starts at Denver School of the Arts (DSA) at 7:30 a.m. On Monday, only middle school grades (six through eight) at DSA will be in attendance. The school is located at 7111 Montview Boulevard (on the northwest corner of Quebec St. and Montview Boulevard).

Mayor Hickenlooper and Superintendent Wartgow, who held a joint news conference last week to promote the importance of students not missing any school days or class time, will also visit with students as they gather for orientation to their new school and briefly tour the new facility.

Superintendent Wartgow will arrive by school bus. He will board the bus at Morey Middle School (840 E. 14th Ave.) at 6:55 a.m. The bus will make two more stops and arrive at DSA at about 7:15 a.m.

DSA improvements to the former Houston Fine Arts Center were financed through the $305 million bond approved by voters in 1998. The 114,000 square foot addition includes seven classroom clusters, a dance workshop, two music rehearsal rooms, a library, a practical and fine arts wing, administration space and commons areas.

DSA started at Cole Middle School in 1991 and more recently was housed at the former Byers Junior High School building at 150 S. Pearl St.

Denver School of the Arts is the only comprehensive arts magnet school in the Rocky Mountain region. In addition to a challenging and rigorous academic schedule, students select a major in one of the following areas: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Stagecraft/ Design, Video Cinema Arts, Theatre, Visual Arts, and Vocal Music.

August 18 marks the beginning of the 2003-2004 school year for the district’s 72,000 students although some middle schools and high schools will use the first day to familiarize incoming students with their new surroundings and schedules.

Following the DSA visit, Superintendent Wartgow also plans to visit Merrill Middle School, 1551 S. Monroe St., at 9:00 a.m.; Barnum Elementary School, 85 Hooker St., at 10:30 a.m.; and John F. Kennedy High School, 2855 S. Lamar St., at 12:00 (noon).

Westerly Creek Elementary School Opening

Also Monday, students and parents at the new Westerly Creek Elementary School will assemble at the Neighborhood Pool and Park (28th Ave. and Tamarac St.) at 8:30 a.m. and walk to school in time for the opening bell at 9:00 a.m. Every student will receive a back-to-school gift from Forest City Stapleton and walk to school with an escort.

Westerly Creek features a unique collaboration. The building will serve as the home for a traditional elementary school and Odyssey Charter School. Students will share common areas. The elementary school will follow the Core Knowledge curriculum, the first of its kind in DPS.

For more information, contact the Public Information Office at 720-423-3414.