For three days this week, over 2,200 students representing nearly 50 DPS elementary and middle schools will attend the Denver School of the Arts “In-Reach” performances.

The effort is part of DSA’s ongoing effort to attract a more diverse student population.

Attending students will witness band, orchestra, piano, theatre, vocal music, short readings from creative writing students, and dance. The students will rotate through 15-minute mini-shows each morning. In addition, the video/cinema students will have short student films running continuously and visual arts students will display their latest exhibits in the hallways.

Denver School of the Arts is expecting 500 students on Tuesday, Oct. 28; 600 on Wednesday, Oct. 29; and 1,050 on Thursday, Oct. 30; Students will arrive from all over the city – from seven schools in northwest Denver, 10 from southwest, 16 from southeast, and 11 from northeast.

“Sometimes students and parents don’t realize that DSA has ten different arts majors to offer and a full academic program that is one of the highest rated in DPS and the state,” said Rory Pullens, Assistant Principal responsible for Outreach coordination. “DSA is a wonderful opportunity for students to pursue their dreams, not to mention doing so in a beautiful state-of-the-art new facility.”

While DSA is pleased that its minority population has increased to 36% this year from 29%, Pullens added, a move to the new building requires new efforts that will produce even greater diversity.

The “In-Reach” performances allow DSA to expose more students to its arts program than trying to conduct assemblies at each school.

“We are doubling the number of schools we’re interacting with in just three days that took us three months to travel to last year. Hopefully, more qualified students will audition because of it,” said Principal Patti Bippus.

Fifth- and eighth-grade students from all DPS elementary and middle schools will also receive applications and other promotional materials.

“We are making every effort to connect with the students and families in our immediate community as well as those in the greater metro area”, said Pullens. “For a magnet program like ours to equitably service the entire Rocky Mountain region is a challenge, but we will get the job done.”

DSA is located at 7111 Montview Blvd.

For further information about the application and audition process, please call 303-321-9435 or visit the DSA website at dsa.dpsk12.org.