Superintendent Jerry Wartgow said state School Accountability Reports released today demonstrate continued strong momentum for Denver Public Schools.

“These are very positive results that reflect the hard work of students, parents, individual classroom teachers, principals, district administrators and community members who are dedicated to the work of improving student achievement,” said Superintendent Wartgow.

The positive academic results were announced just one month after Denver voters showed overwhelming support for the district’s bond and mill levy initiatives. The mill levy programs will add enhancements throughout the school district, and the bond will build new schools and classroom additions as well as provide for a vast array of facility upgrades to meet ongoing growth in the student population.

The results of the School Accountability Reports, Wartgow added, reaffirm that the district’s ongoing efforts to improve student achievement are headed in the right direction.

“We will continue to bear down, sharpening our work and making sure our effort is at maximum levels in all schools,” said Superintendent Wartgow. “There are many challenges still ahead, but these indications from state assessments clearly signal that we are moving in the right direction. That should be gratifying to all of those on staff and across the community who are working to make the improvements we must continue to make.”

The results released today were based on tests given in March 2003, just six months after the district launched its new literacy program. A companion mathematics initiative is being implemented this school year.

The state reports show:

• Of 21 schools rated “unsatisfactory” by the state two years ago, only one remains in the unsatisfactory category.
• Nineteen schools improved their rankings from one level to the next.
• Seven “unsatisfactory” elementary schools improved to “low” - Fairview, Gilpin, Hallett, Smedley, Smith and Swansea elementary schools and Pioneer Charter School.
• Five “low” elementary schools improved to “average” - Carson, Ellis, McMeen and Maxwell elementary schools and Challenges, Choices and Images Charter School.
• Three “average” elementary schools improved to “high” - Asbury and Steele elementary schools and Traylor Fundamental Academy.
• Two “low” middle schools improved to “average” - Merrill and Morey middle schools. Odyssey Charter School’s middle school grades (the school is K-8) climbed from “average” to “high.”
• DPS Night High School improved from “unsatisfactory” to “low.”
• Twenty-eight schools demonstrated “significant improvement,” including 23 elementary schools, three middle schools and two alternative high schools.
• The district is home to six elementary schools rated “high” (Asbury, Cory, Steck, Steele, Traylor and University Park) and four middle schools rated “high” (Denver School of the Arts, Hamilton Middle School, Odyssey Charter and Slavens School).
• The district is home to four elementary schools rated “excellent” (Bromwell, Crofton, Slavens and Southmoor) and one high school rated “excellent” (Denver School of the Arts).       

The state rankings are based on the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) results released in July. The rankings are calculated by the state. Scores are not included in the rankings from students who do not speak English, students whose special needs require that they spend less than 45 percent of their time in a regular classroom, and students who enrolled in the school after Oct.1.

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