Governor Bill Owens and Mayor John Hickenlooper joined officials from the Denver School of Science and Technology (DSST) and Denver Public Schools (DPS) in breaking ground today for the first high school to be built at the Stapleton redevelopment site. DSST is a public charter school within DPS for grades 9-12 and will open its doors to 125 ninth-graders this fall.

Honored at the groundbreaking ceremony were John J. Sie, founder, chairman and CEO of Starz Encore and his wife, Anna. In recognition of a $1 million gift from the Anna and John J. Sie Foundation, the academic building will be named, “Anna and John J. Sie Hall.”

"To keep pace with the challenges of the 21st century, it is necessary that we explore ways to modernize Colorado's schools," said Governor Owens. "The innovative program at the Denver School of Science and Technology is just one of many efforts here in Colorado to improve and adapt our schools for the best service of our citizens."

The 425-student high school will be located along Montview Blvd. between Valencia and Willow street in the southwest quadrant of Stapleton and will serve students from across the city. Any student who lives in Denver and who will be entering the ninth grade in September of 2004 is eligible for admission. The school plans to enroll a 45 percent female and 40 percent low-income student body.

The curriculum will focus on math, science and technology and is designed to support a hands-on, project-based approach to teaching and learning. The rigorous academic standards will challenge and prepare students for college and beyond. Students achieving the graduation requirements of DSST will be eligible for automatic admission to the University of Colorado at Boulder.

"The plans for the Denver School of Science and Technology prove that Denver is a national leader in melding education and innovation," Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper said. "DSST will create limitless opportunities for Denver's children, and in turn, our community as a whole."

“I am extremely excited to be moving to Denver and look forward to working with the diverse student population at DSST,” said William “Bill” Kurtz, who was recently selected to be the Head of School at DSST and was in town for the ceremony.

“With the help of the students, parents, faculty and the Stapleton and greater Denver community, I am committed to creating an outstanding high school.”

Mr. Kurtz currently serves as the Principal of Link Community School (Link), an independent middle school in New Jersey serving 125 seventh- and eighth-graders located in Newark’s Central Ward. Link has been recognized as an innovative, highly successful middle school by many leading New Jersey and New York education foundations.

In a truly collaborative effort among the public, private, and non-profit sectors, the Denver School of Science and Technology is quickly becoming a reality. Forest City Stapleton donated 10 acres of land and Denver Public Schools is contributing $5 million in bond funds for construction costs. The total cost of construction is estimated at $11 million.

“The generous financial support DSST has received has been inspiring and greatly appreciated,” said Norwood Robb, President of the DSST Board. “However, to reach our goal of completing the capital construction of our building debt free, we are actively pursuing additional contributions.”

"The future of Stapleton, our city and our state will be shaped by the efforts we devote to the creation of schools that prepare our children for a challenging and rapidly changing world," said John S. Lehigh, chief operating officer for Forest City Stapleton, Inc., master developer for the former airport. "Forest City is proud to play a role in the public-private partnership that will make this school a model that will inspire other communities across the nation."

Additional information about DSST and the admission process is available on the school’s web site at www.scienceandtech.org.

For more information, contact Denise Hudson, Director of Development, at 303-249-0455 (cell) or denise@scienceandtech.org.