News Release
Nov. 23, 2004
Community Meetings Scheduled For Proposed K-8 Transitions At Harrington, Mitchell, Whittier, Columbine And Gilpin Elementary Schools
Community members are invited to any of five public meetings in early December to provide comment about a proposal to add grades six, seven and eight to three schools (Columbine, Gilpin and Mitchell elementary schools) in northeast Denver and to add grades seven and eight to a fourth (Whittier Elementary School). The proposal also would add grade six to Harrington Elementary School.
The community meetings are:
- Tuesday, Dec. 7 at Harrington Elementary School (2401 E. 37th Ave.) at 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, Dec. 8 at Maria Mitchell Elementary School (1350 E. 33rd Ave.) at 5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Dec. 8 at Whittier Elementary School (2480 Downing St.) at 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 9 at Columbine Elementary School (2540 E. 29th Ave.) at 5:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 9 at Gilpin Elementary School (2949 California St.) at 5:30 p.m.
The evenings will begin with an overview of the proposal that currently is pending before the Denver Board of Education.
Under the motion pending before the Board, Harrington also would add grade seven and eight if a plan can be developed to expand the facility or if enrollment can be adjusted with boundary changes.
The new grade levels would be phased in gradually in each school, one grade level per year, starting in 2005-2006.
The plan also called for a comprehensive, district-wide approach to broader use of the K-8 model. Staff would develop a plan "to convert district elementary schools in all parts of the city to K-8 schools based on facility capacity, parent and community interest, student achievement and opportunities for reuse of middle school facilities."
Chief Academic Officer Sally Mentor Hay said the traditional middle school model is not being abandoned. "Our clear purpose and focus is to create strong middle schools and strong K-8 schools," she said. "Our interest is to give parents some very good choices."
A Jan. 6 Board of Education decision is contemplated.
The proposal comes on the heels of a recent resolution that reaffirmed the Board's commitment to expanding academic options for families within Denver Public Schools. It also comes as Cole Middle School - which serves students who matriculate from the five elementary schools - is being converted to a charter school under the state law that governs school accountability.
"A growing body of evidence supports the kindergarten through grade eight configuration (K-8) as a positive environment for high impacted middle grade students...Results indicate that on both a national and local level, K-8's are generating improved academic and behavioral results among students." The report noted that strong middle schools can drive achievement "that rivals that of the best K-8."
For more information, please contact the Communications Office, 720-423-3414.