News Release
September 29, 2005
Two Schools On The Move - Smiley Middle School's International Preparatory Magnet And The Center For International Studies - Are Focus Of October Edition Of "DPS Today" Television Show
The October 2005 edition of "DPS Today," the monthly television show about Denver Public Schools on Denver cable 8, features a look at two schools that are on the move.
SMILEY MIDDLE SCHOOL
The first is Smiley Middle School's International Preparatory Magnet program, which recently posted test scores that far exceed state averages. On the show, Smiley principal Nate Howard and teacher Gary Sulley discuss the success of the program and the effect that the success is having on the rest of the school.
Two years ago, Smiley Middle School started its International Preparatory Magnet (IPM) Program. Results posted by students during the 2004-2005 school year on the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) were well above state averages.
In reading, for instance, 67 percent of all sixth graders in the state were proficient or advanced. At Smiley's International Preparatory Magnet, 83 percent were proficient or advanced - 16 percentage points above the state.
Seventh-grade reading scores were 64 percent for the state, 89 percent for Smiley IPM - or 25 percentage points better than the state.
There were similar results in writing. Sixth-grade state writing scores at Smiley's IPM were 17 percentage points above the state. Seventh-grade writing scores were 27 percentage points higher than the state.
Same pattern in mathematics - a 29 percentage point gap in the sixth grade and a 35 percentage point gap in seventh grade.
The program is having an impact with minority students. Of the 150 students currently enrolled, more than 80 percent of the students are students of color - 56 percent of the students in the Smiley IPM are African-American; 26 percent are Hispanic and 18 percent are white.
CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
The second school that is "on the move" is the Center for International Studies (CIS), a program that is preparing for its own stand-alone campus at the nearby Baker Middle School facility. CIS is currently housed at West High School. Guests on "DPS Today" are CIS director Dan Lutz and CIS senior Hans Angriatto, who has assisted with issues related to the move of the magnet program to Baker and who has been working with other students in voicing ideas about what they hope to see in the culture, atmosphere and curriculum of the new school.
For 20 years, the Center for International Studies has offered students a unique learning experience. Students acquire a broad-based academic background with a strong international focus. Stimulating classroom studies are intensified through activity-based learning, special international and cultural events, challenging student projects, academically-oriented community service and interactions with people from around the world. Students select from six world languages to study and may participate in international travel experiences.
Students successfully completing the program earn a Diploma of International Studies, a unique and outstanding credential for college. Ninety-six percent of CIS graduates go on to college.
The show can be seen on Denver cable 8 throughout the month at 8 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; at 8:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday; and at 1:30 p.m. every Sunday.
Denver stations 22 and 48 also re-broadcast "DPS Today." Channel 22 is the DPS channel on Comcast cable in Denver. Channel 48 is an ITFS microwave channel that is received only within DPS facilities and delivered on cable channel 48 in classrooms.
The show airs on channels 22 and 48 on the following schedule:
- 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Mondays
- 8 a.m., noon, 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays
- Noon, 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays
- 8 a.m., noon, 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Thursdays
- 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Fridays
- Noon, 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
For information, contact the DPS Communications Office at 720-423-3414.