Press Release
January 7, 2007
Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy Opening Postponed Until 2009-2010 School Year
Denver Public Schools (DPS) today announced the decision to postpone the opening of the new Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy until the fall of 2009. The Board of Education and the district, during the approval of the new school, discussed the possibility that the school would not open in the fall of 2008 unless several key milestones, including securing the school leader, were met. The district recognizes that more time is needed to guarantee a successful program at the new school.
"While I am disappointed that we will not be able to open the school this fall, the Board feels it is important for the district to take the necessary time to ensure that students are well served in the new school," said Michelle Moss, Vice-President of the DPS Board of Education. "We are one-hundred percent committed to opening Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy for the 2009-2010 school year."
The Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy Committee, composed of district staff, Board of Education members, industry experts and parents, have been meeting for the past three months to develop a supreme arts integrated school for the district. The committee will continue to work on the development of the school.
"The district is grateful for the tremendous work the committee was able to accomplish during the last few months," said Superintendent Michael Bennet. "It was a tough decision, but the right decision to postpone the opening of the school in order for the district to hire the right leader and have ample time to plan the academic program of the new school. The district will continue to work diligently with the Kunsmiller staff and to ensure that the students and families affected by the changes have a clear understanding of the new timeline."
On November 19, 2007, the board of education approved the rolling-grade level closure of the existing academic program at Kunsmiller Middle School, starting at the end of the 2007-2008 school year through the end of the 2009-2010 school year, and to open the Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy as early as the 2008-2009 school year. As a condition of the approval, the board of education included milestones for academic program development, student recruitment, staff selection and professional development, and community engagement that needed to be met in order for the school to open in the fall of 2008. The Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy will now open for the 2009-2010 school year.
The current seventh and eight grade students will continue to be served by Kunsmiller Middle School for the 2008-2009 school year. The district has assigned a choice liaison to work directly with the Kunsmiller community during the transition.
For more information, contact the DPS Communications Office at 720-423-3414.