DENVER — Denver Public Schools announced it will modify its closure and consolidation plan, now prioritizing five schools out of the initial 10. The vote is expected to happen during a meeting late Thursday afternoon, scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m.
Initially, DPS selected 10 elementary and middle schools that would close and be consolidated into neighboring schools. Those initial schools were:
- Columbian Elementary will unify with Trevista at Trevista
- Palmer Elementary will unify with Montclair School of Academics and Enrichment K-5 grades at Montclair and ECE at Palmer
- Math Science Leadership Academy (MSLA) will unify with Valverde Elementary at Valverde
- Schmitt Elementary will unify with Godsman Elementary at Godsman
- Eagleton Elementary will unify with Cowell Elementary at Cowell
- Fairview Elementary and Colfax Elementary will unify with K-5 grades at Cheltenham and ECE at Colfax
- International Academy of Denver at Harrington will unify with Columbine Elementary and Swansea Elementary in a new enrollment zone with Columbine and Swansea.
- Denver Discovery School will unify with schools in the Greater Park Hill - Central Park Enrollment zone.
- Whittier K-8 will unify with schools in the Greater Five Points Elementary Enrollment Zone and the Near Northeast Middle School Enrollment Zone.
On Thursday, DPS announced a modification, saying it will "prioritize" the following five schools:
- Denver Discovery School
- Schmitt Elementary
- Fairview Elementary
- International Academy of Denver at Harrington
- Math and Science Leadership Academy.
The other five schools — Columbian Elementary, Palmer Elementary, Eagleton Elementary, Colfax Elementary and Whittier K-8 — are "still under consideration and will continue to be supported," the district said.
According to DPS, the prioritized five schools account for more than two-thirds of the nearly $5 million that the district provides to subsidize the initial 10 schools. The cost breakdown, provided by DPS, can be found below:
“As a Denver resident, I understand the importance and value of neighborhood schools. I know many of our families have roots at schools that span generations,” DPS Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero said in a statement. “But I, as the Superintendent of DPS, and our Board of Education have a fiduciary responsibility to all Denver residents. I take this responsibility seriously, and I want you to know I am committed to doing what is necessary to, as our Strategic Roadmap states, ensure Every Learner Thrives -- today, tomorrow and for generations to come.”
DPS cited declining enrollment as the reason for the closure and consolidation plan.
Members of the DPS Board of Education are scheduled to vote on the list Nov. 17. A public comment session has been scheduled for Nov. 14.