Denver School of Science and Technology

Denver School of Science and Technology
Location
Denver
Colorado
United States
Information
Type Charter
Established 2004
Founder David Ethan Greenberg
School district DSST Public Schools
Principal Bill Kurtz
Grades 6–12
Number of students 3,400+
Admissions Lottery
Website School website

Denver School of Science and Technology or DSST is a public, charter, STEM school with six campuses in Denver, Colorado in parternship with Denver Public Schools. DSST is among the top one hundred charter schools in the United States.[1]

Overview

Metropolitan area students are selected for admission entirely by lottery.[2] As students follow a science, mathematics, and technology focused liberal arts education, more than half of graduates declare a STEM major in college. Minority students comprise 58 percent of the student body and 43 percent qualify for free or reduced lunch.[1]

History

DSST was founded in 2004 at Park Hill in northeast Denver by David Ethan Greenberg, who also served as the first board chair of its successor organization, DSST Public Schools.[3] Bill Kurtz, a former investment banker at JP Morgan, is founding principal.[4]

Recognition

According to a 2014 US News ranking, the Stapleton campus was ranked 18th overall in Colorado, 98th nationally among charter schools, and 626th nationally among all public schools.[1] The school tied for 2nd in mathematics proficiency, 6th in reading proficiency, and 25th in college readiness in the state. In a 2014 Denver School Performance report, five of the top six schools in Denver were part of DSST.[5] Since graduating its first class in 2008, 100 percent of Stapleton seniors matriculate to a four-year university.[5][6] DSST is regarded as one of the top mid-size work places in Colorado.[7]

Demographics

Statistics, 2014 (all in %)[8]
Male Female Free/Reduced
Lunch 		Black/African
American 		AsianHispanic/
Latino		White
Byers 62.99 37.01 25 7.14 4.55 22.73 59.74
Cole (Middle) 54.70 45.30 72 24.34 1.00 57.11 14.46
College View 53.67 46.33 83 0.30 4.00 84.33 8.00
Green Valley Ranch (Middle) 54.00 46.00 72 27.00 9.00 50.00 8.00
Green Valley Ranch (High) 45.8 54.2 69 27.3 8.0 50.6 9.0
Stapleton (Middle) 52.72 47.27 49 20.60 4.36 33.76 34.20
Stapleton (High) 47.59 52.40 44 23.89 3.41 35.74 29.71
Notes

Cole (Elementary) and Conservatory Green data unavailable.

Support

Donors have played a significant role in the establishment and expansion of DSST. Notable contributions include a $7 million gift by Liberty Media chairman John C. Malone, a $3 million grant by the Daniels Fund, $1 million gift by media mogul Oprah Winfrey, $1 million donation by the Anna and John Sie Foundation, and a $50,000 grant by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Dsst: Stapleton Overview". usnews.com. US News and World Report. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
  2. ↑ Gonchar, Joann. "A Learning Community: Dynamic and adaptable spaces serve hands-on education at a charter school with a science, math, and technology focus". archrecord.construction.com. Architecture Record. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  3. ↑ "29th Annual Bonfils-Stanton Awards Honors Three Renowned Leaders for Significant Contributions to Colorado". businesswire.com. Business Wire. May 8, 2014. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  4. ↑ Haanen, Jeff (August 2, 2013). "A Growing Charter School Planted in Rocky Soil". christianitytoday.com. Christianity Today. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Garcia, Nelson (October 4, 2014). "The Denver School of Science and Technology is spreading its success to multiple campuses around the city.". 9news.com. 9 News. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  6. ↑ Outcalt, Chris; Larusso, Jessica (September 2013). "The Dean's List". 5280.com. 5280 Magazine.
  7. ↑ "TOP WORKPLACES 2014". denverpost.com. The Denver Post. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Choose The DSST Campus For You". dsstpublicschools.org. Denver Public Schools. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  9. ↑ Robles, Yesenia (July 13, 2011). "Mogul John Malone to donate $7 million to Denver School of Science and Technology". denverpost.com. The Denver Post. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Daniels Fund grants $3M to Denver School of Science and Technology". bizjournals.com. Denver Business Journal. November 15, 2010. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  11. ↑ Meyer, Jeremy P. (September 20, 2010). "Oprah gives $1 million to Denver School of Science & Technology". denverpost.com. The Denver Post. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Groundbreaking Charter Schools: Denver School of Science and Technology". oprah.com. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  13. ↑ Nelson, Christine; Call, Anna (June 5, 2012). "ANNA AND JOHN J. SIE FOUNDATION DONATES $1 MILLION TO DSST PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Gift Supports Groundbreaking Teacher Effectiveness Model Helps to Close Challenge Grant from John C. Malone, PhD" (PDF). dsstpublicschools.org. DSST Public Schools. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  14. ↑ Davidson, Joanne (June 7, 2012). "Sie Foundation’s $1 million gift completes $7 million pledge to Denver School of Science and Technology". blog.denverpost.com. The Denver Post. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  15. ↑ "How We Work: Denver School of Science and Technology Inc". gatesfoundation.org. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. November 2011. Retrieved November 27, 2014.

External links

Coordinates: 39°44′52.33″N 104°53′26.78″W / 39.7478694°N 104.8907722°W