DPS reveals grades for schools

DENVER - Denver Public Schools Superintendent Tom Boasberg has unveiled the latest evaluation of the city's schools under the district's own School Performance Framework, a comprehensive system focused on growth from year-to-year.

"These scorecards are a critical management tool to help principals and faculties target their programs and strategies on areas that need improvements," Boasberg said in a news release.

The SPF looks at all 140 schools examining things ranging from academic progress to attendance and student and parent satisfaction.

"The most important question to ask in reviewing these reports is: Are we driving academic growth in our students, regardless of where they start in terms of classroom proficiency? We have many of our schools that are showing very strong growth," Boasberg said.

He congratulated the two top of the top scoring schools in person on Thursday afternoon: Cowell Elementary and West Denver Preparatory 6-8 School.

The SPF reports offer four levels of evaluation: Distinguished; Meets Expectations; Accredited: On Watch; and Accredited: On Probation. The district analyzed data in academic performance, academic progress/growth, post-secondary readiness, student engagement, parent engagement and school demand.

The district states that the percentage of schools with the lowest designation of "On Probation" dropped from 24 to 18 percent. Six schools increased their overall SPF scores by 20 points or more.

- Cowell Elementary School (28)
- Sabin International Elementary School (26)
- Garden Place Elementary School (25)
- Farrell B. Howell School (K-8) (21)
- Force Elementary School (20)
- Colorado High School (20)

Nine DPS schools received "Distinguished" ratings. They are:

- Denver School of Science and Technology (grades 9-12)
- West Denver Preparatory Charter School (grades 6-8)
- Steck Elementary School
- Polaris Elementary School at Ebert
- Slavens Elementary School
- Bromwell Elementary School
- University Park Elementary School
- Lincoln Elementary School
- Cory Elementary School

"I'd like to congratulate the Distinguished schools as well as those that posted strong gains on the SPF reports," DPS Chief Academic Officer Ana Tilton said in a news release.

The district is celebrating the achievements at some of its high poverty schools. 23 of them scored "Meets Requirements" or "Distinguished" even though at least 80 percent of their students qualify for the federal Free or Reduced Lunch Program. That figure often coincides with lower achievement.

SPF reports for all schools will be available at www.dpsk12.org beginning Friday, Sept. 18.

"This shows not just the excellent work of the teachers in the classroom, but also the entire school staff's commitment to creating an engaging environment for students and parents," Tilton said.