KIPP: KDCHS
Note: Applications for 9th grade enrollment to KDCHS for the 2010-2011 school year are currently being accepted. Applications can be picked up at KDCHS or KSPA and are due to KDCHS by January 19. A public lottery for the first 130 spots will be held at KDCHS at 5:30 p.m. on January 20. Students interested in a limited number of 10th grade spots for next year should contact the school to be placed on the wait list.
KIPP Denver Collegiate High School opened its doors to 129 9th grade KIPPsters in August, 2009. 50% of those students came from KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy and the remainder were new additions to the KIPP Team and Family. KDCHS is on track to become Colorado’s first “90-90-90” high school — with over 90% low-income and 90% ethnic minority enrollment and over 90% matriculating to college in 2013. In fact, 100% of our students are climbing the mountain to college. Students at KDCHS take a rigorous, college-preparatory academic course load while also enrolling in electives including art, technology, dance, and world events. All 9th grade students also take physical education and Spanish.
KDCHS also offers a full sports program, including field hockey, volleyball, soccer, basketball, football, baseball, and lacrosse. The founding 9th grade has also started a literary magazine, The Cool WIPP (Writing is Power Program). KDCHS’ motto, Built for Others, is a commitment to a service learning model that exposes students to challenges in the community and empowers them to learn to be part of the solution to those challenges. Through their Prides (9th grade advisory sections), students perform community service and prepare for service learning projects in later years.
KDCHS, in keeping with the mission of KIPP Colorado, is a college preparatory high school committed to helping students master core academic disciplines and develop critical thinking; self-discipline and organization; self-advocacy and communication; and leadership skills. KIPP Denver Collegiate is also committed to helping students develop a strong moral character through civic engagement, and encouraging a commitment on the part of each individual to achieve something far greater.
Wisdom, Justice, Citizenship, Leadership, Integrity
Location
KDCHS students will be taking the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) tests in March 2010.
Kaye Taavialma comes from a small college town in Ohio; she attended The College of Wooster —in another small Ohio town. She moved to Colorado almost ten years ago and started her teaching career at Manual High School in Denver. In the time since, she helped open an urban charter school for homeless and transient youth in the downtown area, Academy of Urban Learning. She will complete her Master’s Degree in Designing Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment later this year.
