December 2023

Welcome back to the latest edition of the Colorado Dream Foundation College & Career Blog Post! In this issue, we are talking about the Denver Public School School Choice process, offering both information and resources to assist you in making the most informed choice for your family.

What is DPS School Choice?

DPS School Choice is an annual opportunity to participate in a lottery system and select the most suitable school for your student and family. While the process is open to all families, it is particularly important for families who have students in a transitional year; that is, students moving from elementary school to middle school and/or middle school to high school.

Why Participate in School Choice?

Engaging in School Choice allows families to select a school that aligns with their student's needs, interests, and long-term goals. For example, if you have a musically inclined middle schooler, School Choice empowers you to explore and apply to high schools that nurture musical talents through courses like symphony and extracurriculars such as Marching Band. Similarly, if you have an elementary student with college aspirations, you can seek middle schools offering honors courses or focusing on preparing students for Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and/or Concurrent Enrollment in high school.

When is School Choice?

10 AM ON JAN 11th - 4 PM FEB 12th

Round 1 of DPS School Choice will open at 10am on January 11 and close on February 12 at 4pm. Round 1 is the ideal round to submit your selections because it increases your chance of receiving your top selections.

How do I prepare for it?

Preparing for school choice is a great time to talk to your student and learn more about their interests, goals, and thoughts about their current school (likes/dislikes). This information can be useful in beginning the school search based on what a school offers that aligns with your students’ interests and goals.
You can learn more about schools by going directly to their website or using resources such as the DPS School Finder and DPS Enrollment Guide. The School Finder has been updated this year and will allow you to search schools by location &/or name or to go through a more guided search process.
The Enrollment Guide is a book that includes information about all the schools in DPS. This tool is split into two versions: elementary school and secondary school (middle school & high school). The Enrollment guide is available in both physical booklet and virtual booklet form. All students in a transition year should receive a booklet via mail. If you did not receive a physical booklet, you can pick one up at the DPS School Choice office located at 4800 Telluride, Building 5.
Schools across DPS will begin offering open houses and informational sessions that allow families to tour the school and learn how their offerings suit their student and families' needs. Once a few core schools of interest have been selected, this is a great next step to assess if a school is a good fit.
Attend the Denver School Choice Expo. On January 20th, Transform Education Now will be hosting a district-wide school choice fair at the Tivoli Event Hall (900 Auraria Parkway, Denver, CO 80204). Over 50 schools from across DPS will be in attendance; you can sign up for the event here.

How to complete School Choice?

To take part in the School Choice process, families will need to complete a SchoolChoice application in which you’ll rank your desired schools. DPS does provide the School Choice Application Guide which provides step-by-step instructions.

Once all applications are submitted, a DPS algorithm will sort results based on preferences, space at schools, and school admission priorities. In March, families will receive an email notifying them of the school their student was chosen for and will work with that school to complete the registration process.

Does Colorado Dream Foundation help with DPS School Choice?

Yes, CDF is here to assist with DPS School Choice! Our college & career team provides informational sessions on the school choice process, we can connect you with other families to share experiences and gather insights, and are happy to assist with the application process. To sign up for any of these options, please use this link.

As you embark on this journey, Colorado Dream Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that every family in our program has the support and resources needed for a successful DPS School Choice experience. Please, do not hesitate to connect with us!

Navigating the Road Ahead: DPS School Choice